Grey Fox Kits Clamber Along Clayton

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!

Grey Fox Kits Weather the Storm at Lake Padden

On a wet and windy Halloween it was only fitting that the Grey Fox Kits were going on an outing. Meeting up at Lake Padden it became apparent that we were going to need to find cover and quickly. Sheets of rain pelted us as we slogged through the muddy field to the shelter for opening meeting. Knowing that the weather was forecasted to clear up after an hour or so the Grey Fox Kits took this time to hunker down out of the rain and brainstorm a new group name. Of course as these boys get older they begin feeling less and less like a “fox kit” and voiced the desire to create a new name that was more representative of their experiences and growth over the last few years. Given their propensity for inclement weather it was clear that Storm was going to part of the name sticking to the Canidae family the boys settled on Wolves thus making the Storm Wolves! The mentors made sure to remind the Explorers that with a new name comes new responsibility. If they want to call themselves the Storm Wolves then they are going to have to act like it and demonstrate their growth as both individuals and as a group. The notion of being held to a higher standard was accepted by the boys and the Strom Wolves were formed.

Even though they go by a new name, the group formerly known as the Grey Fox Kits still managed to fit in a few rounds of their favorite game, Where’s My Egg?, as the weather cleared up and the rain ceased to fall. The break in the weather also afforded us with a window to get up into the cover of the woods. Meandering along the horse trails up into the hills it became apparent that although the rain had died down the wind could still be heard rustling through the canopy above. Even though it was just a breeze that ruffled the leaves, it still conjured up the memories of some of the close calls we’ve had as a group. A few of the boys became a bit hesitant, but with words of encouragement from their friends and reassurance by the mentors they pushed on and quickly became lost in the moment, reconnecting to all the joy that can be found from a good romp in the woods with your buddies. This was a powerful moment for the mentors to reflect upon because it marked a great stride towards conquering a fear, a justifiable one at that, but a fear none the less that has lingered with this group ever since our close call last fall. It is said that time is the best medicine, and over the past year these boys have taken that fear of the wind and honed it into a heightened awareness and strong respect for the power of the wind.

Getting further up into the woods we found a great spot to set up a base camp. As the Explorer’s demonstrated their growth and maturity by organizing their own game of Spider’s Web, the mentors took some time to get a fire started. Gathering firewood is no easy task after such a downpour and required much scouring of the landscape, rummaging under fallen logs, and gathering up the fine branches of the Western Hemlock for a sufficient supply of firewood. The mentors demonstrated a couple different methods to start the fire. After getting a coal with a bow drill, the tinder bundle was just a bit too damp so they fell back on the tried and true flint and steel. With a fire started the boys quickly gathered around as they were drawn like magnets to the flickering flames and warmth. They took this time to poke and prod at the fire with sticks, burn leaves, and even get some tips on how to properly tend a fire to keep it going strong in damp and cold conditions. This time also afforded Explorers a chance to kick back and joke around with one another sharing many a laugh and fond memory.

Before the outing was over we had just enough time play a few rounds of Hungry, Hungry Martin that got everyone running around and warmed up. We put out the fire in a fashion used by natives for many years where a trench is dug around the fire, flames are extinguished and the burnt remnants of the fire are buried. Next we gathered up duff, leaves, and branches and spread them over the area to make it look like we were never even there. We can’t leave no trace, but we can certainly do our best to cover up our tracks and return the landscape to the way we found it. With just enough time left for closing circle we shared our thanks, ate some apples, and packed up for the hike back down to the parking lot. Everyone was in high spirits for the hike down and as the breeze rustled through the leaves in the canopy the Storm Wolves left the forest in high spirits and with smiles on their faces. They truly have come a long way and demonstrated a tremendous courage and fortitude to overcome past experiences and remind themselves that although the forest can be dangerous at times, with awareness and respect we can still explore and revel in the bountiful memories that the forest has in store for us.

Join us for the Co-op's Community Shopping Day - Saturday, November 21. Shop for Thanksgiving – or just grocery shop at either Coop and 2% of total sales that day will be donated to Wild Whatcom.

