In their second Explorers Club season, Grey Fox Kits were asked to recall the most important lesson from last fall: How do we prepare for rain?!
The rain had been dumping for hours as Explorers showed up to Arroyo Park for an exploration. Parents smiled nervously while saying goodbye and boys checked that they were as rainproof as they could be. But these Grey Fox Kits not only prepare for the rain, they embrace it. And ironically, the rain slowed its pace and had all but stopped after only an hour on trail!
Soren, an EMA from the Firestalkersgroup, volunteered his afternoon with the Grey Fox Kits and was a helpful and strong mentor during the outing. He asked boys lots of questions and kept a great energy through the outing. Thanks for your great work, Soren!
We marched up the first hill in the Chuckanut Mountain range before having our opening meeting. Boys recognized and appreciated the high water level in Arroyo Creek and then kept to the switchbacks as we ascended. By the “Grandpa” Douglas Fir, we played Incoming.
Grey Fox Kits recalled their earth skill journey for the season: the Art of Stealth and Supersense. So, we threaded through the forest and up a steep hill using our Fox Feet. We saw Trilliums (Trillium ovatum) poking up through the forest duff, learned how to identify it, and avoided stepping on them. Please ask your Explorer how long it takes for the Trillium to grow!
Explorers then embodied an animal and displayed the senses those animals use when moving around. We left our backpacks and ventured to “Cougar Rock” as those animals while Soren guessed what animals we were. This mentor recalls seeing a Garter Snake, a “stick-tailed” lizard, some wolves, a bear or two, and some feathered friends too. Which animal was your Explorer?
Cougar Rock, aptly named by the boys, who acted like cougars during later activities, became the heart of our outing. Following the motto Challenge By Choice, Explorers took turns climbing a mossy log from the ground to the top of Cougar Rock. With mentors spotting, boys practiced themotto, Stretch Your Edge.
Everyone, even those who stayed on the ground, had moments of pausing and slight fear and before overcoming their hesitations. We may be scared in our lives, but taking calculated risks can empower us and expand our capacity to develop. Congratulations to everyone for that growing experience!
Quinn shared some trinkets from a recent trip to the desert. How different the ecosystems are between the southern California high desert and our Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest!This made Dave nostalgic for his old stomping grounds.
Talking about the desert was so magical that he immediately transformed into a deer and Explorers transformed into cougars. Naturally boys started to chase Dave; though his glance made them freeze, eventually they caught him! This also happened about an hour later to Soren, who changed into a deer, as the Grey Fox Kits once again transmuted into tawny Cougars.
We gathered our backpacks and realized that another transformation had occurred. We noticed that Steve was missing and simultaneously we heard a Wolf howl. We ran down trail to see if Steve was OK and laughed when we realized that indeed it was Steve doing the howling! It became a bit more comical when an actual dog came running down the trail looking for the same howling that we were.
Our closing meeting was powerful as boys practiced the motto Collaborate and Compromise so that we could get started. We shared our motto of Attitude of Gratitude over dirty hands and apple slices. And though we were all in high spirits to share the experiences with our parents, it is important that we stay together as a group, Explorers. Remember the motto,Safety First. We have to make sure everyone gets back!
Explorers, thank you so much for embracing the rain. Your energy is impressive and inspiring. Parents, thank you for your support and encouragement in getting your boys to explore in all weather!
Please check out the photo gallery for more pictures. Our next outing will focus on service at Larrabee State Park on Saturday, May 4th from 12:00-4:00pm.
Don’t forget to look for the best dates for Summer Camps too! You can registerhere. See you next time!
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