Games day at Galbraith lane

Play is such an important aspect of ourselves and one that is often overlooked; particularly true the older you get. Having a full day with Explorers Club to dive into the art of play with laughter and a healthy sense of competition was such a treat. The day greeted us with cold temperatures but clear sunny skies that shown through the gaps in the forest canopy.

After gathering at the trailhead we turned our backs on the open sunshine and headed into the woods in favor of the lush sword fern and spongy nurse logs that provide great hiding spots and challenges for our games. The upper horse trails of lake padden led us into the towering hemlocks, giant sword ferns and open clearings where the sunlight hit devils club and huckleberry. The land had all the signs of spring; budding huckleberry plants, short nettles just emerging, new growth on the salmon berries and the complex notes of the Winter Wren. Our first game was an impromptu game involving being a pig and snorting at one another. This game brought us to laughter verging on tears for many and broke the ice between explorers that did not know each other.

As we wandered deeper into the forest the boys began to talk about what games they wanted to play and what kind of landscape we needed to play these games. The unanimous decision was to start with a game of spiders web (a program favorite). In search of a suitable spot for spiders web we veered of trail and found a giant downed hemlock tree. We walked down the length of the trunk marveling at its length and wondering how long it had been downed; one year? Two? Ten years? The tip of the fallen tree pointed us to the perfect location to spiders web.

The Explorers spread out with brightly colored bandanas to mark the food source, web, and fly home. After marking these locations and refreshing some of the rules we started with Peter as our first spider. The explorers hid as Peter counted to fifty. The thick fern cover and contours of valleys and small hills made for excellent spiders web terrain. Stalking through the forest, hiding, being caught, sitting still, running, hunting, adrenaline, being tired, pushing your edge. These are all aspects to the game and make it such a rewarding experience. After a lengthy game the food source was brought back to the spiders home ending the game. We circle up to discuss the game and eat some food.

These games that we play are a great and fun way to explore the land as well as an interactive way to bring our attention toward many of the natural history phenomena that happen in these forests. They are also a great platform for bringing up honesty, competition, what it means to win or lose, and how to resolve conflicts. The boys stretched their edge with these topics and embraced Explorers Club mottos such as; Collaborate and Compromise and Challenge by Choice.

We ate lunch in a small depression next to our packs and reflected on the game. It was so nice to have a small group and be able to just relax and catch up with one another. Laughter and conversation filled the air as we joked around and finished our lunches. Soon the forest beckoned us onwards. We packed our things and headed to a new location.

After balancing on logs and jumping into the undergrowth we found a location to play a game of stealing a deer kill from an old cougar. The cougar was blindfolded and the coyotes stalked up to try and steal a deer leg (water bottle) from the cougar without being detected. This game brought immense concentration and really focused everyone. We played for a solid hour and wood have played more, but our time was running out.  We had a closing circle and took the time to express our gratitude for the day and each others company. The day ended with big smiles and tired bodies from playing in the woods all day.

Weekend at The Mountaineer’s Baker Lodge with the Explorers & Families

The BEC mentoring team would like to thank all parents, volunteers, staff, and Explorers for making our Baker Lodge 2015 weekend a possibility. Parents, thanks for your spirit of exploration, for your care and support for the Explorers, and for your willingness to gather as a community and work towards common goals and shared values. Explorers, thank you for your inspiration and play, for your ability to work together as group, for your eagerness to include each other in the experience, and for being flexible and modeling great attitudes given this year’s snow pack.  Finally we would like to thank the Mountaineers and their volunteer staff, Susan and Hugh, for all their work and dedication in keep the amazing facility running and our experience so rich and full year after year.

At around 5:30pm on Friday, Explorers and parents started to arrive in the Mountaineers parking lot, while the mentors prepared our annual, and not to be missed, burrito buffet. The group was shocked to see that the path to the lodge was free of snow and dry.  Once the majority of the group was settled into their bunks and oriented to the lodge we gathered in the dinning room and shared a circle of thanks. The Explorers finished dinner relatively quickly and bussed their plates, anxious to find a spot to sled.

Gathering our headlamps, shovels, and sleds the group scouted for our annual night sledding location. Night sledding is a wonderful tradition passed down through the oral history of our program. This year in particular the mountains graced us with amazing weather. Clear skies and cool temperatures brought in by a north wind made for amazing stargazing. This was coupled with a waxing gibbous moon that cast beautiful silhouettes off of Mt. Shuksan and Sefrit.

With a little luck the boys found a spot where there was still enough consolidated snow to make a sledding run. When the first Explorer tested the track it was slick and fast. The parents decided it would be best to have a few adults at the end of the run so the boys didn’t end up in a tree well. Together the group worked on building up banked turns to avoid the saplings that has been buried in previous years. Parent would relay an “all clear” call up the track and a lone headlamp would snake down through the darkness.

We sledded until about 10:00 o’clock and quickly retired to our shared sleeping quarters. Just as night sledding has become tradition for our weekend, so has the symphony of snoring that comes from the men’s berths at night. Sharing the lodge’s limited space for the weekend is a great way for us come together as community and more subtlety helps us recognize how lucky we are to have so much autonomy and freedom in our lives and how fortunate we are to have all that we do.  

