Teddy Bear Traverse with The Black Tailed Deer

Our Teddy Bear Traverse was a rich experience full of natural history and exploration. Meeting at the North Chuckanut Trailhead the mentors wanted to cover an important safety topic before we headed out on our traverse. In order to complete our trek and make it to our pick-up location the group would have to cross Chuckanut Drive three separate times. The mentors cautioned the group to stay hyper vigilant and focused during these times.

Lined up and ready for our first crossing both North and Southbound traffic stopped and an annoyed driver tried to pass one of the stopped vehicles. The driver spotted our group across the road and immediately came to a stop. Safely on the other side of the road the boys circled up for our opening meeting and we debriefed what had just happened. It was a great reminder of the number one rule of the wilderness: pay attention.

Looking at a map of the traverse the boys worked hard to orient to the landscape and cardinal directions. Once jobs were divvied up the Tribal Elder facilitated the group’s decision to head due south across the wetland, and we were off!

Crawling and climbing through a dense thicket of Salmonberry, Vine Maple, and Devil’s Club the boys followed each other closely, choosing the easiest lines of travel. Once the group had navigated the wetland the Front Scout made a keen observation. Looking at the retaining wall above us, he suggested that an easier path of travel might be along the wall as there was graffiti it’s entire length; which meant there must have been a footpath at its base. Jedidiah explained to the boys that reading the landscape as the Scout had just done and the type of inference he was able to make from his observations was a key component of tracking and navigation.

The group decided not to venture up towards the retaining wall because of the significant erosion it would cause. The mentors went on to explain that the first quarter mile of our traverse was in the Chuckanut Creek watershed and there were salmon currently spawning. Any erosion we created would significantly impact the salmon runs.

After another twenty minutes of travel through a lush valley of Sword Ferns we arrived at Woodstock Farms and headed down to Mud Bay for some lunch. Looking out across the bay the boys noticed a few clusters of shore birds foraging in the tidelands. Jedidiah pulled out his binoculars and each of the boys took a turn. It was a great day by any birders standards. We spotted Surf Scoters, Goldeneye, Mergansers, Eagles, Heron, and Grebes. One of the boys also noticed that the eroding shoreline seemed to be made up of entirely of clams and oyster shells. Crawling under the overhanging bank the mentors explained to the group that this was a pile of Shell Midden leftover from the Salish peoples. Shell Midden piles can be found throughout the Salish Sea along with all types of artifacts preserved by the calcium from the shellfish. The boys were excited and wanted to dig through the pile but the mentors stopped the group, explaining that it was our job to leave this piece of natural history intact to it would be there for generations to come.

We left Mud Bay and weren’t more than five minutes up the trail when one of the boys called everyone over to puzzle at a bone that he had found. After some investigation the boys discovered that it was a salmon bone. The mentors asked the group why a salmon bone would be so far from the bay. Scanning the landscape the boys determined that it must have been a Bald Eagle feasting on the Salmon from atop a tree. The mentors pointed out that the salmon bones and carcass provide vital nutrients from the ocean to the forest, which wouldn’t be present without their journey up stream.

Nearing our second Chuckanut Road crossing we started to hear voices of what could only be the Girls Explorers Club. Sure enough we crested the hillside and there were three groups of GEC girls working on a service project. We chatted for a little while and the girls let us know that there was an owl pellet ahead on the trail. Saying our goodbyes we rounded the corner and took a close look at the owl pellet, which Jedidiah determined to be Coyote scat with Cottontail bones and fur in it. One of the Explorers pointed out that our traverse through the land was giving us a snapshot of the animals that lived and migrated through this area.

Safely across Chuckanut Drive we made some ground along the interurban trail only stopping to look at a Robin’s nest. Coming to our last Chuckanut Road crossing the group was very patient as they waited for the seemingly endless line of cars to pass by. Hiking down the steep switchbacks the boys realized they had made it to Teddy Bear Cove.

Pulling out the remnants of their lunches the boys spread out over the Sandstone bluff and soaked up the views. NOAA had forecasted heavy rain for our outing, but miraculously the day had been dry with the occasional sun break. Looking over the Olympic Mountains the sky was fiery orange and yellow and we could see the almost sheet like rain coming down in buckets. It was a great time for the boys to decompress and revel in their accomplishment.

