Exploring Fragrance Lake Road with the Gray Wolf Pups

The sun was out and shining on a warm spring day as the Gray Wolf Pups began to arrive at the Clayton Beach parking lot.  Mentors Greg and Matt were eager to head into the forest, explore some new places, and play some games!  As soon as the all the boys had gathered we held our opening circle.  Matt and Greg quickly facilitated a round of names, and a few essential jobs.  Then without too much delay we left the hustle and bustle of the parking lot and headed up the road.

At our first junction we stopped and did some group decision-making about which direction we wished to explore.  The Explorers did a blind vote and we headed off the road and onto a deer trail.  The expansiveness of the road disappeared and soon we were pushing through tangles of fallen trees and walls of salal.  The boys eventually emerged onto a huge fallen Douglas fir and we promptly set down our packs and enjoyed some lunch.  While some boys ate others explored the forest around our lunch spot.  The thickets of salal had shifted to tall firs and an understory dominated by sword ferns.  The party of boys exploring covered a lot of ground and discovered we were next to a creek and near the trail to Fragrance Lake!  The boys and mentors agreed that this might be the perfect place to play spider’s web!

Spider’s web is a fantastic game that combines capture the flag and Hide!  The game is played in a patch of forest that offers some cover to sneak around and hide behind.  The players choose a person to be the Spider, who is trying to capture all the flies.  A fly is captured when the spider spots him and calls out “Back to the web!”  That fly is then stuck in the web (a tree or bush designated by a bandana) until he is either waved off by free fly, or all the flies are captured.  While the spider is trying to capture the flies, they are sneaking, often crawling, towards the “food source”, often another bandana.  Playing with two food sources forces the spider to move around the playing field and prevents the spider from sitting next to the food source.  If the flies can capture the food source and bring it back to the web undetected they win.  A single round can be over in 5 minutes, but often a single game can be an hour or longer! 

This game, which is a favorite of explorers and mentors alike force all of us to practice moving slowly and quietly in the forest.  While increasing our stealth makes for progressively more challenging games of spiders web, it also has the benefit of helping us move unnoticed in the forest allowing us to see more on our travels.  Spider’s web also forces both the spider and the flies to activate thier senses in an effort to pick up disturbences in the landscape and give away thier opponents position.  Stretching and strengthening our senses helps us see and experience more when we venture out our door everyday.

Matt and Greg were excited to provide a space in our outing to play spiders web for hours.  Boys this age need to have a chance to lose track of time and get lost in big game outside.  Playing several rounds also allowed the Gray Wolf Pups to learn a lot about what makes for a fun game of Spider’s web.  What variables make it more or less challenging?  How can the land provide advantages or challenges for the spiders and flies?  After several hours the mentors and the boys had lots of answers to these questions.  The game also brings up discussions that are challenging for the boys.  Some boys are persistent and follow the same paths over and over eventually getting frustrated at their lack of success.  Others experience the frustration of being stuck at the web with no one around to help them off.  These can often lead to conversations about fairness.

All too soon it was time to form a circle and begin our closing meeting.  We took the opportunity to talk about the games we played and what we learned.  As always we shared what we were thankful for and enjoyed some apple slices together.  A short walk brought us back to the road and eventually to the parking lot where families were waiting eagerly to hear stories of the day.

A big thank you to the explorers for an epic game of spiders web!  And another deep thank you to your families for all your support.  We couldn't do this work without you.

Exploring Squires Lake and Alger Alp with the Red-Tailed Eyas

Gathering at Samish Woods, the Red-Tailed Eyas were anxious to get going. As we waited for the last few Explorers to trickle in, the group circled up to meet Mike McKenzie, a volunteer mentor who would be joining us for the day. The Mentors would like to give a round of thanks to Mike and all our other volunteers who donate their time to enrich the Explorers lives. Once we had brought our minds together we hopped on Stubbs and headed out.

Arriving at Squires Lake the group jumped out of the bus and basked in the sun. Hiking up the lower flanks of Alger Alp, we started to sweat and overheat. After a long winter season the group was well prepared for cold and wet weather, but it was clear today that we would not need our layers. Traveling up the old railroad grade we looked at the large sandstone cliffs. Remembering how much had changed at Arroyo Park we started to notice a similar trend with downed Alders and Maples. One large Maple had fallen over the trail and the top section was protruding out above the hillside. Recognizing an opportunity, one Explorer climbed up and started to walk the log. Calling him back Matt explained why it might not have been the best idea. Just then the group noticed a Douglas Squirrel on one of the limbs. How exciting to see our native squirrel in action! With agility in his movement and nimbleness in his feet, he traversed from tree to tree.