The kitchen crew woke up before first light on Saturday morning and the smells of pancakes, sausage, and eggs drifted throughout the lodge. The sunrise over the Nooksack Circe and the White Salmon Glacier filled the dining hall with light. After breakfast the cleaning crew got to work and we packed our gear for a full days worth of exploration.

Circling up outside the lodge we slathered on sunscreen and went over some mountain safety. Heading out from the upper ski areas parking lot, we were on a mission to find the perfect sledding hill and explore the landscape. Although the snow pack was too shallow to build snow caves, the group did find a couple of suitable hills after about fifteen minutes of hiking. Setting up a base camp the boys got to work smoothing out the sun-cupped hillside by steamrolling the bumps and using their bodies as shock absorbers. After about two hours worth of sledding and lots of wipes outs we grouped back up and ate some lunch.

Listening to the Explorers and parents talk about how we wanted to best use our time it was clear that feelings were mixed. Once we were fueled and hydrated the boys circled up in a typical Explorers Club fashion to make a group decision. Our eldest Explorers did an excellent job modeling circular leadership and helping to facilitate our group decision-making process. In the end the Explorers made the decision to split up into two groups, one would hike up to Artist Point and the other would stay at the sledding hill and play some games. Great work Explorers!

Trudging up to Artist Point the boys stretched their edges climbing the steep slopes. Tried, sweaty, and triumphant the group reached the top and their effort was not in vain. Spectacular 360-degree views into some of the most rugged and remote regions of the North Cascades greeted them. Once the group had their fill of the vista they sledded, glissaded, and skied down to meet the rest of the group. Needless to say the trip down was much faster than the trip up!

Meanwhile at our basecamp the other group was busy creating an igloo structure; working tirelessly to cut blocks, stack them equally, the fill the crevices with snowy “mortar”. The Explorers made quite a productive quarry, making sure to take breaks to play a few rounds of Spider’s Web for the first time ever in the snow! It filled the mentor’s hearts with joy to see the parents crawling and sliding on their bellies as they tried to avoid the hungry spider gaze. Play is important for us all and it was powerful for the boys to share one of their most prized games with the Dad’s.  As we sat and regrouped a hungry flock of Gray Jays flew up and raided some of the boy’s lunches, they even landed in one Explorer’s hand!

Exhausted and sun soaked the group migrated back over to the lodge so the dinner crew could help with meal prep. Sharing a hearty meal together of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and salad, parents and Explorers alike sat back and relaxed; full and contented with the day’s events. The group spent the next few hours lounging, talking, and playing boards games while watching the alpenglow turn Mt. Shuksan deep oranges and pinks. Of all the things that we do at the lodge this is one of the most important. It is one of the only opportunities the mentors have to spend some uninterrupted time getting to know families, sharing stories, and visioning for the future of Wild Whatcom. Building relationships and strengthening bonds and trust between parents and mentors is what has allowed our program to function as it does and we are so grateful for this support.

Once the sun had set and the Explorers had their fill of conversation we headed out for a second round of night sledding. The track was even slicker than the first night and the boys had a great time pretending the mentors were bowling pins as they flew down the track. The sounds of laughter and friendship filled the crisp air. Crawling into our bunks the second act of the snoring symphony was even grander than the first.

The next morning the group rallied to take care of the Lodge clean up, cook another amazing breakfast, and get our gear packed; but not before the adults had their fair share of French press coffee. By 10:00am the group was outside of the lodge ready to depart. Sharing our last circle together the group gave some thanks. It is in these moments when it is crystal clear that we are building an intentional community of caring individuals. What a pleasure it was to spend a weekend with all the Explorers and families. To connect deeply, to laugh and play together, to engage in exploration and adventure, to unwind and decompress, and share and recognize this amazing wilderness that lies just outside of the Bellingham area. Watching the last of the families head out in their cars the mentors were reminded of a quote by John Muir, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn”. 

For more pictures from Baker Lodge please visit our winter photo gallery. 

Building Snow Caves in the Mt. Baker Wilderness

Gathering at Samish Woods Montessori we boys climbed aboard our rental van and headed out into the Mount Baker wilderness for a day full of exploration and adventure. As we winded up 542 East the mentors told the group to be on the lookout for Bald Eagles, as a healthy population of these magnificent birds spend their winter roosting and fishing in the tall Cedars and Fir that over-hang the North fork of the Nooksack. Using our tracking skills the boys were able to spot over thirty Eagles on the ride up!

Pulling into upper parking lot of the Mount Baker Ski area we were met with cool temperatures, stable avalanche conditions, and moderate visibility. Gearing up we double-checked our packs and circled up at the backcountry gate. We worked on orienting to the landscape by trying to identify the environmental hazards. When traveling in the mountains it is very important to stay together as a group, carefully track the weather, temperature, and stability of the surface your walking on. The mentors told the group to be on the watch for another risk, tree-wells. Together we learned how to identify them, and since it had been a low snow year, the wells were the perfect size for the boys to utilize for games of Hide!

Once we were oriented we headed out following one of the many boot packs that crisscrossed through the snow like the tracks of a heard of Roosevelt Elk. Coming over the first rise the boys spotted a snow shelter and quickly ran over to it for further investigation. As the Explorers climbed on and around the shelter the mentors stressed the importance of not climbing on the shelter while another Explorer was inside. This shelter proved to be a prime example of what not to do; the structures entrance was much too large and the walls were quite thin leaving little insulative qualities.

