Salamander Efts Return to Lizard Lake

On a beautiful blue, crisp November morning the Salamander Efts met up at Samish Woods Montessori to load up into “Stubbs” our Wild Whatcom bus. From the moment the mentors met up before the outing it was clear this was going to be a great day. Not only were there no clouds to be seen, but we had the fortune of an extended eight-hour outing that would allow us to maximize our time up at Lizard Lake near the summit of Blanchard Mountain. With the bus full of Explorers and eager energy we hit the road and drove along the back roads to the trailhead. Twisting and turning through the forested highway and skirting alongside the eastern shore of Lake Samish was a perfect segue to the beginning of our outing.
At the trailhead the eager energy made coming together for an opening circle a bit of a chore, however, the eager energy would be a persistent theme throughout the outing create some great opportunities to grow as individuals and a group. As much as the boys wanted to hit the trail the mentors made sure to take the time to hand out jobs for the day and set a strong intention for what was to be accomplished this outing. Despite a jittery focus, we managed to lay out a game plan to hike up to the lake, practice some skills, then spend the rest of our time exploring and interacting with the land.

The hike up to Lizard Lake takes a logging road for a little over a mile, past an old quarry, and up the Alternate Incline Trail all the way to the lake. While passing the quarry the boys took a moment to admire the snowy peaks of Mt. Baker and peruse the rocks for what they believed to be petrified wood. It was difficult to pull these eager beavers away from the rocks to get back on the trail and headed toward our destination, but once we did we made good time. Hiking up the Alternate Incline trail we paused from time to time to re-group, adjust our layers, and drink some water. Each break we made sure to discuss the importance of setting a good pace for the entire group and making sure we stick together even if that means hiking a bit slower or faster than usual while maintaining a constant awareness of where everyone in the group was.

Finally, we arrived at our destination of Lizard Lake. A few other groups of hikers were relaxing beside the lake and the mentors made sure to have a quick chat about respecting others ability to enjoy the peacefulness of the icy lake as it glimmered in the sunshine by giving them space and keeping our voices down. Soon the hikers continued along their way and allowed us the opportunity to get some skills work in. Revisiting our first outing of the season, the Salamander Efts were left with the task of setting up a sturdy tarp shelter. The mentors made sure to provide a time to revisit some of the knots, but for some reason only one explorer seemed interested in a refresher on how to tie which knot. This was a missed opportunity because once the Explorers started putting up the tarp they quickly realized they did not remember the knots nearly as well as they thought they did.

Giving the Explorers half an hour to set up the tarp seemed like ample time. The mentors stepped back and focused on a project of their own in starting a fire. As time passed by it became apparent that only a handful of the boys were actually setting up the tarp and the rest of the group was much more intent on throwing rocks and sticks into the lake in an attempt to break the ice. After some time the
mentors realized the tarp was far from satisfactory and stepped in to harness the group’s focus for another attempt. This time, however, the handful of boys that were doing all the work were not allowed to tie the knots thus requiring those who were more focused on breaking ice to be the ones to do more of the work. Yet again, the eager energy that persisted from the beginning of the outing to the end, compromised the group’s ability to focus on a simple task. What should have taken fifteen minutes took well over an hour and left no time for further skills practice in some of the other camping skills like pumping water, using a camp stove, and setting up a bear hang. Somewhat disappointed the mentors made sure the boys were at least going to learn a lesson from this debacle. Gathering up, the group discussed the importance of taking the time to do the job right the first time. The BEC motto of “Slow is fast, and fast is slow” came to mind and was exemplified in the tarp challenge. If the boys had come together as a group, taken the time to find properly distanced trees and tie the knots right the first time, they would have had nearly an hour more of exploration time at the lake.

Despite the rough go at setting up the tarp, the boys all learned a valuable lesson of what it means to work together as a team to accomplish a task and how to harness their focus to take a bit more time to do the job right the first time. After debriefing our experience and lessons learned we gathered around a toasty fire to warm up on a chilly day. The boys had a great time chatting and joking around the fire before a nice sit spot along the shores of Lizard Lake. Although the Salamander Efts struggled with their focus on this outing, their eager energy demonstrated a passion and excitement for exploration and adventure that is great to see. As they grow older they will continue to learn how to harness their focus and accomplish the tasks at hand. This outing was a great learning experience for all and an opportunity for growth as individuals and as a group. On the bus ride home the laughter and smiles made it clear that everyone had a wonderful time. It was great to see the Salamander Efts wrap up their Fall 2015 season with an extended outing full of powers and challenges that demonstrated room for growth while maintaining an undying eagerness and energy that embodies what it means to be an Explorer.

Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from this outing in the Salamander Efts Photo Gallery!

Salamander Efts and Alevin Showdown!

After a windy night and damp morning the Alevin and Salamander Efts gathered at the North Galbraith trailhead for a day of games and healthy competition. Each year we have a games showdown between two of the oldest Explorers clubs groups; These days are great opportunities to play games we usually don’t have enough people for and enjoy the energy that a large group of boys brings. As the Explorers gathered it was cool to see friendships that existed outside of specific groups and new friendships forming. As soon as everyone had arrived we headed into the forest to find Tim who was finishing the final touches on our game set up.

After hiking for about fifteen minutes we reached our destination and the site for our game. Our game of choice was Life and Death in the Forest. This game is a huge complicated game that involves herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, food sources, and many other factors. The basic premise of the game is a food chain game where each type of animal needs different resources to survive that mirror what this animal would need in the natural world (ask your Explorer to explain the rules sometime!). As soon as everyone had grabbed a snack and had a chance to visit we gathered into a large circle to introduce ourselves and explain the rules of the game.

The flip side of all the positive and excited energy that comes from having such a large group is that it is often hard to hold the group's attention for more than a short time. We worked our way through the rules pausing a couple times to call the boys attention back to the circle. When we finished the explanation of the rules we broke down into groups of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores and geared up for the game. As soon as everyone was ready we started the game.

The game flew by in a blur of hiding behind sword ferns, chases through the forest, finding food sources, finding water sources, surprising each other, strategizing with one another, launching down ravines, running up slopes, crawling through the forest, herbivores hiding, and overall lots of laughter and fun. Part of the fun in playing a big game like this is the healthy competition that it promotes. The values that we can still respect each other even while playing hard in the woods. Numerous times I witnessed the game put on hold as one explorer helped another one up during a chase through the woods.

When the first round ended we came back together to talk about the game. Life and Death in the Forest is an interesting game to reflect on since it both puts the players in the mindset of whatever trophic level they were playing as and can show us how different food chains and ecosystem dynamics work. We had a great debrief on what it felt like to be herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores as well as what we can learn about real life ecosystems based on the parameters of this game. How many herbivores would survive in a real ecosystem? Does the amount of food the omnivore's had to eat seem reflective of how it might actually be? what adaptations would you really want if you were a carnivore? These and many other food chain related questions came up as the boys discussed the game.

For our second round we switched the roles and ratios of the animals slightly to reflect what we had discussed after the last game. Again we all disappeared into the forest to become herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores each finding enough food and water to survive.

The second round was just as successful as the first. Again we had a short debrief after the game to see how the changes we had made went. As the enthusiastic conversation died down we transitioned into ending the day with a sit spot. We asked the boys to spread out and find a comfortable place to sit quietly for the next fifteen to twenty minutes. The mentors spread out and began to clean up the various “food” and “water” sources from around the course. As we made our way back toward the backpacks we heard many voices and saw that many of the boys had all gathered together instead of finding a solo sit spot away from each other. We again reminded these boys to spread out and find their own spots. This temporarily spread them out, but soon enough they had come back together and began talking loudly again. We called everyone in from their sit spots and heard really insightful observations and profound realizations from the boys that had taken their sit spot seriously.

Our day ended with a the 20 minute walk a back to the parking lot. As we walked back we all chatted enthusiastically about the game and moments of defeat and success. Again the need for honest and healthy competitive play was highlighted. Weather you are an explorer or mentor a day spent playing in the woods leaves you with a smile on your face. Please take a look at the Alevin photo gallery andSalamander Efts photo gallery for more pictures from the outing!