Grey Fox Kits Play in the Wind at Fairhaven Park

On a blustery Saturday afternoon, the Grey Fox Kits were reunited after a warm winter to kick off the 2015 Spring Season of Boys Explorers Club. We had originally planned on having a day of exploration and carving in the Sehome Arboretum, however, given the windy weather and the eventful history of the Grey Fox Kits, the mentors decided to relocate to Fairhaven Park. Thanks to the flexibility and efficient communication of seasoned BEC Parents we pulled off this last minute switch without a hitch. Both Explorers and Parents were appreciative of Fairhaven Park’s versatility offering grassy fields and open areas under trees to play and carve the day away with peace of mind.

As the Explorers gathered for our opening circle we briefly inspected a dead beetle then caught up with one another about our winter adventures. We took some time to reflect on why we had switched locations, how we felt about wind and where our edges were in regards to plans for what we wanted to do during the outing. Truths were spoken and we decided what better way to kick off our Spring season than to have a game day with some more sedentary activities sprinkled in to change things up from time to time.

We first began with many heated rounds of “Where’s My Egg?!” where the boys honed their sneaking skills and tapped in to Coyote’s trickster ways as they tried to deceive the mother bird of where her egg had gotten off to. Much attention to rules and fairness was another theme of this game. Boys were challenged to discuss rules as they came up and decide upon fair and equal solutions that would allow us to play with honor and respect for ourselves and one another.

After many a round played, the Explorers lost some of their interest and naturally gathered around the packs rehydrating and munching away at their lunches. Boys chatted amongst one another until someone had a joke to tell. One after the other, jokes were told amongst the group. Good laughs shared with good company. It was nice to be back amongst fellow Grey Fox Kits.

To switch things up, the mentors brought out a variety of supplies for activities: plaster casts and a coyote skull, paper and pencil, homemade pickle jar terrarium with spiders included, animal track flash cards, and a handful of natural history books. Some boys were immediately captivated with drawing, while others just wanted to sit and carve. A few Explorers gained insight into more advanced carving techniques, while others honed tracking instincts by inspecting and identifying plaster casts of coyote, bobcat, and deer. But ultimately most of the boys slowly gravitated towards free play with one another amongst the trees in a heated match of pinecone tag.

With a good chunk of our outing behind us, we wanted to get in some more games before it was time to go. As we transitioned to a new area to play we were joined by Emily Highleyman, the executive director of Wild Whatcom. Without skipping beat she was nearly as eager to play games as the boys. Many of the Explorers had games in mind that they were excited to play, but with only enough time for two or three games, it was clear some boys were going to have to realize their game wasn’t going to be played, at least for today. But coming to compromise and finding consensus is common place for a veteran group of Explorers like the Grey Fox Kits. In a matter of minutes the games to be played were decided, rule intricacies were hashed out, and we were transformed into rabbits and coyotes locked in a heated game of “Run Rabbit, RUN!” huffing and puffing from one rabbit hole to another hoping not to become coyote kibble.

Worn out from all the games our outing was nearing its end. We gathered in a circle where our outing had begun and reflected on what a fun outing we all had. Some boys were grateful for fun games, others were grateful for simple things like trees and sky. But overwhelmingly, Explorers were grateful for their thrilling encounter with a falling branch last fall. Though it was a trying experience, and rather scary for most, the boys all said they have learned a lot from the experience, become more aware and in tune with not only their environment but also themselves, and most importantly for any boy their age they now have a thrilling story to share with their friends. All in all we had a complete outing; free play, carving, natural history, games, group decision making, sharing jokes, getting lost in the moment, reflecting on the past, and growing for the future. Who could ask for anything more?

Make sure to check out all the photos from this outing in the Grey Fox Kits Photo Gallery!

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.

