Frequently Asked Questions
We’re building the Frolic & Forage Society in real time, which means some things will evolve as the Society grows. We’ll keep this page updated along the way.
If your question isn’t answered below, we’d love to hear from you. Just send us an email here: frolicandforagesociety@substack.com
Getting Started
What is the Frolic & Forage Society?
The Frolic & Forage Society is a scouting-inspired community for grown-ups who want more creativity, curiosity, connection, and wonder in everyday life.
It’s a place to make things with your hands, explore new interests, gather around real tables, celebrate meaningful moments, and remember that wonder isn’t something we outgrow.
Whether you participate on your own or gather with others, you’re welcome here.
What do you mean by scouting for grown-ups?
The Frolic & Forage Society is our own modern take on scouting for adults.
Here, community members collect celebration badges, explore new skills, make things with their hands, gather with others, and reconnect with wonder along the way.
While we’re inspired by the best parts of scouting traditions, we’re an independent community with our own activities, resources, and traditions.
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or associated with Girl Scouts of the USA, Scouting America, or any other scouting organization.
Why “Frolic & Forage”?
Wonder offers us a path back to ourselves and one another. And we need places we can practice it—together.
The word frolic means to play and celebrate. In a time of deep heaviness, it’s a way we can become a community of care and compassion. We believe you can forage for hope and joy and kindness just as well as yarrow, fleabane, and huckleberries.
In a distracted, disconnected world, adults especially need more reasons to gather around whimsy. More excuses to make things with our hands. More permission to be beginners again. More places we can feel safely seen and celebrated.
That’s what The Frolic & Forage Society is about. It is our deep hope we can become a movement that shows the power of savoring beauty and leading with compassion and generosity.
How do I join in?
Simply subscribe to this Substack, which serves as our Society clubhouse.
That’s where we share new field guides, resources, badges, stories, community conversations, and everything happening inside the Society.
Do I have to be creative?
Not at all. But we fiercely believe everyone is creative in their own way.
You don’t need artistic talent, expensive supplies, or previous experience.
Do I need to participate in everything?
Nope. This is like a choose-your-own-adventure book. There are no grades, rankings, streaks, or pressure to keep up.
Participate as much or as little as fits your season of life.
Independent Troops
Are independent troops official chapters?
No. The Frolic & Forage Society is a community, not a membership organization with official chapters or franchises.
Troops are independently organized by community members who choose to gather together.
Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC1 does not officially organize, supervise, sponsor, or oversee independent local gatherings. Each participant is responsible for deciding whether a meetup is right for them and should use appropriate judgment and safety practices.
Can I start my own independent troop?
You sure can!
Members can choose to gather with friends, neighbors, family, coworkers, book clubs, or fellow creatives in independent local troops.
You’re welcome to use Society activities and resources to inspire your gatherings.
Local troops are independently organized by members and are not official chapters, franchises, representatives, or agents of the Frolic & Forage Society or Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC.
Can our troop meet virtually?
Yes. Your troop can meet virtually, in person, or combine the two depending on what works for your group.
Virtual troops are welcome to create their own private online gathering spaces. Society-wide online groups and accounts are created and managed by D. Michele Perry/Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC.
Virtual gatherings and online spaces are independently organized and are not operated, supervised, or controlled by the Frolic & Forage Society or Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC. Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC assumes no responsibility or liability for any conduct, interactions, content, activities, losses, damages, or other claims arising from or related to independent virtual gatherings or online spaces.
Can I create an online space for my troop?
Absolutely. Independent troops are welcome to create private Facebook groups (please see naming section below), group chats, Discord servers, email lists, or whatever works best for their members.
What about online group for the whole Society?
To keep things easy to find and avoid confusion, Society-wide spaces and accounts are created and managed by D. Michele Perry/Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC. If you’d like to create something privately for your individual troop, though, have at it!
What can I call my troop?
One of the joys of our Society is that every troop gets to develop its own personality.
We encourage each independent troop to choose a name inspired by the flora, fauna, fungi, landscape, or natural history of its local area. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the places we call home while giving every troop a unique identity.
Examples
Live Oak Troop
Luna Moth Troop
Painted Bunting Troop
River Otter Troop
Dogwood Troop
Mossy Fern Troop
If you’d like, you can include your city or region after your troop name:
Live Oak Troop • Jacksonville, Florida
River Otter Troop • Portland, Oregon
Each troop name should be unique and should not imply that your troop is an official chapter or representative of the Frolic & Forage Society
Independent troops may also describe themselves as:
An independent Frolic & Forage Society troop.
Please don't describe your troop as an official chapter, regional office, affiliate, franchise, or other authorized representative of the Frolic & Forage Society or Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC. We want everyone to clearly understand that local troops are community-led and independent.
What about social media groups and accounts?
You’re welcome to create a private social media group for your troop. The name and handle should make it clear that it belongs to an independent troop rather than being an official Frolic & Forage Society account.
For example:
Luna Moth Troop | Frolic & Forage
Live Oak Troop • Jacksonville
@lunamothtroop
@liveoakfrolicandforage
Please don’t use names or handles that could reasonably be mistaken for an official Society account, such as:
@frolicandforagesocietyflorida
@frolicandforageofficialjax
Frolic & Forage Society Jacksonville
When space allows, please include “An independent Frolic & Forage Society troop” in your group or account description.
