Salamander Efts and Alevin Showdown!

After a windy night and damp morning the Alevin and Salamander Efts gathered at the North Galbraith trailhead for a day of games and healthy competition. Each year we have a games showdown between two of the oldest Explorers clubs groups; These days are great opportunities to play games we usually don’t have enough people for and enjoy the energy that a large group of boys brings. As the Explorers gathered it was cool to see friendships that existed outside of specific groups and new friendships forming. As soon as everyone had arrived we headed into the forest to find Tim who was finishing the final touches on our game set up.

After hiking for about fifteen minutes we reached our destination and the site for our game. Our game of choice was Life and Death in the Forest. This game is a huge complicated game that involves herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, food sources, and many other factors. The basic premise of the game is a food chain game where each type of animal needs different resources to survive that mirror what this animal would need in the natural world (ask your Explorer to explain the rules sometime!). As soon as everyone had grabbed a snack and had a chance to visit we gathered into a large circle to introduce ourselves and explain the rules of the game.

The flip side of all the positive and excited energy that comes from having such a large group is that it is often hard to hold the group's attention for more than a short time. We worked our way through the rules pausing a couple times to call the boys attention back to the circle. When we finished the explanation of the rules we broke down into groups of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores and geared up for the game. As soon as everyone was ready we started the game.

The game flew by in a blur of hiding behind sword ferns, chases through the forest, finding food sources, finding water sources, surprising each other, strategizing with one another, launching down ravines, running up slopes, crawling through the forest, herbivores hiding, and overall lots of laughter and fun. Part of the fun in playing a big game like this is the healthy competition that it promotes. The values that we can still respect each other even while playing hard in the woods. Numerous times I witnessed the game put on hold as one explorer helped another one up during a chase through the woods.

When the first round ended we came back together to talk about the game. Life and Death in the Forest is an interesting game to reflect on since it both puts the players in the mindset of whatever trophic level they were playing as and can show us how different food chains and ecosystem dynamics work. We had a great debrief on what it felt like to be herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores as well as what we can learn about real life ecosystems based on the parameters of this game. How many herbivores would survive in a real ecosystem? Does the amount of food the omnivore's had to eat seem reflective of how it might actually be? what adaptations would you really want if you were a carnivore? These and many other food chain related questions came up as the boys discussed the game.

For our second round we switched the roles and ratios of the animals slightly to reflect what we had discussed after the last game. Again we all disappeared into the forest to become herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores each finding enough food and water to survive.

The second round was just as successful as the first. Again we had a short debrief after the game to see how the changes we had made went. As the enthusiastic conversation died down we transitioned into ending the day with a sit spot. We asked the boys to spread out and find a comfortable place to sit quietly for the next fifteen to twenty minutes. The mentors spread out and began to clean up the various “food” and “water” sources from around the course. As we made our way back toward the backpacks we heard many voices and saw that many of the boys had all gathered together instead of finding a solo sit spot away from each other. We again reminded these boys to spread out and find their own spots. This temporarily spread them out, but soon enough they had come back together and began talking loudly again. We called everyone in from their sit spots and heard really insightful observations and profound realizations from the boys that had taken their sit spot seriously.

Our day ended with a the 20 minute walk a back to the parking lot. As we walked back we all chatted enthusiastically about the game and moments of defeat and success. Again the need for honest and healthy competitive play was highlighted. Weather you are an explorer or mentor a day spent playing in the woods leaves you with a smile on your face. Please take a look at the Alevin photo gallery andSalamander Efts photo gallery for more pictures from the outing!

Alevin and Salamander Efts Games Day Showdown

After a windy night and damp morning the Alevin and Salamander Efts gathered at the North Galbraith trailhead for a day of games and healthy competition. Each year we have a games showdown between two of the oldest Explorers clubs groups; These days are great opportunities to play games we usually don’t have enough people for and enjoy the energy that a large group of boys brings. As the Explorers gathered it was cool to see friendships that existed outside of specific groups and new friendships forming. As soon as everyone had arrived we headed into the forest to find Tim who was finishing the final touches on our game set up.

After hiking for about fifteen minutes we reached our destination and the site for our game. Our game of choice was Life and Death in the Forest. This game is a huge complicated game that involves herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, food sources, and many other factors. The basic premise of the game is a food chain game where each type of animal needs different resources to survive that mirror what this animal would need in the natural world (ask your Explorer to explain the rules sometime!). As soon as everyone had grabbed a snack and had a chance to visit we gathered into a large circle to introduce ourselves and explain the rules of the game.

The flip side of all the positive and excited energy that comes from having such a large group is that it is often hard to hold the group's attention for more than a short time. We worked our way through the rules pausing a couple times to call the boys attention back to the circle. When we finished the explanation of the rules we broke down into groups of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores and geared up for the game. As soon as everyone was ready we started the game.

The game flew by in a blur of hiding behind sword ferns, chases through the forest, finding food sources, finding water sources, surprising each other, strategizing with one another, launching down ravines, running up slopes, crawling through the forest, herbivores hiding, and overall lots of laughter and fun. Part of the fun in playing a big game like this is the healthy competition that it promotes. The values that we can still respect each other even while playing hard in the woods. Numerous times I witnessed the game put on hold as one explorer helped another one up during a chase through the woods.

