Grey Fox Kits Clamber Along Clayton

For the final outing of the Fall 2015 season, the Grey Fox Kits met up at the Clayton Beach parking lot in blustery weather making today just another day for this well weathered group. We kicked things off with an opening circle where we introduced ourselves to our volunteer for the day and a Gray Wolf Pup that was joining his canid companions for a make-up outing. With names shared our focus transitioned to the theme for the day; Risk Management. There are a variety of inherent risks involved with exploring the great outdoors, but the group would also have to navigate the risks of the manmade kind as well. Crossing Chuckanut Drive and the railroad tracks combine with blustery conditions and steep sandstone rock faces formed a medley of risks for us to manage and navigate throughout this outing.

The mentors had kicked off the risk management earlier that morning as they checked the weather conditions, specifically the wind forecast, and conferred with one another ultimately determining it was within our limits and wind protocol to run outings. With quick access to Clayton Beach the group felt comfortable navigating the stretch of forest between the parking lot and beach. Seasoned in the art of safe road crossing we briskly walked across Chuckanut and passed through the forest with intention and focus bringing a heightened awareness to the patterns of gusts and tracking the canopy for deciduous trees, dead tree limbs, and any other hazards. Luckily the wind was fairly tame and there was minimal hazards in the canopy. Pausing to look and listen as a group, we passed over the railroad tracks and arrived safely at the beach.

With our primary risks managed for the time being, it was now time to play. A quick opening circle to review safe climbing techniques was momentarily derailed when a trio of Bald Eagles decided to swoop and soar in the windy weather. Of course we paused and took time to appreciate the incredible spectacle which became even more amazing when one of the eagles tucked its wings and dove down snatching a fish from the white capped waters. Within five minutes our navigated risks were already producing tremendous rewards. After a couple hours of climbing the sandstone rocks, building drift wood forts, and exploring the surrounding area it was time to take a hike along the shoreline.

Just like our opening circle, our hike quickly derailed into a romp on the dunes. Climbing up, rolling down, climbing back up, jumping down, climbing up once more, tumble down for a third time. Everyone was having a blast and the fun times would continue as we had two more dunes and an obstacle course of driftwood and rocks ahead. This was turning into one of those days that would be hard to forget. The icing on the cake was the surrounding to all this fun; an expansive view of Bellingham Bay and the San Juans being battered by the windy weather, waves crashing upon the shoreline, ocean spray spritzing faces and filling nostrils with scents of the sea. What a reward for a group who has endured stormy weather outing after outing to come together as a resilient group, overcome the conditions, and navigate the inherit risks of the outdoors.

Back at our first location, everyone was looking forward to another hour or so of free time at the beach. Before we could get back into free play on the rocks and working on our driftwood forts, a strong gust caught the attention of the mentors. Knowing the wind was supposed to pick up around 3:00PM the mentors conferred and determined it was time to head back before the wind could pick up any more. Despite it only being 1:45PM it was time to manage our risk. Talking with the group it was made clear that a safe hike back was more than worth spending an extra hour in the parking lot. Given all that we accomplished during our outing it was easy to return to pick up feeling satisfied and fulfilled. The Grey Fox Kits capped off a tremendous outing, and Fall 2015 season, in typical fashion; with a spirited game of Where’s My Egg. After a circle of gratitude parents began arriving and one by one the group said good bye to another season of Explorers Club with many memories to look back on and a Spring season full of possibility on the horizon.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos in the Grey Fox Kits Photo Gallery!

Grey Fox Kits Weather the Storm at Lake Padden

On a wet and windy Halloween it was only fitting that the Grey Fox Kits were going on an outing. Meeting up at Lake Padden it became apparent that we were going to need to find cover and quickly. Sheets of rain pelted us as we slogged through the muddy field to the shelter for opening meeting. Knowing that the weather was forecasted to clear up after an hour or so the Grey Fox Kits took this time to hunker down out of the rain and brainstorm a new group name. Of course as these boys get older they begin feeling less and less like a “fox kit” and voiced the desire to create a new name that was more representative of their experiences and growth over the last few years. Given their propensity for inclement weather it was clear that Storm was going to part of the name sticking to the Canidae family the boys settled on Wolves thus making the Storm Wolves! The mentors made sure to remind the Explorers that with a new name comes new responsibility. If they want to call themselves the Storm Wolves then they are going to have to act like it and demonstrate their growth as both individuals and as a group. The notion of being held to a higher standard was accepted by the boys and the Strom Wolves were formed.

Even though they go by a new name, the group formerly known as the Grey Fox Kits still managed to fit in a few rounds of their favorite game, Where’s My Egg?, as the weather cleared up and the rain ceased to fall. The break in the weather also afforded us with a window to get up into the cover of the woods. Meandering along the horse trails up into the hills it became apparent that although the rain had died down the wind could still be heard rustling through the canopy above. Even though it was just a breeze that ruffled the leaves, it still conjured up the memories of some of the close calls we’ve had as a group. A few of the boys became a bit hesitant, but with words of encouragement from their friends and reassurance by the mentors they pushed on and quickly became lost in the moment, reconnecting to all the joy that can be found from a good romp in the woods with your buddies. This was a powerful moment for the mentors to reflect upon because it marked a great stride towards conquering a fear, a justifiable one at that, but a fear none the less that has lingered with this group ever since our close call last fall. It is said that time is the best medicine, and over the past year these boys have taken that fear of the wind and honed it into a heightened awareness and strong respect for the power of the wind.