Grey Fox Kits and the Importance of Shelter at the 100 Aker Wood

The Grey Fox Kits arrived at the 100 Aker Wood ready for adventure. It was amazing to see the comradery and relationships that are building within this group. We said goodbye to the parents and the boys found a cozy little mossy patch surrounded by a stand of Doug Firs to hold the opening meeting.  It is amazing how many times we can explore the 100 Aker Wood and still find locations that we have not yet been to. With a few seasons under their belt, the Grey Fox Kits are settling into the Boys Explorers Club culture. During our meeting, we checked in with each other about our summer adventures. It was so great to hear that the Grey Fox Kits are getting opportunities to adventure inside and outside of the Explorers Club. We greeted our new mentor, Tim Massey, who would be exploring with us. He had the great idea to have everybody say their name since there were a few new boys in the group. After some introductions, Tim and I turned the meeting over to our volunteer Mentor, Soren Brotherton.

            Soren is part of the Explorers Mentor Apprenticeship or the EMA Program. The EMA Program is part of our program for arriving adults called the Four Shields Program. When the Grey Fox Kits reach thirteen years old, they will transition into the Four Shields Program.  A mentor apprenticeship holds the opportunity for the Four Shielder’s to deepen their connection to mentoring and service. It was really wonderful to watch the former Explorer lead an opening circle. Soren’s leadership skills really showed as he gave out jobs and helped the boys flush out the day’s safety concerns.  The EMAs are truly enriching the Explorers experiences during outings. They are offering the boys a window into the Boys Explorers Club cultural history. EMAs connect with the Explorers in a way that the older Mentors cannot.  These arriving adults approach challenges, debriefs, and group dynamics with different opinions and insight. Mentors would like to thank the Grey Fox Kits for accepting Soren into their culture, and Soren for mentoring with such acceptance, care, and patience for these boys.

            As we discussed safety, the group started to become aware of a change in the weather. The boys' body postures started to droop and Mentors noticed they were getting cold. During our fall season, staying warm and dry is one of our biggest safety concerns. Mentors stressed the importance of ourmotto, LIBK- Let It Be Known. In order to stay safe as a group, the Explorers must learn to be able to communicate when they are starting to feel cold. In Explorers Club, we learn how to read the climate of our group both physically and mentally.  By the time we were finished discussing safety, Mentors were getting a lot of calls to play Hide, but we knew that the group needed to get their blood pumping in order to stay warm. Heading into the 100 Aker Wood, the Grey Fox Kits had no idea what adventures and lessons were in store for them.

            The Mentors searched for a place to have an energetic opening game. The Grey Fox Kits scouted a steep hill and decided that this would be the perfect landscape to get our blood pumping.  We played Hungry Hungry Martin on the big incline of Doug fir, Cedar, and Sword Ferns. As we played, we ran, crawled, and hid up and down the hill. In this game, one Explorer is a martin and the rest are squirrels. The squirrels try to escape the martins teeth by making it to a marked tree. It was fun to watch the martins getting into their role experiencing the predator mind as they watched the other 11 squirrels draw nearer and nearer. Often times when we play games in our outings, they call the group to engage in decision-making. Our Tribal Elder of the day, Lachlan, along with the help of the group, facilitated a beautiful example of group decision-making and our motto Collaborate and Compromise. After playing a round, some Explorers wanted to make an adaptation to the game and have two martins. Lachlan called the group to circle up and started the process by asking the group for a vote of either one martin or two. The two martin option proved to be the most popular by a seven to five vote. The Tribal Elder then asked the Explorers who advocated for one martin why they held this opinion. After Lachlan had heard their opinions, he turned to the Explorers who advocated for two martins. The group Spoke Their Truths and recognized their need for collaboration. The Tribal Elder then suggested that the group play one round with two martins and then the next round with one martin. He then asked if there were other suggestions, and if anyone was not okay with the decision. This whole group process took about five minutes and went really smoothly. To watch this group process as a Mentor is so rewarding. These boys are on their way to becoming leaders and understanding what it means to be part of a community.

