Storm Wolves Showdown Games Day with the Branch Hoppers

The Branch Hoppers and Storms Wolves met at Lookout Mountain for a day of games. The outing also marked the third time in the fall season that the boys had shared an outing together. Once everyone arrived the group hiked out in search of Steve and Brian who were busy setting up the course for, Life and Death in the Forest.

The morning was brisk and damp and a great reminder that without the proper gear and preparation for the day this combination of weather can be a miserable experience. Making their rendezvous with the mentors, the group circled up to listen to the rules of the game while they snacked on some food.

The mentors explained that Life and Death in the Forest teaches us about the intricacies of the food web through playful embodiment of those who call the forest home. Herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores make up the basic players in the game with food and water sources represented by cards hanging from string scattered throughout the playing field. A player not only has to collect a certain amount of food and water sources in an allotted time, they must also keep their own life which is represented by a specific number of rubber bands depending upon one’s status within the food chain.

With our game set up, the rules explained, and participants prepped, all that was left was to start. The herbivores got a head start to disperse into the landscape and begin stealthily scouring the forest for food and water. Next the Omnivores were sent off needing to pick a priority of plant food, water, or hunting to begin the game. Finally, the carnivores were let loose much to the dismay of the herbivores and omnivores who now flinched at every twig snapped and fern rustled.

For twenty minutes Explorers and Mentors alike ran, crawled, climbed, ducked, dove, scurried and scampered. The struggle between life and death becomes surprisingly real when time starts running out and the only thing standing between you and that last food source is a hungry Carnivore licking his chops for a shot at one last meal.

At the end of the round we circled back up and debriefed our experience. Initially we had picked what we thought would be a balanced ecosystem, but it turned out that the herbivore and omnivore populations had been demolished. This was a great time for the group to think about what would happen the next year to our population of carnivores. Picking new roles and trying once more to balance our numbers within the food web we played another round.

Coming in a half an hour later tired and sweaty the group circled up once again to debrief. The Explorers struggled to focus and the mentors had difficulty tracking whether it was environmental factors at play or if the boys had just reached their limit. This was a great time to talk about our expectations for the elder EC groups to be present during our outings and take initiative. After a few more reminders and some unfocused leadership the boys made the decision to clean up the game, have a closing circle, and then head back to the trailhead so that the Storm Wolves could show the Branch Hoppers their favorite game, Where’s My Egg? Although they had difficultly making decisions the boys held a solid closing circle and shared what they were thankful for openly and honestly.

Back at the trailhead the mentors took a step back to watch the Explorers try and get their game together. Similarly to what the mentors had experienced, the boys talked over one another causing some frustration and confusion. The group was able to overcome this hurdle and it was fun to watch their playfulness and companionship engaged with one another. This ended our games day on a high note and the group internalized their need for focus during circle time. The mentors also learned an important lesson that occasionally we need to step back and observe the dynamics of the group in order to be more targeted and effective mentors.

For more pictures for our Showdown outing please visit the photo album from the day. Thanks for reading!

Storm Wolves Get Back to the Basics at Stewart Mountain

The Storm Wolves arrived at North Lake Whatcom Trailhead on an overcast day. We were getting ready to practice Wilderness Travel skills and taking the next step on our journey learning the Art of Fire. Hiking the trail leading up Stewart Mountain we crossed through the power line clearing and got off trail to settle in for the day. Since we spent so much time on our first outing of the season hiking up to Lizard Lake and the North Butte, we decided to set up a base camp and hunker down in the same spot for the day.

Exploring and hanging out before practicing skills

Starting off we spent some time exploring our surroundings and getting oriented to the area. The mentors took this time to prep for our skills lesson and let some of the Storm Wolves get a head start on fire starting with a ferrocerium rod (aka “ferro rod” or “fire steel”). With everyone getting enough time to explore we gathered together for our opening circle. The group had a discussion around what materials are important to have with you for “surviving” in the outdoors. A simple method of the “Five C’s” is an easy way to help prioritize; Cutting, Combustion, Container, Coordage, and Cover. All of these items are prioritized by what is the most beneficial in maintaining your “Rule of 3’s” (3 minutes without air, 3 hours exposure to inclement weather, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food) and what is the most difficult to reproduce in nature.

Starting a fire with a Ferro Rod is much easier than making a bow-drill kit!

To mix things up, the mentors wrapped up the lesson and tossed out a tarp for the Storm Wolves to try and set up. This was a pop-quiz of sorts and as the mentors stepped back the Storm Wolves took a minute and quickly formed into a circle and began to collaborate and compromise on how to set up the tarp. It was great to see this group draw on their group decision making skills that they have been honing for the past few years. With a little bit of a struggle they got the tarp up and tried to all squeeze under it. After reviewing their strategy, the mentors shared some tips, taught how to tie a “trucker’s hitch” and set up the tarp in a basic ridge-line set up. 

Circling up to Collaborate and Compromise on how to set up the tarp

The finished product was creative but managed to fit everyone in despite the close quarters

The mentors then demonstrated a "ridge line" set up which offered up a bit more space!

The simple yet effective "Trucker's Hitch"

After our tarp excercise we transitioned to basic fire starting methods focusing on using the ferro rod, and cedar bark processed into a tinder bundle. Additionally we learned about “fatwood” that is the resinous wood you can find in old stumps.   

Working together to learn how to use a ferro rod

Success!

Finally, we rallied to get in a few rounds of Spider’s Web. It was great to see this group get out playing games again, laughing, sneaking through the ferns, and even getting creative by engineering a portable fern blind to hide behind.

