Grey Fox Kits were acting more like squirrels when they got together at Fairhaven Park to work on the Arts of Stealth and Supersense. The theme of this outing was to re-instill in Explorers their innate knowledge to thrive while outside that they practiced last fall. By honing their senses, boys will be confident and comfortable outdoors.
Though nearly everyone returned this season, we started the day with a name game to refresh everyone’s awareness of group members. We also had the chance to meet Rowan, a newcomer this season, who participated actively throughout the day. Welcome to the Grey Fox Kits, Rowan!
It didn’t take long for Explorers to remember the rules of their favorite game, Hide. We dove into the grasses, hid behind towering Douglas Fir, and blended in with the forest many times during the day when Grey Fox Kits yelled out the “H-word” and began to count to 30.
The skill of the day was harnessing and practicing sensory awareness. Though we humans use our eyes as a dominant sense, this outing was a reminder to Explorers that we have other senses that we should use. If we can use them all together successfully we may be able to acquiresupersense and the feeling of prediction and natural awareness.
We practiced using soft, fox feet. By closing our eyes and sending our vision to the bottoms of our feet, we learned to “see” with our feet. Grey Fox Kits made slow deliberate steps to negotiate difficult and sticky terrain. Matt made a deep mud hole and the boys took turns getting stuck in said quagmire. They found pleasure in pulling their feet out of the boots and then working together to free their friends’ shoes. Good teamwork, guys! Remember themotto, Many Hands Make Light Work!
These skills immediately overlapped into the next activity as we met a tree. Blindfolded, we were led by a fellow Explorer from the group meeting place to a nearby tree. With only 30 seconds, we got to know the tree very well using senses of touch and feel. Cooper’s tree even reminded him of “gummy worms!” The boys’ next challenge was to find their exact tree without the blindfold remembering what their feet and other senses knew of the journey.
We hiked further into the 100 Aker Woods and explored leadership along the way. Boys had to practice the Explorers’ Club motto, Collaborate and Compromise, as they decided which forks in the road to take. This Explorer is particularly impressed with the poise and calmness that Grey Fox Kits showed during group decision-making processes.
Dave set up a short activity during which Explorers used their “bear noses” to smell different substances. Please ask your Explorer what he can do to make his nose work better than normal.
Then we realized that Steve was down the trail with our snack. So we walked slowly and quietly back only to discover that Steve had set up a snack stalk for us! We had to sneak into the snack circle and snatch an apple slice without him hearing us. Explorers practiced the art of stealthiness and eventually we all sat down together for Closing Meeting and Circle of Thanks.
Thank you Explorers for such a great start to the season. Your effort and energy was noticeably focused and dedicated to becoming well-rounded Explorers! Parents, thank you for supporting your boy in his role as a life-long Explorer. Please look at the photo gallery for more pictures of the Grey Fox Kits and we look forward to seeing you at the next outing on April 7th, just around the corner, at Arroyo Park!
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