The Storm Wolves were eager to get to work at Woodstock Farm
for the first time in their Explorers Club careers. Breaking from the norm of
working at our Connelly Creek service site in Happy Valley Park, the Storm
Wolves would be getting their first experience helping out at the Girls
Explorers Club’s adopted service site. Joining them for the day would be two
younger groups in the Pine Martens and the Fiddleheads.
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| Gathering together to learn about our service project |
Being an elder group isn’t anything new for the Storm
Wolves. With so many seasons of exploring and working on service projects under
their belts they stepped into their usual role as the oldest Explorers at the
service site. This proved to be an excellent opportunity for a group who is
working on honing our ability to balance focus and fun depending on the
circumstances. Not only would it be important to strike a proper balance with
so many tools around and tasks to be done, but with the younger groups looking
up to them for guidance the Storm Wolves needed to be role models as well.
Luckily, the mentors were able to check in with the Storm Wolves about the
importance of them stepping up for the day they didn’t hesitate to take on the
challenge.
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| Gathering together for a tool use demo |
Getting to work, we focused on removing Himalayan
Blackberry, English Ivy, and clearing out old trash that had been tossed in the
bushes. The group was quick to get to work while the mentors pulled aside a
couple of Storm Wolves to help with a tool safety demonstration for the younger
groups. After everyone was up to speed all three groups descended upon the mass
of ivy and blackberry working tirelessly clearing free native plants and trees.
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| Hard at work removing invasive species |
With our day coming to a close the groups took a break to
come together for one final activity. We often overlook some of the key reasons
why we do service so the mentors set up an activity called “Our Cups Overflow”
to help demonstrate. This activity involves everyone taking turns pouring a
little bit of water into an empty cup to demonstrate that we all have so much
already that if we each give just a little bit of our own time and energy, we
can take an empty cup (or someone/something who has nothing) and fill it to the
point of overflowing. This helps us remember all that we have and all that we
can do for others to hopefully help them one day have an excess to pass along
to another in need.
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| Learning how "Our Cups Overflow" |
All the remained was our closing circle. Breaking from the
rest of the groups the Storm Wolves finally had a chance to cut loose a bit and
goof off. It was great to see how this group seemed to understand the need to
“keep it together” while working around the younger groups. The mentors made
sure to give them credit for their hard work and to thank them for stepping up
and striking a perfect balance between fun and focus for the day. Although the
fall seemed to mark a bit of regression in this group’s ability to hold circles
and listen to one another, the progress made today gave everyone a sigh of
relief to feel like we are back on track for this group to hit its stride once
more.
Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!