Making a portable Sword Fern blind for Spider's Web

Where did he go!?

This was a great outing for this group to get grounded back into the basics of Explorers Club. We got off trail, explored, learned some skills, and played some games. Most importantly we collaborated and compromised and managed to continue developing group comradery incorporating our newer members. This group is always a ton of fun to be a part of on outings and a breath of fresh air for the mentors who are trying to break in some new groups. Their resiliency, creativity, ability to focus when needed yet get lost in the moment, and overall perpetually positive morale makes each outing not only fun for the group, but something the mentors look forward to each month. 

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

Storm Wolves Hike to Lizard Lake and Beyond

Storm Wolves – Lizard Lake – 9/10/17

The Storm Wolves gathered together at Samish Woods Montessori for their first outing of the 2017/18 BEC year. Reuniting, we quickly noticed that there were some unfamiliar faces in our group as well as a few faces missing. As a group we introduced a few new members who were joining us from other groups as well as acknowledged a few long time Storm Wolves who had transitioned to new groups of their own. Additionally, the Storm Wolves were introduced to their new mentor, Adam, who will be joining the Storm Wolves for the 2017/18 season. Adam will have a tough task trying to fill the shoes of Jedidiah who is now working as full time instructor with Alderleaf Wilderness College. Though we will miss Jedidiah and the depth of natural history and primitive skills he brought, Adam brings his own powers to this group as a father and someone who has a deep and lifelong connection to the wilderness. We are excited to see how Adam’s energy and passion for helping others connect to the natural world will emanate throughout this group.

Checking the trailhead board for any info that may help us explore

 With our check in out of the way it was time to load up and head out. We cruised along the east coast of Lake Samish as we approached our destination; Blanchard Mountain. A short drive up a logging road and we were at the trailhead. Per usual, we passed out jobs, discussed our game plan for the day, inspected the info station at the trailhead, and hit the trail. Along the way the mentors shared tips and strategies on how to manage a group traveling through the wilderness. Variables like pace, weather, trail condition, taking breaks, and checking in with the group consistently all play key roles in safe wilderness travel. 

Turning up the Alternate Incline Trail

Along the way we passed a bounty of Western Hemlock that exuded a surplus of dead, dry branches that would be ideal for starting fires. It just so  happened that the Storm Wolves were prompted with the task of starting a fire with matches upon our arrival at Lizard Lake, however, time and time again they passed by these ideal resources. The mentors attempted to give the group hints by gathering materials themselves, yet the Storm Wolves seemed more interested in rekindling their group comradery (which is a fair trade off for the mentors!). As we neared the lake, the mentors gave a big reminder that prompted a flurry of fire starting material procurement.

Harvesting Western Hemlock for kindling bundles

Arriving at the lake, we settled in, ate some food, and quickly transitioned to our fire starting pop quiz. The group was split into three sub groups who were each provided with three matches. The first group took their kindling bundle of fine, dry Western Hemlock branches and lit their first match; close but no fire. The second match proved tantalizingly close to igniting the bundle but was snuffed out just before taking off. For the third and final match, the team regrouped and through strong focus and intention willed the flame from the match head to spread throughout the rest of the bundle; success! To the dismay of the Storm Wolves, Tim quickly stomped out the flame of the first bundle as we transitioned to the second group. Having gleaned some insight from the first group’s trial and error, the second and third groups both proved they learned something last season by getting their bundles burning strongly with only one match! As the Storm Wolves warmed various items from their lunch over the flames, the mentor’s hearts were warmed by the notion that this group truly retained the skills they developed in the spring time when they were first introduced to the Art of Fire, the benefits of Western Hemlock, and the intricacies of manipulating matches to maximize their effectiveness. 

Exploring Lizard Lake

Testing our balancing skills while looking for more Hemlock branches

Signs of beaver were all around

We even found a few frogs!

Igniting the kindling bundle with a match

With our skills work out of the way we decided on a whim to make a strong push up to the summit of the North Butte. The mentors set a quick pace, but the Storm Wolves kept up without missing a beat. Before we knew it we were scrambling up a rocky out cropping and were greeted by a vast view of the San Juan Islands. Soaking it in, taking a few moments to snack and rehydrate we relocated to the east side of the butte for an incredible view of Mt Baker. Finally we moved to the north of the butte where we carefully situated ourselves beside the northern cliffs that dropped away to a sea of conifers blanketing the Chuckanuts, offering a foreground for the ever sprawling Bellingham and glimpse further north into Canada. This is a special place for Tim, as the North Butte was one of the first places he ventured to regularly with his friends while he was establishing his personal connection to the natural world. Having the opportunity to share this place and its inspiring views with the Storm Wolves will be something he won’t forget any time soon. 

Checking out the San Juan Islands from atop the North Butte

An look to the east revealed this view of Mt Baker

Gathering for our closing circle with plentiful views to be thankful for

Running short on time we had a quick circle of thanks atop the North Butte before cruising back past Lizard Lake, down the Alternate Incline Trail, and back to the bus. The mentors reflected afterwards that we really pushed the Storm Wolves on this outing. We asked a lot of them from physically hiking over five miles and gaining a couple thousand feet of vertical elevation to mentally tasking them with remembering the intricacies of fire starting after a heavy dose of rain the day before. However, not only did the Storm Wolves respond without missing a beat, but they did so while welcoming new group members (and a new mentor) with open arms, had smiles plastered on their faces all day, and were still eager for adventure upon return to the bus. This proved to be an incredibly strong beginning to our 2017/18 year of Explorers Club and leaves mentors and Storm Wolves alike eager for our upcoming adventures together.

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