The Gray Wolf Pups arrived at Galby Lane to find a mentor hunched and working on something. Investigating further the group found that he was working on Fire by Friction. They watched as the mentor created a coal and blew it into flame using a nest made of Cedar Bark. This season the Gray Wolf Pups delved into the Earth Skill of shelter building and spring season they will begin carving. They are hungry for these skills and the mentors want to follow their inspirations. Learning these techniques can save the boys’ lives, but they also increase their craftsmanship, knowledge of flora and fauna, tracking, and overall appreciation for the resources that go into keeping them alive.
Heading into the woods we circled up for an opening meeting. Being transparent with the boys we told them that the next four hours was their time to create an adventure. One of the greatest aspects of our outings is that We are all leaders and collaboratively we use our time for rich exploration. After some group process the boys decided that they wanted to find and complete a half built shelter that lied somewhere off trail and finish their day with a round a Spider’s Web. The mentors could tell by the boys’ postures that we needed to move, but before we did we wanted to call attention to the reason for the boys’ chill. A strong Northeasterly front had brought our area clear blue skies and frigid artic temperatures. It is important that the Explorers begin to track the weather and understand what causes our variations. Knowing these types of weather will orient them to the place that we live and help them to be better prepared to deal with the elements. Tracking the landscape the mentors explained to the boys that before this sunny lull strong southerly fronts had blow through the area and we needed to be alert for leaning and downed trees.
Heading up the trail we quickly veered right, climbing over nurse logs and following some deer trails. Eventually we found the spot where the Roosevelt Elk Calves had built the half completed shelter. Circling up we made some time commitments for how long we would work on the shelter, keeping in mind our agreement to play a game at the end of the day. The boys got to work, harvesting some freshly downed maple twigs and bark to make a door for the shelter, while others took a trash bag and gathered leaves to complete the outside and interior. It was powerful to watch the boys work so diligently on it and in turn it kept them warm.
Finding the half built shelter was such a gift for the boys because it was almost exactly at the stage where they left their earth shelter back at Lake Padden. They were able to experience the full circle process and sat back satisfied with their work. One by one the Explorers tested out their shelter, cocooning themselves in its leaf-filled cavity. Nestling in they started to feel warmer and warmer until some of them had to evacuate, as it was so hot. Looking at our building materials staging area it was clear that we had caused some impact. The mentors explained to the group that 
even though we had harvested only downed materials it was important to leave the area better than we found and to camouflage it. Grabbing handfuls of debris and sticks we made it look like we were never there. We decided to leave the shelter as there were a few more groups coming to this location that would like to see the work.
Heading out from the site we encouraged the boys to use their intuition to find the trail to our west. Within a few minutes the boys had relocated the path and we were on our way to a great location for Spider’s Web. Circling up we revisited the rules and set up the course. The Explores spread out over the land and found their hiding spots. It filled the mentors’ hearts to see the Explorers stalking and immersing themselves in the landscape. Although the Big Leaf Maples leaves were an asset to us in shelter building, the crunch sound under our feet proved to be our greatest challenge as we tried to sneak past the careful eyes of the spider. Hiding behind a log, a mentor watched a boy crawl behind the remnants of fallen ancient Western Red Cedar. Camouflaging in its trunk he looked as if the was lying on a soft carpet. It is moments like these when it is plain to see this group is becoming comfortable between the duff and mud of the forest floor; soon they will call this place home. 
In the end the spider held off the hungry flies and the game ended with a draw. Circling back up we had a closing meeting under umbrella-like branches of a large Western Hemlock. The Explorers gave thanks for the fall storms which brought the materials that completed the shelter, for the fun and excitement of trying to evade the spider’s glance, for warmth and comfort, for the challenge of the cold weather, and for friendship and family. The mentors would like to thank the Gray Wolf Pups for a powerful exploration. We look forward to our last outing at Sehome Arboretum, which is also the last outing of fall season.
For more pictures from the day please visit the Gray Wolf Pup's photo gallery.
