The warmth of summer lingered long enough for the Alevin Explorers to start the fall season warm and dry. Excitement built at the edge of the parking lot where Drew and Greg welcomed the explorers and their families to the beginning of a new season. The Explorers were eager to ramble in Fairhaven Park once again as were the mentors, so opening meeting was called. It was also an important moment for the boys to reconnect with each other and celebrate the bond of this group. Additionally, Greg was eager to connect to the boys and hear what skills and knowledge they wanted to build this season. The arts of carving, tracking, shelter building, and tree climbing emerged as the favorites.
Once in the forest we had a brief huddle on the trail to discuss some tracks and an interesting scat. These woods have so much to teach us about animals tracks and signs! After consulting with our front scout the boys decided to leave the main path and follow a smaller, less used side path that led us to a large coppice of Ocean Spray. Many of the Alevin were eager to harvest, for it is revered by Explorers for its extremely hard wood useful in making a wide variety of tools. Drew and Greg decided to let go of shelter building and follow the energy of the group into the art of harvest and carving.
As mentors, we have such gratitude for plants like these that captivate the boys for they help us to share the art of harvest with the boys. After a brief lesson in the use of a pruning saw, we gathered to deepen our knowledge of ethical harvesting. We strive to take only what we need from the landscape, and only when such things are in abundance. Our guiding principals are to only take 10% of what we find in a given area, and no more than 25% from an individual plant. Fortunately, there is an abundance of Ocean Spray in Puget Sound and especially in the 100 Aker Wood. This is a principal that we look to throughout the season as the Alevins are eager to hone their carving skills and are always on the look out for a suitable piece of wood.
“Hey there’s somebody stalking us!” There is nothing like realizing that somebody is sneaking up on you to get your blood flowing! The Alevins spotted the Daredevil's Club Explorers using their stealth to try and sneak up on our group. How quickly the tables can turn! Drew climbed up in to the low branches of a Douglas Fir tree to help spot the sneaking older group and Greg led a group of boys to sneak up on their crafty mentors, Dave and Steve!
An encounter with an irritable wasp brought more lessons in the Art of Harvest for the Alevin. Riis encountered a cantankerous wasp that managed to sting and bite him, but medicine was close at hand. Drew took Riis to harvest two important plants: Broad-leaved Plantain and Narrow-leaved Plantain. These wondrous plants can be quickly turned to medicine that quickly alleviates the inflammation from the venomous stings of bees and wasps by means of a topical spit poultice.
The afternoon finished with a round of Spider’s Web and a brief introduction to one of nature’s best wet weather fire starters--fatwood. Our closing meeting was full of gratitude for the land, medicinal plants, and stealth! As we look to our future outings we will return to the art of shelter building. The rain and wind will show us where to look for natural shelters and provide motivation to create warm dry places to lay comfortably in the worst of weather. Thank you Explorers for following your interests and passions. What a great start to another season of adventure! Parents, thank you for supporting our program this fall! 
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