The Gray Wolf Pups arrived at Lake Padden ready for a day of excitement and adventure. Saying goodbye to the parents the mentors called the boys over and we circled up for an opening meeting. Looking around the circle it was clear that we needed to have some introductions. Joey Christianson, a new mentor to the group, would be filling in for Peter for the day. We also had Jackson, an Explorer Mentor Apprentice, join us for his first volunteer outing along with one new Explorer. It’s been exciting to watch how our culture of tiered mentoring affects the younger Explorers. The Gray Wolf Pups really connected with Jackson. It is said that when we teach we truly learn and understand; there are so many instances where the EMAs can facilitate and guide in ways the older mentors never could. Going around the circle we played a round of Name Tagand handed out the jobs.
Heading into the woods we hit our first junction in the trail. Circling up theTribal Elder did an excellent job facilitating the group decision. The boys decided to take a vote on which way to go. The mentors made it clear that a vote ends up in compromise, not necessarily a fair decision, and that’s just what a few of the boys did. Heading up the trail towards the Secret Valley the group played a few rounds of Hide! The Explorers are getting better and better at this game and soon they will be able to hide from the other animals in the forest and observe them from up close.
Arriving at the Secret Valley the group expressed the desire to play Spider’s Web. The mentors set up the game course and we played an adapted version with two Spiders. Almost immediately the two Spiders split up and one guarded the web while the other guarded the food sources. In no time the flies were on the web and the boys got quite frustrated. Circling up we addressed the boy’s frustration, telling them that the round was challenging and not to dismay when things are challenging, but to rise to the occasion and adapt to the solution that is needed and to play with honor and integrity.
Making some clarifications of the rules on the next round we decided to have only one Spider. This round the Spider did an excellent job guarding the ridgeline and watching the web. Sending a majority of flies to web he guarded it well, catching anyone that tried to escape. As the boys waited on the web their patience grew thin and some started to try and distract and taunt the spider. With growing frustration on both sides the mentors called the game and told every one to circle up. It is amazing to witness how the power of play can bring out issues of basic morality and character. The boys were definitely at their edge, blaming and trying to talk over one another.
The mentors tried to give them some tools they could use to work out their differences. The first tool we called on was our circle. In circle there are three tools: our mouths, ears, and hearts. Giving each person a turn to speak we went around the circle sharing our point of view. Almost immediately the mentors had to stop the circle council because the boys needed to understand that there is a difference in sharing what is on your heart and blaming someone for your frustrations. The second tool we gave to the boys was the use of I statements. The mentors explained to the boys that rather than saying “you or he was doing this” to describe the problem or situation, instead describe how it was effecting yourself /others, and what the result was. Some of the Explorers struggled not being able to respond back and the mentors reiterated to the group that there is a difference between actively listening and waiting for your turn to speak. Our circle style council is a skill that builds with time and it was powerful to listen to the boy’s Stretch their Edges while trying to share without using provoking language. They are learning and growing and this is exactly where they need to be.
After a heavy and heartfelt debrief it was time to move locations and work on our skill for the season, the Art of Shelter Building. We headed up and over the ridge to a quiet location with ample shelter materials. The mentors explained to the group that the first step to shelter building is to find a site free from hazards. Scouting the land the Explorers found a spot under a big Douglas Fir, free from dead trees branches that might come down and high enough to so that water would not run through it if it poured. We began construction of the frame, which consisted of two Y’s shape poles that form a tripod and a ridgepole a little longer than a person is rested on the tripod. It took a while to find the perfect frame and the Explorers started to loose focus. Completing the frame we started to add the ribs to the ridgepole, which would support all of the debris that we would pile onto it. Weaving a latticework of Hemlock bows and dead cedar branches into the ribs we piled on debris until it was a foot and a half thick.
The more completed the structure got the more Explorers joined in to help. It was refreshing to see the group working together in harmony after our trials inSpider’s Web. All in all we got about half way through the process and it was time for a closing meeting. The Explorers got some great vision and experience for the next time we work on this skill, and they realized the power and challenge of this life saving skill. Joining in a circle close to our shelter we held a circle of thanks. The boys gave thanks for the beautiful weather, the chance to run and play in the forest, for the land providing all that we need, for friendship, for Douglas Fir and Hemlock, and shelter in its many forms. We ended the circle with a story about two boys who experienced many trials and challenges while trying to sleep in their Earth Shelter. In the end the boys learned how to sleep comfortably in the woods without anything except what the land provided by listening to their mentor Stalking Wolf’s advice and watching the squirrels build their nests for the winter.
Looking at the time we realized that we only had five minutes to get back to the parents! We decided to take a short cut and ended up climbing down a steep ravine. Going one at a time we carefully navigated the hillside. A few of the boys were not paying attention and they tumbled a little way down. Luckily they were alright and learned a great lesson that Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow. Looking back at the hillside the mentors noticed we had created some impact. We carefully covered our path so that we would not create social trails. It was a great time to mention to the boys that Shelter Building also has lots of impact because many resources are needed. When we take it’s important to have an awareness of what we our doing. A harvester needs to know in his heart that the resource will be honored and that it is being put to its greatest potential. The Art of Shelter Building should be guided by a beautiful blend of logic, intuition, reverence, awareness, appreciation, and thanks. The mentors would like to offer some thanks to all the Gray Pups for engaging in the spirit of play and healthy competition and for a terrific outing in the glorious sun.
For more pictures from the day please visit the Gray Wolf Pups photo gallery.
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