Storm Wolves -- Lake Padden -- 02/28/16 -- 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Over the past few seasons a growing favorite location for
the Storm Wolves (formerly known as the Grey Fox Kits) has been Lake Padden Park.
The park offers a variety of options including deep woodlands, lakeshore, and
ravines that all provide unique exploring opportunities. As we all know the
Storm Wolves are infamous for attracting less than desirable weather. Without
fail our first outing arrived with a windy and drizzly day.
As boys began to arrive at Lake Padden so too did the tight
knit community that these boys have formed over their years of explorations
together. Quickly the boys forgot about the puddles in the field and the rain
falling from the sky as they played one of their favorite games (Where's My
Egg?). Once all the boys had arrived we gathered for our traditional opening
circle. This circle is an important part of the day and gives us an opportunity
to not only make plans for the day, but also check in as a group. Today most of
our discussion was around the wind. The wind has been a sensitive topic in this
group as a result of their numerous encounters with close calls in the forest.
The groups is incredibly supportive of each other and displayed this compassion
and empathy as we discussed how best to enjoy our day and manage the risk the
wind posed. The Storm Wolves quickly decided to play it safe and stick to the
trail that skirts the shoreline of the lake and maybe go into the woods if the
wind died down later in the day. 
We began to make our way around the lake; watching the
ridgeline trees sway and the waterfowl get pushed to one side of the lake. As
we observed the strong wind we all felt comfortable with the choice we had made
to stay out of the deep woods and exposure to large dead trees. Spirits were
high as we moved around the shore and it was a great opportunity for boys and
mentors alike to catch up after a winter apart. As we reached the field at the
far Northern end of the lake the sun began to peek out and we decided it was a
good time to take a lunch break. We picked a dry-ish spot on the field to set
up a basecamp and eat at. We ate our food under increasingly clearing skies
with even a few sun breaks. The wind continued to blow but without the cold
driving rain the day felt much more inviting.
The Storm Wolves happily played in the field for most of the
early afternoon. There were a few moments of conflict during the game, but with
very little coxing from Tim or I the Storm Wolves quickly formed a circle and
were able to work out their differences and get right back to playing. As the
time neared to head back to the parking lot we sent the Storm Wolves out for a
sit spot. The boys spread out along the shoreline and quickly got quiet as they
looked out over Lake Padden. The boys sat quietly for the next half hour
without a single disruption. When we called them back in the boys slowly
disengaged from their individual sit spots to join us for a closing circle. It
was an eye opening mentoring moment to see boys so comfortable and content in
the woods on a day many people would have decided just to stay at home. It was
very clear that the storm wolves have grown immensely from their experiences as
a group and have become not only comfortable in the outdoors, but also with
each other.
Thank you Storm Wolves for your commitment to the program
and your enthusiasm on outings. Thank you families for seeing the value in
Explorers Club and sending your boys out with us for these blustery outings.
Please make sure to take a look at our photo gallery for the rest of the
photos!
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