Alevin and Salamander Efts Games Day Showdown

After a windy night and damp morning the Alevin and Salamander Efts gathered at the North Galbraith trailhead for a day of games and healthy competition. Each year we have a games showdown between two of the oldest Explorers clubs groups; These days are great opportunities to play games we usually don’t have enough people for and enjoy the energy that a large group of boys brings. As the Explorers gathered it was cool to see friendships that existed outside of specific groups and new friendships forming. As soon as everyone had arrived we headed into the forest to find Tim who was finishing the final touches on our game set up

After hiking for about fifteen minutes we reached our destination and the site for our game. Our game of choice was Life and Death in the Forest. This game is a huge complicated game that involves herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, food sources, and many other factors. The basic premise of the game is a food chain game where each type of animal needs different resources to survive that mirror what this animal would need in the natural world (ask your Explorer to explain the rules sometime!). As soon as everyone had grabbed a snack and had a chance to visit we gathered into a large circle to introduce ourselves and explain the rules of the game.

The flip side of all the positive and excited energy that comes from having such a large group is that it is often hard to hold the group's attention for more than a short time. We worked our way through the rules pausing a couple times to call the boys attention back to the circle. When we finished the explanation of the rules we broke down into groups of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores and geared up for the game. As soon as everyone was ready we started the game.

The game flew by in a blur of hiding behind sword ferns, chases through the forest, finding food sources, finding water sources, surprising each other, strategizing with one another, launching down ravines, running up slopes, crawling through the forest, herbivores hiding, and overall lots of laughter and fun. Part of the fun in playing a big game like this is the healthy competition that it promotes. The values that we can still respect each other even while playing hard in the woods. Numerous times I witnessed the game put on hold as one explorer helped another one up during a chase through the woods.

When the first round ended we came back together to talk about the game. Life and Death in the Forest is an interesting game to reflect on since it both puts the players in the mindset of whatever trophic level they were playing as and can show us how different food chains and ecosystem dynamics work. We had a great debrief on what it felt like to be herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores as well as what we can learn about real life ecosystems based on the parameters of this game. How many herbivores would survive in a real ecosystem? Does the amount of food the omnivore's had to eat seem reflective of how it might actually be? what adaptations would you really want if you were a carnivore? These and many other food chain related questions came up as the boys discussed the game.

For our second round we switched the roles and ratios of the animals slightly to reflect what we had discussed after the last game. Again we all disappeared into the forest to become herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores each finding enough food and water to survive.

The second round was just as successful as the first. Again we had a short debrief after the game to see how the changes we had made went. As the enthusiastic conversation died down we transitioned into ending the day with a sit spot. We asked the boys to spread out and find a comfortable place to sit quietly for the next fifteen to twenty minutes. The mentors spread out and began to clean up the various “food” and “water” sources from around the course. As we made our way back toward the backpacks we heard many voices and saw that many of the boys had all gathered together instead of finding a solo sit spot away from each other. We again reminded these boys to spread out and find their own spots. This temporarily spread them out, but soon enough they had come back together and began talking loudly again. We called everyone in from their sit spots and heard really insightful observations and profound realizations from the boys that had taken their sit spot seriously.

Our day ended with a the 20 minute walk a back to the parking lot. As we walked back we all chatted enthusiastically about the game and moments of defeat and success. Again the need for honest and healthy competitive play was highlighted. Weather you are an explorer or mentor a day spent playing in the woods leaves you with a smile on your face. Please take a look at the Alevin photo gallery and Salamander Efts photo gallery for more pictures from the outing!

Service outing with the Salamander Efts and Black Tailed Deer

Exploring is what we do in BEC, and the majority of that exploration is off-trail. Exploring off-trail allows a deeper connection to our natural habitat as we share space with all kinds of forest dwellers.  Magical fungi, towering Douglas firs, loud Douglas squirrels and inconspicuous owls are just a few of the beings that we come to know through our romping. Even though we do our best to Leave No Trace, we undoubtedly have an impact on the forested areas that afford us fun, peacefulness, and learning opportunities. Our service outings allow us to give back to the Earth that gives us so much. 

This was a combined outing; the older Salamander Efts took a leadership role and oriented the first season Black Tailed Deer to our service site. In our opening circle, the Salamander Efts demonstrated how to safely use clippers, loppers, shovels, and rakes. We understood the risks that these tools had, but recognized that being intentional with them would allow us to get lots of work done at our service site.

The first of two tasks was clearing blackberries and removing their frustrating root wads. We became skilled at using loppers and clippers to remove the big vines and then used the shovels to dig up their roots. We had fun trying to see who could dig up the largest root.