After a little more travel we stopped for a lunch. It’s important in cold weather landscapes to drink abundant amounts of water and keep well fueled. We explained to the group that fuel is what keeps us warm and water is what helps to distribute heat throughout our bodies. As we ate, some of the boys got involved in a snowball fight and a game of King of the Mountain. Their well-intentioned game soon escalated into some roughness and it ended in some tears. This was a great time for our group to circle up and talk about what had happened. Debriefing the event we focused on what escalation was, and how we could call it out to defuse these situations from escalating further. In the end the group made a commitment to respect each other’s requests and space.

Shifting our focus to something a little more structured Peter drew a giant circle in the snow and we played a few rounds of a game called Otter Steals a Fish. Feeling that the characters in the game were a little out of place with our current landscape Peter changed the natural history background to coyotes steal a deer leg from a cougar. The snow provided the perfect cushion for the boys to dive and roll, trying to steal the prize from the hungry cougar. By the time we had finished most of us had a good amount of snow inside our gear and clothing. Looking around it was clear that we needed to move and build our heat back up. As we collected our gear the mentors encouraged the group to be present for games and exploration, but to also to continually track the weather and landscape.

Taking some observations the boys noticed that visibility had dropped considerably and the snow and wind had picked up. One of the mentors asked the boys what the land was telling us. They identified that we needed to find a place out of the wind with good visual landmarks and a spot to dig our snow cave. We pushed onwards in the abyss of white and grey, regaining our warmth and happening upon a deep snowdrift that was sheltered by a grove of Mountain Hemlock, Sub Alpine and Pacific Sliver fir. We set up a base camp and some of the boys got to work digging their first attempt at a snow cave.

Gary, our snow cave expert and guest mentor for the day, explained that the process of digging a cave begins with excavating a large amount of snow in the area just before the entrance of the cave. Failing to do this results in the diggers eventually trapping themselves inside the cave while trying to excavate the interior.  He went on to say that the next important step is having a stair-like feature just within the entrance of the cave. This traps the heat inside the cave, which is then insulated by the snow. Once the cave is completely excavated the diggers can smooth the insides of the cave walls, which prevents water from dripping down onto the dwellers. Using snow saws and shovels the boys put in a valiant effort clearing enough room for four Explorers to sleep comfortably.

Our basecamp proved to be the perfect location for our group. While some boys dug caves others glissaded, jumped, and rolled down the steep slopes to our west, exploring all the way down to the Bagley Creek drainage. At the bottom of the drainage all sounds of the ski area faded away and the boys re-oriented to sounds of the wilderness in the winter. Silently we hiked together, attuning our senses to the calm and stillness, the trickle of half frozen Bagley Creek meandering through the snow, the low drone of the wind whistling through the wind swept mountains, and the increasing shadows of the fading light behind Herman and Table Mountain.

Heading back up the drainage we practiced our climbing skills, choosing difficult routes to scramble and climb up, and we even came across a set of Lynx tracks! It was so wonderful to see the Explorers roaming and playing. Although many of them were from different groups they really bonded and rejoiced in spirit of exploration.  Circling up we held a closing meeting and gave thanks for the day. The Explorers gave thanks for the recent snowfall and perfect conditions for our exploration, for all the lessons thatthis land and its inhabitants had to offer about winter survival, for warmth and shelter, food and friends, snow caves and snowballs, and for the chance to be together in such a special place.

The mentors would like to thank the Explorers for Stretching their Edges and meeting the challenges that winter exploration brings. We would also like to thank Gary Keller for his skill, inspiration, support and care for the boys. Finally, we would like to thank parents for your trust and support, without this we would not be able guide the Explorers as they grow and mature into the stellar individuals they are becoming.

For more pictures from outing please visit our winter photo gallery.

Fragrance Lake Traverse

“Let’s race to the top!” When faced with a high, steep hill, Logan, the Explorers Club Mentor Apprentice (EMA) for our Fragrance Lake traverse, displayed qualities of an experienced explorer - leadership, spontaneity, fun, respect, daring and caring.

It was an eclectic group for this Winter exploration - 6 experienced explorers from several different groups, 1 wait-listed explorer-to-be, the afore-mentioned EMA and two mentors. The participants in this outing ranged in age from 8 to...well, many times older than 8.

After a bumpy ride to the trailhead, we played a name game to get acquainted, then headed down the trail. It wasn’t long before Fragrance Lake came into sight and we began to look for a good spot for games. Down to the lake we went and about half around before we heard that most treasured exclamation - HIDE! Following that game, at an explorer’s suggestion, we played a more complex version of the game called Incoming. Incoming involves repeated “incoming” dashes to slap the hand of the person who is “it” before finding a new hiding spot. Fun and challenging. Several boys also explored a hollowed out cedar stump that is big enough to fit 3 or 4 explorers.

Soon it was time to move down the trail in search of more fun. It wasn’t long before we came abreast of the hill mentioned above and the race was on. It matters little who won the race (spoken, not surprisingly, by one who didn’t win); the key was that each member of our little band took on the challenge and triumphed. More than one noted that it looked higher from the top looking down than the other way around. Strange, no? But true.

