Tracking at Clayton Beach with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

Hiking into the ravine

The Roosevelt Elk Calves arrived at Clayton Beach on a drizzly Pacific Northwest morning ready to explore. Starting things off we circled up to discuss our plan for the day, introduce our new skills focus of the Art of Tracking, and introduce the Roosevelt Elk Calves new mentor Chris. With our logistics out of the way it was time to explore. Focusing up we navigated that hazardous Chuckanut Drive to get down into the ever popular forested ravine just below the big stair case.

  

Hearing a loud rushing sound in the distance, and recalling how much rain we had, it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise when we turned a corner and saw the massive amount of water rushing through the ravine. This may not have been too significant to the average adventurer, but this group has been here before during the spring and summer when water levels are merely a trickle. Witnessing the vast fluctuation, and power of so much water rushing down from the Chuckanuts, was a powerful moment for these Explorers and their reaction spoke to the depth of their connection to this place. 

Playing in the overflow of the creek

  

After spending some time discussing how to navigate the risk of increased stream flow, and walking through risk management analysis using our “S.T.O.P.P” model (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan, Proceed) we agreed upon a set of guidelines to help us explore safely. We dropped our packs and perused up and down the stream finding countless things to occupy ourselves from trying to make a bridge across the creek to tossing sticks into the rushing water and watching them crash down the powerful waterfall. With a quick group circle we came to a consensus to skip out on a game of Spider’s Web to make an early move down to the beach.

Hiking down to the beach we appreciated a break in the rain. Being careful to cross the train tracks together as a group after ensuring no trains were nearby we finally arrived at the sandy beach. Of course we had to spend some time exploring, but soon transitioned to an introduction into the Art of Tracking. While gathering up in a circle and settling in for a story about tracking, a Bald Eagle came soaring up the coastline and over our heads. Pausing to observe the eagle, we were privileged to witness it turn on its wings, begin to descend towards the beach only to swoop down and snatch up a fish right in front of the group. Perhaps the eagle wanted to show off for us or, more likely, it was just hungry. Either way we reveled in the moment before moving on with our lesson.

Exploring the rocks at Clayton Beach

Without any more interruptions from hungry eagles, we learned how to perceive the Art of Tracking as learning how to read a book. Each track represents a letter, each set 2-4 tracks (biped/quadruped) represents a word, a string of tracks in line a sentence, a string of tracks plus environmental variables a paragraph, a line of tracks within context developing over time and distance creating multiple layers of paragraphs creating a story. Every animal leaves track and sign that is left for us to interpret and piece together the letters into words, into sentences, into paragraphs, into the animal’s story. With this perspective, we transitioned to practical application. Utilizing the sand we practiced walking, running, and crawling on all fours to see what signs we left. Next we embodied different animals using “animal forms” to glean insight into animal locomotion and what sort of evidence is left behind. Of course with how playful this group is, we were soon lined up and getting ready for an “Animal Forms Relay Race” where each group had to take turns going down and back as a different animal. No one knows who won, but I think in the end we all did as we not only learned a bit about tracking, but had a blast doing so. 

On your marks, get set, go!

And they're off...

Its going to be a photo finish!

With some extra time left we decided to spend the remainder of the outing exploring the beach, searching for crab under rocks, climbing on sandstone, and looking around at all the dog tracks to glean some more wisdom into the Art of Tracking. The Roosevelt Elk Calves demonstrated their trademark enthusiasm for exploration and play, but were able to channel that fun-loving attitude into an excitable energy for learning a new skill. If this group keeps things up we are going to have a ton of fun this spring as we continue delving into the Art of Tracking and understanding the intricacies of the natural world.

Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!

Roosevelt Elk Calves Harvest from the Past at North Galbraith

Meeting up for the first time since winter break, the Roosevelt Elk Calves gathered at North Galbraith Mountain Trailhead eager to explore the varied landscape. Heading out, we trekked down the trail toward the bike jumps and our still standing debris shelters from the fall! Taking a break to inspect our handy work with the debris shelters and cruise along the bike jumps, we gathered up for an opening circle to discuss our plans for the day. Not only did we have an Explorer from the Jumping Mice on a make-up outing, but we also had a volunteer from Western who was tagging along to gather video, photos, and do some interviews to put together a short film for Wild Whatcom. It was rather amusing for the mentors to see how little effect having a paparazzi along for the outing had on them. Perhaps they were just too immersed in exploring, free play, and getting outside with their buddies.

Getting a good run on the bike jumps

After our opening circle, we dropped down into the recently deforested section of Galbraith Mountain where we took some time to absorb the transformation of this location. Once a Boys Explorers Club stomping ground where many a game of Spider’s Web and Life and Death in the Forest had been played, the landscape had been completely transformed with heaps of debris piled high and only a few Big Leaf Maples standing sporadically upon the landscape. Not only did this offer a great opportunity to observe the different ways humans interact with the natural world, but it also offered up a bounty of downed Western Red Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, and many other harvestable materials. We even had a great opportunity to check out a massive widow-maker where the top of a maple snapped off and got snagged on a lower section of the tree. 