The boys wanted to spend some time on the beach and navigated to the North side of the cove where they spent quite awhile harvesting clay from the embankment near the breakwater. This was the perfect container for the mentors to sit back as the boys engaged in free play. Their play led to two more natural history discoveries: River Otter poop and the mysterious intertidal creature called a Hooded Nudibranch.

Calling the group together we played a few rounds of Otter Steals a Fish and circled up for our closing meeting. The boys gave thanks for the fall season and for all the mystery and wonder that lives in the landscape. This closing meeting would mark the end of the first half of our 2016/17 season of traverses. Looking back we recalled each our traverses and revisited the powers and challenges of our experiences. Our mentors look forward to picking up where we left off in mid-January. Parents, dates for the second half of the 2016/17 season will be posted on the Black-tailed Deer group page by December 5^th.  We appreciate all your support and encouragement for the work we do. We hope you have a wonder Holiday break!

For more photos from our outing please visit the BTD’s photo album from the day.

Sehome Arboretum Traverse with the Black-Tailed Deer

The Black-Tailed Deer arrived at the Sehome Arboretum to a closed gate just before the lower parking lot. Upon further investigation the group found that someone had actually crashed into the gate, bending the steal pole that connected its two sides. It would need to be cut open. Fortunately for the police officers that later arrived on the scene, the driver who crashed into the gate and fled left their license plate behind!

After introducing Jedidiah Forsyth, our newest BEC staff and the Black-Tailed Deer new consistent mentor, we circled up for an opening meeting. Looking around the circle we had a few new faces to the group and there was a need to introduce ourselves, review the outing jobs, group culture, and safety. Once our focus was brought back towards our exploration, the group talked about an EC motto, turning problems into possibilities. The boys decided that even though the parents could not pick us up at the top of the Arboretum they wanted to try to complete a round trip hike and make it to the lookout tower.

Before heading up the trail Jedidiah showed the boys a skull he had recently found in the 100-Acre Wood. Jedidiah asked the group what type of animal did they think this skull belonged to? Through questioning and observation the group deciphered that it was an adult raccoon skull. Jedidiah then went on to ask them how the raccoon died. The boys puzzled over this mystery until they reached their breaking point and asked Jedidiah to reveal the mystery. Pointing out the teeth marks on top of the skull and thinking about the large mammals live in the 100-acre wood, he said it was most likely a Coyote. Through this investigation the boys learned that sometimes the answers to questions can be found when we slow down and use our observation skills and the critical thought process.

Heading out on the trail we used the group decision-making, facilitated by our Tribal Elder, to determine which trail we wanted to follow to the top. The day was beautiful and the colors of fall were abundant in the canopy of Big Leaf Maples and Red Alder. After climbing up the ridge and playing a few rounds of hide we came to a Sandstone Cliff.

The boys asked if we could follow the steep path to the bottom to do some bouldering and free exploration. The mentors felt that the boys could handle the risk management aspect of the location, but reminded the group that we are all mutually responsible for each other’s safety, and it was on that contingency that we could explore the location.

The boys bouldered on the cliff until it was time for lunch. As we ate a few of the Explorers started to lose their awareness while near the cliffs edge and the mentors decided it was time to move.

Along our journey to the lookout we discovered Banana Slugs, Vanilla Leaf, Snowberries, and Oceanspray. Arriving at the tower the boys gathered Samara seedpods from Big leaf Maples by the handful and launched them from the top of the tower. Watching the Samaras “helicopter” downwards the boys were enamored and the activity quickly turned into a game of seeing how many they could catch. The moment was spontaneous and engaging. In-between Samara launches the boys soaked up the clear views and sunshine while the mentors oriented them to the topography from Bellingham’s watershed to the Nooksack Delta. We also caught some glimpses of the Cascade Mountain peaks!

Feeling some inspiration and the crunch for time we walked to the upper parking lot where the mentors informed the group that we were going to follow the road down to the bottom of arboretum. The mentors explained that our decision to hike the road was three fold: a unique opportunity to see Sehome Arboretum’s Eastern ravines, the ability to explore road car free, and that it provided enough time for us to have a sit spot and a circle of thanks before parents arrived. This was yet another example of turning problems into possibilities. As mentors we aim to model and be transparent in front of the Explorers in our co-leadership deliberation and decision-making in the field.