            After playing one more round, we circled back up again to discuss the days skill, the Art of Shelter Building. We started our conversation of shelter by recognizing the four survival needs. Every Grey Fox Kit should be able to tell you what these needs are. Of the four needs the most pressing need for survival is shelter. Mentors passed around Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival, which is one of the best resources for guidance with shelter building. Mentors modeled an earth shelter by making a mini replica while talking about the important first steps, knowing where to set it up. Understanding how water flows through the landscape of a potential shelter site and the potential hazards are the keys to staying warm, dry, and safe while sleeping in an earth shelter. After some lunch, the Explorers set out to find a place for the perfect spot to build their shelter.

            As we pushed on into the 100 Aker Woods, the wind started to pick up and the rain started to come down in sheets.  As we searched for a sheltered location, the boys stumbled upon some other earth shelters. The Grey Fox Kits decided that this would also be the spot that they were going to set up their shelter. The boys chose their spots with intention. They scouted for widow maker limbs and found a high, dry, and flat area with lots of building resources close by. 

            That’s when it happened, a cherry tree 60 feet tall and a foot and a half wide blew down in a large gust of wind with a resounding crack and a boom shaking the earth beneath our feet. The tree had only landed thirty feet away and the Explorers panicked, but Mentors directed them to stay put. This was one of those situations where Mentors had to model triangular leadership and be more directive. The group used their eyes to scout the tree line again and for any widow makers in the proximity. After scanning we still felt solid about our shelter spot, however we could not safely harvest any materials without endangering ourselves. In the Boys Explorers Club, we work in partnership with the landscape to teach and learn. We used this teachable moment to again reiterate how important it was to build your shelter in a hazard free location. The group had chosen wisely, this is a lesson that the Grey Fox Kits won’t soon forget. As we finished our discussion, the wind blew even harder and we decided that it was time for a change in location.

            As we headed out of the woods, some boys tried to get ahead by running the short distance back to the trail. Once the group was together and the situational risk was lower, Mentors discussed how important it was to stay together as a group and be just as aware of the trees in our travel to the next location. We, as Mentors, must model appropriate group behavior even in times of high situational risk. The trail we had come in on had turned into a river and afforded us the opportunity to see how water moved through the landscape in times of heavy rain. Again the 100 Aker Wood was teaching us about the Art of Shelter Building. 

            We nestled under a Cedar tree and some of the boys began to shiver. We hunkered down and playedThirty Second Freak, moving our arms and stomping our feet as fast as we could. Even with the warmth that we generated and the shelter of the Cedar, we still could not get comfortable. The rain was coming down in sheets. Soren and I set up a tarp shelter while the boys played many games of Everyone’s It. Once completed, we sat under the tarp shelter and sipped hot drinks as Mentors told stories about dealing with the elements. I told the group a story about the importance of insulation from Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival.  Tom's story talks about watching the squirrels build their nest in order to understand how to build shelters with insulation that functions well. The group discussed the human bodies need for insulation and how we could use our layered clothes in the same way.

            Sitting under the tarp, we revisited the Grey Fox Kit’s outing history of weathering storms. In their first fall season, the boys weathered a cold and rainy day much like this outing at Whatcom Falls Park. As the Grey Fox Kits group develops, they will start to build a strong culture derived from shared experience. The Grey Fox Kits called for Mentors to incorporate elements of falling trees and rain storms into their new name and indeed it will. Hopefully, at the end of this fall season, these Explorers will emerge with a new name representing the resilience attitudes that they have been cultivating. Their name will be created by the group and represent strength as a community and perseverance.

            We ended the day on a lighthearted note, playing a silly game called Screaming Toes and sliding down a trail that got very muddy. Soaked to the bone and covered in mud, we rejoiced in the weather and learned how to play regardless of the season. In our closing circle, we gave thanks for: food, shelter, warmth, for having the opportunity to explore, for the weather being our teacher, for tarp shelters, for free-spirited play, and for finding our strength in our connection to the group and ecosystem. At the end of our meeting, Tim pointed out that there was not one complaint the whole time. Attitude is everything and this skill will transfer to all aspects of the Explorers lives as they grow and mature.