The second task was to mulch the newly cleared areas so that no Reed Canary grass would sprout in the blackberries absence.  We learned that Reed Canary grass is an invasive species that grows especially well in streamside habitats. The fast growing grass chokes out slower growing native vegetation such as Nootka Rose and baby Western Red Cedar. The mulch we laid will stop the growth of this grass and allow our newly planted native plants to grow into maturity and shade out the invasive grass on their own. We discussed that we are helping this land heal itself; just get it started and the forest will begin to thrive again.

As we cleaned up our tools and took off our gloves, we recognized the need for play, so the Black Tailed Deer got to play a few rounds of Deer Oh Deer. Even after a day of manual labor, playing games allowed us to tap into unknown energy reserves as we raced around the field trying to avoid becoming a cougar snack.

Of course this is BEC, and the day wouldn’t have been complete without a lesson form the land. This lesson came in the form of an uninhabited paper wasps nest. We got to examine the papery structure of the outside and look at the perfect honeycomb pattern on the inside where the larvae hatch. In deciding whether or not to take this treasure home with us, we decided that since this nest came from this forest, we needed its nutrients to remain in this forest so that they could nurture the plants and animals that live in and near Connelly Creek. Together we separated the nest and spread it about the service site.

To see more photos from the day, click here.

Salamander Efts Take Cover at Clayton

What a way to welcome in the Fall season; wind, rain, dark clouds, and a damp, dreary forest. Perfect for a salamander, potentially challenging for a Salamander Eft. Good thing we are learning The Art of Camping this season and more importantly this outing, the various methods and uses of tarp shelters! Before we can explore, however, we took a moment to chat about our summers and welcome a new member to the group; Cedar. With everyone present, accounted for, and acquainted with one another it was time to get into the woods and the cover of the canopy. First things first, we decided it was important to jump right into our skills focus for the day. An ever increasing down pour gave us extra incentive to hone our tarp shelter skills.

With many experienced explorers in the Salamander Efts, and seasoned outdoorsman, the mentors decided to let the group work together to set up the first tarp shelter. This would shed valuable insight into where everyone was in terms of knowledge and experience, as well as offer a great opportunity to work on teamwork and inner group communications. Expectedly, the Salamander Efts were a bit stumped at where to start and quickly got side tracked as they explored for a shelter location. The mentors quickly reined them back in and discussed how to pick a site, accounting for widow makers, deciduous trees that drop limbs, slope of landscape, accessibility to usable trees, direction of wind, pre-existing canopy cover, etc. With a bit more focus in mind, the boys went back at it and quickly decided on a location and type of tarp shelter. Overcoming some difficulties with communication, the Salamander Efts rigged up a relatively decent tarp shelter, all be it with some unique rope work, but would definitely get the job done in a pinch. Taking a moment to debrief while eating lunch, there was a shared sense of inability to effectively communicate ideas amongst the group and upon further reflection everyone realized a more efficient process would incorporate a quick circle and group decision making process on location, strategy, tarp shelter design, and designation of tasks. This just goes to show that even a simple task like a tarp shelter can quickly turn into a wonderful mirror to reflect the strengths and weaknesses of a group. Luckily, this is exactly what Explorers Club is all about and we have many adventures in our future to continue our growth as a group.

With some strong focus, it was time to reward the Explorers with some free time. The mentors took this time to rig up their own example of a tarp shelter that incorporated a variety of different techniques that can be utilized from a couple of beneficial knots like a Truckers Hitch, or an example of how to stake a corner down if you’re lacking appropriate trees to tie off to. There truly is no limit to what you can do with a tarp and some cordage. Calling the boys back in with our good old crow call, everyone was taught a couple of knots, instructed on why the mentors set up the tarp the way they did, and  shown a few alternative options that could have been utilized in a similar situation.

As the mentors finished up their little tarp demo, they felt good about the progress that was made and decided to let the Explorers use their remaining time to explore the wonderful little ravine we were in and have some quality nature free play. Activities varied from trying to dam up the little creek, to roaming around the area in small groups letting their imaginations lead their journey, or even work on building a great little debris shelter as one of our Explorers decided to do. During this free play the mentors set up shop under the tarp shelter and boiled up some water for hot cocoa to keep everyone warm for closing circle. Finally it was time to end the day. Circling up under the tarp, sipping hot cocoa, munching on apple slices, we all shared our gratitude for the day and reflected on a solid day of skills work combined with adventurous free play sessions. All in all a good outing, and a great way to kick off the Fall season.