Hiking down the road we admired the unique U-shaped folds in the Sandstone that seemed to run one after another down the flanks of the arboretum. Arriving at the bottom we stopped in a tall stand of Douglas fir and spent a little solo time listening to the land on a sit spot. Circling up we shared apples and thanks while we soaked up the warmth of the splendid autumn outing.

For more photos please visit the Black-Tailed Deer photo album from the outing.

The Black-Tail Deer Traverse Galby Lane to Lake Padden

The Black-Tailed Deer 2016-17 year kicked off with a traverse from Galby Lane to Lake Padden. Once we had all arrived the group headed into the woods in search of a location big enough to hold an opening meeting that was also dog poop free. Looking around the circle their was some new members of our group. The Explorers introduced themselves to one another and our guest mentor for the day Holly Rodger. Holly explained that she was covering for a new mentor named Jedidiah and that she is the coordinator of our Community Programs and a mentor for the Girls Explorers Club.

Recognizing the groups need to revisit our Explorers Club culture the mentors asked the group to think about the vital questions we ask each other before embarking on any exploration:

• What are the hazards of this location?
• What do you do if you get lost?
• What animals and plants might we encounter?
• How should we treat our fellow group members?
• What can we do to respect the place where in?
• What is our plan for the day?

Once our minds were oriented to our location the mentors explained our plan for the day and framed the skill for the Fall, Navigation. For the next three outings the group would be undergoing a series of traverses. Once the group was familiar with the nature of a traverse we handed out the jobs we would need along the way. Our Explorer Club jobs are not only ones that are required of an expedition team, they also model the interdependency we share as a group and with our natural environment.

Handing the map to our Front Scout we opened it and found our location in the South Lake Padden forest. Pulling out a compass one of the boys learned to hold their hand out flat and take a reading on which direction was North. Pairing their bearing with the map they shifted North on the map to align with North on the compass. The mentors explained that the map was now oriented with the landscape.

Quickly the boys realized there were two different way to get to our pick-up location. Looking at the topography lines and mile marker lines on the map the boys determined that one route was much longer and involved lots of elevation gain and the other was shorter and had a few interesting natural history features along the way.

Our Tribal Elder for the day circled the group up and led them in the group decision-making process. After taking a vote the group was mostly in consensus about which trail they were going to navigate, but a few wanted to take the longer route. After going around the circle and listening to the reason for each decision the group collaborated and compromised, deciding that they might go less distance on the shorter route, but would be able to explore more of the surrounding area.  

Before we headed out one of the boys revealed a feather he had found lying next to him. Examining the feather one of the boys identified it as a Woodpecker. Holly pointed out the white spots near the base and the sharp point at the end of the feather. Holly went on to explain that this point acts similarly to the tree spikes an Arborist uses to scale a tree, allowing in our case the Downy or Hairy Woodpecker to balance as it excavates the cavities in dead trees. What a cool natural history find!

Hiking down the trail the boys searched for Pileated Woodpecker cavities in trees while playing rounds of an Explorer Club favorite game of Hide! South Lake Padden has beautiful ecology; the group passed through stall stands of Western Hemlock, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, and Doug Fir. The mentors let the group know that one way we could tell this forest was a little older was by the amount of dead snags that stood throughout the forest. Looking at some of them closer the boys started to notice the stages of decomposition throughout the forest. Calling the group over the boys examined a Douglas Fir stump for fatwood (resin impregnated grains wood inside stumps that are resilient to rot) and learned that it could make excellent fire starter in a survival situation.

Coming to a junction in the trail the boys found a map of our location on small sign attached to trail marker. Orienting the map the boys used the cardinal direction to stay on their chosen traverse route. Arriving at lunch rock the group hydrated and refueled while we played a few rounds of an advanced form of Hide called Eagle’s Eye. They boys had a great time and didn’t want to leave. The mentors reminded them that we were on a traverse and need to keep better awareness of our location to the parent pick up spot.