Stopping a few switchbacks short of Squires Lake, the group headed off-trail in search of a rushing water sound that called to us. Following a deer trail, the boys came around a corner and found a fifteen-foot waterfall that cascaded into a series of pools ground out from the sandstone. The Explorers roamed and explored. After some genuine exploration it was clear to see that we had left an impact on the land. Feeling some inspiration Matt challenged the group with an Earth Skills Explosion. The group had five minutes to put everything back as it was before we arrived. The Explorers worked hard to place the moss and duff back on the steep section of the arroyo but it would not hold. Calling the group back in we talked about our relationship with the land. We have a motto that guides our explorations The Road is Not the Territory. The land is moving and changing and for the group to stay bound to the trail would mean that we would have a relationship with it much like a museum.

Our immersion into the landscape comes with a great responsibility. When we travel off-trail we do it with intention and care. The Mentors called the groups attention towards a deer trail that ran along the steep section of cliff in the arroyo. The deer trail was hardly visible, as it had not a single patch of moss torn nor a single rock or stick disturbed. We too can move with the swiftness of a deer and the agility of a Douglas Squirrel if we focus our minds and bodies.

Once we had met up with the trail we headed up to the lake and lunched on its north end. As we ate, the Explorers came together to decide which way to head. During our explorations these decisions often cut into our outing time but the process is so vital to becoming circular leaders. We need to Collaborate and Compromise because we are part of a community. The job of the Tribal Elder in these moments is to guide the other Explorers in the group's decision-making process: brainstorm and listen to solutions, gather all possible options, evaluate these options, find a solution and check in with the group about the decision. The group agreed to head around the north side of the lake, and eventually looping around to the Beaver Pond all the while looking for a place to play Spider’s Web.

Hiking along an old logging road, the group veered away from the lake. Feeling some inspiration Matt called for one of the Explorers to be a deer in a round ofCougar Stalks Deer. As we ran after the deer we worked up quite a sweat and started to get a little spread out; a Crow Call reconnected the group. One of the Explorers shouted, “Look at that giant Cedar stump!“ Peering down its hollowed out center we reckoned that it must have been ten feet deep. A brave Explorer braced himself against the wall and climbed down. Jumping to the base he sank into thick Cedar mulch. The boys took turns climbing down it and found that there was a small opening at the bottom. The boys felt quite at home in their Cedar Stump shelter.

Pushing on farther we reconnected with the Squires Lake Loop Trail and made our way to the Beaver Pond. Sitting down for a brief rest we watched the Red-winged Blackbirds dart in and out of the Cattails and tracked the signs of recent Beaver activity. Feeling the need to honor the group’s decision to find a Spider’s Web spot, one of the Mentors went and set up a game in a nearby valley; this turned out to be a very challenging spot for the flies! A maze of downed trees, boulders and mossy slopes kept the food source in safe protection by the Spider the whole game. Situated on the crux of three ridgelines, the Spider watched with mindful eyes. The flies got quiet and were patient as they waited behind boulders and under Sword Fern for the Spider to give them an opportune moment. After about forty-minutes Matt checked his clock and it was time to go!

Hiking down the trail the group walked with speed and focus. Stopping only once to admire a dead Townsend Mole on the trail and some Turkey Vultures soaring above. The group arrived back in record time, albeit sweaty and tired. This is not the typical pace for an outing but the group got caught up in the moment.

As we cruised back into town we shared some apples and gave some thanks. The Explorers gave thanks for a wonderful day full of exploration, for all the wildlife that moves through the Alger Alps, for the ability to learn and grow from our experiences, for the warmth of the sun and signs of spring in the air, and for games and opportunities to get together with friends. The Mentors are thankful for the opportunity to enjoy such a rich and sunny day with the Red-Tailed Eyas.

Please visit our photo gallery for more pictures from the outing. Click here for a short article about the wonders of Squires Lake Park. 

BEC: Red Tailed Eyas Explore North Lake Whatcom

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!