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 Wolf Pups Lookout for Eachother at Lookout Mountain

The Gray Wolf Pups met at Lookout Mountain for the final outing of their Spring 2017 season. We kicked things off by touching on our skills focus of Navigation by looking at the map, picking a destination, and then the mentors handed it off to the Gray Wolf Pups to take the lead and navigate us there. Although not everyone tuned in enough while we were studying the map and memorizing how to get to our destination, later on we still managed to find our way despite a few wrong turns here or there.

Circling up to make a decision

Before we headed off into the woods, the mentors thought it would be important to do an activity that focused on inclusion in the group. Directing the group to form a tight, inward facing circle, where each boy was shoulder to shoulder, two of the Gray Wolf Pups were pulled out of the group and given simple instructions; “you are trying to get into the circle” while the rest of the group was given the simple information; “they are trying to get into the circle.” This is a fascinating activity because inevitably we assume that it is our goal to keep the outsiders from getting into the circle. After a couple tries, and rotating boys so a few folks got to be the “outsiders” we gathered up for a debrief. The mentors pointed out that no one was instructed to keep anyone out of the circle and that it is our natural instinct to be exclusive. We emphasized the importance of always being aware of who is on the outside looking in, and that it is on each and every one of us to reach out to others and offer acceptance whether it is in Explorers Club, at school, or hanging out with friends. 

Clamoring up a hillside towards the waterfall

Getting along with our outing for the day we trekked into Lookout Mountain in search of access to the water fall. After some trial and error we made our way up the creek bed to the water fall where we relaxed and ate lunch. Afterwards, we hiked around a bit to just above the waterfall in search of a location for a big game of Spiders Web. Luckily, Tim was rather familiar with this area since he spent a lot of time with his friends exploring this area and even constructing a shelter when he was in high school. We found the old location where Tim used to spend many a summer with his friends and it was the perfect setting for our game. Deciding to have two spiders proved rather difficult, but the challenged stretched our edges and we all got a little better at sneaking through the sword ferns, devils club, and stinging nettle and eventually the flies proved victorious.

Taking some time to eat lunch before playing Spiders Web!

Finishing our outing we took some extra time in closing circle to reflect on our season and look forward to our next year of Explorers Club. The Gray Wolf Pups each shared a highlight from one of our many outings, something they wanted to do for the next year (a skill, outing location, etc.), and of course something they were thankful for. The mentors were thankful for how the Gray Wolf Pups had really begun to grow together as a group over this past season. New members or old members, it really doesn’t matter now as everyone seems comfortable with themselves and the group and everyone has found a strong voice when we spend time talking in circle. Additionally the Gray Wolf Pups took a big stride forward in developing their navigation skills tuning in their sense of direction with natural indicators, orienteering a compass, and navigating using a map. With a well-rounded season in the rear view mirror, we are eager to reunite for fall and get back to work (or more likely play), and keep progression on our skills, developing our interpersonal communications, and building our group comradery.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!

Celebrating a successful season! (some more enthusiastically than others)

Navigating Beyond Map and Compass with the Gray Wolf Pups at Clayton Beach

Navigating the festivities of the Chuckanut 50K, the Gray Wolf Pups met up at Lost Lake Trailhead Parking Lot for an adventure to Clayton Beach. Having met here for our first outing of the Fall 2016 season, we had a good idea of what to expect. Navigating Chuckanut Drive, we dropped down to the trail with the loud rushing of the nearby creek significantly louder than our last time here. After days of heavy rainfall, the creek was running stronger than any of us could recall from recent memory. It is one thing to appreciate a place like this on a given day for its beauty and serenity, but bringing the Gray Wolf Pups back to the same locations during different seasons offers the opportunity to deepen their sense of place and connection to an area. Each season brings with it a new personality that alters how we interact with landscape.

Checking out the fast flowing waterfall

On our outing the Gray Wolf Pups were asked to recall what we had previously learned about navigation on our last spring outing. Reviewing the cardinal directions and ways to navigate using knowledge of the landscape, the sun, and other techniques that aided us on our last outing, it was time to break out the compasses and do some old fashioned orienteering. Splitting into two groups, each group of Explorers was tasked with hiding a bandana a good distance off into the forest and creating a “scout map” utilizing a series of natural landmarks, compass bearings, and number of paces to develop a list of directions the step by step would lead from our basecamp to the hidden bandana. Each group then returned to base camp, swapped scout maps, and proceeded to search for the hidden bandanas. Utilizing compass bearings, counting off paces, and identifying natural landmarks, each group proved successful in discovering the hidden bandanas hidden over a hundred yards away in the forest. Everyone seemed to enjoy the activity, learned how to set a bearing on a compass, and view the landscape in a new perspective. With our skills practice for the day out of the way it was time to head to the beach for some expansive free play!