Once we caught our collective breath, we ventured across the hill we had climbed and were rewarded with an interesting, hillside location for Spider’s Web. With ridges to form natural boundaries and ferns aplenty for cover, we decided on a structure for the game, selected a spider and got under way. Well, several of us got under way; others realized they still hadn’t eaten lunch and took hold of this opportunity to rectify that situation. Before long, most everyone was actively involved in a low-key contest. Mentor Brian, the spider, was feeling pretty smug about how he was going to eat well when he heard a victory cry from the “flies”. Apparently, your strategies are only as good as your execution and his was wanting.

As sometimes can happen, the group’s diversity proved an advantage, thanks primarily to the strength of character of the explorers. With Logan providing savvy leadership and the 6 seasoned explorers sharing their experiences and offering a helping hand to our newbie, the 6 hours passed quickly enough that we almost forgot our closing meeting! It is gratifying to see the boys take time to coach another on the safe use of a knife, to watch them compromise as they work to decide their priorities for the outing, to listen to the engaged chatter and laughter during down times. The mentors planned the outing around a few club mottoes: “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”; “Leave no trace.”, and “Attitude of gratitude.” These boys nailed them all as they demonstrated respect for each other, for the land, and for all the gifts they’ve been given. After the holiday break, it was refreshing and restorative to be out on the trail with a band of great lads!

Birding at Semiahmoo Spit

We all gathered at on the side of samish way to load stubbs and began our journey out to Semiahmoo spit for a day of birding and exploration along the shoreline. We all loaded the bus, out excitement rising as Tim pulled out onto the freeway. As we moved North leaving the city limits of Bellingham we had clear views East toward Mt Baker and the Sisters, And north up into the Canadian peaks. Between the bright sunshine and our contagious energy it was already proving a great day.

We arrived at Semiahmoo spit under a dense fog layer that had not yet burned off the coast. We circled up on a patch of grass to talk about our plan for the day and play a short name game. It was really great in these Winter outings to see new friendships form between boys from different groups as well as boys reconnecting who have not seen each other all Winter. Down on the beach we spread out and began exploring what this new landscape had to offer. Groups of boys made their way through the fog; Exploring the fringe of trees along the beach, finding shells, throwing rocks, pushing logs, and letting our imaginations run wild. A few of us had a fun and difficult time trying to spot sea birds through our binoculars as the fog rolled in and out and the birds dove and resurfaced elsewhere. We identified a pair of Surf Scoters making their way slowly through the water and witnessed an immature bald eagle sore just above our heads. The fog began to lift slowly and then all of the sudden cleared, revealing a large city just across the water. We were all surprised to realize there was anything outside our little bubble of fog let along a giant city.

As the sun warmed our bodies we ate lunch and continued to spot birds or explore the shoreline. After a mild conflict over a stick we all circled up to discuss and resolve the misunderstanding. Conversations like this can take a while and I was really impressed with many of the boys insight and eloquence when talking about hard concepts like fairness, honesty, and respect. These are hard things for adults to talk about and this group did a great job resolving the issue and moving forward.

We decided to make our way to the other side of the spit out of the wind and explore what the other side had to offer. This East side of the spit was much calmer and warmer providing us a relaxing place to spend the last part of our outing. We all began combing the beach finding interesting rocks, bones, mud, trash, shells and all kinds of other treasures washed up with the debri.  handful of boys decided to make a raft. Watching them try to drift out into the calm bay aboard it i was almost convinced that this was a summer outing until my gaze lifted to the still snow covered peak of Mt Baker in the distance.

We finished our outing as we always do with a circle of thanks and made preparations to load back onto stubbs for the journey back. A few miles from the park the bus began to slow and finally ground to a halt on the side of the road. As Tim and I discussed the logistics of getting back to town the Explorers watched a several Bald eagles soared above and swept in to grab a fish. Thank you explorers for your patients while you waited on the bus and thank you parents for your flexibility to come out and pick up your boys. Despite the breakdown the outing was a great success with plenty of bird actions and great shoreline explorations.

Click here for more pictures from our exploration. 

Spotting Frogs and Salamanders at Squires Lake

Please don’t blow our cover,

Trying to complicate the process, as mentors might do at times in an effort to impart and inspire, is a fool’s errand. Rather, the mentor’s “secret sauce” is to let the land reach out and capture the young boy’s soul, then play off the magic that can follow to capitalize on the connection with nature that simply happens. So, feel free to tell your friends and family about the Herculean feats of the Boys Explorers Club mentors; we both know the reality is that this work is a joyful privilege that, done well, requires simply guiding and encouraging while the boy’s talents and the land’s gifts do the heavy lifting. 

That was never more true than the middle of our Squires Lake outing on Feb. 8. Unlike our fall and spring outings in which we focus on skills, winter outings offer the serendipity and improvisation of more unstructured activity.  We had established our “base camp” on the shore of Beaver Pond and had some lunch. Tim, Brian, and EMA (Explorers club Mentors Apprentice) Logan then set the 10 boys to the terribly arduous task of “free time”. The boys self-selected into mostly three types of activities: looking for creatures (mostly amphibians and beavers), carving, and exploring the steam that connects Beaver Pond and Squires Lake.

A few of the boys who were very interested in carving hadn’t had the instruction we provide in the safe use of knives, so mentor Tim sat with a circle of 4 or 5 boys to instruct on proper technique. “Safety first” is a principle Explorers Club motto; Tim spent a lot of time patiently explaining the relative advantages and disadvantages of folding, locking and fixed-blade knives and the safe handling of a knife while carving. Click here to learn more about choosing a knife. The beavers have nothing on the wood working that followed.

