Foundations of Service with the Alevin Explorers

As the string of good weather came to a close, our Alevin explorers gathered for their Foundations of Service service project at Larrabee State Park. We had the good fortune of having to mentors in training from our oldest Explorers group to help guide us through the day.

We began by gathering on the lawn and opening with a challenge, The Human Knot. Explorers formed a circle and place their hands in the center. Then each grabbed one end of a segment of rope until there was a dense web forming the hub of their human wheel. Then the challenge began. How can they untangle this knot without letting go of their rope? With some interesting acrobatics and some surprising results we ended up untangled and facing the day.

We sat down and began our morning meeting, contemplating our Explorers club motto, Our Cups Overflow, with a very concrete example. An empty cup was placed in the center of the circle, and a large jug of water. Explorers were then asked to name all the necessities of life that they have. Answers came forth: food, shelter, water, trees, the sun, etc. Then they were asked to name all of the extras that they had that make their life more full. More answers poured forth, and for each answer water was poured in that once empty cup. Answers kept coming until the cup overflowed, and still there was more. It became apparent that we have so much in this world, that our cups overflow, and that giving is the most natural thing for us to do. We looked out over the beautiful park and imagined it without giving. All the invisible bonds, like the ropes that united us in the human knot, unveiled themselves as bonds of giving and receiving.

It was apparent that action was the next step. We give out jobs for the day and began hiking. But first, a quick game of Hide! was in order. As we made our way up toward the side of the road where a sea of ivy was waiting for us, we found many curious things along the way. Birds, plants, and mushrooms were all deep in the dance of spring. Our mentors in training helped with a few awareness points and teachable moments.

Then came the Ivy. It was not as bad as it once was. Both Boys’ and Girls’ Explorers Clubs have been at this ivy patch for years now. It was encouraging to see the difference and very apparent how important it is to maintain service. We talked about natives, non-natives, and invasives; demonstrated some ivy pulling techniques; dove in.

Pulling ivy is one of them most suitable service projects imaginable for young boys! Pulling, yanking, cutting, and having contests to see who can make the biggest ivy ball were all part of the service. Service can be fun… and should be.

After a good bit of service, we wore ourselves out. We took a look at the ivy and saw a sizable dent. We talked about good ways to get rid of what we had pulled, and decided upon impromptu  experiment to see what would happen to an Ivy ball that we left. We will surely have to come back and see. Just as we were about to leave, we noticed that our older mentors in training were missing. It was time to find them. We headed down toward the water, keeping our eyes open and our ears tuned.

There is no replacement for experience. Our older boys did a great job sneaking up on our younger explorers, which brought out some good laughs and a fun little awareness lesson.  Then came the beach.

This Explorer has learned that it is folly to have much structure planned for when the boys actually reached the beach. Beaches are made for authentic exploration. In some ways they are the antithesis of a schedule. The boys roamed and poked about, discovering starfish, sea vegetables, crabs, and more.

We finished the day with a closing meeting, bringing our minds toward the term “intertidal” and what it means, and considering the role of starfish and why they hang out under rocks.  We finished with a Circle of Thanks and some snack.  Overall a great day.  Much thanks to all the Explorers for your good work!  Much thanks to the mentors in training for your wonderful contribution.  Much thanks to all the parents for your enduring support!

Don't forget to check out pics from the outing in our Photo Gallery.