Make sure to check out all the other photos from our outing at the Salamander Efts Photo Gallery!

Salamander Efts Explore Lizard Lake

On a spring day that felt more like summer the Salamander Efts met at the Samish Woods Montessori, home of the Wild Whatcom bus “Stubbs,” for their final outing for the Spring 2015 season. The big banana slug bus is always a hit with the boys and soon they were scrambling around on it and in it, playing with the ever fascinating accordion style bus door and trying to finagle the radio to work so they can say silly things to their friends over the bus speakers. But alas, all the boys had arrived and it was time to hit the road.

The drive to the Alternate Incline Trail took us along the back roads of Whatcom County. Meandering around the east side of Lake Samish the boys got a chance to gaze out across the lake and up at Blanchard Mountain, home of Lizard Lake and our destination for the day. Twisting and turning up the bumpy gravel road we reached the upper parking lot and disembarked from the bus. The Salamander Efts were immediately faced with their first challenge of the day: group decision making.

Collaborating, compromising, and coming to a consensus are some of the most fundamental skills we practice in Boys EC. With the Salamander Efts growing older and more experienced with each season the mentors decided it was time for them to try and come up with a plan for our outing on their own. After some spotty work by these boys not holding a strong circle, losing focus, and hitting a wall, it was clear to the mentors that they needed a little more guidance. As the mentors stepped back in to help they made it clear that as the Salamander Efts continue to grow and get ever closer to adolescence they were going to be held to higher standards in Boys Explorers Club. With that being said, the mentors walked them through the steps one more time of collaboration, compromise, and coming to a consensus knowing full well that these boys would need these skills later on during the outing.

With our game plan figured out for how to approach our outing, we began our trek up the logging road that would take us to the trailhead. Along the way we stopped to snack on Salmonberries and reviewed some plant identification and sustainable harvest practices. It was wonderful to have the deliciously juicy berries to snack on keeping us refreshed and nourished for our trek up the eastern side of Blanchard Mountain. Soon enough we hit the trail head and after taking a moment to hydrate and adjust our layers for more strenuous hiking we set off up the trail.

As we climbed and climbed, the boys quickly realized that this wasn’t going to be another walk in the park like some of their previous outings. This was a legitimate hike with vertical elevation gain, rocks and roots to navigate, and plenty of challenge to go around. About halfway up we stopped to catch our breath, eat some food, and explore the surrounding forest. This was part of our initial plan, and it was time for us to decide if we wanted to continue trekking up to Lizard Lake, or if we wanted to go off trail and find a good place for a game or two of Spider’s Web. Again we circled up and prepared to go through the group decision making process once more. Initially the boys seemed to want to just stop, play some games, and head back down, but with a little encouragement from the mentors they were reminded that you can play Spider’s Web at any of our outing locations, however, there is only one Lizard Lake and we were almost there. Each boy took the challenge to stretch their edge and make one last push to make it up to the lake. They made sure to check in with each individual and see if there was anything they could do to help each other make it to the top without jeopardizing morale of the group or the individual. Boys let their truths be known, and boys found ways to offer support to one another. They truly collaborated, compromised, and came to a consensus.

Upon reaching Lizard Lake there was no doubt in the boys’ minds that they had made the right decision. The shore of the lake was ripe for exploration and the Salamander Efts transitioned seamlessly into an hour of free play by the lake. Whether it was building bridges out to the mysterious tree stumps in the lake, watching the fish jump and snatch bugs out of the air, or just chatting away with a friend, the boys were having a blast. The mentors almost decided not to do a sit spot, but at the mere mention of the words “sit spot” the Salamander Efts scattered off around the shoreline with an unusually zealous enthusiasm. Fifteen minutes of silence, well, silence from the boys and not the birds, fish, and light breeze rustling the trees. It was almost painful for the mentors to call the boys back in for closing circle, and the boys felt similarly. Each Salamander Eft had one of their best sit spots ever and one boy even mentioned the “serenity” of such a beautiful location.

