Gray Wolves keep dry, make tea at Lookout Mtn. 11/12/17

This year for the Gray Wolves is marked by a strong skills focus. We’ve been working on wilderness travel (erecting shelters, finding and purifying water…) and the spring will see us working on building fires. It’s fun to see the boys pick up these skills. Just as important, however, is to observe their burgeoning self-reliance. 

At Lookout Mountain on Sunday, the mentors laid out the objectives during opening circle — set up tarp shelter/s and make tea. We then selected a Leader of the Day and tasked him with organizing the group to accomplish those goals. The group figured they needed to find a workable location first and, after consulting the trailhead map, decided to search along a creek so they’d have access to water for the tea (nice).

After a short hike, they found a spot creekside, but were unsure whether it satisfied their other needs such as sufficient space and a way to string up tarps. They circled up and decided to send scouting parties to check out a few locations and report back. After some spirited discussion and not a little compromise (motto) about the better site, we headed off to the selected location and began stringing tarp shelters. Their knot skills need some work, but after a bit they got two shelters erected. (We were fortunate in that the rain held off.)

As the second shelter was being constructed, mentor Glen coached a few Gray Wolves in the use of backcountry stoves and they started heating the water, which had been filtered from the creek and carried (> 5 minute walk) to the site.

The boys, and men, had tea with their lunch and we were ready for some games. Ironically, this is where their focus broke down. Spider’s Web lasted about 10 minutes and was simply abandoned; King of the Hill, with two teams of two, lasted longer and was marked by repeated exclamations of joy (and a broken pair of eyeglasses and a torn pair of rain pants).

With focus lost, we experienced a few minutes of loitering. Then one of the Explorers suggested a Sit Spot, with which mentors Glen and Brian eagerly agreed (wish I had thought of that).

A closing circle of thanks and a few games of Hide on the short hike out and we were finished. The mentors stretched the boys' edges (motto) with a few simple tasks and left it to their collective capabilities to make it happen. It went exceedingly well, from that perspective. Their skills still need work, but they rose to the challenge. It was gratifying to see.

We next meet at Larrabee State Park on Sunday, January 14, 10:00AM-3:00PM. Check out the rest of the photos from Lookout Mountain here.

Gray Wolves Lead Black-Tailed Deer in Shelter Building on Stewart Mountain

The Gray Wolves were set up for a unique outing as they arrived at Stewart Mountain. Unbeknownst to them, they were slotted to be working with a younger group, the Black Tailed Deer, and help them learn how to build debris shelters. We gathered together to play a game with both groups to get to know one another before hitting the trail.

Playing a big game of "All My Neighbors"

It felt like a massive amount of people to have out on the trail with both groups walking together and this set us up for an epic game of HIDE with both groups tucking away behind sword ferns and rotten logs. A bit further along the trail we found an area that had a bunch of downed trees from the trail work that had been going on this summer. With an abundance of downed materials available we decided this would be the perfect place to practice The Art of Shelter.

Getting started on our debris huts

Splitting up into two groups (each group made up of half Gray Wolves and half Black-Tailed Deer), we decided on locations to build our shelters and our shelter building “competition” was underway. Both groups were using the basic “debris hut” structure utilizing two “Y-Sticks” and a “Backbone” for an elongated tri-pod, then layered on “Ribs” to round out the frame. Next came the debris in which you need anywhere from 2-3 feet worth to stay properly insulated and waterproof. 

Adding more ribs

Starting to add debris

Finishing up the debris layer

After each group put their finishing touches on the shelter we took turns sharing our creations with the other group. We even had a “water test” where one member of each group bravely sat inside the shelter while a water bottle was poured over the top to test how weatherproof the shelter really was. Finally we said goodbye to the Black-Tailed Deer and were off on our own adventures for the rest of the day.

Testing shelter 1

Testing shelter 2

  

With not very much time left we decided to try and fit in a game of Spider’s Web. Although not everyone was interested in the game, we found plenty of other things to keep us occupied. While one mentor and half the group played the game, the other mentor hung out with the rest of the group who were all working on different tasks of interest. One Gray Wolf was interested in making an Atl-Atl (a primitive spear thrower) and a few others were practicing how to start a fire with naturally occurring materials and a ferrocerium, or ferro rod.