Getting further up into the woods we found a great spot to set up a base camp. As the Explorer’s demonstrated their growth and maturity by organizing their own game of Spider’s Web, the mentors took some time to get a fire started. Gathering firewood is no easy task after such a downpour and required much scouring of the landscape, rummaging under fallen logs, and gathering up the fine branches of the Western Hemlock for a sufficient supply of firewood. The mentors demonstrated a couple different methods to start the fire. After getting a coal with a bow drill, the tinder bundle was just a bit too damp so they fell back on the tried and true flint and steel. With a fire started the boys quickly gathered around as they were drawn like magnets to the flickering flames and warmth. They took this time to poke and prod at the fire with sticks, burn leaves, and even get some tips on how to properly tend a fire to keep it going strong in damp and cold conditions. This time also afforded Explorers a chance to kick back and joke around with one another sharing many a laugh and fond memory.

Before the outing was over we had just enough time play a few rounds of Hungry, Hungry Martin that got everyone running around and warmed up. We put out the fire in a fashion used by natives for many years where a trench is dug around the fire, flames are extinguished and the burnt remnants of the fire are buried. Next we gathered up duff, leaves, and branches and spread them over the area to make it look like we were never even there. We can’t leave no trace, but we can certainly do our best to cover up our tracks and return the landscape to the way we found it. With just enough time left for closing circle we shared our thanks, ate some apples, and packed up for the hike back down to the parking lot. Everyone was in high spirits for the hike down and as the breeze rustled through the leaves in the canopy the Storm Wolves left the forest in high spirits and with smiles on their faces. They truly have come a long way and demonstrated a tremendous courage and fortitude to overcome past experiences and remind themselves that although the forest can be dangerous at times, with awareness and respect we can still explore and revel in the bountiful memories that the forest has in store for us.

Join us for the Co-op's Community Shopping Day - Saturday, November 21. Shop for Thanksgiving – or just grocery shop at either Coop and 2% of total sales that day will be donated to Wild Whatcom.

Clip, clip, dig, dig - Grey Fox Kits and Barred Owlets finish Connelly Creek fall service

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” Rabindranath Tagore

BEFORE: Car parts, broken bottles, rusted nails (thousands of rusted nails!), wire fencing, miscellaneous trash…numerous bags of trash. Rats - several of the deceased and the scurrying kind observed. Invasive Himalayan Blackberryand Reed Canarygrass that had largely overtaken the restoration site alongConnelly Creek. Humans and plants had invaded and degraded several acres along the creek, which feeds Padden Creek. 

WHY BOTHER? Ecological biodiversity is the mix of ecosystems, natural communities and habitats. It’s the variety of ways that species interact with each other and their environment. Change one factor (e.g., plant diversity), and everything else is affected. Biodiversity is an important part of ecological services that make life livable on Earth. They include everything from cleaning water and absorbing chemicals, which wetlands do, to providing oxygen for us to breathe - one of the many things that plants do for people. Biodiversity also allows for ecosystems to adjust to disturbances such as fires or floods. If a reptile goes extinct, a forest with 20 other reptiles is likely to adapt better than another forest with only one reptile. 

So, our humble restoration site at Connelly Creek offers an excellent opportunity for our explorers to learn first hand how ecosystems work while causing a real and observable positive impact on something that really matters. 

THE WORK: For several years now, the Boys Explorers Club (BEC) has worked under the guidance of Bellingham Parks and Recreation to restore the site to greater health. Using tools provided by the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, your boys have cleaned out the garbage, cut back and uprooted blackberry vines, stamped down the Reed Canarygrass, planted native trees and shrubs, and spread bark mulch…..yard after yard of bark mulch!

This is a long-term project. We’ve made mistakes, such as when we cut down the Canarygrass, which it turns out encourages future growth! So, we stomped it down, a la Godzilla, and covered the site with several inches of bark mulch, only to return to the site after a few month’s absence to find the Canarygrass having returned to its former “glory”. It’ll take years for the alders, ninebark and other species we planted to shade out the grasses and reclaim the land, the best long term solution. In fact, the project just might outlast the Grey Fox Kits and Barred Owlets time in Explorers Club! Of course, it’s a shame we have to do this work. But the lesson for the boys is clear: there will always be work that needs to be done for the good of the larger society and each of them can have a positive impact. In fact, there is joy is service to others and to the land.

This weekend, we worked to clear blackberries from an area roughly 20 by 50 feet along the creek. While that might not seem like a big area, consider the number of blackberry root balls that needed to be extricated, or the fence that saw the light of day for the first time in years, or the tree that was liberate from the strangle hold of the prickly vines. The scratches they proudly display came from the 10-15 foot long vines they cut down to a size that could be bagged and carted off. The tired, sore muscles are the result of wrestling (2 or 3 working in tandem, at times) with stubborn roots or digging holes to plant more trees and shrubs. The goofy smiles on their faces can be traced back to the hard-earned satisfaction of having done meaningful work, and done it well, as the photos will attest. 

While the boys worked hard and accomplished much on this day, we cannot claim unblemished pride in our actions. Some boys could be seen climbing trees or exploring the creek when work waited; we get it, they’re boys. Not a problem. With a little prodding, they usually return to the work. However, when the mentors learned that someone had apparently cut down a spruce sapling that had been planted as part of the project, we decided to call all the explorers together to re-emphasize the serious, important nature of the work and of the responsibility each of us has to behave with honor and respect for each other and the land. Message delivered, we returned to the work and mustered a strong finish for the day and for our service work this season.

AFTER: While there is still work to be done, check out the photos here and in the gallery. The results speak for themselves…your explorers are officially part of the solution!

They have earned the right to stand tall because they have performed with honor and to great effect. They each can rightfully echo the words of one of their colleagues as he walked away from the site after completely his work: “I feel proud.”

