Exploring with the Alevin Explorers' Summer Camp

It is always a significant challenge to try to encapsulate a single exploration in an outing report. When that outing report is attempting to encompass an entire week’s journey, the writer's task becomes so impossible that one can only surrender that foolish aim. Instead, the inspiration comes to provide vignettes or snapshots; to supply the parents with a pointillist picture and allow your minds to connect the dots.

We know that too often the boys come home from a very full and powerful outing and all the parents get in summary is something to the effect of, “it was good.”  Let It Be Known that it was more than good: it was a full life experience, with laughter and tears, cheers and fears, connection and growth. Everyone embraced the Explorers’ Club motto ofstretch your edge.

We poked around the 100 Aker Wood, following our curiosity as it took us down strange paths filled with mysterious bugs, crazy-looking mushrooms, primitive shelters, slugs and snails, nettles, mystery birds, games, teachable moments, and towering trees. Explorers learned how to identify different trees by sight, smell, and touch, and then through games. We learned a little more about how the animals navigate the woods by getting down and crawling around on their level. We introduce the game of Spider's Web, and Explorers’ Club favorite, and then moved on for some fun navigation skills. We navigated the woods, and navigated our own group culture at the same time.

At Bakerview Beach, a chilly beginning turned into an epically beautiful day. We navigated the great logs washed up by the Nooksack, gathered up our courage to cross the cold currents and explore the vast expanse of the mud flats. The mud coated our faces and made for a great sliding material. We touched on the art of carving, learned about knotweed, cattails, fort building, and the art of beach exploration. We found the “Earthkeeper’s Lair” and explored this magical space till it was nearlytime to go home.

Whatcom Falls Park offered the power of a tracking deer, taking new trails, a great waterfall, clambering over and climbing between massive boulders, discovering crayfish, and finding out what lies beneath the bridge we've so often traveled upon. We investigated the pond, jumped in the water, learned about concentric rings, practiced Fox feet, and played a new game called Ripple through the Forest.

Teddy bear traverse gave us the chance to get some hiking in. We played a very challenging game of camouflage gauntlet, discovered how to move quietly, how to paint mud all over our faces, and learned a little bit more about devil’s club.  The trail to Teddy Bear Cove was filled with berries, imagination, and some good teaching points on awareness. Of course there were plenty of games. The final destination is one of Bellingham's gems.  Worth many visits!

The final day at Racehorse Falls offered the amazement of fossils! A vast expanse of water gave us the challenge of learning how to cross well, trust our feet, and explore with more confidence. Fossils everywhere, interesting plants, and a giant waterfall upstream provided for a wonderful day. This place is worth seeing, and we highly recommend that parents start your own Explorers club and get out there! You will not regret it.

Thanks so much to all the Explorers for your willingness to explore your world, to cultivate your senses of connection and service, and to have fun while doing it. You made this a wonderful week. Much thanks to all the parents for all of your support!

Be sure to check out pics of the outings in our Summer Photo Gallery.