On a warmish late autumn Sunday the Red-Tailed Eyas met at Samish Woods Montessori to board Stubbs for their final outing of the season. With Kai from the Alevin joining the group, we welcomed the nice weather and set course for the end of North Shore Road.
Upon arriving boys immediately declared their intent to play Spider’s Webas a focus for the day. Without further ado we entered the woods and immediately found a cozy nook off-trail to eat lunch and hold opening meeting. Opening meeting was challenging to get through because boys were antsy and eager to play the game. Despite being a fun, high-functioning group Red Tailed Eyas, you must learn to harness some focus during opening meeting- that focus will help you with other skills and wilderness observation.
We were honored with two guest mentors for the day. Randy, the Wild Whatcom executive director, joined us for the day. Along with her came Mulder, who served as the elder for the day. Mulder (Randy’s dog) let the boys pet her through most of the day and only a couple of times did her snooping give people away during Spider’s Web!
Mentors let the Explorers decide the rules of the game and the first round started. Within five minutes, however, flies and spiders began to argue about the rules. Spiders got fed up and simply quit. This is an important learning opportunity for the Red Tailed Eyas. When we come up with rules, it’s important that everyone understand and adhere to them. In the end, our enjoyment and challenge comes from all members holding to the same guidelines. Randy helped us to see how we should learn from this experience and determine a fair way to play.
Round two went much better. MUCH better. Lucas volunteered to be spider. And after an hour and fifteen minutes the flies were still scrambling to get the food (bandana). Explorers and mentors alike disappeared into the woods in teams and on solo missions. One mentor even remained undetected for 45 minutes! Boys learned from the previous round and tempered their desire to win to make sure, firstly, that they played by the rules. We all had a lot more fun because the focus shifted from “winning” to “playing right.”
At this point much of the outing had elapsed. Mentors led the boys towards the lake to have closing circle by the water. In the ten minute walk we played two rounds of Hide and learned about an important shrub, Vaccinium parvifolium. Please ask your Explorer if he remembers the common name and one way to identify this plant.
When we got to the lake, we had to bid Randy and Mulder farewell for they had a meeting to attend. Thank you Randy and Mulder for joining us during this great day!
Being the last outing of the season for the Red Tailed Eyas AND the entire Boys Explorers Club program, boys held the honor of having a strong finish to the day. They explored the beach and threw rocks into the water. Some boys continued the carving journey and others found an old lighter and broke it open. Mentors also practiced their earth skills. Steve took out his bow drill kit and showed a handful of Explorers how to make fire by friction.
From carving the right notch and forming the spindle, to using the right drilling technique and amount of friction, making fire is a journey that requires skill and practice (and patience!) By getting more skilled with their knives in this second season, the Red Tailed Eyas have already begun this art. Steve talked through the steps and set to work. With an alder kit, he spun the spindle, powder filled up the notch, and a coal was lit.
Using a cedar nest from the Branch Hoppers group who made it the day before, Steve transferred the coal and cradled it gently. He slowly but firmly blew the coal into fire in his hands and we had a fire for our closing meeting. Boys gathered to the flame and we sat in circle, sharing apples, and giving thanks. Indeed it was a great way to end the day, the Red Tailed Eyas season, and the Boys EC season. This was Steve’s first fire and it is cause for celebration in the community. Congratulations Steve! You are an inspiration to both boys and mentors. Thank you for your focused skill and teachings!
Being the eve of Thanksgiving, mentors would especially like to thank Explorers and their parents for a great season. We had a lot of fun and did good work too! With two new boys in the fold we cemented a strong group with our connections to the land and each other. Thank you everyone for your support and your commitment to this BEC community.
Please check out more pictures from the outing in the photo gallery. Please excuse the sideways uploading… my computer hasn't recently been compatible with the website :) I hope that you can download them and flip them on your own computers. We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Solstice Gathering on December 14th, at Winter Programs, and in Spring season too. Enjoy the holidays!
No comments:
Post a Comment