Check out the rest of the photos from our service outing here (Grey Fox Kits) and here (Barred Owlets), and check the web site for the details on your explorer’s next outing - Grey Fox Kits, click here. Barred Owlets, clickhere.

Grey Fox Kits Track the Nooksack

Our outing started on a grey and dreary Saturday morning. This was only to be expected as the onset of the Fall season is upon is, plus this was a Grey Fox Kits outing right? Despite the light drizzle, we loaded up Stubbs and drove out Mt. Baker Highway to the Nooksack-Deming Eagle Park. With its sandy gravel bars and silty shores, this section of the Nooksack is easily one of the best locations in our county for tracking; we were in for a treat.

Upon unloading the bus we circled up under some trees to get a quick briefing on our skills focus of Tracking and Bird Language. Of course this outing was a bit early in the season for the Bald Eagles who congregate here in the later months to feast on the copious salmon carcasses that flood our river systems with nutrients, fertilizing our vast forests. Today we were going to focus on some of the more consistent residents to the area by analyzing the intricate evidence left behind from their day to day behaviors. First and foremost we would be looking at tracks; counting toes, looking for claw marks, determining direction, size, weight, gait, speed, and even possible intention behind where each creature is going and why. More evidence can be unearthed from the scat that all metabolic creatures produce, giving insight into diet, species type, and even territorial boundaries. With the basics of tracking freshly imprinted in our minds we made a bee line for the woods, flood plains, gravel bars, and eventually bank of the Nooksack.

Immediately we found canine tracks in the mud, some small, some large, some accompanies by Homo sapiens tracks, others not. To further our quandaries we find a few samples of scat. About the thickness of a large cigar, tubular, tapering at the ends, full of hair, seeds, bones, and fruit pits. Sounds like an omnivore to me. Large canid tracks accompanied the scat and knowing what the average domestic dog scat looks like from our adventures closer to town, we quickly determined that this was evidence of something wilder that relies more on hunting and gathering than a regular bowl full of kibbles. The tracks were however larger than the typical coyote found around town, painting a picture of a large male coyote, patrolling his territory, leaving scat and other scent markings near intersections along trails to signify this is his home. Or perhaps a large domestic dog that strayed too far from home one day and now is reverting to the lingering wild of its inner wolf, surviving off the land, roaming free. The mystery may never be solved, but it’s easy to see how a simple set of tracks and a large pile of scat, an inquisitive and powerful imagination, can soon paint an almost storybook quality narrative all unfolding upon the very ground we were standing upon at that very moment.

Following the path further, we broke through the trees and out into the flood plains and gravel bars. Upon startling a couple browsing Black-Tailed Deer, we had a wonderful time following as fresh a set of tracks as you can get. Leaving the deer alone to continue with their brunch, we settled in on a beautiful bank of the Nooksack. Silty, clay like, sediment preserved countless numbers of tracks in this hotspot of animal activity. Perfect for plaster casting! Spreading out, tracking set after set, determining possible species present, and making sure not to disturb the tracks with tracks of our own, each Explorer picked out a track that called to them. Building a small circular wall of dirt around the track provided a frame for our casts. Mentors mixed Plaster of Paris ($3-4 per carton at the store!) in a cup with water until it came to a pancake batter consistency, gently poured the plaster into the track, gave it a good jiggle with a stick to help the plaster settle into the finer details of the track, and sat back and waited half an hour for the plaster to set. (This is a great, and dirt cheap, activity to do with your Explorers! Each carton can produce 10-15 tracks depending on size of track, and you’re rewarded with a track eternalized in plaster that can be kept for memories, added to a collection, or given to friends and family as a gifts.)

Waiting for the casts to set, the Grey Fox Kits reverted to their favorite game: “Where’s My Egg?!?” This game has become a necessity on our outings and is a great way for the gang to get their wiggles out while working together to continually adapt new strategies, yet the results are always the same. A big pile of Explorers laughing and giggling with one another, ever more intent and comradery and friendship than winning.

Unearthing our plaster casts we took inventory of our bounty: coyote, domestic dog, and a couple beautiful casts of the elusive Puma concolor. Thoroughly enjoying ourselves we took the last bit of our outing to revert back to the basics; Exploring! We trekked around, found a bunch of pools, a toad, a spider that could walk on water, and culminated with everyone throwing the biggest rocks they could into a large pool of water in the most simplistic, yet satisfying form of entertainment for any boy, young or old. Finally it was time to hit the road. Loading up into Stubbs we returned to town full of memories, a greater knowledge of tracking, and a handful of plaster casts to share with parents. The mentors were especially impressed with the Grey Fox Kits on this outing. Everyone was engaged in tracking throughout the whole outing, there is an obvious comradery bubbling out of these boys, and they are truly coming together to prove a group can be greater than the sum of its individuals. The mentors had such a blast on this outing and are enthused with the growth of the Grey Fox Kits. We can’t wait for what adventures await us during the rest of our Fall season and beyond into the future.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from this outing at the Grey Fox Kits Photo Gallery!

Grey Fox Kits Carve at Teddy Bear Cove

There is always a fine balance between planning and Explorers Club outing and letting the inspiration of the day take over. Too much of a plan and you are not flexible enough to follow the inspiration that occurs once you are out exploring and not enough of a plan and your day loses the direction it needs to get going. Sundays outing with the Grey Fox Kits was a perfect example of hitting this balance. The mentors had planned a day of focused carving in the woods above Arroyo park and then playing some games in the forest to celebrate the end of another successful season together.

