public function search_for_active_node() {
        if ($this->check_if_active(URL_MATCH_BASE)) {
            return $this;
        } else {
            foreach ($this->children as &$child) {
                $outcome = $child->search_for_active_node();
                if ($outcome !== false) {
                    return $outcome;
                }
            }
        }
        return false;
    }