Heading down the trail we made a few more group navigation decisions and found a giant downed Western Hemlock. Immediately the boys started to climb all over it and the mentor stopped the group reminding them to keep safety in their minds as they scaled the tall root mass. Walking the trunk of the tree over a wetland the boys navigated without touching the ground using a network of downed trees. Simultaneously we heard a Raven croakus call overhead as if marveling at our behavior. If flew right over us allowing the boys to see it large wingspan and fanned tail.

The group grew tired as we began to get closer to the Lake Padden. Stopping to look at a Maple that made an umbrella over the trail mentor Steve explained to the group the difference between Vine Maple and a Big Leaf Maple. He went on to explain that Vine Maples were extremely strong and he had used them before to ascend trail avalanche gullies in North Cascades. Hanging off of the thickest trunk the Vine Maple halfway uprooted and hung over the trail as a perfect clothesline for a oncoming biker.

The group worked for a half and hour to try and pull each section of the Vine Maple off of the trail while holding it up for oncoming trail traffic. They even enlisted the help of a fellow hiking group, but in the end all the group’s applied physics and might, couldn’t move the tree. Tying a Wild Whatcom bandana around the tree the group left the situation as best we could until the mentors were able to return with a pack saw.

Already five minutes late the group circled up and gave some thanks. The boys expressed gratitude for reconnecting with their group members, for the challenge of the traverse, for games and food, for new members and guest mentors, and for watching their mentor struggle with the puzzle of the Vine Maple incident (who in turn expressed his gratitude for humility and learning right along side of the boys).

The Black-Tailed Deer really stepped up this outing, improving their interpersonal communication and ability to speak their truths when needed. Our mentors are thankful for a strong start to our 2016-17 year and for supportive and caring families that make up this group.

For more photos from the day please visit this photo album. 

Black-Tailed Deer Exploration at Whatcom Falls Park

Saying goodbye to their parents the Black-tailed Deer gathered in the field at Whatcom Falls. Feeling a little inspiration one of the mentors showed the group a number of hand-carved utensils and a knife handle crafted out of Curly Birch and Moose Antler. The boys marveled at the implements and asked when they would be able to carve.  The mentors let group know that in a year or two they would start our Art of Carving journey and that is was the boys experience practicing our motto, The Difference Between a Tool and Weapon is You and working with one another that would tell us when they were ready for the responsibility. 

Circling up we focused for our opening meeting.

With a year under there belt in the Boys EC, the mentors though it appropriate to spend the day leading from behind. Once the Tribal Elder job was delegated he was tasked with facilitating a group decision on making a plan for the day. The only thing the mentors told the group they had to do was have a closing meeting and share some thanks at the end of the day. Going around the circle the Tribal Elder first took suggestions from the group. Capturing those suggestions he worked hard to find a sequence that fit in the many interests and requests while holding to the outing time. This was a long time for the boys to hold their focus and some started to squirrel out and derail the group. Our challenge as mentors is trying to empower the boys through group decision-making and ownership of the experience while assessing whether we have given them the proper leadership tools to make these decisions.

In the end the boys and came up with a great plan for the day; play a few field games before making our way to the waterfall then following the up creek to one of the boy’s favorite places to hunt Crayfish, and finally ending our day with a game of Spider’s Web North of the Derby Pond. Setting up a backpack boundary we played a game the boys called Infection and another called Fire in the Forest. With our spirits high and blood pumping we ventured out into the park.

We paused for a moment at the falls to admire the cascading water hitting the Sandstone.  The boys commented that the falls did not seem to be running as high as other years. This type of tracking is so important for the boy’s awareness. Noticing changes in the landscape and tracking the availability of water throughout the seasons give them appreciation for these precious life-giving resources.

Traveling onwards we spotted at a patch of Salmonberries and filed our bellies. The mentors cautioned the boys that they had been finding millipedes in the berries and had known someone whose mouth went numb after accidentally biting into one. Reminding the boys of their skill for the season the Art of Harvest: Plants, we challenged the boys to remember the rules to ethical and safe harvesting. Ambling down to the creek the boys ate lunch and practiced their balancing skills while making log bridges over the babbling creek.