With our hearts and minds in a place of gratitude for the land, each other, and our fantastic outing, we came together for our closing circle. Before giving gratitude we chatted about our season and what we have in store for next fall when the Salamander Efts begin learning the technical skills of overnight backpacking that enable us to feel the same comforts we do at home in the wilderness. Much gratitude was shared for our adventures to Lizard Lake and many of the boys look forward to returning in to such a beautiful place in the future, perhaps even for our Fall 2015 season. As we trekked back down to the bus, the mentors observed a group vastly different from the beginning of the outing. The group running down the trail together, laughing and joking and getting lost in games fueled by imagination, showed a strength and resiliency that was not there at the beginning of the outing. The strength and resiliency that a group can only find through companionship, overcoming adversity through mutual support, and a shared love for exploration and deep connection with the natural world.

Serving Connelly Creek with the Salamander Efts and Barred Owlets

The headline might read “Connelly Creek Restoration Work Continues Apace”. Because it does, in part thanks to the efforts of the Salamander Efts and Barred Owlets on Saturday. Reed Canarygrass was “walked down” (it turns out the grass cutting we did in the fall was misdirected effort that actually encouraged growth!): bark mulch was shoveled, hauled and spread over the flattened Canarygrass: Himalayan blackberry was clipped and hauled off. TheConnelly Creek restoration site (see Happy Valley Park on the map) is better off for the strong effort put forth by these two Explorers Club groups. Service is an integral part of the Wild Whatcom mission. This work is a good thing and would make a nice story in the local newspaper.

At Wild Whatcom, we expect and strive for more, however. And for this outing, the deeper story is more nuanced. So let’s look past the headline by reviewing my admittedly arbitrary benchmarks for a service outing. 

Focus/hard work - Once I’ve seen three 60 - 80 pound boys struggling under the weight of a trash can full of bark mulch, I can’t easily question effort. However, pull the camera back during the outing and the boy sitting in a tree comes into the picture, as do the boys battling each other with bark chips as projectiles. Much work was done but the effort was inconsistent across the members of the Salamander Efts and Barred Owlets and rippled unevenly across the afternoon. 

Teamwork - I bring you back to the three boys carrying the loaded trash can. Two boys couldn’t carry that can, nor could the three of them get it to where it was needed without active communication. Likewise, a sole explorer couldn’t have dismantled a roughly 10 by 10 foot section of blackberry on his own. The mentors saw many examples of excellent teamwork throughout the afternoon. We were especially proud to observe the older Salamander Efts modeling good work habits for the Barred Owlets. 

Initiative - There’s a small ditch that bisects the work site about 3/4 of the way back. Thanks to explorers’ efforts over the past several years, most of the blackberries have receded to beyond the ditch. At one point a few hours into the outing, I jumped (ok, stepped) across the ditch to check on the blackberry work, only to find 3-4 explorers slicing through thorn-thrusting vines with the intensity of a family of beavers in spring. Rather than cut across the front of the infestation, they were tunneling from two directions and working back through the segregated area to clear a small room size area in a single effort. Nice work! I’m sure the two boys sitting along the creek, Huck Finn style and out of sight, would agree that the blackberry ravaging boys were making a real difference.

Task completion - Those who were part of the initial effort to restore Wild Whatcom’s Connelly Creek service site to ecological balance tell me the area was all but covered with invasive plants, such as Himalayan blackberry, and human trash (broken bottles, discarded beverage cans, car parts, piles of nails, and the like) when they first arrived. Well over half has been cleared and native trees and shrubs planted. Even since I joined the effort in the fall, the improvement is dramatic. Saturday’s work pushed this effort forward. It is gratifying to see the progress: these explorers are to be congratulated. 

Integrity/Honor/Respect - More could have been done on this day, however, with greater focus and discipline. There was too much squirreling out; too often did I turn to see bark being hurled at another; too often were individuals content to allow others to carry the load. I, for one, was disappointed.

Of course, what is life if not a succession of trials offering lessons and the chance to do better next time? The boys are young. This is the time for them to learn the satisfaction that comes from performing well and honorably. We’ll be back at this soon with more opportunities to help carry the heavy trash can and cut the irascible berry bushes. 