However, the moment we hit the trail the Grey Fox Kits began talking about the beach. The trail branched and we had a really coherent discussion, led entirely by the boys,  on how to spend the day. The unanimous decision was to take the Interurban trail to Teddy Bear Cove. The mentors looked at eachother and let the boys excitement for the beach guide our day.

After a short .5 miles along the Interurban we came to the point where we had to cross Chuckanut drive to make our way down the steep switchbacks to the beach. This is arguably the most dangerous part of our day and as such requires the utmost focus and concentration. The Grey Fox Kits have been dedicating themselves to the Art of Carving The last few seasons and have learned the the focus and maturity it take to safely handle a knife. As we prepared to cross Chuckanut the mentors asked the boys to use this same focus while crossing the road.

Once on the other side we made our way down the steep switchbacks to Teddy Bear Cove. Low clouds hung over the Chuckanuts while the sun crept in from over the San Juan Islands. Tim split Western Red Cedar rounds into chopstick blanks while the Boys found their knives and prepared to carve. We had a really focused carving session for about an hour. Many of the boys ended the session with nearly completed chopsticks. As seen by our experience crossing Chuckanut the Art of Carving is not only a useful skill in and of itself, but is also a great practice in focus and concentration for these boys. The Grey Fox Kits have really taken to the carving and I am excited to see where they take it in the future.

After our focused time on the beach it was time to explore! We climbed sandstone bluffs, found holes in the rocks, looked out over the bay, found Madrone and Oak trees that seemed to be made for climbing, explored the dry hillside above the ocean, traversed along the coast line, made crab forts, played some games, ate lunch, found new routes on the rocks, lay in the sun, and generally enjoyed the beach. It was nice after all the focused work on our carving to take some time to free play and explore the beach.

Our day ended as it always does with a closing circle where we all expressed our gratitude for the day. On such a great day it was easy to find many things we were all thankful for. Thank you parents for being so supportive of us during our outings with your boys! Thank you grey fox kits for another great season together. We really appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to personal growth despite the challenges we have faced. Please checkout our photo gallery for more great pictures from our exploration last weekend. See you all in the Fall for another great season!

Serving Connelly Creek with the Alevin and Grey Fox Kits

The Alevin Explorers arrived at Connelly Creek and quickly ran down the embankment, as they were anxious to see how the site has transformed over winter. Calling the group in the Explorers mustered their strength the carried the tools over to the site. They were excited to continue the tradition of camouflaging themselves from the next group, the Grey Fox Kits, who were soon to arrive. The mentors decided instead to use the time to work on our fire by friction and carving skills while chatting with the group about our upcoming summer backpacking trips.

Before the blog post continues, we’d like to remind everyone about the WE: Wilderness Experiences available this summer to the Alevin Explorers. Grey Fox Kits we look forward to backpacking with you in the summer of 2016. These trips are an investment in a lifetime of leadership and skills; their rewards extend far beyond the three to eight days they take place. Many of our Explorers have found them to be life changing, with benefits and tools for living that are carried and applied for many years to come. Please contact us if you have any questions, thanks!

The Grey Fox Kits arrived and the Alevin retired their skill session and both groups circled in the field. The mentors encouraged Explorers to think back to their last outing to Clayton Beach. The outing held powerful lessons about group decision-making, collaborating and compromising, and inclusion. Today would be yet another opportunity to work together while and serving the land. These boys have been working on this site for over two and a half years; they have developed skill and efficiency in their work as well as intimate knowledge of this sites needs.

Instead of painstakingly going over how to us the tools the mentors simply asked the group to be responsible with them. It is wonderful to have cultivated this level of trust within these two groups. They have continued to show their commitment and integrity with safe tools usage. Their eagerness shows they’re hungry for more responsibility, greater skills, and bigger explorations - the mentor’s bow to that.

Breaking our circle played a few rounds of Deer oh Deer Come and Run through my Forest.  This energetic tag game brought the two groups together and that same energy transferred to our work. Running over to the site the boys quickly lined up. Our project for the day was to walk down the Reed-Canary Grass, spread a giant pile of mulch over the area, and finish up with some blackberry trimming. Forming a long line we stomped down the Reed-Canary Grass. It was a fun way to warm up and release some energy. Turning our efforts to the mulch pile the boys took on one of three jobs: a mulch spreader, carrier, or filler. The group worked cohesively and as an onlooker you wouldn’t have been able to tell one group from the other. Slowly Dave started to develop a funcompetitive aspect where the mulch fillers were trying to keep the buckets filled and the carriers were trying to dump them before they could be filled. This led to an inspiration for a game. Dividing into three teams by birth month, the boys took their positions. Their goal was to fill three 32-gallon cans and move them across the service site where the rakers would make three 4 by 3 foot squares. Their teams would be judged on who could get through three cans the fastest, how they worked as a team carrying the buckets, and how neat their squares were. When the game started the boys burst into action. It was amazing, what fun!  The boys really dug deep giving it their all. In the end every team won in a different category.

Spreading the last of our mulch the Alevin Explorers said goodbye the Grey Fox Kits and broke off for a closing meeting. The Grey fox Kits worked on diligently making a big dent in the Blackberry thicket towards the back of the site. Focused and determined the boys cut, trimmed and bagged the Blackberries and hauled them across the site.  

What fine work these Explorers are doing, they should be proud of their accomplishments here at Connelly Creek. The care they show for the saplings and shrubs they planted last fall and their fellow Explorers is outstanding. In their closing circles the Explorers gave thanks for the opportunity to work with each other, for skills and games, for the ability to give back, for the sense of accomplishment and progress they feel, and for the beautiful sunshine and warmth on our spring service outing.

