BEC: Exploring Whatcom Falls Park with the Gray Wolf Pups

The Gray Wolf Pups arrived at Whatcom Falls Park with abundant energy ready for adventure and exploration. Harnessing their liveliness, Mentors introduced the Explorers to a game called Everybody’s It. After running and dodging a swirling ball of playful boys the group had settled enough to hold our opening meeting. Greg and I introduced them to a volunteer Mentor, Nick, who would be joining us that day and also on November 23rd. Nick is a cohort of Dave’s from his masters program at the North Cascades Institute. The boys are settling easily into the Explorers Club culture. The Mentors asked them if they remembered any of the jobs. With a little help they explained each jobs role and function. Remembering and understanding how these jobs work interdependently within the group is such an important part of creating a cohesive unit. 

It was important to touch back on the culture we introduced at the 100 Aker Wood and also to define what an exploration outing is. On our explorations the Mentors follow the interests of the boys and they guide themselves through circular leadership. Over the years the group will find they develop an intimate knowledge of the landscape and mysteries of each location. On each exploration the boys are free to follow their interests and experiment with leadership styles.

 After a focused meeting we walked over to a stand of large Douglas Firs and played a few rounds of Hungry Hungry Martin. This game is played by one Explorer taking on the form of a Pine Martin while the rest are Douglas Squirrels. The Squirrels try to escape the Martin’s teeth by touching a specific tree before they get tagged. The Explorers experimented with all sorts of evasive maneuvers and group strategies as they tried to reach the tree. The game ended with a lot of laugher and brought the group together.

Crossing Whatcom Falls Bridge the group marveled at the erosive forces of Whatcom Creek. I explained to a few Explorers that Whatcom Creek flows across the Chuckanut Sandstone formation that runs from Lummi Island to the foothills of Mount Baker. Over time the water eroded the deep gorge that flows through the park. It’s six waterfalls represent sections where the formation is more resistant to erosion. I soon realized rather than talk about it the group should experience it directly. We circled up at the top of the steep riverbank that led down to the base of the falls and had a discussion about risk. On our explorations we learn that sometimes there is inherent risk that comes with certain activities we choose to engage in. In order to engage in any given activity the group must first assess whether the risk is higher than the desired outcome. Standing on the bank the Explorers assessed the risk in climbing down to the falls. The Mentors then helped them track how we could safely manage those risks. One by one, with some spotting, the Explorers climbed the roots down and crawled between the large sandstone block and the waterfalls edge.  Looking out from this spot the group could see the log jam at the bottom and feel the rushing air and mist of the cascading water. In Explorers Club the boys go on many adventures and this risk assessment technique will allow us to do this.

Hiking east up the creek the Explorers were quickly met with a fork in the trail.  Some of the Explorers wanted to go left towards the river and others wanted to go right up the hill. This was an excellent opportunity to practice circular leadership within the group. Forming a tight circle the Tribal Elder led the group in a process of decision-making; first the group brainstormed suggestions then identified their options, next the Tribal Elder asked for a show of hands for each choice, once the group had their vote he gave everyone a chance to speak their truth to better understand the two options. What an excellent way to facilitate a group decision. It seemed as though the group couldn’t come to a consensus so they sent out scouting parties to look at both options. When the scouts returned the group realized that both options led to the same place, a learning opportunity that if we work together and compromise things will come together.

Hiking up the Mentors took a sharp turn onto a deer trail and we navigated it until we came to one of our favorite spots for games. The Mentors taught a game that has been called “the greatest game ever!” Spider’s Web. In Spider’s Web one Explorer is a spider and the rest are flies. The spider’s goal is to capture all the flies by using his awareness and stealth to send them back to his web. The spider needs to be very keen because he has to balance keeping the flies on his web and catching the others who are trying to make it to his food source. The flies had to use their best forms of stealth and camouflage to evade the spider and to free those who were on the web.

Once the group understood the rules they packed up their lunches and got ready to play. Just then one Explorer who was playing with a stick broke off some bark from a nursing stump that also happened to be a Yellow Jacket’s nest. All together three boys got stung and we evacuated the area leaving our packs.  This was a great opportunity for the Explorers to learn how to care for a sting and be resilient. Mentors called the Medicine Man over and we quickly drew a circle around one of the Explorers stings and checked his chest for redness; he had never been stung before so we wanted to see how his body would react. It turns out that he had no allergies and he showed great courage. Nick bravely went back and collected the packs while the rest of the group played two rounds of Spider’s Web. The group climbed, crawled and Fox Walked through a thicket of Sword Fern, Oregon Grape, and Salal as they tried to obtain the food source only to fall victim to the spider’s watchful eye. After two rounds Mentors checked the time and we barely had enough to hold a closing circle and make it back to the parents.

We hiked down to Derby Pond and circled up on its edge. The Explorers gave thanks for a day of challenge and adventure, friends and family, and for such a great park to explore in. The Gray Wolf Pups outing called them into action and taught them how to act with assessment and intention. Their shared experiences in Whatcom County’s wild places are teaching them what it means to be a community and part of a group.

Don't forget to check out pics from our outing in her photo gallery.