Please don’t describe your troop, group, page, or account as an official chapter, regional office, affiliate, franchise, or other authorized representative of the Frolic & Forage Society or Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC.
Do I need permission to start a troop?
No.
Independent troops are created by community members, not appointed by us. You don’t need approval to gather with friends, neighbors, or fellow foragers.
If you’d like us to know your troop exists, you’re welcome to submit your troop information through our Troop Information Form.
Sharing your information helps us celebrate what you’re building and may allow us to include your troop in future community directories or connection opportunities. Submission does not create official status or endorsement.
How can I let you know about my troop?
We’d love to hear about it!
While independent troops don’t need approval or registration to get started, you’re welcome to tell us about your troop by completing our Troop Information Form.
Sharing your troop information helps us celebrate what you’re creating and may allow us to include your troop in future community directories, maps, or other connection opportunities.
Submitting your troop information does not make it an official chapter, affiliate, franchise, or representative of the Frolic & Forage Society or Designed to Thrive Creative, LLC. Independent troops remain community-led and self-organized.
Do I have to join a troop?
Not at all. Some members enjoy exploring the Society on their own.
Others gather occasionally with friends. Some become part of an independent local troop.
There isn’t one right way to participate.
What about international troops?
You are so welcome here.
We’d love to see independent troops spring up around the world. If you start an independent troop, we’d love to hear about it so we can celebrate what you’re creating.
Badges & Traditions
What are celebration badges?
Our badges are less about certifying your skills and more about celebrating your story.
They commemorate experiences, skills explored, adventures taken, acts of kindness, things you’ve made, and moments that matter.
How do I collect my badges?
Our badges aren’t something you pass or qualify for. They’re invitations to make, explore, gather, grow, and celebrate.
Some recognize learning a new skill. Others commemorate a meaningful experience or season of life.
We’re putting the finishing touches on our first badges and will share all the details as soon as they are ready.
Do you have a pledge?
I promise to stay curious, choose kindness, make room for wonder, and bring whimsy wherever I go.
What’s with all the mushrooms?
Mushrooms are our emblem because mycelium creates remarkable underground networks that help forests thrive.
We love the reminder that connection often happens beneath the surface.
As an added bonus, a group of mushrooms growing together is called a troop, which felt like it was meant to be.
Membership & Supporting the Society
Is there an official individual membership?
Yes. The Society includes both free and Supporting Memberships through Substack.
Most resources are available to everyone. Supporting Members receive a few additional perks while helping us grow and create new resources for the entire community.
What does it cost?
Joining the Society is completely free.
You can participate in the community, start an independent troop, and enjoy most Society resources without paying a thing.
If you’d like to support what we’re building, a Supporting Membership is available for $5/month or $50/year.
Supporting Members receive a few extra benefits, but belonging isn’t something we wanted to restrict behind a paywall.
Can I cancel my membership?
Yes.
If you’re subscribed through Substack, you can manage or cancel your membership at any time through your Substack account.
Community & Support
Is the Frolic & Forage Society only for women?
No.
While many of our members may be women, anyone who shares our values of curiosity, creativity, kindness, and wonder is welcome.
Is Frolic & Forage suitable for children?
While the Frolic & Forage Society itself is an adult community, you’re welcome to share the spirit of what you’re learning with the people you love.
Our memberships, online community spaces, and independent troops are designed for adults (18+), but many of the ideas can be enjoyed together.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for deciding what activities are appropriate for their families and for supervising children.
Is there a right way to participate?
Not at all. Every person's circumstances are different.
We encourage members and independent troops to participate in ways that make sense for them. There is no one right way to participate.
Creativity belongs to everyone.
Do you have community guidelines?
We sure do. You can read them here ⬇️.
Resources & Copyright
Can I share Frolic & Forage printables?
You’re welcome to print society resources for your personal use.
If you’re hosting an independent troop, you may also print copies for those participating in your own gatherings.
Please don’t upload digital files elsewhere, redistribute downloads online, or sell Society resources or modified versions of them.
Can I sell things I make from Frolic & Forage projects?
Projects are designed for personal enjoyment.
Unless a project specifically states otherwise, society resources, artwork, badge designs, and printables may not be reproduced commercially or incorporated into products for sale.
Our Values
Why whimsy?
Because whimsy isn’t about escaping the world. It’s resistance to the things that would diminish our dreams or weaken our worth.
We believe wonder and whimsy both help build resilience. They remind us to slow down, notice what’s beautiful, explore our creativity, gather with people we care about, and celebrate ordinary moments that become part of our stories.
In a world that often asks us to move faster and consume more, wonder and whimsy help us become more beautifully, deeply human.
What Guides Us?
For us, generosity isn’t just something we value. It shapes the kind of world we hope to help build. We believe practicing generosity begins with how we care for ourselves, extends to how we treat one another, and ripples into the world around us.
Toward Ourselves
We celebrate the small moments that shape our stories.
We honor the courage needed to begin.
We stay curious.
Toward One Another
We make room at the table.
We share what we’ve learned.
We choose kindness.
Toward the World Around Us
We notice the beauty and wonder others hurry past.
We use what we have.
We make whimsy a way of life.
Getting in Touch With Us
How do I contact you?
Questions about memberships, resources, orders, or anything else?
We’d love to hear from you.
Email: frolicandforagesociety@substack.com
Michele’s legal business name behind the whimsy. ☺️