You can check out more pictures from the outing in the Grey Fox Kits photo gallery

BEC: Grey Fox Kits Weather the Storm at Lake Padden

On a wet and windy Halloween it was only fitting that the Grey Fox Kits were going on an outing. Meeting up at Lake Padden it became apparent that we were going to need to find cover and quickly. Sheets of rain pelted us as we slogged through the muddy field to the shelter for opening meeting. Knowing that the weather was forecasted to clear up after an hour or so the Grey Fox Kits took this time to hunker down out of the rain and brainstorm a new group name. Of course as these boys get older they begin feeling less and less like a “fox kit” and voiced the desire to create a new name that was more representative of their experiences and growth over the last few years. Given their propensity for inclement weather it was clear that Storm was going to part of the name sticking to the Canidae family the boys settled on Wolves thus making the Storm Wolves! The mentors made sure to remind the Explorers that with a new name comes new responsibility. If they want to call themselves the Storm Wolves then they are going to have to act like it and demonstrate their growth as both individuals and as a group. The notion of being held to a higher standard was accepted by the boys and the Storm Wolves were formed.

Even though they go by a new name, the group formerly known as the Grey Fox Kits still managed to fit in a few rounds of their favorite game, Where’s My Egg?, as the weather cleared up and the rain ceased to fall. The break in the weather also afforded us with a window to get up into the cover of the woods. Meandering along the horse trails up into the hills it became apparent that although the rain had died down the wind could still be heard rustling through the canopy above. Even though it was just a breeze that ruffled the leaves, it still conjured up the memories of some of the close calls we’ve had as a group. A few of the boys became a bit hesitant, but with words of encouragement from their friends and reassurance by the mentors they pushed on and quickly became lost in the moment, reconnecting to all the joy that can be found from a good romp in the woods with your buddies. This was a powerful moment for the mentors to reflect upon because it marked a great stride towards conquering a fear, a justifiable one at that, but a fear none the less that has lingered with this group ever since our close call last fall. It is said that time is the best medicine, and over the past year these boys have taken that fear of the wind and honed it into a heightened awareness and strong respect for the power of the wind.

Getting further up into the woods we found a great spot to set up a base camp. As the Explorer’s demonstrated their growth and maturity by organizing their own game of Spider’s Web, the mentors took some time to get a fire started. Gathering firewood is no easy task after such a downpour and required much scouring of the landscape, rummaging under fallen logs, and gathering up the fine branches of the Western Hemlock for a sufficient supply of firewood. The mentors demonstrated a couple different methods to start the fire. After getting a coal with a bow drill, the tinder bundle was just a bit too damp so they fell back on the tried and true flint and steel. With a fire started the boys quickly gathered around as they were drawn like magnets to the flickering flames and warmth. They took this time to poke and prod at the fire with sticks, burn leaves, and even get some tips on how to properly tend a fire to keep it going strong in damp and cold conditions. This time also afforded Explorers a chance to kick back and joke around with one another sharing many a laugh and fond memory.

Before the outing was over we had just enough time play a few rounds of Hungry, Hungry Martin that got everyone running around and warmed up. We put out the fire in a fashion used by natives for many years where a trench is dug around the fire, flames are extinguished and the burnt remnants of the fire are buried. Next we gathered up duff, leaves, and branches and spread them over the area to make it look like we were never even there. We can’t leave no trace, but we can certainly do our best to cover up our tracks and return the landscape to the way we found it. With just enough time left for closing circle we shared our thanks, ate some apples, and packed up for the hike back down to the parking lot. Everyone was in high spirits for the hike down and as the breeze rustled through the leaves in the canopy the Storm Wolves left the forest in high spirits and with smiles on their faces. They truly have come a long way and demonstrated a tremendous courage and fortitude to overcome past experiences and remind themselves that although the forest can be dangerous at times, with awareness and respect we can still explore and revel in the bountiful memories that the forest has in store for us.