CMS thanks you for considering to lead or co-lead a CMS mushroom foray. Presented below is information about our requirements and processes for leading a CMS foray.
If you would like to meet the current CMS Foray Leaders, click on the picture below.
Foray Co-Leader Requirements
You do not need to be an expert at anything to help co-lead a CMS foray. The only requirement is to be comfortable with being outdoors in the woods and have and interest in mushrooms. All you will need to do is show up at the designated gathering place [on time] and assist the foray leader with duties such as taking attendance with the provided roster, doing head counts, and just generally keeping a watchful eye on foray attendees. The Foray Leader may ask you may to buddy up with someone that is not as comfortable with being out in the woods The benefits – A guaranteed spot on the foray you co-lead, and you will be able to foray and gather mushrooms.
Foray Leader Requirements
You do not need to be a Mycologist or an expert at identifying all types of mushrooms in order to lead a foray. Anyone who has been out mushroom hunting on their own for a few years is probably well qualified. The ability to communicate with and wrangle up a group of diverse people with a wide variety of experience are the most essential skills you will need.
- Experience with foraging for mushrooms – on your own or with a group.
- Ability to communicate instructions to a group (instructions including a sample script will be provided).
- Previous experience with co-leading a CMS foray is helpful.
- Ability to identify some mushrooms is very helpful – If you prefer, we can try to recruit someone to act as the Expert IDer for your foray.
Pre-trip Publicity and Registration
CMS will provide all of the pre-trip publicity and registration, and will also assist you with choosing a location for your foray. You will need to provide a short bio of your mushrooming experience and a picture of yourself, preferably with a mushroom in hand. We will also ask you a few simple questions:
- The number of adults you would like on your foray. (We recommend 15-20 adults for a single foray leader or your first time)
- Are you willing to have supervised children along? Note, this will be in addition to the adult limit. We do not allow pets on forays.
- Date, Time, and Place to meet? Note: We have suggestions for meeting time and place.
- General foray location (e.g. Cascades, Coast, Valley) for advertising/registration purposes.
- Your email and phone number (preferably a cell phone).
CMS will verify each person is a current CMS member and will email the foray details to all foray participants. As foray leader, you will also receive this email. The email will include instructions to send an email to the foray leader (you) if they have specific questions about the foray. And, instructions to send an email to forays@cascademyco.org if they need to cancel their registration.
At the end of the registration process, we will provide you with the list of persons who will attend the foray, including Name (first, last), # of children (if applicable), email, cell phone number, and type of vehicle/license #. You will need to print the list to use during the foray for taking attendance/ensuring everyone is present.
How to Prepare
Site Familiarity: If you are leading a foray, either you or your co-leader needs to have familiarity with the site. It is always nice if you can check out the site a few days in advance to check on the current situation (are their mushrooms?). But, this is not a requirement. Most people who foray understand that sometimes you just hit a location at the wrong time. Even if you do scout a location and find mushrooms, there is always the possibility of them being gone by the time the foray group arrives.
Access Permission: If you have selected a location on private land, you need to make sure you have written permission for the foray. Don’t take people to your favorite secret spot. Even if you ask them not to return or tell anyone, they will.
Alternate Sites: If possible, plan an alternate site in case weather conditions (snow, freezing temperatures, drought, etc.) make the planned trip unsafe or unproductive for mushrooming.
Printed maps (optiona): Printed maps with directions to help people find the site are a helpful hand out to drivers at the meeting location. This is optional. If you would like assistance with creating one, just send an email to forays@cascademyco.org .
What to Bring
In addition to the normal gear for forays (check our foray page), forays leaders should bring the following.
- A first aid kit. At least one vehicle should have a basic first aid kit.
- A whistle or air horn. CMS can provide if you do not have this.
- A cell phone.
- The foray roster that will be provided to you in PDF format.
Day of the foray
If you would like to know the nitty-gritty about leading a foray, you can read our Day of Foray Instructions.
