Black-Tailed Deer Build a Sturdy Shelter at North Galbraith Mountain Trailhead

The Black-Tailed Deer met at the busy trailhead on North Galbraith Mountain looking well prepared for the rain that awaited them mid-day. Doing their best to stay out of the way of the trail runners and mountain bikers the boys found a quiet spot off the trail and settled in for an opening meeting.

Adam prompted the group asking them what they remembered about shelter building from our outing with the Gray Wolves at Stewart Mountain. The Explorers recalled quite a bit of the process, which was refreshing for the mentors to hear. Adam let the group know that our goal for the outing was to find a location off the trail where we could build a shelter to leave to let weather the winter storms until we returned in late February to check up on it.

After passing out jobs and revisiting the role of the Leader of the Day (LOD), we were off. Looking around the forest signs of the recent storm were everywhere and although dangerous in the moment, had provided our group with the resources needed to build a shelter. We could not have been but ten minutes down the trail when the boys called to play a round of Hide and take a snack break.

Looking across the woods the boys spotted some freshly made bike jumps. The mentors could see that the group wanted to run them, but it was an important time to talk about being respectful trails users and staying off the jumps. Adam let the group know that if we were to run the jumps, especially when they were muddy we could cause divots, which would throw off the bikers when using them. The boys marveled at the jumps’ construction and the amount of dirt that had been moved to create them.

Following alongside the trail the group came to a clearing, which had been recently logged. This came as a shock to some of the group and one Explorer expressed that he wished that no one would log the forest. This led to a great discussion regarding our give and take relationship with the land. In the end the boys recognized that given our current methods of constructing houses we did need to log some areas of the forest. The mentors also let the boys know that the way this forest had been logged was not sustainable and damaging to a majority of our native species and waterways.

Hiking along further we came across a young opossum that had been hit and killed by a logging truck. The tragic end to the opossum’s life provided us the opportunity to take a close look at its fascinating feet and teeth. Entering the forest on the other side of the clearing we circled up to focus on our task for the day.

The mentors let group know that the skill of shelter building could saves their lives if an emergency situation were to arise and invoke the needed to spend a night out in the forest. The group thought back to the young mountain bikers they witnessed flying off the jumps earlier and said that one day they might be engaging in similar activities without the supervision of their parents. The mentors went on to explain that the risk of injury is very high with these activities and it is important to act preventatively, but always be prepared for the worst.

After sharing a personal story and some lore about Earth shelters, the mentors handed the reigns over to the Leader of the Day and the boys worked through a decision deciding to spend an hour building the shelter and then use the rest of their day to playing Spider’s Web and Eagle’s Eye.

The group went out in search of location to build the shelter and with some mentor direction the boys found the ideal spot that was: close to building materials, had a abundance of leaves to gather, and would be safe from environmental hazards like falling trees and pooling water. Gathering around a fallen Big Leaf Maple the mentors worked individually with the Explorers to cut sections of the tree using a pack saw. The Explorers really took to the challenge and used the tool with respect and care.

Once the Y poles were in place, our ridgepole was set, and the ribs were put on the sides of the shelter the boys started collecting leaves. This was the perfect task because it had been pouring rain and the work provided us the opportunity to generate some heat under our jackets. After a solid hour of work the group had created an impressive Earth Shelter with two feet of debris on top. The boys climbed inside and low and behold it kept the rain out and was quiet warm.  Nice job Black-Tailed Deer!

Circling up back at our packs we debriefed the experience commending the group for picking an excellent location to build their shelter, which turned out to be the driest spot in the forest during the downpour. Looking around the circle a few Explorers were getting cold and it was an opportunity to revisit how our clothing layering system worked and pass out some extras gear to those who needed it.

Checking in with the LOD, the mentors let him know that it was important to revisit our plan to see if it still made sense given the weather. A leader, the mentors explained is constantly assessing the situation and adjusting the goals of an outing to fit the needs of the group. Checking in with his peers the LOD discovered that some group members were too cold to play a slow moving game like Spider’s Web and decided to go with playing Eagle’s Eye and eating some food under the shelter of a large Western Red Cedar.

We ended our day with a few fun rounds of the game and powerful circle of thanks. Parents please make sure to tell your Black-Tailed Deer thanks on behalf of the mentors for their engagement and focus on our outing and for their part in contributing to strong first half to their third year in Explorers Club.

Before we headed out we reminded the group that we were tracking their behavior to assess when they would be ready to use knives.  The way the BTD used the pack saw during the outing showed us that they were ready, but their use of sticks and minding their blood circles while building the shelter gave us pause. Our aim is for the group to begin to use knives by the last few outings of Spring 2018.

