Coal Blowing with the Storm Wolves at Larrabee State Park

The Storm Wolves had a change from the norm as they arrived at Larrabee State Park to hunker down and work on the skill of “coal blowing” instead of head out on a hike to explore and play games. Although we were straying from the norm in terms of our outing, the Storm Wolves made sure to keep things in line by demonstrating their top notch abilities at free play while balancing things out with pointed focus when called upon. Of course we had to start things off with the usual opening circle where we discussed our plan for the day, chatted about the Art of Fire, and finally got into some basics of carving and coal-blowing spoons. 

Our initial circle ended up taking a bit of time to get started as there was just too much energy in the group. Clearly these guys are used to hiking in a bit before hunkering down and working on skills that require patience and focus, so we took some time to enjoy ourselves and catch up with fellow Storm Wolves before getting into things. Not surprisingly, the Storm Wolves were off searching out adventure and whether it was tossing Douglas-Fir cones over the sheltered area or working together as a team to retrieve a Frisbee from the other side of a fence, everyone was able to get their wiggles out and more importantly have a lot of fun doing so.

Sometimes the best team building activities are organic

Transitioning to our focused skills work, the Storm Wolves gathered up around the fire ring to review the basics of lighting a fire. Luckily they have had plenty of experience on their prior outings utilizing Western-Hemlock to make a kindling bundle that they were able to light with a single match, so this was a walk in the park… so to speak. However, Tim decided to switch things up and demonstrated how to use Western Red-Cedar bark to make a fuzzy tinder bundle that was lit with a ferrocerium rod (also known as fire steel, “flint and steel”, etc.). Not only is it important to know how to create your own flame from a simple spark, but honing these skills will aid us when we finally take on fire-by-friction and need to use the very same tinder in order to blow our bow-drill coals into flames.

Using a ferrocerium rod to start the fire

After getting a fire going and demonstrating the importance of preparation, intentionality, and anticipation to properly process and organize your fuel it was time to transition to coal-blowing. With our initial “spoons” taking shape due to some expansive carving time, we were ready to transition to making the concavity. Being careful with our coals and remembering to be aware of those around us, the mentors extracted coals from the fire for the Storm Wolves. Placing the red hot ember on the wood and using a stick to press down on the coal, the Storm Wolves each began blowing steadily on the coal to increase the heat and transfer the heat into the spoon. After a few seconds the wood of the spoon began to heat up and become an ember in itself. After exhausting their coals, each Storm Wolf took some time to scrape out the charcoal on the concavity of the spoon and before they knew it their spoon was taking shape. This process must then be repeated until your concavity is sufficiently shaped to the coal-blower’s specifications.

Transitioning to free time, some of the Storm Wolves continued to work on their spoons while others reverted back to games of tossing the Fir cone over the shelter or playing with the newly retrieved Frisbee. Only a few of us got to complete our spoons, but the mentors were grateful to hear the Storm Wolves each exclaim how cool it was to learn this skill. Despite the requirement for preparation, patience, and strong focus the group was able to ebb and flow between focus and play with impressive ability. Although there were a few times where some of the group members began transitioning to play during circle or while a mentor was talking, the other Storm Wolves kept them in line before the mentors needed to stop and ask for refocusing. Seeing this group mentor themselves, fluctuate between play and focus, and most of all get excited about an ancient skill made this a very rewarding day for mentors and Storm Wolves alike.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos form our outing here!

Learning alongside a friend always makes things better!

 

Storm Wolves Traverse from Larrabee to Clayton

On a gorgeous, sunny, summer-esque day the Storm Wolves arrived at Larrabee State Park. We would be traversing southward toward Clayton Beach. After a quick opening meeting we hit the trail and were immediately rewarded with a multitude of Salmon Berry to munch on and a small fuzzy creature on the ground. Investigating further we found a small rodent, perhaps a baby mouse that appeared to be dead. Upon further inspection it was clearly breathing. As its awareness grew to our presence it stirred and slowly walked off to take shelter under a rock. Despite how adorable this creature was, it was a reminder in tracking and the importance of taking context and applying it to the situation. Clearly it is not natural behavior for this mouse to be sleeping out in the open, moving slowly, looking sleepy at 10:00AM on a sunny day. We concluded that it was likely sick or injured and probably not safe for us to get too close to or touch.