Traveling through the deforested landscape

Checking out the widow-maker and learning about its impact on the tree

Moving through the deforested land we dropped down to a creek where the forest was preserved to keep the stream safe from erosion. This sliver of untouched forest was the perfect spot to settle in and talk for a bit about The Art of Harvest; our focus for the spring. The Roosevelt Elk Calves demonstrated their growth as a group while they sat in a circle and had a conversation about what we harvest, how we harvest, and what the term “harvest” means to us. The mentors made a point to not provide a definition of harvest, rather let the group develop their own definition of harvest. This was a great example of the maturation of this group as they each shared unique perspectives on what harvest can mean and even dove into ethics of harvest and how it varies from person to person (unprompted!). With our discussion wrapped up it was time to transition to a group decision making process to determine how we would spend the rest of the outing.

Building a bridge during free play

As the Tribal Elder took over, the Explorers took turns sharing how they wanted to spend the outing. They collaborated, compromised, and came to a consensus. Kicking things off with some free play and exploration, we later relocated to a denser section of forest to play a few rounds of Spider’s Web. In addition to all this fun play, the mentors channeled their own inspirations to harvest from the disturbed landscape to create a bow drill kit and an atlatl. Testing out the atlatl quickly caught the attention of the group and all the boys wanted one of their own. Scouring the landscape we found many downed branches of Big Leaf Maple that created perfect launchers, while the fresh sprouts protruding up from the stumps of logged Big Leaf Maples offered perfect straight, long, and flexible darts to be flung. The atlatl is an extremely primitive tool that spanned the gap between spear and bow. Basically operating like a tennis ball launcher used to play fetch with dogs, the atlatl extends the length of arm allowing one to fling the dart a greater distance.

Counting the rings to determine the age of a Western Red Cedar

Running out of time the Roosevelt Elk Calves scrambled to finish up their atlatls, before closing circle. We set aside the much distracting tools we just created in order to bring our full focus to our circle of thanks. Passing around the apple slices the Explorers were all very grateful for the good weather, plenty of play and exploration, and how the group followed their inspirations to create atlatls. With just enough time left, we trekked back to the trailhead pausing briefly to assemble an atlatl flinging competition. The boys lined up and all launched their atlatls down the logging road to see who could fling their dart the furthest. A fun moment for the Roosevelt Elk Calves, no doubt, but for the mentors, seeing a posse of boys carving atlatls and flinging darts together felt like taking a step back in time. One can only imagine how many times that same process had taken place thousands of years ago. Boys growing up, learning how to use atlatls, playing games in the forest to hone sneaking skills, discovering new ways to harvest and utilize natural materials like cedar bark to make tinder bundles and Licorice Fern to make medicine. Not only did we have a blast today, but we stepped into a time machine and connected with the roots of humanity. What more could one ask for on a Saturday afternoon?!

Ready, aim, fire!

 Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!

Roosevelt Elk Calves Play All Day at Padden

The Roosevelt Elk Calves arrived at Lake Padden thankful that the massive downpour the day before had subsided and the sun was coming out just in time for some forest exploration. Gathering together we decided to hike out past the dog park in search of a place to play games like Hungry Hungry Martin, Eagle Eye, Fire Keeper, and of course Spider’s Web (ask your Explorer about these games if you don’t know them already!). Because we did such a great job working on debris shelters and honing our skills on our last outing, the mentors felt like this group deserved a game day. Getting together in circle we made a “game plan” for how we wanted to spend our day. Kicking things off we played a more exciting, explosive game of Hungry Hungry Martin that requires some sneaking and camouflage followed by explosive bursts of running to make it to safety before getting eaten by the Martin. After a few rounds we took a half an hour to explore, eat lunch, and catch up with friends. 

Gathering up at our base camp for the day to eat lunch and catch up with friends

Preparing for some epic games of Hungry Hungry Martin!

Gathering back together we decided we wanted some more free time to goof off, finish up our mini-shelters we worked on, and even have some extra time to get to know a salamander we found in an old rotting log! With that out of our system we joined back together and shifted gears to play a stealth game called Fire Keeper where someone sits blindfolded in the middle of a circle guarding a set of keys or other noisy item. Everyone on the outside of the circle takes turns trying to sneak in undetected and snatch the keys. The Fire Keeper points to any noise he detects and if you get detected you have to go back out of the circle and let someone else try. You win by successfully retrieving the keys without the Fire Keeper hearing you! This is a great game that got us calmed and quiet, tuning into every minute sound, though this didn’t deter some of us from trying to snack while it wasn’t our turn!

Discovering a salamander while exploring our surroundings

Honing shelter building skills using small scale designs

Learning how to move silently during a game of Fire Keeper

Finally, we wrapped up our day with a game of Eagle Eye and a quick game of Spider’s Web. Utilizing our freshly tuned sneaking skills we picked our way through the foliage trying to remain undetected as we played our games. During our time we heard a Pileated Woodpecker and many other native birds, had numerous friendly canines run over greet our group, and of course got lost in play for hours at a time. With the end of our outing drawing near it was hard for the mentors to call the group in, not because they were acting out, but because we were just having too much fun and didn’t want to be the ones who put an end to the playful joy that everyone was reveling in. But alas, we had to go. With a closing circle of gratitude we had an overwhelming genuineness and sincerity that warmed the mentor’s hearts. There is nothing quite like taking a day to play games and explore the forest. The Roosevelt Elk Calves proved again that they are a tightly knit group that knows how to get lost in play and exploration while exemplifying how a bunch of awesomely unique personalities can unite as a one. We played, we explored, shared some laughs, and even found a salamander! I’d call that a successful outing.

Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!