Playing Spiders Web

Learning to use the Ferro Rod

All in all we had a fun blend of getting to take on a leadership roles with the younger group as well as sit back and enjoy some free time in the forest without any additional responsibilities. It is always nice to see two groups work together, however, what really made the mentors happy was seeing how the Gray Wolves managed themselves when they had freedom to choose whatever they wanted. Playing Spider’s Web, carving Atl-Atls, and practicing fire starting skills demonstrated that these Gray Wolves truly earned their name and are no longer Pups. Today they were leaders, groupmates, friends, proactive in pursuing skills development, and had no problem making decisions as a group. It’s great to see all our hard work paying off and we are excited to see what new steps forward the Gray Wolves will take on their next outing.

Check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!

Gray Wolves Weather the Storm at Lizard Lake

GW – Lizard Lake – 9/9/17

 The Gray Wolves (formerly known as the Gray Wolf Pups) kicked off the 2017/18 BEC year with an extended bus outing to Lizard Lake. Meeting at Samish Woods Montessori we took a moment to gather up as a group for the first time since summer and catch up a bit. First and foremost we wanted to acknowledge a few Gray Wolves who had moved on, and a few Gray Wolves who were coming over from different groups. With our “state of the Gray Wolves” address out of the way it was time to hit the road.

Checking out the info board to glean map and safety information

Driving out along the east bank of Lake Samish we were able to look up to the southwest and see our destination; Blanchard Mountain. Winding our way up a logging road we arrived at the trailhead, unloaded, passed out jobs, and headed over to the info board to look at the map and glean any information that may help us on our way. Immediately, we noticed that there was a vehicle whose rear window had been broken in what appeared to be a break in. This caught some of the group members by surprise and there was a strong desire to know what happened and a desire for some semblance of justice. Unfortunately, sometimes there are things we just can’t undo. Despite our strong desire for wrongs to be corrected, we had no way of knowing who had done this, let alone an effective way to bring them to justice. We took a moment to discuss our predicament before transitioning our focus to the hike that was on our horizon.

Pausing to chat as we hike along the logging road

Turning up the Alternate Incline Trail to Lizard lake

 Cruising up the logging road, hitting the Alternate Incline Trail, and gaining elevation throw a secondary growth forest littered with massive stumps and other scattered remains of logging equipment, we were able to start discussing our skill for the day; Wilderness Travel. First and foremost we went over basics of traveling as a group. We discussed the need to monitor the groups pace, need for breaks, and how to manage these two variables in an efficient way. 

Along the way we found a Rough Skinned Newt on the trail. Must be a sign we were headed to Lizard Lake (even though newts aren't lizards!)

Taking some time to eat lunch on our hike

Arriving at Lizard Lake we took some time to explore while the mentors set up a demonstration of how to set up a tarp utilizing a ridgeline technique. The rain started picking up and dampening our ability to focus on the medley of skills we were hoping to get to. Dialing back our game plan we focused solely on tarps for the day which seemed fitting as the cold and wet began to permeate throughout the group. Despite the dampening of morale, the group rallied and began playing a big game of “Where’s My Egg” while pairs of Gray Wolves joined the mentors to learn how to tie a Trucker’s Hitch, a simple yet effective knot that is ideal for setting up a taught ridgeline. Cold hands made this difficult, but the mentors were quick to point out that when you need a tarp most is likely to be when you are cold and wet so it is important to practice these skills under these challenging circumstances.

Helping to carve tent pegs for our tarp

Setting up our tarp in a ridgeline

Taking shelter from the rain

With our time to head home quickly approaching we gathered together for a closing circle to share some thanks and some apple slices. The hike down the Alternate Incline Trail was a quick one, arriving back at the logging road in no time. The mentors took a moment to lag back while the Gray Wolves pushed on. Although this moment seemed simple at first, having a little space from the group, some peace and quiet, and a view of the group plodding along through inclement weather in high spirits, it became clear that the group formerly known as the Gray Wolf Pups had truly made the transition to being a pack of Gray Wolves. This outing they demonstrated a toughness to put up with the weather, an ability to welcome new members with open arms, and a depth of comradery and engagement throughout the group that was demonstrably deeper than when we last saw them in the spring. We are looking forward to a new year and taking new strides to hone our skills in the Art of Wilderness Travel, begin learning the Art of Fire, and continue to fortify the comradery of the Gray Wolves that has truly begun to permeate throughout every member of the group in ways we have yet to see in years prior.

Check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!

Happy to be back at the bus after a rainy outing