Moving on we got further into the woods, just far enough to play a game of HIDE! This game always gets Explorers immersed in their environment and scanning their landscape for nooks and crannies to hide in, ferns to peak through. With our mindset adjusted to moving through the forest we set off towards Clayton Beach. Along the trail we were able to gaze out at the San Juans and even see the snowy peaks of the Olympic Mountains all the way out on the peninsula. We truly live in a stunningly gorgeous place and although the boys may not have fully appreciated this at the time, it was a treat for the mentors to see this magnificent view as the backdrop to our outing.

Further along the trail we arrived at a wonderful ravine full of sword ferns, a bubbling brook, and even a few small waterfall. This ravine is a classic Explorers location and always ripe for exploration. The boys were immediately lost in scurrying up and down the creek, climbing around the waterfalls, and playing in the creek. This evolved into free play where the Storm Wolves got lost in imagination and groups of boys snuck around spying on other groups, one boy switching teams to become an undercover agent, only to truly join the second group and become a double agent. Soon everyone was spying on this group or that and no one knew who was who. Time for Spiders Web.

Eating some lunch the Storm Wolves were called upon to harness their focus and set the game up on their own. With a few gentle nudges from the mentors the boys were able to pull it together, pick a web and food source, decide who would be the spider, and get the game going. The expansive landscape and varied terrain made for the perfect location for Spiders Web. The game went on and on, slowly but surely the flies maneuvered the food source back to the web for a controversial finish. Luckily the spider today was very mature and let the flies revel in their victory despite a bit of stretching the rules to win.

Packing up we trekked down to the beach. At Clayton Beach it is impossible not to get lost in the expansive sandstone and scurry up and down the rock faces. The Storm Wolves looked completely in their element and their nimbleness and agility was impressive. Although we could have spent all day clambering on the rocks, the outing was coming to a close. We had just enough time for a sit spot at this beautiful location gazing out upon Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. Afterwards the boys returned for a closing circle.

We set aside extra time for our closing circle because we had a lot to talk about. Not only did we want to reflect on our season and all we did, but we also were going to think about where we wanted to go in the fall and what skill we wanted to focus on. After going around and each boy shared a bit, we transitioned to some other news. Peter took a moment to share with the Storm Wolves that this would be his last season as a mentor. 

The boys weren’t really sure how to handle this news and were a little bummed out that Peter would not be back next season. Peter explained that he has had such an amazing time working for Boys Explorers Club and getting to explore with all the groups he worked with. It has truly been a blessing and a big part of his life that he cherishes and holds close to his heart. The Storm Wolves in particular have been a big part of this experience and feel especially important to him with all the experiences we’ve shared over the years and all the wind and rain we’ve weathered together. Peter hopes to come back from time to time as a volunteer or substitute mentor so perhaps this won’t be the end of the road, but at least in his official capacity as a mentor, this is the final season.   

As with all things in nature there are seasons that come and go, life and death constantly spiraling in perfect balance. There are so many great memories and experiences to look back on that I think we all will appreciate everything Peter has brought to this organization and this group in particular and thank him for his time and dedication to being the best mentor he can be. We have so many fond memories that we can all look back on our times together and smile for what was while we transition to all the possibilities for new memories and experiences in the future. 

All in all this was an awesome season with so much to look back and remember. This was the year that the Grey Fox Kits became the Storm Wolves and stepped into their new name with purpose, intention, and a maturity that proved they were worthy of such a powerful name. This group continues to be incredibly strong, resilient, and compassionate towards one another. Each outing is full of fun and excitement and leaves everyone looking forward to what is in store for this fall.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos here!

