The Roosevelt Elk Calves arrived at the 100 Aker Wood ready for a day of exploration and connection. As the group gathered, mentors could already tell that there was a strong cohesion amongst many of the Explorers. This outing was not only the first for the Roosevelt Elk Calves; it was a first for fellow mentor Grey Schayes and me to lead together. Being a bit of an unseasoned duo and with a little breakdown in communication we forgot the camera. On the fly Greg used his phone to capture some photos. Unfortunately, many of these photos did not turn out due to the rainy day and we only ended up with a few. I would like to personally apologize to all the parents for this mistake. We as mentors understand these blog reports are a window into the world of Explorer’s Club. The images from the day help to paint the story of the day and capture the candid moments.
It seemed that right about the time that we said goodbye to our parents dark clouds creeped over our heads and soon we started to feel a little sprinkle. We quickly circled up in the grass field to play an opening game. Circling up in Explorer’s Club is a very important culture we try to build right off the bat. A circle brings us together and is how we begin and end our day. In our circles we give thanks, tell our stories, speak our truths, and reflect on our experiences. A circle models our equality, inclusion, and common ground. The circle is also the model for how we lead in Explorer’s Club. In a circle everyone has a voice and no one holds more decision making power over another. Explorers are able to remind each other of this through our motto, we are all leaders.
After explaining our circle culture mentors went directly into a game of Name Tag. This memory game proved to be quite a challenge because the Roosevelt Elk Calves have two sets of identical twins. After some playful rounds out in the open the rain started to soak us. The Explorer’s body language went from open and animated to huddled and lethargic. Mentors took this opportunity to explain to the group the importance of being preventative on outings in order to stay warm and dry. We learned the Three W’s of clothing layering: Wicking the base layer, Warmth the insulating layer and Wind the outer layer for rain and wind; with this system we can explorer in any type of weather. Realizing we need to move Greg asked the group to grab their packs and bolt across the field with him to the shelter of the 100 Aker Wood.
Taking shelter under a Cedar on the edge of the 100 Aker Wood we held our first opening meeting. We started off our meeting asking the same question mentors ask each new group, where are we right now? The 100 Aker Wood has been a Boys Explorer’s Club stomping grounds for over five years. After taking some time to recognize and appreciate our surroundings, mentors checked in with each Explorer about their summer and handed out a job to each. Our jobs in the outings create an interdependency within our group and with the land that we explorer in. They also allow for the deepening of our leadership and Earth skills. These jobs range from a Medicine Man who carries the Ouch Pouch full of Band-Aids to our Tribal Elder who helps the group make decisions. At this point the group made a unanimous decision to give our bodies some caloric fuel in order to make it through the rest of the meeting. Meetings on the first day always run a little longer than others. The Explorers started fidget and squirm and were ready to get into the woods, however the mentors held the circle for a little longer to discuss one more major topic, safety. In our outings the mentors give the boys quite a bit of freedom but we always ask that the boys stay within sound distance. In order to stay within sound distance we must always be listening for the Crow Call; this is the Explorer’s Club personalized call for assembly. Crow Call is one example of the systems of trust we create within the group in order to stay safe. This trust blossoms as we grow and eventually allows us to deepen our skills to multiday backpacking trips.
After what felt like forever the Explorers had made it through their first meeting and it was time to get out in those woods. We past through a maze of Hawthorne as the rain poured down on us, so we took shelter under the canopy of old growth Western Red Cedar. There, mentors introduced the Art of Camouflage. The Art to Camouflage starts with one of the most quintessential Explorer’s Club games, Hide! Through many rounds of hiding from our fellow Explorers we learned how to blend into our surrounding utilizing: shape, size, color, light and shadow, movement, and sound. We also learned how to break up our image using intersecting lines, literally disappear into the landscape.
After a few rounds one mentor told of a famous tracker named Tom Brown Jr, who was also very skilled in the Art of Camouflage. Tom Brown has been instrumental in teaching and writing tracker and survival skill books from knowledge handed down to him. Tom runs a tracking school near the Pine Barrens of New Jersey and is occasionally hired to track for for the police. One day Tom was tasked with the challenge of catching a fugitive who had escaped into the Pine Barren wildlands. Tom slowly stole the man’s clothing and gear throughout the course of five days as he followed in the footsteps of the fugitive. The fugitive eventually surrendered on his own, only in his underwear, without any of his gear. The fugitive never saw Tom once; he was truly a master of camouflage and stealth.
After this story we all felt inspired to deepen our awareness skills with some challenges. Earlier in the day mentors had set up activity called the Camouflage Gauntlet. We hiked over the starting line as explained the rules to the group. Mentors carefully placed pipe cleaners throughout the side of a trail to model the different forms of camouflage we experimented with during the games of hide. The Explorers had to use their awareness and Owl Eyes to spot as many pipe cleaners as they could, while they Fox Walked down the trail. If you would like to know how to use your Owl Eyes or your Fox Walk please ask your explorer.
This outing truly proved to be a test of our endurance and attitudes. The Roosevelt Elk Calves really started to bond and grow as a group, adding three new mottos to their group culture; grasp the nettle, we are all leaders andattitude of gratitude. Once again the 100 Aker Wood tested, challenged and welcomed in a new group of boys and they emerged with more character and a deepened connection to this place. We ended our day with a closing meeting and a circle of thanks. We practiced the attitude of gratitude in our circle and each person shared one thing they are thankful for. As a mentor I can tell you honestly that a genuine thanks in these circles fills me with humility, joy, and appreciation. The boys gave thanks for: the weather, 100 Aker Wood, shelter, warmth, food, friends, family, the Autumnal Equinox, challenges and comradery.
Mentors would like to thank all you all for the opportunity to explore with these individuals as all we learn and grow. Please visit our photo gallery to view the few pictures that turned out from our outing.
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