When the first round ended we came back together to talk about the game. Life and Death in the Forest is an interesting game to reflect on since it both puts the players in the mindset of whatever trophic level they were playing as and can show us how different food chains and ecosystem dynamics work. We had a great debrief on what it felt like to be herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores as well as what we can learn about real life ecosystems based on the parameters of this game. How many herbivores would survive in a real ecosystem? Does the amount of food the omnivore's had to eat seem reflective of how it might actually be? what adaptations would you really want if you were a carnivore? These and many other food chain related questions came up as the boys discussed the game.

For our second round we switched the roles and ratios of the animals slightly to reflect what we had discussed after the last game. Again we all disappeared into the forest to become herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores each finding enough food and water to survive.

The second round was just as successful as the first. Again we had a short debrief after the game to see how the changes we had made went. As the enthusiastic conversation died down we transitioned into ending the day with a sit spot. We asked the boys to spread out and find a comfortable place to sit quietly for the next fifteen to twenty minutes. The mentors spread out and began to clean up the various “food” and “water” sources from around the course. As we made our way back toward the backpacks we heard many voices and saw that many of the boys had all gathered together instead of finding a solo sit spot away from each other. We again reminded these boys to spread out and find their own spots. This temporarily spread them out, but soon enough they had come back together and began talking loudly again. We called everyone in from their sit spots and heard really insightful observations and profound realizations from the boys that had taken their sit spot seriously.

Our day ended with a the 20 minute walk a back to the parking lot. As we walked back we all chatted enthusiastically about the game and moments of defeat and success. Again the need for honest and healthy competitive play was highlighted. Weather you are an explorer or mentor a day spent playing in the woods leaves you with a smile on your face. Please take a look at the Alevin photo gallery and Salamander Efts photo gallery for more pictures from the outing!

Alevin Learn the Art of Fire by Friction at Clayton Beach

The Alevin arrived at Clayton Beach to find the mentors mulling over a pile of Alder, Cedar, and Vine Maple. Once everyone was present the mentors called a circle and informed the Explorers that they would spend a good portion of the day delving into the skill of fire by friction. Needless to say the boys were excited! The group agreed to put their full attention towards the task, recognizing that this was our first and last chance to practice our seasonal skill.

Fire by Friction is a culmination of many of the previous skills these boys have been working on. It requires local knowledge of the flora and fauna, an eye for harvestable materials that are just the right shape and size, advanced carving techniques, knot tying skills, and above all patience and focus.

In an effort to try and align the flow of the outing with the boys natural energy cycle the mentors have switched to focusing on skills at the start of the outing and then delving into more free time and exploration as the day goes on. We find 10:00 o’clock to be the prefect time; the boys are not distracted by hunger or sleepiness and are not in the post-lunch food coma or ready to take a siesta. Our aim is to provide the best opportunity possible with our limited time together to help the boys learn these crafts.

Gathering our supplies the group motored down the trail to Clayton Beach where we found a secluded cove to practice our skill. The boys turned their attention to a mentor who had pulled out a bow drill kit, passing it around the circle. He explained that a bow drill kit is made up of five components: a top rock, spindle, bow, fireboard, and tinder nest. Making fire is a hard skill to wrap your mind around until you see it in action. Once the group was oriented to the components of a fire kit they gathered close as the mentor demonstrated the process. Slowly through friction of the whirling spindle against the fireboard, a small coal started to form and the smell of smoke rose into the air. Dropping the coal into a Cedar bundle the mentor gently blew the coal into flame. There was a resounding “awe” around the circle.

At this point the group couldn’t contain themselves any longer, anxiously awaiting the chance to start working on their own fire kit. Passing around pieces of seasoned Red Alder the Explorers started to carve away on spindles and top boards. It was inspiring to watch the Alevin work. They put in a solid effort of struggling their way through working with the Alder. Initially when the Alevin were learning to carve they started off with Red Cedar because of it’s softness, and although great for utensils it makes poor spindles and fireboards. A few hours and a whole lot of blisters later the boys had some excellent straight and circular spindles carved. Using their spindles they practiced with the mentors fire kits, finding the actual process quiet difficult.

It’s amazing how much our knowledge of and experimentation with Earth Skills can teach. While the mentors coached the boys they reiterated over and over again our motto, slow is fast and fast is slow. Although none of the boys started a fire a few saw smoke starting to rise off the fireboard.

Checking the clock it had been two and a half hours since we started our skill focus and it was time to pack up and head down the beach. As we traveled the rocky shoreline the boys scavenged for top rocks for their kits until we came to a beautiful spot for a sit. Sending the boys out to find a peaceful place they sat staring out at the ocean and listening to the land. Our sit spot was incredible, there was a Bald Eagle sitting in the tree next to us and a Yellow-Billed Loon calling out as he foraged the Eelgrass beds for food.

With the tide on its way out the mentors called the group back together and we spent the rest of the day investigating the intertidal region of the beach. Clayton Beach’s old pillars and rocky breakwater provide the prefect habitat for all sorts of gastropods, anemones, and crabs. As we explored one of the boys called the group over to try and identify a mysterious creature. Sure enough it was a Hooded Nudibranch and as we looked we saw more and more of them. It was fascinating to watch the Nudibranch dance and flutter through the eelgrass as it searched for zooplankton and jellyfish. 