Speaking of the beavers, we were unfortunate in that we weren’t lucky enough to see any, but we saw many downed trees that reflected the work of these industrious creatures. Beavers are a great example of the interplay of various players in nature. Their dams create habitat for many other animals and plants of the region. In winter, deer and elk frequent beaver ponds to forage on shrubby plants that grow where beavers cut down trees for food or use to make their dams and lodges. Weasels, raccoons, and herons hunt frogs and other prey along the marshy edges of beaver ponds. Migratory waterbirds use beaver ponds as nesting areas and resting stops during migration. Ducks and geese often nest on top of beaver lodges since they offer warmth and protection, especially when lodges are formed in the middle of a pond. The trees that die as a result of rising water levels attract insects, which in turn feed woodpeckers, whose holes later provide homes for other wildlife. Click here for more on beavers. Vestiges of their efforts formed a porous dam that regulated the flow of water from the pond into the stream leading to Squires Lake.

It was that stream that was the focus of attention for several boys who explored the riparian environment along the stream. While the mentors wouldn’t have objected to a careful study of the flora and fauna of this rich natural environment, my conscience requires that I report that the focus was the enjoyment of building or “discovering” islands, bushwhacking through the underbrush, and searching for hidden treasure. Guess those other lessons will have to wait.

Getting to the base camp did involve a lesson. We began at a map at the trailhead by planning our route to the beaver pond. Several boys sketched the map from the display and used their drawings to help us decide which direction to choose at various intersections. One created his map as we walked along, making it reflect our actual experience. Creating their own version of the map prompted them to internalize the features of the land and gave them a personal reference as we moved through the landscape. Frequent map checks and the need for instruction in the Boys Explorers Club culture for the wait-list boys (about half the group) meant we spent a few hours navigating to our camp.

Following the free exploration described above, we slowed the pace by stringing along the Beaver Pond for a sit spot. These times of quiet observation and reflection can be quite profound. 13 males silently blending with the natural environment for 15 minutes is an experience we can all use more of. The immediate payoff of this sit spot was the soundtrack of frogs croaking into the afternoon air.

We returned to the trailhead by hiking around the other (East) side of Squires Lake. Along the way, we stopped to give thanks during our closing meeting. Like sit spots, this E.C. tradition comes naturally to the boys who have yet to find a spot in a regular group, facilitating their quick integration with the more experienced explorers.

Great weather, excited explorers, and beautiful land made for a memorable outing!

Click here for more pictures from our exploration.

Coed: The Art of Fire by Friction at the 100 Aker Wood

The Explorers met at the 100 Aker Woods ready delve into the Art of Fire by Friction. This outing would mark the EC’s first ever coed skills day. It was exciting to witness the elder Girls and Boys of the program standing side by side. Unwavering they stood in the rain; they were neither discontent nor uncomfortable. These individuals have cultivated a deep resiliency and appreciation for the landscape in all its seasons. They welcome the rain and wind because they understand its connection, its importance, and the opportunities and growth it offers them.

Heading into the woods we sought shelter under a few Cedars and Doug Fir. Looking around there was a need to break the ice and bring our group together. We played a couple of rounds of Name Tag and began to bond over laughter and goofiness. Once we were acquainted we headed to a tarp shelter that the mentors had set up earlier and focused our attention towards fire making.

Under our tarp the mentors explained that the first step in making fire is to understand its importance in our lives and in our history as a people. Fire has allowed us to make tools, cook, purify water, warm our shelters, regulate landscapes, and provided a harth for us to gather around. Fire comes with a great responsibility and it is our job to pass down this ancient skill from generation to generation. It demands focus and attention, and if we let our guard down or allow ourselves to get careless we have the potential to do great harm.

With strong intention set the mentors pulled out a bow drill and hand drill kit and passed them around the circle. The art of making fire is a hard skill to wrap your mind around until you see it in action. Once the group was oriented to the components of a fire kit they gathered close as the mentors demonstrated the process. Slowly through the friction of the spindle a small coal started to form as the smell of smoke rose into the air. Dropping the coal into a Cedar bundle the mentor gently blew the coal into flame. There was a resounding “awe” around the circle.

At this point the group couldn’t contain themselves any longer, anxiously awaiting the chance to start working on their own fire kit. Passing around pieces of Cedar and Red Alder the Explorers started to carve away on spindles and top boards. The group must have carved for an hour and half straight, creating some amazing spindles. Some sat under the tarp and others planted themselves right in the rain, too focused on the task at hand to even notice that they were getting wet. When some had finished with their spindles we searched the surrounding area for downed Vine Maple and Cedar limbs for our bows. The Explorers modeled excellent EC culture by using their knives as tools and respecting each other’s space. One of the older boys was even able to get a small, but hardy fire going with a flint and steel method and a tinder bundle!

The group gathered around the fire and relaxed into its warmth and glow. Listening to the Explorers laugh and share stories around our work area made it clear together they are creating a community of balanced, engaged, and caring youth. As mentors we provide the container for this experience to happen and the Explorers do the rest.  Watching the many groups practice and share traditional skills and stories showed us that it clearly fulfills a deep need inside of them to create. Being out on the land for these skill days is crucial because it provides a environment that is free from distraction and offers the Explorers a chance to refocus, decompress, connect, and process.