Parents, please take a moment to track the history of our service at this site by clicking on the “tag links” below: Connelly Creek. You’ll see how the place has changed over time due to thousands of Explorer hours poured into the Happy Valley Park. You’ll also see how your sons have changed over time too. Thank you for the opportunity to be your nature-connection mentors. We truly value these experiences and look forward to each outing with you Explorers and your families!

For more pictures from the day please visit the Alevin’s or the Grey Fox Kit'sphoto gallery. 

The Alevin & Grey Fox Kits Explore Clayton Beach

The Alevin and Grey Fox Kits met at the Clayton Beach parking lot for their second exploration of the season. Little did they know the mentors were planning on joining forces for the outing! After safely crossing the road the boys searched for a place to have an opening meeting. Finding a clearing under a Cedar tree, we circled up and there was clearly a divide between the two groups. The mentors explained that by chance the two groups had been scheduled for Clayton Beach on the same day and that the opportunity presented to the groups could be used for skill sharing, a large game of some kind, or wherever their inspiration led them.  

The boys handed out jobs amongst their own groups and the mentors handed the circle over to the Tribal Elders for the day, letting them know that this decision could be made in five minutes if they focused. The Tribal Elders were quick to come to the decision that the group needed to take a vote in order to come to a collaborative decision. The mentors stressed to the Tribal Elders that it was important for the group to brainstorm ideas on how we could best use our time before the group voted. Going around the circle the Tribal Elders collected suggestions, but soon the circle turned to chaos. Some boys tried to take over by talking over the Tribal Elders, other boys were anxious to get to the beach and unable to hold their focus wandered off, while others argued amongst themselves over what would be the best use of time.

After about ten minutes the mentors called the group back together. By then many of the Explorers were frustrated and decided it would be best to split the two groups and explore on their own. Once Tim had everyone seated and focused he explained that we honor and respect each other in our circles by bringing our focus and commitment towards the decision at hand, and that we are part of a community and this means we must collaborate and compromise. After 30 minutes of group process the boys came to the decision that they would stick together, go to the beach, and then at 2:45pm head back to the woods to play a round of Spider’s Web.

Although the process can seem arduous and daunting these Explorers are learning the interpersonal skills it takes to be part of a community and the mentors were quite proud of their decision and commitment to remain a community.

Sensing that they had lost some time the group quickly headed down the trail to Clayton and spread out over the beach. It was powerful having four mentors on this outing. The dynamic afforded the boys the opportunity to follow their own inspirations on the beach. Setting up a home base some of the Grey Fox Kits pulled out their knives and began to carve as they watched a group of Surf Scoters fishing for invertebrates in the Eelgrass Beds. Other Explorers ran over to the sandstone cliffs and climbed to their hearts content as Peter spotted them. When given the space and time these boys are so creative and inquisitive. The boys spread into every nook and cranny of the beach, finding quiet spots on the bluff to get lost in thought, searching the intertidal zones for Anemones and Hermit Crabs, and even finding a driftwood teeter-totter to play on.  

Shadowing a group of boys one mentor witnessed a very powerful moment. A few Explorers found a quiet place where a Willow tree hung over a small creek that fed into the sound. As they sat they commented to one another that this place was the most beautiful they had ever seen and encouraged each other to get quiet and listen to the creek as it ran into the sea. After about ten minutes of silence the mentor approached the boys and said, “pretty nice spot huh”? The Explorers commented that this place wasn’t just nice, but special. They said they felt like people had been coming to this place for many generations and that it was special because people would continue to experience its solitude for many more generations.

As mentors we rarely directly experience the fruit of our labors, but in times like these it is clear that our core routine of sit spots and immersion into the landscape are shaping and changing the Explorers relationship the natural environment. This connection is nurturing inside them the ability to slow down, deeply reflect, and be appreciative for all we have. 

Circling up a little after 2:45pm the boys had another group decision to make.  Almost unanimously the boys decided to skip heading back into the woods for a game and instead stay on the beach and continue exploring. It was powerful for the boys to make such a quick decision and realize that they had to ability to be collaborative leaders. Before breaking our circle for one last exploration the group shared a circle of thanks. The boys gave thanks for the amazing sunny weather, for the ability to explore their interests, for food and water, for special spots and abundant wildlife, and for the opportunity to explore with each other.

The Mentors would like to thank these Explorers for putting in the work and answering the challenges that being part of a circular community brings. The Grey Fox Kits and the Alevin will be working together next outing at our Boys EC Service Site. The mentors look forward to another day together full ofcollaboration and compromise!

For more pictures from the day please visit either the Grey Fox Kit’s or theAlevin’s photo gallery. 

Grey Fox Kits Play in the Wind at Fairhaven Park

On a blustery Saturday afternoon, the Grey Fox Kits were reunited after a warm winter to kick off the 2015 Spring Season of Boys Explorers Club. We had originally planned on having a day of exploration and carving in the Sehome Arboretum, however, given the windy weather and the eventful history of the Grey Fox Kits, the mentors decided to relocate to Fairhaven Park. Thanks to the flexibility and efficient communication of seasoned BEC Parents we pulled off this last minute switch without a hitch. Both Explorers and Parents were appreciative of Fairhaven Park’s versatility offering grassy fields and open areas under trees to play and carve the day away with peace of mind.

As the Explorers gathered for our opening circle we briefly inspected a dead beetle then caught up with one another about our winter adventures. We took some time to reflect on why we had switched locations, how we felt about wind and where our edges were in regards to plans for what we wanted to do during the outing. Truths were spoken and we decided what better way to kick off our Spring season than to have a game day with some more sedentary activities sprinkled in to change things up from time to time.