Calling the group together we shared a circle of thanks on the beach. The boys gave thanks for the ability to work on fire by friction, for the weather holding out so we could have uninterrupted skill focus, for Clayton Beach and all the mystery that lived there, and for quiet time and sit spots. Before breaking our circle the mentors reminded the group that fire comes with a great responsibility and it is our job to pass down this ancient skill from generation to generation. Fire has allowed humans to make tools, cook, purify water, warm our shelters, regulate landscapes, and provided a hearth for us to gather around. It demands focus and attention, and if we let our guard down or allow ourselves to get careless we have the potential to do great harm.

Heading up the beach we were stopped for yet another nature moment, finding a decomposing Harbor Seal in the high tide line. Flipping it over we examined its bones structure before returning it to its originally resting position. What an amazing day for wildlife at the beach!

Parents, if your Explorers have any questions about the process of fire by friction or the materials and techniques involved please don’t hesitate to send an email or give us a call. This skill takes time and we will be working on it for multiple seasons to come. For more photos from our outing please visit the Alevin’s photo gallery.

A Wilderness Exploration with the Alevin at Ridley Creek Trail #686

Arriving at Samish Woods Montessori the Alevin Explorers had lightness about their step and a look of excitement in their eyes. After postponing their first exploration due to 50mph winds, the morning’s cloudless sky and gorgeous sunshine affirmed that the mentors had made the right call. Climbing aboard our new bus Moose, the boys were impressed with its quiet engine upon start up and ability to accelerate faster than Stubbs (aka the Banana Slug).

Heading out Mt. Baker Highway the boys reconnected by trying to convince each other of either the Seahawks or 49’ers superiority. Passing Deming we turned down Mosquito Lake Road crossing over the North Fork of the Nooksack and eventually veering off onto Forest Service Road #38.  Twisting, turning, and bumping down the road we had to make multiple stops to allow for some Explorers get some fresh air in an effort to retain their breakfast.

After the thirteen-mile journey, we arrived at the Ridley Creek Trailhead. It was quite brisk and the mentors were pleasantly surprised to see that every Explorer had brought warm layers. The group was anxious to get on the trail, but the mentors held the group as we still needed to pass out jobs and orient ourselves to where we were. 

Taking a look at the topo map is was clear that we were in a very dynamic location. Our trail was roughly four miles one way and started with a crossing of the drainage of the Deming Glacier, which is also the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River. After the creek crossing we would enter into the Mt. Baker Wilderness, climbing roughly 2,000 feet to the beautiful alpine meadows of Mazama Park.

Together we brainstormed precautions and risks that we needed to consider before embarking into the wilderness. We discussed that being farther away from definitive care means having a deepened awareness for oneself and the group while thinking through each decision with this in mind. We also agreed that we needed to pay close attention to what we were doing which extended to our impact on the land.  

Once we were oriented to the landscape and risk involved we talked a little about the trail. Ridley creek is considered a primitive trail, which means that occasionally it requires route finding, there are often downed logs that have to be maneuvered, and the trail is a mix of creek beds, root stairs cases, and loose rocks.

Arriving at the creek it was abundantly clear the sheer volume of water that had flooded its banks during spring. Thankfully the dryer year and the previous days of sunshine left the crossing manageable. Walking across the exposed riverbed we looked to our North for a spectacular view of the Deming Glacier glimmering in the sun, contrasted by the sheer cliffs of the Black Buttes. Looking to our South at Bell Pass we spotted a lone Mountain Goat foraging through the meadow.

Drawing near to the crossing we could hear the river’s roar. Spotting the log bridge we circled up for some risk assessment. The boys identified that the creek was swift but shallow, and the bridge had some frost making it quite slick. Unbuckling their hip belts and grasping the nettle the boys crossed the creek with focus. Our crossing marked a threshold where we left the front country and entered into a rugged wilderness.

Hiking along the sound of the creek started to fade in the distance and the trail began to get steeper and the trees taller. The mentors explained that this portion of the Mt. Baker Wilderness had never been logged and was considerably different than a classic lowland old growth forest. The forest is made up almost entirely of very large Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock, and Alaskan Yellow Cedar, and Pacific Silver Fir. We went on to explain that in virgin old growth stands Hemlock is actually the climax tree species while many of our second growth forests near to town are dominated by Doug Fir and Cedar because the Hemlocks have not yet established themselves.

Under shadow of the canopy the forest was damp and wet. Feeling a little hunger the boys pushed onward searching for a sunny spot to eat. Stopping next to a small creek they boys ate and lounged while they searched for Salamanders in the Sphagnum Moss.

After lunch we trekked through the dense forest, taking note of the distinct game trails, which led in all directions. Old growth snags stood like relics keeping watch over the forest.  Pulling over for a rest the group called for a game. Assessing how much time and impact it would have we agreed to play a quick game of Spider’s Web at the bottom of the switchbacks leading up into the meadow and then spend the rest of the time trying to hike high enough for a view. Setting up clear boundaries the boys played a slow and stealthy game is Spider’s Web. One Explorer said that it was “his favorite location he had ever played in”. Grabbing our packs the boys pushed up the switchbacks until we reached our turn-around point.

Disappointed that we would not get a view the group turned around to leave and we saw a shale field just above us. Safely we climbed up it one by one to find our place on the land with a sit spot. Looking across the Middle Fork Valley views of the Twin Sisters were breath taking. As we sat against the warm boulders the vibrant reds and yellows of the Vine Maples shimmered in the wind and a stillness came or the group. If there is one thing we can count on in a wilderness experience it is its ability to take us outside of ourselves and helps us realize that we are part of something that is so much more.