As our fire smoldered we made sure to put it out, bury the cold embers, and return the duff over the mineral soil. After some lunch we packed up and headed out to play a few games and search for a shelter that one of the girls had built seasons ago. We found the shelter in good condition and examined its inner workings. Circling up the Explorers tried to make a decision on which game they wanted to play. The decision-making process was tricky to navigate because both the Boys and Girls EC model it just a little bit differently. It was not until our first game of Hide that the group found that decision-making process was not the only thing they did differently.

Apparently the rules to our EC games of Hide and Spider’s Web are quite varied.  As we played it was powerful for the Explorers to recognize that each other’s versions were not better or worse than one another’s, just different. The mentors encouraged the group to learn from each other’s variations and look at the new rules as a welcomed challenge. Being flexible and adaptable is a skill that will continue to benefits these Explorers throughout their lives. As they played any tension about the rules faded away and the Explorers ducked, darted, and dived trying to escape off the spider’s web.

Navigating back to our tarp shelter we sat down again to work on our fire kits. The mentors passed around a few bow drill kits and the group got to test their skills with the spindles they made. As they oriented and adjusted to the process the mentors reiterated our motto Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow. The mentors explained to the group that it took us a few months to learn how to properly harvest the right materials, craft the tools necessary, and learn to make and harness fire.

In the end the Explorers walked away with a lot more knowledge and appreciation for fire, as well as some partially finished kits. Circling up for a closing meeting the group gave thanks for the opportunity to learn and grow, for the rain and winter, for the boys and girls joining forces, for warmth and shelter, games, and all the resources that it took to make our fire. It was the mentor’s pleasure to co-guide this group of elder Explorers in the 100 Aker Wood. They are maturing and growing into exceptional leaders and skilled craftspeople.

Parents, if your Explorer is searching for more information and/or guidance in the Art of Fire by Friction please see the document attached on the Outing Report Posted email. For more pictures from the outing please visit our winter photo gallery.

The Art of Carving at North Galbraith Trailhead

The winter drizzle and fog provided a chilly landscape for the winter Art of Carving outing.  Mentors Peter and Greg were eager to introduce this important skill with the boys and spend some time in the forest.  One by one the boys arrived clad in warm dry layers eagerly awaiting a chance to learn more about the knives they had brought with them.  Once we had all gathered we walked up the trail leaving the more popular mountain biking trails behind and into the forest.  Winter outings offer the boys a great chance to meet boys outside of their regular groups and get to know boys who are not yet in a regular spring or fall explorers club group.

The mentors gathered the boys in a small circle for the first part of the lesson.  Working with an edged tool requires a lot of focus in order to avoid damaging your project, or injuring yourself.  In this respect Peter and Greg asked the boys to adhere to a few basic safety rules.

1. Take it seriously

2. Know what’s in your blood circle

3. Know where your blade will follow through

4. Treat the knife with respect

These general rules keep our fingers (and legs safe) especially when they are paired with stories of previous explores who have not heeded these rules and ended up with cuts and visits to the doctor!  The mentors were pleased that at the end of the outing only one band-aid was given out for a very minor cut.  The final safety message was a focused on paying particular attention to removing ones knife from its sheath.  This is a time where it is very easy to get a bad cut, especially if you are wearing the knife on your belt where it may be obscured by coats and other layers.

Greg and Peter invited the boys to spread out and find enough space where they carve without anybody in their blood circle.  The mentors handed out small pieces of freshly cut maple sapling.  Each piece was about ½” to ¾” thick and about 12” long.  Greg harvested these saplings from under a powerline where they would never be allowed to grow very tall.  The green maple makes excellent wood for carving.  Dry or seasoned wood is difficult to carve and requires very sharp tools and is less forgiving to beginning carvers.  Seasoned wood is also very uncommon in wild places and green wood is abundant.

After some warm up carving, Greg demonstrated how to make a tent peg.  This is a simple project that uses three basic and important cuts to create.  We tapered the end of the stick to make the point, we chamfered the opposite end of the peg to make it less vulnerable to splitting using small push cuts, where our thumb from our non grip hand helped provide power with excellent control.  The last cut makes the notch for a guy line to grip on the tent peg and it is fashioned with a stop cut.  This is made by batoning the blade about a third of the way through the peg and then carving towards this cut creating a sloping notch.  Batoning should only be done with a non-folding knife and requires a “workbench” like a log or a stump and a stout branch or stick to strike the back of the blade.  At the end of the blog you will find a series of links including one that shows a short video of this project (or a similar version) as demonstrated by famous bushcraft instructor Ray Meares.

The Explorers and their mentors took a break from the project and had knife show and tell.  There were many versions and variations of the Mora knife well as some great locking blade knives.  One Explorer brought in a knife that belonged to his grandfather, which was made in Finland!  Peter showed his amazing collection of small carving tools from Indonesia, and Greg showed some of his favorite knives for carving.