Finishing up our navigation activity and getting ready to head to the beach

 After a chance encounter with another Explorers group; the Black-Tailed Deer, we traveled down to the beach and the boys immediately dropped their packs and scampered up the rocky shoreline. It is always a treat for the mentors to witness a group playing at Clayton Beach with the beautiful backdrop of the San Juans and Bellingham Bay it is nearly impossible to not feel like such a place was meant for a day of playing with friends and timeless exploration. With the end of our day drawing near, the mentors rallied the group to prepare for a sit spot before closing circle. The group was given a prompt to think about on their sit spot of; “what else do you ‘navigate’ in your life outside of Explorers Club?” After fifteen minutes of solo time gazing out over the water listening to the waves break upon the shoreline we reunited to discuss our thoughts. Surprisingly enough, the Gray Wolf Pups actually came back with insightful thoughts and we had a rather meaningful discussion about navigating conflict, relationships, and potential hardships that life may throw at you. With just enough time to share some gratitude and eat apple slices we packed up and cruised back to the trailhead to meet our parents. After this outing the mentors are seriously having to consider whether or not this group should be called the “Gray Wolf Pups” or the “Gray Wolves” as they demonstrated focus, maturity, and a depth of thoughtfulness that seemed beyond anything a mere pup could muster. 

Playing on the hike down

Checking out the honeycomb weathering patter on the sandstone at the beach

Hiking home after a successful day

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!

Gray Wolf Pups Splash Along Whatcom Creek

The Gray Wolf Pups spent a few hours playing in Whatcom Creek at Whatcom Falls Park on Sunday, much of that time at the spot a fey of the Gray Wolf Pups had discovered during a previous summer outing. There was a sustained playful skirmish between a few of the boys at the water hole where they would fill up an old water bottle and toss it towards the other team to try and make as big of a splash as possible. The mentors marveled at the boys ability to naturally make up rules and play fairly without ever openly discussing them. Both sides made it clear the intent was not to hit the other with the water bottle, but splash the other team. They even had an invisible line agreed to by both where you couldn’t pass to ensure no one from one team got to close to the other. With a little more than a little creek-side sunbathing and quiet contemplation on a sit spot and a large helping of the familiar exploration, this was shaping up to be an epic outing. A casual observer could be forgiven for smiling and silently noting the harmless innocence of boys playing in a creek. And they’d be right; there was a certain Huck Finn nature to the day.

Scratch the surface, however, and there is much to be examined in addition to the highly valued free play that is immediately apparent.

The Gray Wolf Pups skill for this season is Navigation. Mentor Tim craftily used the boys’ affiliation for the swimming-hole location to challenge them to navigate their way from our meeting point back to that spot. He prompted the explorers to “read the land” as they worked to recall where along the creek their favored spot could be found. Animals, native peoples and explorers all use drainages as navigation aids; on Sunday, the Gray Wolf Pups oriented to the creek’s source (Lake Whatcom) and reviewed notable landmarks such as Whatcom Lagoon and Derby Pond to determine their route. After a short, seemingly aimless wander, we were there! More than meets the eye.

Once there, the aforementioned water bottle skirmish ensued and continued for an hour or more. During that time, there arose a subtle structure to the play. Unspoken rules were referenced to prevent rogue maneuvers and to keep the action fair. Combatants acknowledged unintentional infractions with a quick apology and check on the well-being of the victim of a splash to the face or bonk with a water bottle. Before there were playground rules enforced by adults there was an innate and self-enforced sense of the value of fair play. On Sunday, we saw this ethic in action.

Most important, there is the concern for the boy’s physical and emotional safety. As mentors, we often balance perceived and actual risk. We encourage the boys to stretch their edge, moving out of their comfort zone into a situation that allows them to grow and expand their world. Our preferred situations are ones in which their perceived risk is greater  Again, more than meets the eye.

than the actual risk. On Sunday, as they jumped from rock to rock and tried sliding down the creek rapids, they weren’t thinking about the hazards as much as the mentors were. Their engagement with their environment obscured the risks posed by the creek and rocks. However, having the safety net of the mentors there to watch over them and carefully guide their exploration without diminishing their immersion in play and the natural world enabled them to get lost in the moment while remaining safe.

A silent sit spot provided some needed balance to the sometimes raucous play and our traditional circle of thanks put a bow on the spring season. 

Make sure to check out the rest of the awesome photos from our outing here!