Once we were full and had played a few rounds of Hide, we packed up and in search of the preferred location for Crayfish along the creek. What are a Crayfish you ask? Click here to find out more about our native Signal Crayfish, and here for a native vs. invasive Crayfish comparison chart. The Crayfish’s preferred location is hiding out in the root systems and undercuts of riverbanks. In the winter they excavate tunnels along the riverbanks making excellent insulation from the cold and shelter from predators.

With some great tracking the boys found a section of eroded riverbank tangled with exposed Red Alder roots and holes created from pockets in the Sandstone. Fashioning some dental floss with a key chain ring, which they threaded with some smoked salmon the boys plopped the bait in the water and waited patiently. Just when they were about to give up they felt a tug on the line and pulled up. To their delight a Crayfish rose to the surface clasping onto the Salmon. A soon as his body broke the surface tension with one dart of his tail the Crayfish was gone. The boys fished for a while longer, but never managed to capture the allusive crustaceans.

The boys roamed up and down the creek engaging in free exploration. Feeling the pull of the clock we gathered our stuff, but before heading out discovered a mysterious string that spanned the river. To the Explorers delight, at its end was a Crayfish trap and we were able to finally get an up close and personal view of these creatures. We identified them as either Rusty or Ringed Crayfish, both of which are invasive. 

Heading up the trail we found a dense grove of Sword Fern, Cedar, and Cottonwood and set up the Spider’s Web course. Circling up we took a moment to go over the rules and make clear agreements, touching back on our Explorers Club culture of playing games with honor. Parents, please ask your boys to explain to you about what it means to play games with honor and making clear agreements.

As we played the boys quickly learned that this game course was going to be quite challenging. The boys had to embrace the challenge of getting stuck to the spider’s web time and time again while slowly advancing the bandana. About halfway through our game the Spider and a fly got in an argument while simultaneously the other flies successfully found a sneaky path back to the web. Calling the boys over we thanked the spider for his keen eye and the challenge he provided in the game.

Sending the boys out on a sit spot before our closing meeting the two participants who had been in the disagreement crossed paths and one tried to knock a yogurt container out of the others hand, upset about how the game ended. Racing over to deescalate the situation, the Explorer kicked the boy in the shoulder. It was at this moment that the mentors had to become triangular in their leadership and put a quick stop to the violence. Keeping the group on their sit spot the mentors worked with the two participants to hear both side of the story.

As mentors we look for the powers in our challenges and the challenges in our powers. In this case it was a strong example of how our actions have consequences and affect others. For this Explorer recognition of his internalized anger and the impulse to hurt that came out of his frustration was the power that came out of the situation. Anger and frustration compound when we do not have the proper tools to voice of frustration. The mentors reminded him that the Explorers Club is a container where we create a climate of trust with one another, where we come to feel safe and amongst our peers, a place where we can be genuine and empathetic with one another, and meet and work through the challenges of building a community.

The reason that our mentors choose to write about this conflict in our blog was to keep a clear line of communication with all the parents in the group. So that when questions come up for the Explorer about what happened families have the ability to debrief the situation and use the challenge as opportunity for growth and refection. We do not shy way from conflict in the Boys EC, but instead use it as a tool for debrief and growth, while holding a firm edge for participant safety. We are all learning and growing and we all have our own struggles and hurdles as we go through our time in the program. The rest of the group’s job in these moments is to support each other through these experiences.

Closing our day we circled up and gave some thanks. The boys really brought their best to this circle and gave heartfelt gratitude while they snacked on some apples. Parents, thank you for your support and commitment to the program over the Black-Tailed Deer’s first season in Explorers Club. Our mentor’s are so thankful to walk alongside your boys as they grow in the open air and experience all that time spent out on the land has to teach.

For more photos from the day please visit the Black-Tailed Deer’s photo album from the day. 

The Black-Tailed Deer First Exploration at North Lake Whatcom

On April 16th the Black-Tailed Deer celebrated their second outing of the season. Meeting at North Lake Whatcom trailhead the morning was a little chilly, but clear skies and warm weather were starting to creep in. This was a welcome change from our last outing where the group had to grasp the nettle as they felt the full brunt of an early spring storm.  