BEC: Grey Fox Kits explore east of Clayton Beach

Wind and Rain. Stretching Edges. Grasping the Nettle. Celebrating the Season.

These four themes seem to follow the Grey Fox Kits from outing to outing. Whether diligently working on the art of shelter building or exploring the hidden niches of fun forest hideaways, these Explorers are constantly aware of the elements. More than any group, the Grey Fox Kits are focused on the present moment; their awareness skills have grown so much and they are just starting their fourth season!

Much thanks go out to Jake Ray who stepped up as a mentor for this outing. He has joined the Grey Fox Kits and other Explorers club groups before, but he took a day off from studying for finals in order to be a mentor with us when one of our team was sick. Thank you for joining us on this outing, Jake!

After last season, boys were not soon to forget the importance of keeping their eyes out during and after wind storms. We started the day a bit hesitatingly as boys observed the wind and trees, nervous about any falling widowmakers. This reverence and respect for the natural world is invaluable. Though they may have started off the outing frightened, they came into their own as they settled into their outdoor home in Larrabee State Park.

Spring brings with it a new life that we observed in the fruiting mushrooms and sprouting Indian Plum. Even Stinging Nettles were popping up after a dormant winter. We also learned about the life inside of dead trees or snags. Though they can come crashing down and be destructive, these same trees hold the power of life. Indeed boys learned the term, “Fatwood” and are starting to recognize that decomposing stumps hold fire! Even the snags, especially the Red Alders which are most prone to falling in windy conditions, harbor tremendous amount of firewood and bow drill kit spindles and hearths.

We didn’t get into the art of fire with the Grey Fox Kits, as they have much to learn first. But they are definitely excited to learn and practice their earth skills so that they can progress to learning that art. This season, they’ll consider the art of harvest- this includes edibles that we’ll find later in the season in addition to that of wood for shelter, fire and carving. And speaking of carving, boys have already begun to express their interest in edged tools and it seems likely that they will start the Carving Journey in the fall (perhaps flirting with it in the summer).

Explorers monitored the trees and settled on a safe forest nook to eat lunch. From there they found a swampy meadow and insisted on clambering through mud slicks, nettles, salmonberry and trailing blackberry to get to a downed bigleaf maple in the middle.

We then discussed ethical harvesting as licorice fern root became a focus of many an inquisitive hand! Boys were keen to harvest this plant but only one was patient enough to open the plant identification book and make sure that it was a safe idea. Though this is an edible plant, we have to change our behaviors to make sure that we don’t harvest without knowing exactly what we’re harvesting!

A short jaunt into the forest led us to Explorer-high sword fern. Organic shelters were built, Elven palaces discovered, and inclusiveness became a theme. We played countless games of Hide and it’s clear that these Explorers are getting better and better at the art of camouflage each season!

We hiked up the hill for a final adventure and came to two huge glacial erratics on the hillside. They formed caves in which Explorers didn’t hesitate practicing the art of spelunking! Mentors cautioned boys about climbing atop the boulders, however, because they were slippery but a couple of boys slid down the rock faces.

Though the boys were unharmed, they took out mosses, lichens, and licorice ferns along the way. Part of the responsibility that comes with the Art of Harvest is learning how and when to amp down the exploration and adventure feelings. These boys are in the perfect place to begin distinguishing when and how to balance fun with responsibility.

After having paused for nearly four hours the rain began to fall again while we held closing meeting. We gave thanks and started the long downhill walk to the parking lot, grateful that the wind and rain gave us a small window of time to explore and have a rad outing.

Thank you Explorers for stretching your edges and grasping the nettle. You are definitely growing into a cohesive and caring community! Thank you parents for your support of these boys and this program. We appreciate your letting wet Explorers into your cars!

Please see the photo gallery to view more pictures from this outing. See younext time for the Connelly Creek Traverse on April 19th.