Birthday Party Tours

"Wildman" with Kids in the Field 

This hands-on environmental program consists of a foraging tour of a  local park, focusing on common wild edible/medicinal plants and mushrooms. It puts kids in touch with their environment, and motivates them to study science and practice conservation.

Applicable to groups of all ages and backgrounds, the tour is tailored to the group's educational level and prior environmental experience.

There are many large parks throughout our region, and they present a wide range of ecosystems and species. Yet few of us are familiar with common wild plants, their identification, natural history, food and medicinal uses, or the folklore associated with them. Because we live in an age when environmental issues are crucial, we must do more than provide our children with textbook information, websites, and social media if we expect them to understand and appreciate the natural world and to play a responsible role in conservation.

We study wild plants and mushrooms in the field from various perspectives. As the kids learn plant identification, we emphasize key characteristics, so everyone can recognize the various species. We include botanical and ecological concepts, and use stories and humor to make the lessons come alive. Tales come from natural and human history, as well as from my personal experience. We include ethnobotany traditions of plant use for food, medicine, and crafts, as well as some of the ways folk wisdom complements science.

Related information from many areas of science is interwoven, and the participants are encouraged to ask questions. Conservation is paramount. We distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and stress the importance of managing our planet wisely. Appreciation of nature, more than fear of environmental destruction, leads us to take conservation to heart. Images of my botanical illustrations, plus photos of what the plants we're finding look like throughout the seasons, add to the childrens' understanding.

Everyone collects samples of very common species (i.e., weeds). Later on, they may draw, create craft projects, make pressings and spore prints, take photographs, or write about what they've discovered. The families may also prepare a wild food dish when they get home.

Of course, there's repeated emphasis on the poisonous nature of some species, and I often point out that kids should ever eat any wild plant without expert supervision. I use questions to encourage the children to become involved and to think for themselves. I also bring up my well-publicized history as an urban naturalist, to project a positive role model.

Many well-informed young people watch nature shows on TV and visit nature websites, and are eager to learn more, but have no access to meaningful field experiences. I've been trying to fill this gap since 1982, and welcome every opportunity to make a greater difference. My goals are still to provide the finest hands-on education possible, and inspire everyone to learn about and care for their planet.

Watch a children's tour.

     Parents' Checklist

One or more plastic bag per child—large Ziplocs or Baggies—for vegetables and herbs   

One package of paper sandwich bags for a parent to dispense if we find mushrooms, which spoil in plastic   

One plastic container (yogurt-sized) per child for berries, in late spring, summer, and fall   

Bug spray

Drinking water or juice

Sturdy digging tools for roots, as children love to dig

Waterproof footwear if the ground is wet   

     Contact

Landline: (914) 835-2153
Cell #/Message: 914-400-9135
Email: wildman@wildmanstevebrill.com

     Payment

Venmo: steve-brill-1, authorization code: 9135
Zelle: 9144009135