While heading into the woods our newest mentor, Bobby Faller, expressed his excitement for the energy and enthusiasm the Black Tailed Deer bring to each exploration. The group laughed and played as they followed the wide trail towards the lake. With the lake in sight several boys made a beeline directly towards the Gravel Bar that lied ahead of us.

A few of the Explorers found interest in an informative plaque depicted the lakes mixed history of use. They were surprised to see that the land around the lake had once been completely clear-cut and that there used to be train tracks that spanned the lake. It was a powerful moment for the boys to realize that with a little planning and conservation the land could make a restorative comeback.

The group settled in by the lake for their opening meeting. Our Explorers Mentor Apprentice for the day, Logan Bartz, introduced himself and explained his role as a mentor in training. Anxious with excitement, it took the team some time to settle into a decision for the day's activities. The mentors explained that roughly 1.7 miles down the trail there was a gorgeous waterfall that no Explorers had made it to before. Enticed by the challenge, the group set off down the trail.

Along the way the group observed a boat plane landing, banana slugs galore, and amazing views of Lake Whatcom and Galbraith Mountain. Reaching the waterfall, the boys we were blown away by its beauty. The falls were comprised of a three-tiered cascade, whose steep sides were covered in lush foliage of moss, creeping Bog Cranberry, and Ocean Spray that seemed to cling on for dear life to the exposed rock. It beckoned to be explored!

The Explorers all set out on different paths. Many climbed the sides while several brave boys pushed up the rock walls of the waterfall (while under the supervision of the mentors). Here they were able to feel the cool mist coming off the falls. This was a great moment to talk with the Explorers about risk assessment and thinking things through before were are in a situation where we cannot mitigate the risk.

After exploring for some time we settled in for lunch. Once our bellies were full the group played a few rounds of Hide! A few of the boys were quite challenged by the rules of the games and felt that they were unfair. This was an important moment to talk about playing with honor and why we engage in healthy competition. The mentors reminded the group that when we compete we trade courage and give our best. Each time we are caught in a game of Hide, is a new opportunity to figure out what we did wrong and learn and grow from our experience.

With the outing already half over the boys really wanted to spend some time down at the lake. Arriving again at the lake’s shore several boys felt the beach wasn't close enough to the water and waded in. After soaking themselves they came to the realization that it was still a little early in spring to be swimming on this “nice Washington" day.

After some free exploration the team settled into sits spots all along the beach. The sit spots are wonderful reflection times. There is immense value to these times of solitude amongst the hustle and commotion of an outing. Getting quiet the boys heard the call of a Varied Thrush in the bushes and marveled at the antics of Downy Woodpecker foraging from tree to tree.

Calling the group back in from our sit spots we came back together in a circle; it was time to make a decision on what our last hour would look like. When the Explorers join in circle the mentors often take a step back and let the Explorers find solutions and engage in the process of deliberation. For half an hour the group really struggled to find a solution to meet everyone's desires and needs. The situation escalated with some harsh language exchanged as our Tribal Elder for the day struggled to find a technique that could bring the group to consensus.

Although frustration was high there were many compromises and great team communication. Reflecting on the situation the most powerful moment in this circle was when one Explorer directed all his anger towards another in an attempt to hurt him verbally. The Explorer turned towards the instigator and instead of escalating the situation with more hurtful comments, he said that what really truly hurt him was that the other Explorers could not see that the rest of the group really liked him and wanted to help him find a compromise. The mentors were floored by this comment and by this cohort’s commitment to finding a compromise.

By the end of the circle we had used up the rest of our outing time in deliberation.  The boys were frustrated and felt like they had wasted their time. The mentors let the group know that this was the most important thing we did all day. These boys are building a framework to be community leaders and peace builders. They are answering the call to stretch their edge and build bridges not walls.

We closed our day sharing apples and giving thanks by the lake. The boys gave thanks for the lake and sunny weather, for the waterfall and power of water to shape the land, for friends to explore with, for the ability to respect one another despite differences in opinions, and for opportunity to have more outings ahead of them where they can continue to try and work together and solve their disagreements. Parents, thanks so much for reading and for raising such powerful and compassionate boys. Happy trails until next time.

For more pictures from the day please visit the Black-Tailed Deer photo album.