Even with the threat of rain, Red Tailed Eyas met at the bottom of Sehome Arboretum with gumption to have a great final outing of the season. We gathered together in a field of buttercups for opening meeting and to acquaint ourselves with folks who joined us for the day. Two boys from the Alevin Explorers, Kai and Cole, contributed to the group with their energy and friendliness.
A thank you goes out to the Explorers Mentoring Apprentice who volunteered his afternoon with us. Marcus, a member of the Firestalkersgroup in our Four Shields program, mentored younger boys throughout the day. And Red Tailed Eyas certainly garnered a lot from your being with us!
After review about safe knife usage, our first order of business was to “Ki-ai” the tent caterpillars on the Hawthorn tree at the edge of the field. It seems that we were too late in the season to make an impact on their colonies, but hopefully Explorers will remember to practice this technique next spring when the caterpillars first form in the trees.
Shortly after our journey began we met a fork in the road and had to make a decision about which way to go. Boys had the motto, It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination, in their head, so they weren’t quick to choose the path. But mentors kept pestering them to use the decision-making power they have. It is so important that we challenge them to make decisions and provide ample time for them to do so. This empowers them in the long run and gives them the practice they’ll need in the future to consider different opinions and then navigate their groups to the best route.
After one of our many rounds of Hide, a third of the group felt the urge to use the bathroom. As such, and being conveniently next to the university, they used flushing facilities. Next time you will have the chance to dig a cathole for yourself! The rest of us practiced our tracking skills by marking an area on the edge of the woods, going a good distance into the forest, and then walking out while trying to find the exact place we marked. Boys had fun exploring the hillside and Liam even found a Robin’s egg during the activity!
Our path wound upwards and onwards, and we came to an old landslide site. We saw some good examples of the Chuckanut Sandstone formations for which Sehome Arboretum is partially famous. Drew also showed us a debris shelter that we might be able to mimic in future outings as we practice the Art of Shelter. During the walk to the top Red Tailed Eyas received two important lectures/ points of wisdoms from their mentors:
Firstly, in Explorers Club sticks are tools and not weapons. Once we lower the stick toward another person our intent has changed. We have to remember the motto, The Difference Between a Tool and a Weapon is YOU!
Secondly, regarding knife safety, we have to know our tools and how to use them. Knives are meant for whittling wood. Knife tips are not the best tool for making holes nor for splitting a stick into multiple pieces. Explorers should consider the motto, Safety First and ask mentors, adults, and parents for advice about the best tool for a project. We all are here to guide and help you, boys!
Steve left us a note that Yucca grows at the top of the arboretum. So, we searched for it and bushwhacked through trailing blackberry, hawthorn, sword fern, and many other plants in our efforts to find the useful, although non-native, medicine plant. You got us this time Steve!
Saving the best for last, we set up Spiders Web to end season. With Drew and Dave as the Spiders, Explorers tried using their quickness and swiftness to win the game quickly. Unfortunately, their wily elders sent them back to the web over and over and over again. It wasn’t until they were nearly all caught that they truly realized the importance of the motto, Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow. Yes, our speed can be an ally. But our ability to move slowly may be more powerful at times. And it’s important that we practice our stealth and quietness in addition to the much practice we get moving fast and loudly.
We closed our day with a Circle of Thanks practicing our motto, Attitude of Gratitude. This Outing Report closes the same way:
Thank you Explorers for a great season together. Your curiosity in the forest led to many learning opportunities and fun games. We did some good "Coyote Stewardship" at Larrabee State Park and next season you’ll get to work at our new site at Connelly Creek! Parents, thank you for the support and encouragement this season. Your willingness to get Explorers to the outings truly makes your boys, and this program, flourish and shine.
If your son wants to explore with us this summer, we still have room. Please click hereto see our offerings. We also have a Summer Solstice Gathering on Thursday, June 20th. Please come out to Hovander Park if you want to connect with other Explorers and their families. You can see more pictures from the outing in the photo gallery too. We look forward to seeing you around town, at camps this summer, and for the fall season too!
No comments:
Post a Comment