Hiking back down we arrived back at our creek crossing with ample time to explore its banks. While the Explorers basked in the sun, climbed on boulders, and hunted for glacially deposited rocks the mentors cut up some apples. Calling the group together we sat under the shadow of Mt. Baker for a circle of thanks. With all the Alevin’s usual squirreliness aside we held a power moment of thanks. These Explorers really enjoy being in wilderness. They are at home here and share deep connection and reverence for its pristine qualities and endless opportunities. What a wonderful way to begin our fall 2015 journey. Parent thanks you trusting with your boys. We cannot express enough how deeply fulfilling it is to share experiences in the wild spaces with yours sons.

For more pictures from the day please visit the Alevin’s photo gallery.

Alevin Explorers Service Project - Connelly Creek

The Alevin gathered at the Connelly Creek service site excited to see how the land had transformed over the summer. The day was gorgeous. Not a cloud in the sky and the warmth of the morning sun was just starting to creep over the foothills. Giving the boys five minutes to scout the land the mentors asked the group to track what work had been done so far this season and what worked needed to get done today.

Circling back up the Alevin tracked that the Reed-Canary grass had grown through the six inches of mulch they laid last season and the Alders that had been planted were taken over by Morning Glory during the summer. Although there was much work to do they did track that someone had put in a lot of work to unwind the invasive weed from the Alder’s cages and reestablished the mulch rings around them. They also found that each shrub planted last fall had been weeded and staked out.

Checking the back of the site they found the previous weekends service party had made a large dent in the Blackberries by really putting in an effort to remove their roots. I think it is encouraging for the Alevin to witness the efforts of their fellow Explorers. Our service each season is condensed into four weekends in a row, where each group comes to the same site. In their spring 2015 season the Alevin were the first group out to the sight and spent a majority of their time just trying to maintain what was done in the previous fall 2014 season. This outing they would have a chance to make real headway on the site.

The mentors let the group know that the Red-Tailed Eyas and Gray Wolf Pups would both be joining them. It would be the first time three Boys EC groups would work together in one day and it was up the elder boys (the Alevin) to set the example for the younger ones. We needed to think back to our last wilderness outing and bring the same focus and intention to our service work that day. We let them know that although the other groups were only younger by a year or two they would be looking to them for guidance and mirroring their behavior.

Springing into action the group immediately moved to the back of the site to start loping and digging out the massive blackberry patch. Digging blackberry roots is hard work and the boys are becoming quite skilled with their techniques.  In the Boys EC if someone unearths a massive blackberry root ball it is tradition to hold it up proudly and let out a cheer. After a solid half an hour of work a majority of the group ran off to stalk the arriving Red-Tailed Eyas.

Calling the group back together the boys returned to their tools. It was then that some of the boys decided to turn their focus to cutting back the seemingly endless blackberry hedge while others kept up their work on the roots of the blackberries that were cut in the previous outing. As the other groups joined in the effort became less focused with a majority of the boys deciding to lop blackberries. As blackberry canes piled up the few boys that were digging roots and trimming the pile for bagging became overwhelmed.

As the situation developed a few of the boys, Alevin included, developed a technique for breaking through the dense thicket of dead blackberry canes by breaking them up with large sticks so they could be raked up. This proved too much for the boys who had a hard time keeping their awareness. With the group at critical mass the mentors called the everyone together. We first addressed the importance of having good intention with your tool. This is something that all the groups know well and should be aware of. We then addressed the larger issue of our lack of focus. Having the group take a look around it was clear that we would have to spend the majority of the rest of the outing cleaning up the blackberries we had just lopped. The teachable moment and take away for some of the Explorers in our discussion was their recognition of two important themes, We not Me and Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow. 

Our haste in lopping a large amount blackberry had left us with the slow work of trimming and bagging. The mentors explained to the group that with so many Explorers it was important that we work as a team and if we all follow our own interests we will work against each other. Being able to recognize the needs of the group over our own was vital to our ability to get our work done and give back to the land.

Refocusing our efforts we bagged blackberries until we ran out of bags and soon after it was time for a closing meeting. Circling up on the grass we revisited our wilderness excursion. We had used our group focus to venture deep in the wilderness safely and responsibly and it was important to recognize that the tools we cultivate in the wilderness translate directly to our lives in the front country.

After a lenghty conversation it is important to recognize the good work that the boys were doing. Although unfocused at times, we got a lot done and are doing the important work of giving back to the land that gives so much to us. We then shared some thanks: we were grateful for our time together, for the opportunity to work with our hands and have a relationship with this little patch of wilderness right in our backyards, and for the amazing weather the day provided. With 1,252 of service hours in the last year there is no telling what we can accomplish this year with our number at 169 strong. Parents thank you for your support and care for our work in the community. It is a pleasure to serve with your boys.

For the more picture from the day please visit the Alevin's photo gallery. 

Alevin Explorers Hike Blanchard Mountain to Lizard Lake

The Alevin arrived at the Upper Lily and Lizard Lakes Trailhead followed by a cloud of dust from the dry, bumpy logging road. Once the boys were grouped up and the dust had settled they handed out jobs and gathered round to look at the Chuckanut Recreation Topo map. Orienting the map to the cardinal directions the group determined that we had a 2.5-mile hike with roughly a 1000 feet of elevation gain.