We first began with many heated rounds of “Where’s My Egg?!” where the boys honed their sneaking skills and tapped in to Coyote’s trickster ways as they tried to deceive the mother bird of where her egg had gotten off to. Much attention to rules and fairness was another theme of this game. Boys were challenged to discuss rules as they came up and decide upon fair and equal solutions that would allow us to play with honor and respect for ourselves and one another.

After many a round played, the Explorers lost some of their interest and naturally gathered around the packs rehydrating and munching away at their lunches. Boys chatted amongst one another until someone had a joke to tell. One after the other, jokes were told amongst the group. Good laughs shared with good company. It was nice to be back amongst fellow Grey Fox Kits.

To switch things up, the mentors brought out a variety of supplies for activities: plaster casts and a coyote skull, paper and pencil, homemade pickle jar terrarium with spiders included, animal track flash cards, and a handful of natural history books. Some boys were immediately captivated with drawing, while others just wanted to sit and carve. A few Explorers gained insight into more advanced carving techniques, while others honed tracking instincts by inspecting and identifying plaster casts of coyote, bobcat, and deer. But ultimately most of the boys slowly gravitated towards free play with one another amongst the trees in a heated match of pinecone tag.

With a good chunk of our outing behind us, we wanted to get in some more games before it was time to go. As we transitioned to a new area to play we were joined by Emily Highleyman, the executive director of Wild Whatcom. Without skipping beat she was nearly as eager to play games as the boys. Many of the Explorers had games in mind that they were excited to play, but with only enough time for two or three games, it was clear some boys were going to have to realize their game wasn’t going to be played, at least for today. But coming to compromise and finding consensus is common place for a veteran group of Explorers like the Grey Fox Kits. In a matter of minutes the games to be played were decided, rule intricacies were hashed out, and we were transformed into rabbits and coyotes locked in a heated game of “Run Rabbit, RUN!” huffing and puffing from one rabbit hole to another hoping not to become coyote kibble.

Worn out from all the games our outing was nearing its end. We gathered in a circle where our outing had begun and reflected on what a fun outing we all had. Some boys were grateful for fun games, others were grateful for simple things like trees and sky. But overwhelmingly, Explorers were grateful for their thrilling encounter with a falling branch last fall. Though it was a trying experience, and rather scary for most, the boys all said they have learned a lot from the experience, become more aware and in tune with not only their environment but also themselves, and most importantly for any boy their age they now have a thrilling story to share with their friends. All in all we had a complete outing; free play, carving, natural history, games, group decision making, sharing jokes, getting lost in the moment, reflecting on the past, and growing for the future. Who could ask for anything more?

Make sure to check out all the photos from this outing in the Grey Fox Kits Photo Gallery!

Grey Fox Kits Explore North Lake Whatcom

Cold, clear, brisk, but calm. I was so thankful it was calm as the Grey Fox Kits gathered around stubs for our final outing of the season. On our previous outing we had experienced winds that picked up and caused a tree to fall very close to us on the trails above Lake Padden. This experience shook up many of the boys and the mentors. Safety is always in the forefront of our minds as we explore but there are always risks that you cannot plan for. As we loaded Stubs to take us out to North Lake Whatcom I was happy to hear many of the boys joking about wind and expressing how excited they were that it was sunny and calm today. Stubs started on the second try and we were off along the sunny shores of The Lake.

North Lake Whatcom is an incredible place to explore. It is part of the watershed for our cities drinking water and offers great opportunities for exploration of both waterfront and the steep flanks of Mt Stuart. Our first decision was whether to Commit to a trek to the summit of Mt Stuart or to head down toward the lake. As mentors we are not only focused on sharing information regarding the natural world, but also helping these boys become strong leaders and contributing members of a group. Group decisions like this are the perfect time to use these skills. The weather was chilly and everyone wanted to move, but i was impressed by the patients most of the boys had to stand their and make a decision that everyone felt good about. After many compromises and negotiations we headed toward the lake and left Mt Stuart for future explorations.

It was cold in the forest as we headed down toward the lake. We picked up a brisk pace and swung our arms to stay warm as we followed the dark path through large stands of Cedars and Douglas Firs.  The minute the Explorers saw the sunny shores of the lake they raced toward the inviting sunlight. Within a few minutes we had all dropped our packs, taken off a few layers, and sprawled out on logs and rocks in the sunshine. Pretty quickly all of us settled into our individual projects. Some boys harvested “Fat wood” (ask your explorers to show you this stuff!) from old stumps, built shelters along the beach, worked on carving, explored the shallow water, helped me work on my bow drill kit, lounged on logs, ate lunch and laughed with each other. It was so cool to see all the boys so focused and happy with whatever project they had decided to under take. Some days you work so hard to find this kind of focus in the boys with no results and then days like this without any effort they find this kind of focus for themselves. It is so powerful to see them make these decisions and know what they need.

After almost two hours on the beach the boys all came together on the beach; chattering about what they had worked on and sharing with others in the group the things they had accomplished. I asked the group if they wanted to go up into the forest to explore, their immediate response was a unanimous No. They were incredulous why we would go to the cold dark forest when there was a warm and sunny beach to explore. satisfied with the beach we spent the rest of the outing playing awareness games on the beach.

It was really pleasant to spend a day with these boys and follow them around for the day. The Grey Fox Kits really are a solid group and are at the point where they make most of the decisions about the day. I am so honored to be a part of their growth and see them grow as the season goes on. Thank you Explorers for all the dedication and laughter through out the season and thank you parents for bringing your boys out to these outings! Make sure to check out our photo gallery for more pictures.

