Foraging Wild Raspberries

We have discovered wild raspberries all over our property this summer and the girls are just in LOVE with gathering them up each day.  It has become one of their most favorite things to do in the summer afternoons as they search and pick each ripe berry and place it in the bowl. 

I first discovered them and picked them alone one day.  I think it was probably the first time I had ever picked wild berries... can you imagine?  At 37 years old, this was the first time I had truly experienced nature in this way. 

I was filled with such awe at the earth's ability to provide such amazing and nourishing food.  It made me wish that I had these types of experiences in my childhood.  Just the simple experiences of picking berries, playing in the woods and enjoying the outdoors as much as my girls do.  The blessing of a backyard and a wooded area to roam.  I was filled with gratitude that my girls are able to experience these beautiful yet simple things in their childhood and sad for so many children and adults now who may not ever know or experience the beauty of the natural world in these ways.

After they are gathered, we wash them together and pack them up for a healthy snack at camp the next day. My girls have been attending our local waldorf school camp and they are having such a wonderful time.  These wild berries are the perfect snack to add to their lunchboxes.

Earlier in the season we also had wild black raspberries to enjoy. Foraging for berries and herbs is a wonderful activity to do with children. Just be very sure you know each plant and teach children well to never eat anything without an adults permission, especially mushrooms and berries.  And I always teach the girls to leave a few berries for the birds :)

Berries and Birds

Five little raspberries growing in a bunch.

(hold up left hand, fingers and thumb brought together)

Five little raspberries, will you come and lunch?

(spread fingers out)

Five little raspberries count them every one.

(count fingers aside, move them quickly)

Five little raspberries, read and round and sweet.

(hold up left hand, fingers and thumb brought together)

Five little raspberries, good enough to eat.

Five little red-breasts flying fast this way,

(hold up fingers of right hand, moving them quickly and bring hand close to left hand)

See the berried red hanging on the spray.

Five little red-breasts

(hold fingers of right hand close to fingers of left hand)

quickly it is done,

(bring all fingers together at tips)

Not a berry left in the summer sun.

(drop hands behind back)