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!
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