Adventures at Galby Lane with the Grey Fox Kits

It was a blustery Sunday afternoon as the boys gathered at the Galby Lane parking lot. It was no secret this was a beautiful day as numerous cars packed the tiny parking lot and many mountain bikers made their way over to the Galbraith trails. However, for the explorers, all our adventures awaited us just beyond the stand of young alders that separated the parking lot from the mature forest wonderland full of mystery and adventure. With all the boys present and accounted for we were ready to begin the outing.

The outing began as all good outings do: with an opening circle. These opening circles are of the utmost importance to set our intentions for the day and get us all back into the Explorers Club mindset. We chatted for a bit about our earth skills focus for this season; The Art of Carving. Each boy either brought their carving project from last outing, or picked out a fresh piece of wood to begin a new project. In order to get the boys in the right state of mind for carving, we decided to begin the outing with a sit spot.

Once we got a ways back into the woods, we hopped off trail and found a cozy place to set up shop. Each boy shared what they wanted to carve, and then all the boys found a quiet place to settle down, calm their minds and bodies, and begin envisioning their masterpiece. It was a great thing to see this group of boys so calm, quiet, and focused. They set strong intentions for their carving time and transitioned seamlessly from sit spot to confident and composed carvers exhibiting superb technique and concentration.

Everything was going well until we heard a loud CRACK off in the distance, followed by a rush of rustling leaves and resounding boom as a large tree was brought down by the persistent winds. It was a ways off, but still a strong reminder to this group of boys of the power of the forest. The Grey Fox Kits are no novices when it comes to widow makers having had a close call last fall with a tall cherry tree. All the boys came together with the mentors and upon inspecting our surroundings, felt it best to find a better clearing to carve, away from any potentially hazardous trees.

We were faced with two options: return to the parking lot and carve beside the cars and mountain bikers for another three hours, or hike further into the woods to a deforested strip of land that had been clear cut to create a tree free path for the power lines. Both options were not ideal but we decided it was time to move and we’d rather remain surrounded by the green of the forest and ferns than the grey of metal and gravel. So we headed out down the trail towards the clear cut where we hoped to resume our carving without the hazards of our current location.

Along the trail we marveled at the beauty of the forest with a keen eye focused on the trees. Although we were scanning for widow makers and other hazards, we began to notice more patterns and intricacies within the trees than we ever had before. It’s beautiful when the old adage holds true: the more you look, the more you see. But despite all our looking and seeing, it was what we heard that caught our attention.

Another loud crack, but this time not off in the distance, a sound that was felt as much as it was heard. We all looked up in unison as a large branch from an alder burst from the canopy and began descending upon us. There were only moments to take action but the boys drew upon their past experiences and reacted with the swiftness of a sparrow to swoop out of the way. When the branched landed on the trail next to us it was a moment filled with adrenaline, emotion, and amazement. There is a lot for a person to process when faced with such an experience. Many of the boys were scared, as they should be, because they were faced with the reality that bad things can happen to anyone, including themselves. Many of the boys were overcome with a flood of emotion as would anyone, young or old, in such a situation. And many of the boys were filled with an exhilaration and rush of adrenaline that left them bubbling over with excitement because they were touched by the vast awesomeness and immense power that is imbued within the natural world. No matter how the boys reacted, however, it was time to get out of the woods, and fast.

We all hustled back down the trail headlong for the parking lot. Despite the chaos, something magical happened in this moment. All the boys were running. Some even still had tears on their face; evidence of the extreme emotions within them taking physical form and being released through their tear ducts, but all the boys kept looking back. They may have been excited, scared, or flooded full of so many other unexplainable emotions, but they still looked back. They weren’t looking back to see if more branches were falling, or if something else was coming to harm them, no, they were looking back for their fellow explorers. They were looking back for their friends, their brothers, their family. It was in this moment that it was undeniably apparent these boys care deeply for each other. Perhaps they won’t admit it, or even be fully aware of it themselves, but it was clear to the mentors that these boys share a deep bond with one another. They may all be incredibly unique individuals but they will forever share experiences like the one they shared today and will forever be able to come together as the Grey Fox Kits, or perhaps the Widowmaker Warriors would be a better fit.

Upon arriving at the parking lot we rallied together, checked in with one another, and formulated a game plan for the rest of the outing. We decided to ferry the boys carload by carload to the big field next to the Lake Padden dog park where we could finally relax and revel in the glorious wind. We laughed and played and celebrated our wellbeing. Our circle of thanks at the end of the day was filled with a sincerity that can only be felt while reflecting upon such a powerful experience. All in all it was an incredible day. Incredibly focused carving, incredibly emotional experiences, incredibly relieved to be alright, incredibly happy to get lost in play, and incredibly thankful for our well being, the well being of those close to us, and the powerful experiences mother nature provides us.

Service at Connelly Creek with the Branch Hoppers & Grey Fox Kits

The Branch Hoppers arrived at Connelly Creek ready for a day of service. As we circled up we saw that something was different about these Explorers. Not only were they considerably taller, each boy had a knife attached to his belt. As a mentor who has known they boys for quite awhile it was a little nerve wracking and also very exciting. Walking over to our service site the Branch Hoppers were eager to continue our culture of stalking the group that would be serving alongside us. Once we got to the site the boys spread out, looking for the perfect hiding spots. Grouping back up the mentors passed out Red Cedar blanks for carving spoons, butter knives, and chopsticks. The group spent about fifteen minutes carving before we snuck back to our hiding spots.

From our hiding spots we could hear the Grey Fox Kits mingling and climbing around in the creek. As we patiently waited the Black-Capped Chickadees hopped from branch to branch around our heads. As the Grey Fox Kits walked to the service site the Branch Hoppers emerged from every nook and cranny along the trail. Grouping up in a large circle we passed out wood blanks to the Grey Fox Kits and shared with the Explorers that both groups started carving this season, and that it’s important to build a group culture around respectful and intentional tool usage. Our Explorers Mentor Apprentice for the day, Logan Bartz, introduced himself and with a quick round of names we got to work.