Shouldering our packs we headed up the logging road toward the Alternate Incline connector. After a half mile the group stopped to take a quick break at a clear cut which over looked Alger Alp and Mt. Baker, what a view! A few of the boys commented that they had never see Mt. Baker from this side and had no idea how much lowland wilderness there was before it. Hiking on the boys feasted on the dense Salmonberry thicket that grew along the sides of the road. It’s wonderful to see these boys really know the land; their ability to identify edible plants and track their seasonality does so much more for these boys than just providing them with a delicious trail snack.

Veering off the logging road we began our ascent up Alternate Incline Trail.  The trail is not only beautiful and well engineered, but a wonderful piece of natural history. Tracking the land the Explorers found rusted logging ties, pieces of train tracks, pots and pans; all evidence of the Blanchard Mountains long history of logging and mining. The boys also tracked that every old growth stump in the forest seemed to have burn marks. In 1925 what was left of the old growth on Blanchard Mountain caught fire in a major burn. What an amazing restoration and growth this track of land has had.

After a long climb we reached the junction to Lizard Lake and the boys were thankful to give their legs a rest and eat some cupcakes baked by Terri Van der Vlugt for her son Rhys’s birthday. Thanks Terri! Sitting at the Lizard Lake campsites we made a plan for how we would best use the rest of our outing. The group decided that they’d explore around the lake for an hour and then head to the caves underneath Blanchard Mountain’s North Butte. Mentors told the boys that as long as they stayed near the shore of the lake they would be able to hear the crow call and were free to wander. The lake was a wonderful container for the boys to spend time wandering.

The group dispersed and investigated the mysteries of Lizard Lake: Pacific and Spotted Salamander egg clutches, deer bones, Bog Cranberry, and a fully functioning beaver lodge. Click here to read more about the symbiotic relationship between Spotted Salamanders and green algae. The boys found the beavers of Lizard Lake to be quite active, creating a jungle-gym like maze of fallen logs at the east end of the lake. The boys practiced their balancing techniques as they navigated around patches of Devil’s Club while trying not to fall into the lake. They also spent some time tracking which trees the beavers preferred felling, coming to the conclusion that they would really liked Alder, but would take about anything.

After the group had decompressed we climbed the steep drainage out of the lake basin and over a ridge into field filled with large boulder and caves. Naturally the group scattered like Mountains Goats, bounding and scampering from boulder to boulder. Looking up, Blanchard’s North Butte towered above, beckoning us to climb higher. It was at this time the mentors called the Explorers together to have a conversation about awareness. With some of the boulders as tall as 30 feet the boys needed to show more self-directed risk assessment and attentiveness towards the inherent safety risks of this location. For the Alevin, finding the balance between following their excitement and energy for what is happening in the moment and being able to think preventatively towards their own safety is an edge. As mentors we aim to cultivate this outdoor leadership tool in each one of the Alevin so that we can offer them more freedom and autonomy as we venture further into the wilderness.

Breaking our circle the boys climbed back up the boulder pile and stumbled across a large female porcupine. The porcupine immediately ran under a rock overhang. As the boys crowed around the mentors told them to only approach from one side. When animals feel cornered they will either attack or defend, neither of which is pleasant from a porcupine. Once the boys found a safe distance we sat and observed it. It was truly a magical moment as the boys marveled at such a large and mysterious creature.

Giving the Porcupine some space we put on our headlamps and crawled down into a cave. As we descended in the rocks and air got damp and cold. Finding some light shining through on the other side we emerged a good distance from where we started.  A few of the Explorers claimed to have seen a creature swimming in one of the cave pools. From their description the creature had a beaver like body and tail with porcupine legs and arms and head shaped like a Salamander. Some skeptics in the group thought it to be just a log, but never the less the story of the “Lizard Lake Legend” will live on each time the Boys EC visits Blanchard Mountain’s North Butte.

Packing up we headed back to the Lizard Lake Campsite for a closing meeting. Gathering creek water in a pot and a few armfuls of Western Hemlock twigs we made a fire in one of the designated pits and boiled some water for tea. Going around our circle the boys recounted their adventures of this season and shared apples and thanks. What a powerful closing outing for our spring season.

Neither the Alevin’s energy level throughout the outing nor their enthusiasm to explore over the next ridge waivered throughout the outing. These boys are hungry for adventure and ready for the challenges that Big Wilderness experiences demands. For the boys the rewards of these experiences will be a newfound sense of identity and self, both inner and outer fortitude, autonomy, self-affirmation, maturity, leadership, wisdom, decrement, and responsibility. Brian and I are excited to continue this journey with the Alevin in our summer WE: Wilderness Experiences and in fall with an extend exploration in the Mt. Baker alpine.

Parents, thank you for your continued support and care for the boys and the program, it is a pleasure the mentor your sons. For more pictures from the outing please visit the Alevin’s Explorers photo gallery.

Serving Connelly Creek with the Alevin and Grey Fox Kits

The Alevin Explorers arrived at Connelly Creek and quickly ran down the embankment, as they were anxious to see how the site has transformed over winter. Calling the group in the Explorers mustered their strength the carried the tools over to the site. They were excited to continue the tradition of camouflaging themselves from the next group, the Grey Fox Kits, who were soon to arrive. The mentors decided instead to use the time to work on our fire by friction and carving skills while chatting with the group about our upcoming summer backpacking trips.