And, no doubt, I’m right in there with the boys. I can think of several times during the outing where a guiding word from me might have encouraged an explorer to lend a hand rather than squirrel out or start a bark battle. Fortunately, I get to put my lessons to work soon as well. Life is forgiving in that it offers second, third and, sometimes, fourth chances. Now there’s something for which we all can be grateful!

The Salamander Efts get back to it on Saturday, May 30, with an exploration of Blanchard mountain's alternate incline trails. Click here for the schedule.

The Barred Owlets pick up their water curriculum on Saturday, May 30 as well, when we traverse from Marine Park in Fairhaven to the Connelly Creek location. You'll find that schedule here.

Finally, check out the photos from our service work here (Salamander Efts) and here (Barred Owlets). See you out there.

The Salamander Efts Explore at Stimpson

As the boys gathered in the gravel lot of the Stimpson Reserve Trailhead, we all marveled at the beautiful weather shining down upon us. After our previous outing, and the weather reports calling for thunderstorms, we were all relieved to have the sunshine warming our faces and a cool breeze from time to time to keep us cool. After waiting for some explorers who never ended up showing, we decided it was time to hit the trail.

Our trek out into Stimposon Reserve was a nice transition into the woods. The sunshine gleaming through the fresh leaves of the canopy provided vibrant greens to offset the darker, damper, gloomier greens of the mosses and ferns along the forest floor. Boys marveled at the varying species of moss, how they differed, and what could be the reasons for their unique shapes and growth patterns. This focus of intricacies and minutia helped hone our awareness to tune into the finer details of things.

But soon enough we were confronted with a large log across the trail elevated about ten feet above us. Of course it was an Explorer magnet and all the boys were eager to cross the log. It was important, however, to pause and gauge the hazards and personal comfort with such a task. At first some boys were a little cautious, but quickly aligned with their center of gravity, found their focus, and were across the log in no time. The first time was a nice test run, but of course the boys had to do it again, some even three times, and one felt confident enough in his abilities to perform such a feat backwards (it helped that he spent the entire time previously walking backwards along the trail navigating on his ability to feel the levelness of the ground with his feet!).

After honing our awareness to detail, and stretching our edges, it was time for some lunch. We plopped down at Geneva Pond Viewpoint and filled our bellies while watching the wind on the water and talking about everything from YouTube videos to what type of comedy we enjoy. Some Explorers broke off and waged a war against one another using horsetails as ammunition, others just continued socializing, and one Explorer dove into the world of tracking by studying a multitude of deer tracks and determining where the deer came from, what they did, and where they went.

Eventually we all had to circle up and decide how to spend the rest of our day. It was surmised that we should pick up our horsetail mess and try and “leave no trace” before following the deer path off trail and into the depths of the forest for a nice game of Spider’s Web. The Salamander Efts have had plenty of experience with group decision making, but it still took a little longer than expected to collaborate and compromise given our small group for the outing. As these boys grow older they will begin to understand the importance of such skills as group decision making, and are already beginning to realize that if decisions are made in a timely and efficient manner it leaves that much more time on outings to play, explore, and discover the mysteries of the natural world.

Immediately after we got the group off the main trail, skirting ridges and ducking through the underbrush just as the deer do, all the Explorers stopped chatting about the internet, school, or other external and distant topics. Instead they began interacting with their environment, finding wonder in their immediate surroundings, and tracking their movements on the landscape. Shifting one’s awareness and focus to the present is an extraordinary gift that not only helps these boys get the most out of every outing, but will provide them with an ever growing mindfulness towards themselves, others, and their present situation. The mentors later marveled at the power of the natural world to grasp the often scattered attention and erratic focus of the boys and channel it into a greater awareness of themselves and their surroundings.

With their minds focused on the present and their immediate surroundings, the boys quickly found a beautiful valley in which to play Spider’s Web. Not only did they manage to find a location in a timely fashion, but once down at the bottom of the gully the boys circled up and using their freshly developed decision making skills decided on where to place the web, the food source, rule intricacies, and designated roles for the game. Both mentors were impressed at the efficiency in group decision making the second time around, and were glad to witness the growth that occurred from our last circle.