Our task for the day was to clear the Himalayan Blackberry from areas that we had mulched previously. Also to trim back the Reed-Canary Grass growing under the Red Alders so we could plant Dogwood and Salmonberry in its place. Analyzing the site we noticed the Reed-Canary Grass had grown back after we had mulched it, but only half as high! There were also new Blackberry shoots in the areas that we mulched previously.

Mustering their strength the Explorers put in a great team effort with such excellent attitudes. After serving Connelly Creek for multiple seasons they knew what needed to be done. Raking, chopping, shearing, lopping, and cutting the debris into small pieces they worked cohesively and efficiently. The group was not daunted by the invasive plant’s ability to spring back and overtake the work they had done. They found that the Blackberry stalks were easily identifiable in the mulch and the shovels uprooted them easily. They also noticed that the Willows we had been guarding over the last three seasons were getting tall enough to shade out the grass.

Through service work the boys are learning a very important lesson about slowly working towards a goal and aiming for long term healthy stability rather than quick solutions. Connelly Creek calls the boys to wrestle with problem solving and accept that their work may take years. Together we are learning that it is okay to fail because it’s all part of the learning process. In spring season we tried to plant green Willow shoots that we harvested and this season we found every one of them dead with Reed-Canary Grass growing up through their mulch rings. After speaking to Rae Edwards of the Parks Department we learned that we needed to cardboard underneath the mulch and around the base of the plants to kill the Reed-Canary grass once and for all.

Our work today was to prepare the site for this new strategy and it was such a pleasure to work with both of the groups in the sunshine. After a solid hour and a half of work the group decided to take a lunch break. In our opening meeting we told the Explorers that we would not be using our knives during the service project, as it was not what we were there to do. Over lunch a few boys pulled out their knives and started carving their Cedar blanks into butter knives. It was a chain reaction and soon there were twenty Explorers carving. As mentors we debated stopping them and redirecting their focus towards service, but the group was modeling such excellent safety and responsibility that we decided to run with it and have a half-hour carving session.

Once the time was up we set down our knives and got back to work for a strong finish. The group attacked the Blackberry hedge, cutting it back all the way to the park boundary and finished trimming the grass under the Alders. We spent the rest of the time bagging Blackberries, raking piles of grass, and picking up every clipping that we dropped along our way. I have to commend the boys again for being such excellent workers and expecting nothing in return except for the satisfaction of a job well done. These boys are growing into fine young men and are meeting the new responsibilities that come with their deepened role with their communities and relationship with the land.

We ended the day with a closing meeting in our individual groups. We snacked on apples and gave thanks for a wonderful day of sun and service! The mentors thanked the boys for kick starting our service outings with such a great start. These Explorers are nourishing the land and restoring the quality of the watershed and salmon runs for generations to come. It’s important to constantly remind them of this and recognize their work. The mentors would also like to thank Logan for coming out and EMAing. He is setting a strong example of what it means to give to a community and modeling the rewards to sticking with the Boys EC culture and developmental journey. He meets the boys with acceptance, care, and patience, always keeping their best in mind. Thanks Logan!

For more pictures from the day please visit the Grey Fox Kit's and Branch Hopper's photo galleries.  

Grey Fox Kits - Art of Carving - Stimpson Reserve

The Grey Fox Kits kicked off their fall season with an outing to the Stimpson Nature Reserve on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. As the boys trickled in one-by-one they jumped right into a plant scavenger hunt, however the large rocks proved far too tempting to climb on and soon the boys were scurrying around like lizards. Speaking of reptiles, two of the explorers were able to track down a young garter snake and catch it for the rest of the boys to inspect.

Once all the explorers were present and accounted for we began our journey into the woods. In our opening circle we shared fun stories about our summer adventures and handed out the “jobs” for the day. With our front and back scouts, tribal elder, earth keeper and other jobs designated we were prepared for anything, including a couple of intense rounds of H-I-D-E.

Along the trail we found quite a few plants which stimulated our Art of Harvest skills that we’ve learned from previous outings; Licorice Fern and Stinging Nettle to be precise. Harvesting is fun and exciting, but the boys quickly lost sight of why we harvest, so before we could introduce the Art of Carving, we revisited the Art of Harvest and learned all about the bounty of uses both of these plants have from our plants knowledge keeper.

Finally, it was time to delve into the Art of Carving. We discussed some of the history behind edged tools, different types of knives, safety practices, and proper technique. Once all the boys had spread out, established their safety circles, and demonstrated proper technique with sheathed knives, the boys finally got to get their blades into the wood. There was a wide range of experience amongst the boys, but everyone displayed an impressive level of focus and responsibility. As hard as it was to believe, the boys eventually got a little bored with carving and just wanted to play some games.

We were already in a perfect spot for Spiders Web, so after we set up the web and food source, the boys soon melted into the ferns as they turned into flies searching for a meal. The spider was bold and wandered all over the playing area spotting flies left and right. But alas, his bold behavior left the food source unguarded and the flies were soon feasting.

Before we knew it, the time for pick up was upon us. The boys however, had some unfinished business with the Beaver Pond. We spent the last few minutes of the day getting into the mud and startling dozens of our amphibious friends, watching them hop-hop-hop into the safety of the water. We got unstuck from the muck and hurried back to a posse of parents who were all too eager to get the interiors of their cars covered in mud. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

For more photos of this outing be sure to check out the Grey Fox Kits Photo Gallery