Alevin's Introduction to the Explorers Mentor Apprenticeship Program at Lookout Mountain

The Alevin arrived for their first ever exploration of Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve excited to spend some time together. Circling up the mentors introduced the boys to our volunteer for the day Ben Saari. Unbeknownst to the Explorers, Ben had been hard at work over the last year as Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association’s volunteer coordinator. On behalf of the mentors we would like to thank Ben for his work supporting the Explorers at their service site.

After handing out jobs we revisited our skill for the season, Fire by Friction. Pulling out a shopping bag a mentor passed around a surplus of project wood for the group; Cedar and Red Alder for making fireboards and spindles, Cottonwood root and Salmonberry stalks for hand drill kits, and Vine Maple for bowdrills and tent pegs. The boys compared and contrasted the types of woods and were able to acquire some missing pieces from their fire kits.

Unlike most Explorers Club outings, which practice circular leadership, the mentors on this day were a bit more triangular with the group in terms of the plan for the day. Our aim for the outing was simple, hike roughly a mile and half and find the fire pit, start a fire without a match, and then decommission it from further use. 

After they had the parameters for the day the Alevin asked, “why we would have a fire in the pit if we were going to demolish it”?  The mentors told the boys that our fire would mark an important transition for the group within the Boys EC.

Packing up we pushed up the logging road feasting on Salmonberries and anxiously licking our chops at the Thimbleberries, which were not yet ripe. The road afforded us a wide birth which allowed for some great conversations. As we walked the Swainson’s Thrush and Robins followed us, calling out and alerting the forest of our presence while eating the mosquitos trailing at our heels.

We stopped for a moment to take in a view of Lake Whatcom and Stewart Mountain. Pointing out the North Lake Whatcom Trail, a previous outing location, the boys began to orient to the land. Turning our focus back towards Lookout Mountain we ascended up the flanks and through the vast track of logging land above a tributary of Austin Creek. Veering off the trail we hiked through a crowded stand of Douglas Fir and Cedar and found the fire pit on the next rise.

Taking a moment the group ate some lunch and hydrated. Examining the fire pit the mentors explained that is was ill kept and unsightly. A large rock ring had been assembled around it and countless fires had been left unfinished leaving layers of ash coal that in dry conditions could reignite and cause a disaster. Working together we problem solved and dug a second pit in the forest floor to redistributing the coal and ash. The boys then scattering the rocks while a mentor dug the pit down to mineral soil.

With a usable fire pit now in order it was up to the boys to figure out how to create it with the natural resources and knowledge they had. They did an excellent job remembering some key details. A combo of fatwood shavings, a tinder nest, Western Hemlock branches, and split cedar would give them what they need to spark a flame with a flint and steel.

Over time mentors have come to realize that as the Explorers age in the program they often diversify in their interests for specific skills. Our mentors find it challenging to engaging all the participants at the same time in the same skill. We often finding it more fruitful to provide a specific skill lesson and then open up the space for them to practice a variety of skills. For the boys the possibilities are endless during these skill sessions, we do however enforce that the boys at least be engaged with something constructive. A few of our Explorers spent their time demolishing stumps with sticks and were challenged to be more engaged and think about their impact on the land.  

It took the group roughly forty minutes to get the fire going.  In their first few attempts they got the tinder bundle to spark, but found that their kindling was stacked much too high and their tinder nest was much too small. It was their combination of teamwork and skill that led to their success.

In our debrief at the end of the day Ben reflected how much he enjoyed the boys ability to teach him Earth Skills and show their leadership. During our outing a few boys led Ben on a natural history walk through the forest while to harvesting fire materials. Parents, next time you are out on the land with your Explorer ask them to show you how to harvest fire materials, it’s really something!

Sitting around the small but hardy fire the boys roasted apples, salami, and even a Snickers bar on sticks, reveling in their accomplishment. Asking the boys to bring their focus to the transition that the fire had now marked, the group was informed that with the graduation of the two eldest groups the weekend prior, they were now the eldest Explorers Club group. With this transition come new opportunities in the form of seasonal campouts and longer explorations, as well as asking for the boys to take a deepened responsibility and role amongst their younger Explorers Club community.
Parents, starting this fall the Alevin will be eligible to sign up for our EMA: Explorers Mentor Apprentice Program. Mentor apprentices join younger Explorers Club outings in addition to the their regular group outings and are encouraged to work with the same groups over time. Click here for more info about the about our EMA Program.  

Before we closed our circle the mentors asked the group to recall their service outings with the younger boys and use it to answer the question, “What does it mean to be a mentor”? The boys replied:  “a guide” “role model” “listener” “teacher” “encourager” “and “safety watcher”. Starting this fall the Alevin will begin their journey and through their experience define and highlight in them what it means to be a mentor and what gifts they have to give to their community. 

Before leaving we doused what few coals were left and gathered handfuls of soil from particular loamy spots in the forest floor, filling the pit then covering it with moss. To the passerby, you would have never known we were there.

Back on the logging road the group circle up and gave thanks before heading back. The mentors thanked the group for marking their transition and for their service to the land and commitment to our culture of fire safety. Parents, thank you for another great season and opportunity to mentor your boys. It is your continued support and faith in our program that allows us to walk along side your boys as they make the transition into adolescence and as elders amongst their Explorers. 

For more photos from the day please visit the Alevin Explorers photo album from the day.