Looking for a wild get-away and a chance to learn more about foraging wild mushrooms? Join us for a long weekend of fun, discovery, and outstanding meals (with mushrooms, of course). We’ll camp at a beautiful homestead just north of Duluth, lovingly called Camp Bark in the Dark for the two black dogs that reside there with their cats, their chickens, and their people, Sherry Rovig and Barb Crow—wonderful hosts, great cooks, excellent musicians, potter, photographer, woodcraft, and more.
We’re joined by mycology expert Sarah Foltz Jordan, a conservation biologist at the Xerces Society and a skilled and playful instructor on wild mushrooms, who reminds us that there are gourmet foods growing right in our backyards. (Her mushroom website is http://www.mycomagnet.com.)
The long weekend format gives us plenty of time to learn about mushrooms as well as simply soak up the beauty of the northwoods, get to know each other, relax, sit around the campfire, play music, drink wine, and feast on our mushroom bounty.
The trip is designed to help you develop the skills and confidence to begin collecting, identifying, and safely eating wild edible mushrooms. Activities include a photo presentation of edible Midwest mushrooms, practice identification with fresh specimens, mushroom forays in nearby forests, and, of course, cooking/sampling edible mushrooms. Edibility guidelines, cautions and other pointers are provided for each "form group" of mushrooms, with emphasis on the most common, delicious, and readily identifiable mushrooms found in the Midwest. Sarah will bring along a vast array of species of edible/inedible/poisonous mushrooms for us to see.
As with all Wild Institute trips, there will be poetry and native flute, time to relax and unplug from busy-ness; and no doubt there will be fun and fascinating conversations around the table or campfire as well as out on our forays.
No previous mushrooming experience necessary. Just a sense of adventure and an appetite!
What to bring:When you register, you’ll receive a detailed packing list, so you’ll be sure to have what you need. You bring only your personal gear, mushrooming bags or basket, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You are welcome to bring your own tent either as a solo or to share. Otherwise, tents are provided at double or triple occupancy.
How much experience, how in shape do I need to be: You do not need any prior camping or foraging experience for this trip. Though many women use their trip as motivation to get in better shape before they go, no particular level of fitness is necessary for this trip.
Can I sign up on my own: All women are welcome, and many sign up on their own. Others register with friends, partners, sisters.
Weather: August temperatures in the northwoods can range from high 50’s at night to 80’s during the day. The detailed packing list will keep you comfortable whatever the weather.
Meals: Food matters! We provide hearty and delicious primarily vegetarian fare, of course with a wild mushroom flare for this particular trip.
What does my trip fee cover: Your trip fee of $365 includes camping at Camp Bark in the Dark; wonderful meals from dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday prepared by our professional wilderness chef, Sherry Rovig; all mushroom-related and group equipment; private hiking trails; an expert mycologist and teacher, Sarah Foltz Jordan; and founder of The Wild Institute, Chris Heeter, as your guide.
Schedule: Arrive at Camp Bark in the Dark just north of Duluth MN at 2:00 on Friday, August 5 (directions to follow when you register). We’ll get settled into the homestead, set up tents, and stretch our legs on the private trails. That evening, we’ll begin learning about mushrooms following dinner. We’ll spend most of the day Saturday learning more and foraging together. On Sunday, August 7, we’ll go for one more forage in the morning and aim to be back at Camp Bark in the Dark for lunch before departing.
Group size: Minimum 5, maximum 12
Transportation: Closer to the trip, we’ll send out driving directions, as well as the names of the other women registered for the trip so you can carpool and/or share car rentals if you like. Our location is just north of Duluth MN, which does have a major airport if you are flying.
Payment information: Your deposit is not refundable. If you must cancel, please do so in writing. If you cancel 50 days prior to the trip or more, the balance of your trip fee is refundable; 30 to 49 days, the balance of your trip fee is transferable to any other Wild Institute trip through the end of the following year; 0-29 days, the trip fee is not refundable or transferable. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance so that you can recover your losses should you need to cancel or be evacuated from a trip. Some companies that Wild Institute participants have used are: CSA Travel Protection (800-348-9505) www.csatravelprotection.com/comfort; and Travel Insured, 800-243-3174. The Wild Institute reserves the right to alter trip plans due to severe weather, water/snow conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
How do I sign up: A deposit of $100 holds your spot, and payment in full is due by June 24, 2011. With your deposit, please send name, address, phone, and e-mail address.
The Wild Institute
16401 Buchanan St NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
*Our canoe trips follow the American Canoe Association standards for instruction and safety*
Click Here to view and print registration form
(This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view.)
Back to top