Before the blog post continues, we’d like to remind everyone about the WE: Wilderness Experiences available this summer to the Alevin Explorers. Grey Fox Kits we look forward to backpacking with you in the summer of 2016. These trips are an investment in a lifetime of leadership and skills; their rewards extend far beyond the three to eight days they take place. Many of our Explorers have found them to be life changing, with benefits and tools for living that are carried and applied for many years to come. Please contact us if you have any questions, thanks!

The Grey Fox Kits arrived and the Alevin retired their skill session and both groups circled in the field. The mentors encouraged Explorers to think back to their last outing to Clayton Beach. The outing held powerful lessons about group decision-making, collaborating and compromising, and inclusion. Today would be yet another opportunity to work together while and serving the land. These boys have been working on this site for over two and a half years; they have developed skill and efficiency in their work as well as intimate knowledge of this sites needs.

Instead of painstakingly going over how to us the tools the mentors simply asked the group to be responsible with them. It is wonderful to have cultivated this level of trust within these two groups. They have continued to show their commitment and integrity with safe tools usage. Their eagerness shows they’re hungry for more responsibility, greater skills, and bigger explorations - the mentor’s bow to that.

Breaking our circle played a few rounds of Deer oh Deer Come and Run through my Forest.  This energetic tag game brought the two groups together and that same energy transferred to our work. Running over to the site the boys quickly lined up. Our project for the day was to walk down the Reed-Canary Grass, spread a giant pile of mulch over the area, and finish up with some blackberry trimming. Forming a long line we stomped down the Reed-Canary Grass. It was a fun way to warm up and release some energy. Turning our efforts to the mulch pile the boys took on one of three jobs: a mulch spreader, carrier, or filler. The group worked cohesively and as an onlooker you wouldn’t have been able to tell one group from the other. Slowly Dave started to develop a funcompetitive aspect where the mulch fillers were trying to keep the buckets filled and the carriers were trying to dump them before they could be filled. This led to an inspiration for a game. Dividing into three teams by birth month, the boys took their positions. Their goal was to fill three 32-gallon cans and move them across the service site where the rakers would make three 4 by 3 foot squares. Their teams would be judged on who could get through three cans the fastest, how they worked as a team carrying the buckets, and how neat their squares were. When the game started the boys burst into action. It was amazing, what fun!  The boys really dug deep giving it their all. In the end every team won in a different category.

Spreading the last of our mulch the Alevin Explorers said goodbye the Grey Fox Kits and broke off for a closing meeting. The Grey fox Kits worked on diligently making a big dent in the Blackberry thicket towards the back of the site. Focused and determined the boys cut, trimmed and bagged the Blackberries and hauled them across the site.  

What fine work these Explorers are doing, they should be proud of their accomplishments here at Connelly Creek. The care they show for the saplings and shrubs they planted last fall and their fellow Explorers is outstanding. In their closing circles the Explorers gave thanks for the opportunity to work with each other, for skills and games, for the ability to give back, for the sense of accomplishment and progress they feel, and for the beautiful sunshine and warmth on our spring service outing.

Parents, please take a moment to track the history of our service at this site by clicking on the “tag links” below: Connelly Creek. You’ll see how the place has changed over time due to thousands of Explorer hours poured into the Happy Valley Park. You’ll also see how your sons have changed over time too. Thank you for the opportunity to be your nature-connection mentors. We truly value these experiences and look forward to each outing with you Explorers and your families!

For more pictures from the day please visit the Alevin’s or the Grey Fox Kit'sphoto gallery. 

The Alevin & Grey Fox Kits Explore Clayton Beach

The Alevin and Grey Fox Kits met at the Clayton Beach parking lot for their second exploration of the season. Little did they know the mentors were planning on joining forces for the outing! After safely crossing the road the boys searched for a place to have an opening meeting. Finding a clearing under a Cedar tree, we circled up and there was clearly a divide between the two groups. The mentors explained that by chance the two groups had been scheduled for Clayton Beach on the same day and that the opportunity presented to the groups could be used for skill sharing, a large game of some kind, or wherever their inspiration led them.  

The boys handed out jobs amongst their own groups and the mentors handed the circle over to the Tribal Elders for the day, letting them know that this decision could be made in five minutes if they focused. The Tribal Elders were quick to come to the decision that the group needed to take a vote in order to come to a collaborative decision. The mentors stressed to the Tribal Elders that it was important for the group to brainstorm ideas on how we could best use our time before the group voted. Going around the circle the Tribal Elders collected suggestions, but soon the circle turned to chaos. Some boys tried to take over by talking over the Tribal Elders, other boys were anxious to get to the beach and unable to hold their focus wandered off, while others argued amongst themselves over what would be the best use of time.

After about ten minutes the mentors called the group back together. By then many of the Explorers were frustrated and decided it would be best to split the two groups and explore on their own. Once Tim had everyone seated and focused he explained that we honor and respect each other in our circles by bringing our focus and commitment towards the decision at hand, and that we are part of a community and this means we must collaborate and compromise. After 30 minutes of group process the boys came to the decision that they would stick together, go to the beach, and then at 2:45pm head back to the woods to play a round of Spider’s Web.

Although the process can seem arduous and daunting these Explorers are learning the interpersonal skills it takes to be part of a community and the mentors were quite proud of their decision and commitment to remain a community.