Despite warm clothes and incredible focus, we couldn’t keep the cold at bay so we packed up our gear and went looking for a place to play some games where we could warm up.  After scaling muddy hills and dodging mountain bikes we discovered some old rusting earthmovers.  The boys clambered up and took a look inside the cab, but this wasn’t the spot to play.  So we headed off trail and down towards where we did our carving and played several rounds of Hungry Hungry Martin, and Hide!  Our closing circle included gratitude for the land, the explorers, and for our knives.  There were many questions about the proper care for knives.  We discussed the need to keep them all clean and especially for those boys with carbon steel Mora knives to keep them lightly oiled when they are not in use. 

The boys and mentors headed back down the trail to meet up with their families and head back home to clean up and get warm.  The mentors were reflecting afterwards how incredibly focused the boys were when they were carving, and how seriously they took the responsibility of learning to using these edged tools well.  Peter and Greg would like to thank the boys for their hard work and focus, as well as their parents for supporting them to learn these skills, which gives the mentors an opportunity to share them with others.  Here is a link to the photos from the outing.

Here are a few more resources for the explorers and their families regarding carving.

Books:

Kochanski, Mors.  Bushcraft, Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival.  Auburn, Wa: Lone Pine Publishing, 1988.  This book is a wealth of information on various earth skills.  Chapter 3, Knifecraft, covers all the essential wilderness knife skills and has excellent illustrations.  Highly Recommended, it is considered one of the best books available on wilderness skills and survival.  If the BEC had a "handbook" this might be it.

Video:

Ray Mears, famous bushcraft instructor from the UK demonstrating some basic knife safety.

Another Ray Meares video: how to make a tent peg. This is similar to the technique Greg demonstrated on our outing. 

Wildlife Walking and Watching: Tracking and Eagles on the Nooksack

On a drizzly Sunday morning we gathered at our trusty old bus Stubbs along Samish. This was a historic day for Explorers Club because for the first time ever Boys EC and Girls EC were teaming up for an outing! As the kids began showing up we decided it would be good for us to get to know one another. Upon circling up and sharing our names and some other fun facts about ourselves it became clear that squirrelly boy energy was not merely a myth perpetuated by the BEC mentors, but a reality that the girls had yet to experience on an outing. So after getting our names down and some wiggles out we loaded onto the bus and headed for the Nooksack.

Our destination was the Deming Homestead Eagle Park. As we pulled in and unloaded we circled up again to set some intentions and get a crash course in tracking. Our intentions for the day were to explore the Nooksack River Flood Plain, analyze animal tracks, and scan the skies and trees for eagles. Some of the tid bits we learned about tracking were paying attention to track size, direction, shape, the number of toes, gate, claw marks, and numerous other patterns a track has to offer. We also discussed how important it is to open our awareness to where we place our feet as we travel and track. Stepping on a track is like ripping a page out of a book, or losing a piece to a puzzle.

With our intentions set and tracking knowledge freshly imprinted in our brains we set out. Quickly Explorers began to realize that a theme for this outing would be mud! Mud is great for tracking, but can make travel a little tricky. As we slipped and slid and squished our way we discovered numerous tracks of canids (animals belong to the family Canidae), distinct beaver sign in gnawed trees, and many more wonders of the natural world. Before we knew it the terrain transformed from moss and mud to sand and stone. We had made it to the river.

We trekked out towards the rushing water, discovering ever more tracks along the way; deer, coyote, bobcat, heron, hominid. Taking a break from looking down, we opened our awareness and gazed upward to see sizeable soaring silhouettes in the sky. One of the explorers was tasked with keeping count of eagle sightings and her task quickly became a fulltime job as eagles flew overhead and perched in the nearby trees. With so much to be explored we quickly worked up an appetite and cut through a stand of alders to find a nice base camp for lunch.  But along the way two explorers fell behind the rest of the group after the mud veraciously attempted to swallow their boots whole. With assistance from a mentor and volunteer the two explorers managed to wriggle free and even save their boots too.

Lunch was accompanied with a period of free play amongst the sandy flood plains full of log jams, rivulets, and pools of water. Everyone had a grand time exploring their surroundings whether that meant getting lost in a fantasy with friends or peering through binoculars at the eagles in the trees. One of the mentors even brought a camp stove to boil water for hot cocoa and plenty of melting marshmallows. With our bellies full and hands warmed by cups of cocoa we had just enough time for one more activity.

Our last activity of the day was a fun experiment in plaster casting! With so many tracks around we had ample opportunity. The explorers learned how to prepare a track for casting by building up a circular wall around the track with mud, mix plaster to a pancake batter consistency in a cup, and gently pour the plaster into the track. While we waited for our plaster to set, there was time for a round of spider’s web. But alas, we finally had to pack our things and head back to the bus. Unfortunately not all of the plaster casts had sufficient time to set and not all of the explorers came away from our outing with a casting to show for it. However, each explorer came away with the knowledge of how to make their very own plaster casts which is an exceptionally fun and affordable activity to do on personal or family outings as well! (Here is a link if you want to learn more:http://education.usgs.gov/kids/assets/tracks.pdf).

With our packs packed and casts collected we hustled back to the bus. Loading up Stubbs it was time to hit the road and get back to the parents eagerly awaiting our return to town. Along the way we relaxed after a long day of exploring. Some sang songs, others chatted with friends, but everyone was grateful for such a beautiful day full of tracking, eagles, and the opportunity to explore an exemplary ecosystem full of wildlife and wonder.

