The Black-tailed Deer arrived at a bustling North Galbraith
Mountain Trailhead ready to continue where they left off carving during our
last family gathering. Circling up for an opening meeting the mentors shared
the day’s plan with the group. First was to have the Explorers navigate their way
back to the shelter they built in November and see how it had faired throughout
the winter storms. Second was to harvest some carving wood from the logging
lands along the way and spend some time reviewing our carving protocols before
working on making chopsticks and tent pegs. Lastly take a sit spot for some
reflection time.
Giving the reigns over to the Leader of the Day the boys
amended the mentors’ plan by adding playing a game to the list. We asked the
boys to think back to the first shelter-building day we had at Galbraith. The
boys remembered how cold and rainy it was and getting drenched as we moved
through the logging clear-cuts. A few of the boys shared how they had taken
their parents back to the shelter over the holiday break. Comments like these
affirm our work as mentors. These statements demonstrate not only the
connections these boys are forming with their environment, but also for the enthusiasm
they have for our Earth skills, games, and as a group. Brain Mulligan, a long-term
mentor of the BEC who was subbing for Adam on our outing, reflected on the
group’s enthusiasm at the end of the day; he spoke about how infectious the
group climate was and its ability to add richness and depth to the group’s
experience.
Hiking alongside the bike dumps in route for our shelter we
stopped to smell the cucumber-like fragrance of the budding Indian Plum leaves.
It was unclear to us whether these buds were a little early, but at any rate a
much welcomed sign of spring.
Stepping out in the sunshine filled logging clearing the
group pulled out their lunch and basked in the warmth of the sun. After the
Explorers had fueled up the mentors tasked them with sifting through the
immense piles of logging debris for the perfect piece of carving wood. After
about a half an hour of searching the boys came back with a diversity of wood
and many opinions. Taking a look at what the boys harvested the mentors had the
opportunity to discuss green, seasoned, and decaying wood along with different
trees’ strengths and abilities to be carved and shaped.
Pulling out a bag of carving creations the group marveled at
the myriad of butter knives, chopsticks, tent pegs, spoons, and forks. The
mentors encouraged the group to start out carving a tent peg or chopstick as a
first project. Chopsticks are a great first carving project because they
promote long and steady knife passes, teach the ability to turn an object into
a cylinder, and require patience.
Sending the boys out on a sit spot with their piece of wood
the mentors asked them to come back with an intention for their project. Having
an intention for a carving project not only prevents injury and misuse of
knives but also allows the carver to make best use of out of their wood.
After their sit spot and reviewing our Explorer Club carving
guidelines the boys spread out and focused in on their projects. Parents,
please ask your Explorer what they worked on and the guidelines for safe
carving. A few minor cuts and a many wood shavings later we packed up in search
of our shelter.
Passing through the logging lands we came on the fringe on
an older grove of cedars. The boys honed a trajectory and with some route
finding they found their shelter! The group was excited to reconnect with it.
Ezra, our Explorers
Mentor Apprentice for the outing, was tasked with assessing the shelter for
it’s location, strength, and construction. Ezra explained that the shelter had
weathered the storms quite well as it was in the same location and no trees or
branches had toppled on it. He was also impressed with it’s the strength and
construction. The debris piled on top of the shelter had compacted quite a bit
but it ended up just needing another layer.
After Ezra’s glowing review the group celebrated with a game
of Eagle’s Eye and came together for
a circle of thanks. The boys gave thanks for togetherness, for their shelter,
for the wood that grew and gave them the chance to carve, for EMA’s and mentors
who cared about them and showed them special skills, and for the weather. What a pleasure it was to be out on the land
with the Black-tailed Deer in the crisp clear winter air. Their
lightheartedness as a group and zeal for Exploring is infectious and
encouraging and our mentors and EMA’s can’t wait join in service with them at
Connelly Creek.
For more pictures please visit the Black-tailed Deer photo album from the
day.