Sensing that they had lost some time the group quickly headed down the trail to Clayton and spread out over the beach. It was powerful having four mentors on this outing. The dynamic afforded the boys the opportunity to follow their own inspirations on the beach. Setting up a home base some of the Grey Fox Kits pulled out their knives and began to carve as they watched a group of Surf Scoters fishing for invertebrates in the Eelgrass Beds. Other Explorers ran over to the sandstone cliffs and climbed to their hearts content as Peter spotted them. When given the space and time these boys are so creative and inquisitive. The boys spread into every nook and cranny of the beach, finding quiet spots on the bluff to get lost in thought, searching the intertidal zones for Anemones and Hermit Crabs, and even finding a driftwood teeter-totter to play on.  

Shadowing a group of boys one mentor witnessed a very powerful moment. A few Explorers found a quiet place where a Willow tree hung over a small creek that fed into the sound. As they sat they commented to one another that this place was the most beautiful they had ever seen and encouraged each other to get quiet and listen to the creek as it ran into the sea. After about ten minutes of silence the mentor approached the boys and said, “pretty nice spot huh”? The Explorers commented that this place wasn’t just nice, but special. They said they felt like people had been coming to this place for many generations and that it was special because people would continue to experience its solitude for many more generations.

As mentors we rarely directly experience the fruit of our labors, but in times like these it is clear that our core routine of sit spots and immersion into the landscape are shaping and changing the Explorers relationship the natural environment. This connection is nurturing inside them the ability to slow down, deeply reflect, and be appreciative for all we have. 

Circling up a little after 2:45pm the boys had another group decision to make.  Almost unanimously the boys decided to skip heading back into the woods for a game and instead stay on the beach and continue exploring. It was powerful for the boys to make such a quick decision and realize that they had to ability to be collaborative leaders. Before breaking our circle for one last exploration the group shared a circle of thanks. The boys gave thanks for the amazing sunny weather, for the ability to explore their interests, for food and water, for special spots and abundant wildlife, and for the opportunity to explore with each other.

The Mentors would like to thank these Explorers for putting in the work and answering the challenges that being part of a circular community brings. The Grey Fox Kits and the Alevin will be working together next outing at our Boys EC Service Site. The mentors look forward to another day together full ofcollaboration and compromise!

For more pictures from the day please visit either the Grey Fox Kit’s or theAlevin’s photo gallery. 

The Alevin Explore North Lake Samish Trail

The Alevin met at North Lake Samish Trailhead geared up to weather a storm, the forecast called for high wind and rain. The mentors watched the wind in the early morning and had their doubts about our ability to explore anywhere but near the lakes edge. The Alevin however were not alarmed, over their years in the BEC they’ve learned how to be prepared and act preventatively. Circling up the boys handed out jobs and worked on orienting to the landmarks around in order to determine the four cardinal directions. The group was excited to explore this new location and their excitement only increased as the wind slowly died down and the rain subsided to a drizzle.

Gathering our strength we hiked for a half an hour straight up the power line clearing, climbing from what we determined topographically to be about 600ft in elevation. As we climbed up the group called attention to all the signs of spring alongside the clearing; the smell of fresh rain, the sounds of Robin songs and flowing creeks, the nettle and fiddlehead shoots, Salmonberry and Current flowers blossoms, and the beautiful and varied shades of green bringing life back to the landscape. At the top of the clearing the group looked a little overheated and paused to rest in thewonderful breeze. Peeling off layers the mentors stressed to the group the importance of regulating the moisture that builds both inside and outside of our rain layers in the Pacific Northwest’s humid climate. Many of the Alevin Explorers will be backpacking this summer and experience with the intricacies of staying warm and dry in sustained inclement weather is powerful knowledge. Taking the time to let your inlayers vent can be the difference between being cold or warm.

We ate lunch looking out over the vista at Alger Alp and Skagit Valley, what a view! After we were fueled, the boys circled up and the tribal elder helped to facilitate a great decision on how to best use our time and where to navigate next. To our west lied mixed logging land that climbed towards Pine and Cedar lake and to our east a another view point that required a challenging route of snaking trails. The group opted to head west and find a location to play Spider’s Web. Leaving the power line clearing we pushed our way through a crowded grove of Douglas Fir until the forest opened up. The boys looked at each other, confused, trying to decipher what kind of landscape they had just entered. The mysterious patch of forest had a thick canopy but its trees had dead limbs underneath. It was full of scorched trunks, massive stumps and hardly any ground cover or shrubs.

The group quickly decided that this would be a great location for Spider’s Web. The mentors would like to commend the Alevin for their sportsmanship and ability to play with honor. The course proved to be quite difficult and without underbrush to hide behind the boys were continuously caught by the spider. Giving it their best effort they used the challenge as an opportunity to grow. This group would not have had the same reaction two years ago. Throughout the outing it was clearly communicated to the mentors that these boys are willing to step into the leadership needed to meet the challenges of wilderness trips as well as the challenges of working in a community. The Alevin are able to: self regulate, hold each other accountable, focus their energy, think preventively, care for each other’s safety both physically and emotionally, and meet their challenges with acceptance and patience.

After our game the group circled up to delve into our Earth skill for the season, the Art of Backpacking. The mentors focused the day’s lesson on getting to know our MSR Wisperlight backpacking stoves. Together we learned to safely set-up a backcountry kitchen, cook efficiently, and how to conserve fuel. After going through each stove component the group learned how to pressurize the fuel tank and get the stove running with the correct temperature.