Parents please watch the Knife Skills and Safety video with your Explorer(s) and ask them to explain our motto, The Difference Between a Tool and a Weapon is You and how to maintain a proper Blood Circle. Thanks for your support, trust, and encouragement for the work we do!

For pictures from our shelter-building outing please visit this photo album from the day.

The Black-tailed Deer learn Shelter-Building with the Gray Wolves at Stewart Mountain

The Black-tailed Deer met at the North Lake Whatcom Trailhead ready for a day of shelter building, but were a quickly confused to find elder Explorers being dropped of at the same location. The group learned that the Gray Wolves would be joining them for the first half of their skills outing to teach them how to build shelters. Circling up in a large group the boys introduced themselves and played a large game of All My Friends to break the ice.

Before heading out the mentor’s front loaded that with over twenty-five of us exploring together we needed to be considerate of other park users on the trail and mind our volume level. A mentor let the group know that he knew of a location where Whatcom County Parks had been clearing lots of Big Leaf Maple and Alder in order to expand the Chanterelle Trail. The new Chanterelle trail connects with the Wickersham Truck Trail that ascends Stewart Mountain and offers spectacular views of Lake Whatcom, the Salish Sea, and the Olympic Mountains.

Closing our opening meeting the group headed up the steep trail towards our shelter location. It turned out that the Gray Wolves were speedy hikers and the Black-Tailed Deer did an excellent job of keeping up with them without complaint.

Arriving at the shelter location the group plopped down and ate some lunch. The BTD figured that some calories and a few sips of water would bring the focus that they needed to engage with the shelter-building task. This type of tracking is exciting to see as a mentor because it means that the boys are beginning to listen to their bodies and learning to anticipate their needs.

While the group lunched the Gray Wolves got out their knives and spent some time carving. The BTD really gravitated towards this skill and asked when they would be able to engage in it. The mentors explained that the Gray Wolves had put in the time and effort to learn the preliminary skills associated with carving as well as demonstrated that they were ready to hold this large responsibility.

Circling up one of the mentors explained that finding a shelter building location that is close to building materials, life sustaining resources, and in a safe location was the first critical step in building a survival shelter, and an often overlooked step in the process. After a helpful story about a famous wilderness traveler named Tom Brown learning to build shelters as a child by watching a squirrel construct it’s nest the group was oriented and ready to begin.

Breaking apart into two groups with mixed ages the boys began to search for two Y-sticks that would form the entrance to the shelter and make a platform for the ridgepole upon which the mass of the shelter would rest. The boys found a ridgepole that was one and a half times as long as the Explorer’s and placed it. They then started to position the shelter’s ribs, weaving dead Sword Fern and downed Western Hemlock branches into the gaps.

Building shelters is a great time to talk with the Explorers about our principles of harvesting from the forest. In a true survival situation one might take whatever resources necessary to sustain themselves, but our shelter-building skill outings are focused on learning and practicing this skill, which is why mentors are much more careful about what we allow Explorers to take from the land. If your Explorer(s) are looking to continue practicing this skill logging lands in the fall are great places to start, by utilizing dead and downed materials.

Once the basic structure of the shelters were in place the group got to gathering fallen Big Leaf Maple leaves to pile on top of each one. To build a waterproof shelter there needs to be three feet of debris on all sides of their shelter as well as on the inside. The boys devised a creative way to gather the leaves by tying their jacket sleeves together and using them as baskets. When we reached our stopping point the boys had roughly a foot and a half of leaves on their shelter, but regardless of their progress it was time to put their creations to the test.

Each group had a chance to present their shelter construction and share some of the powers and challenges in building it. After their presentation one brave Explorer climbed into each shelter and a few boys poured some of their water bottles over the top. Although most of the water splashed off the Explorers both got a little wet. Looks like the Gray Wolves and the Black-tailed Deer still need some practice!

After packing up our gear the groups did an excellent job of dispersing their materials and trying to minimize their impact. Way to go Explorers!

Waving goodbye to the group the BTD headed a little further up the Chanterelle trail in search of a viewpoint. A little tired and hungry the group decided to turn around and made a group decision to hoof it down the logging road and stop by the power line clearing for a view along the way, and then ending their day playing a round of Spider’s Web in the lowland Cedar grove by the parking lot.

It turned out that this location was one of the best locations the group had ever come across for a game of Spider’s Web. The Sword Ferns were so tall that the group could crawl on their bellies through the entire length of the course without being seen. Boys and mentors both would pop up from their hiding spot confused about their current location because they had been crawling for so long. This left the hungry spider with the advantage and he quickly stuck them to his web. Our game was fun, exciting, challenging, and ended the day on a high note.

