Under drizzly skies Tim and I found shelter under the immense branches of a spruce tree in whatcom falls park. We didn’t have to wait long for the excited explorers to show up. It is always such a pleasure to see the boys excited no matter the weather, and their excitement is contagious enough to make me forget the weather as well. Happily we waited in the rain talking and sharing stories from our Winter season. Soon we had all the Explorers and headed into the woods.
Without fail the huge stone bridge that crosses Whatcom creek stops every group that goes over it. We hung our heads over watching the mesmerizing splash of water hitting rocks. We spied several birds flitting along the fringe of water and air. We made our way toward the slope that ran down toward the creek. Before making our way out onto the rocks that skirted the creek we stopped the boys to have a quick conversation about the hazards of going close to the creek on a wet day such as this. The boys raised each others awareness to the fact that the rocks were slippery from the rain and that we should not get too close to the edge or move too quickly while on the rocks. Sometimes all it takes in these moments is to slow the boys down enough to make good risk management decisions based on their own observations.
Without fail the huge stone bridge that crosses Whatcom creek stops every group that goes over it. We hung our heads over watching the mesmerizing splash of water hitting rocks. We spied several birds flitting along the fringe of water and air. We made our way toward the slope that ran down toward the creek. Before making our way out onto the rocks that skirted the creek we stopped the boys to have a quick conversation about the hazards of going close to the creek on a wet day such as this. The boys raised each others awareness to the fact that the rocks were slippery from the rain and that we should not get too close to the edge or move too quickly while on the rocks. Sometimes all it takes in these moments is to slow the boys down enough to make good risk management decisions based on their own observations.
We scrambled up a steep hillside and moved off trail and into the thick undergrowth where the Roosevelt Elk Calves are most at home. At the top of this hill the boys were immediately drawn to the giant root ball of an upturned Douglas Fir. The tree had left a deep depression in the grown with the roots reaching a good ten feet above this hole. Quickly the Roosevelt Elk Calves began laying sticks on the roots to create a fort. Though not quite a fully insulated and waterproof earth shelter like we had made in our fall season it was cool to see the boys using the same basic skills we had learned with shelter building to turn this root ball into a fort.
The boys continued to work on the fort; laying bark shingles over it, creating doors and other features, and using their creativity to turn this upturned root into a very cool fort. Afternoon like this where the whole group is collaborating on one project and using their creativity and imagination are truly magical to witness.
The Fort construction reached it’s peak so the group shifted gears. The Earth skills focus for our season is Navigation and particularly navigating without the aid of maps or compasses. This skill is an empowering one and can allow us to travel deeper into the woods we love to explore. The boys gathered as Tim and I began to explain Songlines (an old navigation technique) to the boys. We split into two groups intending to each make up our own songline then share ours with the other group in hopes of retracing eachothers steps.
The Fort construction reached it’s peak so the group shifted gears. The Earth skills focus for our season is Navigation and particularly navigating without the aid of maps or compasses. This skill is an empowering one and can allow us to travel deeper into the woods we love to explore. The boys gathered as Tim and I began to explain Songlines (an old navigation technique) to the boys. We split into two groups intending to each make up our own songline then share ours with the other group in hopes of retracing eachothers steps.
After about twenty minutes we met back up ready to take navigate each others songlines. It was a great activity full of laughter and fun. Some of the Songlines the boys made up were very poetic with rimes and clever word choice to describe the landscape. Parents, next time you are out hiking with your Explorers ask them to teach you how to do a songline you will be both impressed by their navigation skills as well as their ability to rhyme and creatively explain their environment.
After the Songlines we gathered to have our closing circle and share our thanks and apples. The Roosevelt Elk Calves did a great job collaborating and making group decisions it has been really great to see this group grow together even in the course of just a few seasons. As always thank you explorers for your continual energy and curiosity and thank you parents for your support every season. Make sure to check out our photo galleryfor more pictures!
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