Throwing on a pot of tea water the group worked on carving projects while our peppermint tea brewed. As we sipped tea we cleaned up our project and about half the group decided to play another round of Spider’s Web while the rest continued to carve. Within a few minutes the Spider had all the flies on his web and our energy scattered, so the mentors called the group together for a sit spot.

Spreading out over the land the boys got quiet. As we sat the gentle breeze blew through the trees as it traveled across the mountains, created a rising and falling whirl as it passed through. It’s moments like these that remind us just how truly magical our home is. It’s the land where the sea and mountains meet, where wild spaces are just outside of our backyards, where adventure is at our fingertips, and the power of the wildland’s resilience and mass are apparent.

Calling the group back in the boys looked more settled. Sharing our sit spot stories the group really seemed to be fascinated with the mystery and history of this patch of woods. They brought up excellent tracking questions: how did fire that scorched the trees start? How long ago trees had been patch been logged? What wildlife lives in a mixed use for such as this one? What type of trees did the stand primarily consist of? How many hours it would take to traverse to Pine and Cedar? For the Explorers it is this type of questioning that opens their eyes, that takes them outside of themselves, that help them reflect and slow down, and begins to build in them that overall appreciation for everything in this life. Their engagement and fascination in the natural history of the local environment demonstrates their deep relationship and connection with the land.

We shared a powerful circle of thanks before heading back down the power line clearing. Needless to say the Alevin will be revisiting this location next fall season! The mentors would like to thank Logan for volunteering and continuing his journey this spring season in the Art of Mentoring as an Explorers Mentor Apprentice. Debriefing on our day with Logan we shared our excitement for the Alevin Explorer’s awaiting adventures. This group demonstrates the responsibility and leadership needed to begin to navigate both the physical and cultural wilderness that awaits them!

For more pictures from the outing please visit the Alevin’s photo gallery. 

The Alevin Explore Squires Lake at Night

The anticipation was palpable, the venerable elephant in the room. The Alevin Explorers were headed to their first “night” outing. 

We could feel it as we rode “Stubbs” down I-5 to Squires Lake. There was more than the usual ration of high-energy interplay. It could’ve been the experience of riding in the bus we love to mock, but my money is on nervous energy over the prospect of being in the woods in the dark.

We could sense it as we hiked up the steep Squires Lake access trail - at double time.

We couldn’t avoid it as we had our opening meeting near the waterfall that would be a key milestone of our journey out. We set the marker in our minds - if we’re able to navigate our way to the welcome sound of the waterfall, we’ll know we’re just a scramble down that access trail back to Stubbs. 

Amid the anticipation, we held our opening meeting not far from that waterfall. Our Tribal Elder led us in a process to decide how we wanted to structure the outing. Under his guidance, we decided to head to the beaver pond, where we would prepare for the darkness. In fact, as we hiked to the pond, we practiced group hiking in the dark. Key to our preparation were two strategies Steve taught us: the count-off, when each group member counts in turn to ensure we have everyone, and the shrew walk, in which we walk in a line holding the backpack of the person in front. On this part of the hike, we practiced the count-off; the shrew walk would come later. The mentors also worked with the Front and Back Scouts, who practiced keeping the group in tight alignment. 

Anticipation turned into action when we reached the beaver pond. It was time to prepare for the fire we planned to have later, so the explorers followed Steve up a hillside to harvest dead Western hemlock branches (they remain dry inside even in heavy rain). The sky, clearer than we had expected throughout the afternoon, now began to darken, with a steady increase in the anticipation level in the group. Time to calm things and quietly observe nature’s transition to darkness.

The boys spread out along the shore of the pond and, after some restlessness, settled into a wonderful sit spot. As the serenity of the setting seeped into our souls, we began to blend into the scenery, emboldening the “residents”. Ripples in the water – beavers? That flapping sound – a small flock of ducks flying low. The sweet song wafting across the pond – local birds chatting. A great tonic for these anxious boys! 

Getting dark now. We hiked a little ways to a better spot for a fire, where Steve demonstrated fire by friction, a skill the Alevin will learn in due time. Likely a little light-headed from providing oxygen for the fire, Steve brought light to our gathering. Around that light, the boys told stories that had all the hallmarks of stories told by boys this age!

The fire doused, we looked around to realize it was fully dark. Time to try our hand at navigating without artificial light. Here it was, the moment we’d been anticipating. We decided to Shrew walk toward the waterfall. This activity was, understandably, a challenge for a few boys. Walking blindly with a lake, a forest, and, who knows, a bluff perhaps? nearby can be disconcerting. Stepping into the dark requires trust in your group mates, calls for leadership from those who feel the call to step up, and depends on discipline and skill from everyone. The mentors were hopeful we could keep up the walk for a while; the boys exceeded our expectations! We hiked for the better part of a half hour until we heard the sweet sound of water falling – we had made it back to the top of the access trail! High fives all around! Oh, and headlamps and flashlights on for the scramble down to Stubbs – a site beautiful beyond its physical attributes. 

The boys were anxious as we embarked on this adventure and jubilant over their success as we departed. We gave thanks in the bus on the way back amid continued excited chatter. The Alevin had met the challenge of their first “night” outing. A good day.

For more pictures from the outing please visit the Alevin’s photo gallery