Circling up we shared our thanks and the group reflected on how they had enjoyed sharing their outing and learning from the Gray Wolves. Opportunities for tiered mentoring within our program affords much need connection time between age ranges that often do not get the opportunity. These moments call for leadership, investment, and modeling from the Elder Explorers and encourage the Youngers to aim beyond the target, stretch their edges, and embrace our Explorers Club culture.

Our mentors are thankful for the eventful and rich experience that our day together provided and we appreciate all the support and encouragement we receive from our EC families.

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

Black-Tailed Deer Explore the Rock Trail in the Rain

The Black-Tailed Deer arrived at the Rock Trail exited to reconnect and venture into the most challenging terrain they had explored yet. The boys circled up for the opening meeting where they met their new mentor, Adam Yost, as well as an Explorer who was new to the group. After introductions with a silly name game and some front loading of safety and orienting to the location the group was off. 

Before leaving the mentors explained that it was through their demonstration of responsibility and leadership over the last two years that allowed our mentors to feel comfortable exploring this location.

As we rounded the ridge line of Chuckanut Mountain the boys stopped at a set of over a hundred stairs carved downward straight into the side of the mountain. Traversing down the steps the group marveled at the skinny trail before them that skirted massive Sandstone cliffs. Following the trail they discovered a boulder field laden with Licorice Ferns, Sphagnum Moss, and Stone Crop draping over the boulders like blankets.

The group decided that this was a great place to stop and explore. Dropping their packs they scrambled on the boulders, lunched, and took a close look at a Pacific Tree Frog that hopped onto one of the boys rain jackets. After spending a half-hour in free exploration the mentors circled the group up so the leader of the day could help the group decide how to best use the rest of the time left in the outing.

Nestled under the umbrella-like needles of a Western Hemlock we circled up and the leader of the day took a crack at facilitating the discussion. We quickly realized that there were strong opinions amongst the members of the group. The mentors helped the boys understand that the first step in making a decision was to take all solutions from the group without evaluating them. After going around the circle the L.O.D found that there was three main suggestions on the table: head to the Sandstone caves, try and make it to the lake to explore, or find a place to play a game.

After taking a vote the majority of the group wanted to explore the caves as they felt that the two hours left before we needed to turn around wouldn’t leave enough time to explore the lake once we got there. Feeling that the decision was made the L.O.D. informed the group that we were going to the caves. The mentors interjected at this point that it was important to remember that decisions in Explorer Club are not made by majority, but through consensus and collaboration.

The minority of the group advocated for the lake and dug in their heels, bringing some members of the group to the verge of tears, discouragement, and dismay. The mentors pushed the group to stick with the process and find a place of consensus, and after twenty valuable minutes the group reached a collaborative decision. 

The mentors praised the group for their efforts; for engaging in what it means to be a community and for their perseverance and spirit of peace building. Parents please debrief this experience with your Explorer. We encourage you to ask them what it felt like to be part of that process and how they felt about the solution.

Heading out from the shelter of the Hemlocks we made our way down to the caves. Through the spirit of exploration and playfulness the group lifted the heavy energy of the circle as they crawled and climbed in the caves, seeing how many Explorers could fit in the largest one. It’s easy to see the growing comfort the boys feel in the landscape. Covered in Sandstone dust and soaking wet the group looked right at home.

After our allotted time at the caves the group made our way down the switch-backing trail to the lake with just enough time to get a view. Turning around for the 600 feet elevation gain the wind started to pick up. It was an important time to talk about staying hyper vigilant amidst side conversations as we pushed up the trail. After a summer of drought coupled with the fact that the deciduous trees still had their leaves increased their surface area and their left limbs and roots systems vulnerable to failure.

The boys did an excellent job of grasping the nettle as they mustered their energy up the trail. Circling up at the location where we had our opening meeting the group gave thanks and shared apples. Although challenging at times the group shared unanimous thanks for the rain that makes our landscape so rich and vibrant and the opportunity to venture out in this new location.

Parents please tell your Explorers thanks on behalf of Adam and I for bringing a strong start to our 2017-18 year. Also check in with your Explorer about the group’s proposed name change to the “Rain Deer”. This name change marks the Black-Tailed Deer’s ongoing tradition of embracing the wind and rain while on outings. We told the boys to write down any new name ideas for the group and bring them to the next outing.

For more pictures from the day please visit the Black-Tailed Deer photo album from our Rock Trail outing.