BEC: Baker Lodge! (Mar 28-30) with pictures finally :)

No really…  we did shovel over two feet of snow off the cars by the time we left on Sunday morning! Though Boys Explorers Club hosted the third annual Baker Lodge weekend at The Mountaineers’ lodge at the end of March, the snow fell like it were the middle of winter. We had a low turnout as most folks headed to warm places for Spring Break. But for the hearty snow-seekers, we got exactly what we signed-up for!

Everyone arrived to the lodge for our 6pm Burrito Bar dinner. There were only a few other guests staying with Boys Explorers Club on Friday night but they were friendly and also excited to help us eat the mountain of Mexican rice and refried beans that we made. Our gracious hosts, Becky, Dale, Linde, and June presented desserts that filled our bellies even more. We learned about “Betsu Bara,” the Japanese phrase for having a split stomach- one for dinner and the other for sweets!

With the light lasting well into the evening, we only got a true hour of night sledding before we turned in for the night. We whetted our appetites for snow by getting on the sleds. The snow fell throughout the night while the resident pine martin stalked the basement of the lodge and we slept "soundly" on the third floor.

Actually nobody slept well the first night because nobody ever sleeps well the first night :) In fact, this mentor woke up because of someone snoring… and then again later when it was deafeningly silent. Both were uncommon experiences for this city dweller.

Boys and parents were chipper the next morning; Explorers were excited for the snow explorations to come and parents made it through one or two cups of coffee. The grinder and French press were great additions to our morning routine. Folks dressed quickly and our exploration began. Two hours of digging and sledding and getting used to the snow exhausted everyone. A couple of us threw snowballs and learned about tactical advantage to being atop the hills and most everyone else went in for an early lunch!

Explorers and parents didn’t make it very far distance-wise; our entire outing consisted of the lodge and its immediate vicinity with a couple trips back to the vehicles. What a great example for our future explorations at home! We can find the most amazing learning and fun opportunities close by. We don’t need to walk a long distance away from our dwellings to practice exploration mode. And when we add friends to the mix, it becomes even easier.

After a long lazy lunch, Explorers were keen to stay inside playing games and relaxing. The mass momentum was in lounging, until a couple of the youngest Explorers began to chirp.  We fueled up on hot chocolate (I certainly did) and then made the way to our wet clothes in the basement to prepare for another session in the unyielding snow.

The mission at hand: snow caves. Small groups built the best snow shelters they could. After a time, Matt gathered everyone to share a personal story of hypothermia and incorrect snow cave building. We learned the important of clearing an area prior to digging the cave; otherwise we lift too much snow! With more good work under their belts, Explorers fled back to the lodge for more games and undoubtedly hot chocolate.

One dad on the other hand, spent the next part of two hours working on the snow cave. By the end, he had cleared a pretty sweet space that comfortably fit five Explorers and probably would have kept them insulated through the night had they chosen to sleep outside.

Mentors got even wilier. Matt and Dave added snow to the arc that the Explorers created. The arc turned into a tunnel and then a deep sledding chute. Then the front of the tunnel developed eyes, a nose, and teeth. Next, some spikes appeared along the top and the tunnel took on the appearance of a monster! Boys had finished their break and came out for an afternoon of sled-course building. Seeing this monster got everyone excited and many hands worked together on the community sledding course.

Next thing we knew, Explorers and parents worked together to build a starting ramp, high-banked walls, and really cool tail! It’s inspiring to see everyone working together, throwing snowballs, sledding, having fun, and laughing. What’s more impressive is that the snow continued to fall and that our warm hearts kept us dry when our clothing soaked through.

Yummy dinner followed and then we went right back outside to sled into the monster. Flashlights in the flanks reflected the sled course in the monster’s belly, red lamps made and eerie glow in its eyes, fun Christmas lights adorned the curvy, spiked tail, and the iced course made for a perfect evening of night sledding. Explorers helmeted-up and prepared to “Enter the Dragon,” so to speak. Parents sat in the peanut gallery commenting on the various sledders’ techniques and oohing and aahing at the course completions or premature wipeouts. We all laughed and played as the monster ate and expelled various community members!

From what I understand, everyone slept well the second night. With chocolate brownies in our bellies we slumbered; and the snow STILL fell. When we woke up, we saw that our entire sledding course was buried! Recognizing that our cars were engulfed in the same snow, we knew that we had a lot of digging to do if were to ever leave. Explorers admirably took charge of cleaning and organizing the lodge while adults journeyed to start the car unburying process. And suddenly the lodge was clean, empty, and everyone was out in the snow together! Great work Explorers.

We dug out the cars for an hour. Littler Explorers slid on their sleds and helped dig out cars. Bigger Explorers started the engines of their vehicles and used ropes and winches to pull out other cars. Folks shuttled out the last of their belongings and trash from the lodge. Those who remained held a closing Circle of Thanks and then all headed out. The mountain wished us to stay longer I suspect; we were halted in front of the Firs lodge as DOT personnel blasted and cleared the road. 

Perhaps that was the snow’s way of reminding us that we can have fun and be safe in the alpine and that we have to be respectful of those high places. While it’s fun to explore and play in the snow-capped mountains, it’s paramount that we remember that the same snow melts into water and provides us with our drinking water in Bellingham. Let’s take care of our alpine too!

Thank you everyone for a great outing! Please see more pictures in the photo gallery. If you have other pictures to add, please let us know so that we can post them here too! Welcome back to Spring!