Turning Problems into Possibilities with the Black-Tailed Deer at Clayton Beach

The mentors arrived at Cleator Road for their Rock Trail adventure with the Black-Tailed Deer only to find an event coordinator redirecting traffic away from the road!  The coordinator informed them that the Chuckanut 50k was currently underway, and that there would be hundreds of runners on Cleator Road! With some on the fly thinking the mentors scooped up the group at the bottom of the road and changed course to head to the Clayton Beach trailhead.

Water poured out of every drainage in the Chuckanuts and the birdcalls filled the air as we hiked along the interurban trail. Stopping along the side of the trail for an opening meeting the mentors talked with the group about the importance of rain gear on a day like this. A few of the Explorers choose not to heed the mentor’s advice and the leaders thought is best to let the boys learn by natural consequence. After handing out jobs and introducing our EMA for the day, Cole Zecha from the eldest group in the BEC, we were ready to formulate a plan for the afternoon.  Nominating a Tribal Elder the boys were squirrely and the mentors had to rein in the circle a few times.  We presented two options to the group and the boys unanimously choose to hike to Clayton Beach.

Continuing along the trail the signs of spring were abundant throughout the forest. The mentors took a moment to introduce the group the beautiful flowers of the Pink-flowering currant and the bitter cucumber tasting leaves of an Indian Plum shrub. The groups also spotted a nest of an unidentified raptor nestled in an eroded Sandstone cave nearly forty feet in the air. The group pulled out their binoculars and tried to get a closer look to see if anything was in the nest. At that moment the frontrunner of the Chuckanut 50k was spotted heading down the trail towards us. It was time to put away our binoculars and keep our awareness up. The Explorers did an excellent job moving to the side of the trail for the runners and were actually quite excited to witness the race in action.

Arriving at the Fragrance Lake Trailhead the group looked tired and called for a snack. This was the perfect time to talk with the group about an EC motto that would help guide our attitude for the day:

            Turning Problems into Possibilities - We understand that what may look like a    problem can transform – with our help – into a possibility. We work to see how         we can shift a situation, and our attitude, to come up with solutions.

Safely across Cuckanut Drive the group lunched under the cover of the amphitheater, peeling of their soaking jackets while they laughed and joked together. Refueled the boys headed out along the coastal bluff trail south of Larrabee in route to Clayton Beach. As we hiked the group noticed that many of the Western Red Cedars were partially stripped of their bark. Stopping at one particularly maimed cedar the mentors pointed out that the person who did this harvesting clearly did not understand their impact. They had not only harvested from an improper location, but had also taken far too much cedar bark from one area.

This was a great opportunity to mention what type of land designation we were venturing through and why it is important that we really practice and understand Earth Skills so that we don’t do considerable damage to the areas that we love. The boys seemed to internalize this message and felt the weight of the harvester’s actions and the impact it would have on all State Park users who visited the location in the future. 

Cresting over a rise in the trail the boys heard the voices of another group of Explorers. Immediately we got on our bellies and stalked the other group. It was not too long before they found us and we joined with the elder Explorer group, the Gray Wolf Pups, to see what they were up to it. It is powerful for the younger Explorers to mix with the elders because they get a great taste of where they can go in the program if they stay committed and engaged.

Mustering their energy the group made one last push to Clayton Beach. Within fifteen minutes the boys had all but flooded their boots and soaked their bottom layers in the saltwater. One boy even decided to dive head first into the surf. Sensing some urgency, the mentors circled up the boys and had a talk about preventative thinking and consequently how to recognize the stages of hypothermia.

Within a few minutes a few the soaked Explorers were shaking and feeling the full weight of their decision. Fortunately for those Explorers they had some extra gear in their packs to change into. It is amazing what lessons the natural world can easily teach our participants that a mentor would struggle to impart. For this group it was a great time to check their egos and understand that they too are in charge of their own safety as well as the groups.

Our intention was to do some nature journaling on the beach, but with cold participants we choose to spend the next half an hour running up and down the sand dune. We ended our day with a sit spot and the modified task of drawing something that we were thankful for. The boys really responded well to our activity and brought back some heartfelt thanks from their sit spot. The mentors again brought the Explorers focus back to our motto for the day, Turning Problems into Possibilities. We let the group know that our original plan was to search for invertebrates and salamanders at lost Lake and explore the Rock Trail, but we ended up at Clayton Beach. Thank goodness we did too, because if we had not been faced with the challenge of having to find a new location we wouldn’t have gotten to explore Clayton Beach, see all the wonderful signs of spring, meet the Gray Wolf Pups, and learn a powerful lesson about exploring outside in the winter months.

Jedidiah and I are thankful for another great outing with the BTD, the flexibility of parents in response to our location mix-up, and for Cole joining us as an Explorers mentor Apprentice.

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