Once again we found ourselves lost in play. Explorers scampered through the sword ferns, traversed ridgelines, and disappeared into tree hollows to avoid detection by the spider. Everyone was having a blast. One Explorer even took the time to hunker down and strategize by making a map in the dirt out of sticks and sword fern leaflets designating major land features, where the food source likely was, and areas where the spider was most vulnerable to infiltration. Other boys teamed up on covert missions deep into the spider’s territory. But before anyone won, the pressures of time exerted their control over us and we had to call it quits. However, one Explorer was heard saying “No one won, but it was fun.” Perhaps we have the makings of a new BEC Motto…

As boys bubbled over with excitement and stories from their adventures during Spider’s Web, we formed our closing circle and regained our composure in order to give thanks for the wonderful outing, beautiful places we discovered, and the new stories that were formed from our adventures that day. Yet again the Salamander Efts demonstrated efficiency in circle and allowed us just enough time to eat our apple slices and hit the trail. But as we were packing up one boy hollered “BONES!” and sure enough right where our closing circle was taking place was a smattering of very old, moss covered bones from what we suspect was once a deer. Wow, what a coincidence that out of all the many acers that make up Stimpson Reserve, we just so happened to find the resting place of the very animal that guided us off trail and into the wonderland of ferns and fungus, bark and branches, mud and moss. We had just enough time to hustle back down the trail, sharing each other’s company along the way, and even saying hello to a hefty Garter Snake that was sunning itself by the shores of Geneva Pond. Yet again, another overwhelmingly successful outing full of growth and fond memories for all.

Remember to check out all the rest of the photos from our outing at the Salamander Efts Photo Gallery!

Salamander Efts get rained on at North Lake Whatcom

Go outside into the rain for five hours then come back inside and settle down to read this blog. Your hands are cold with minimal dexterity and that rain gear you thought worked really well has soaked through in many spots leaving you with a damp feeling.  The Salamander Efts were welcomed by steady and heavy rain for their first outing of the Spring season. We all gathered, finding some protection from the giant Red Cedars and Hemlocks, at the North end of lake whatcom. This location is great offering mature forests along the steep slopes that flank Lake Whatcom and our watershed. As soon as everyone had arrived we walked into the woods and embraced the rain.

Despite the rain we still made time to find a spot for an opening circle;  reconnecting after the Winter and setting our intention for the day and season. Despite the rain and the fact that the longer we sat the colder we got many of the boys found it hard to focus on each others words and not derail the circle. These boys have the tools they need to make effective decisions and utilize the circular leadership we model even if they don't always use them. Tim and I held the circle letting the boys make their own decisions about the day. Finally we were moving, heading toward the shores of the lake.

We moved along the path at a brisk pass, our motion warming our bodies as we noticed the budding indian plum and salmon berry. We decided to just walk for a while since the rain made it hard to stop for too long. The rain quieted our surroundings and made it feel very peaceful with the lake stretching out to our right and the dense forested slopes rising to our left.

After hiking for about 1.5 miles we again had a decision to make; some of the boys wanted to head up a trail that broke away from the lake while others wanted to continue along the main lake trail. It is always a balancing act know which group decisions the boys have the skills to tackle and which ones they need more guidance with. This decision of which way to go on the trail is one that the Salamander Efts have made many times and are well versed in. Tim and I did not say much and waited for the boys to organize themselves.  After close to twenty minutes of half hearted attempts to make a decision Tim and I realized the boys were not going to make this decision on their own and would need some guidance before standing in the rain caught up with us. With a little help from the mentors the Salamander Efts came to a decision and we headed up unto the woods to find a lunch spot.

After a short lunch we headed back down to the main trail as the rain had made the steep roots and rocks of the hillside very slippery. Back on the main trail we again settled into a brisk hiking pass. We even stopped to play a few games of hide and cougar stalks deer as our bodies warmed up. As we hiked we all kept shuffling layers and breaking into short runs to keep our bodies warm.

By about 3:30 we reached the 2.5 mile mark and decided this was our turn around point. Dropping our packs we began throwing rocks into the lake and exploring rotten logs. the movement was good. A few of us started doing jumping jacks, sprints, and pushups to keep ourselves warm. It was time to start hiking again and we turned around feeling warmer and happy to be headed back toward the warmth of cars and houses.

The day was a test for many in staying warm and also mentally handling hard conditions. It is not easy to stay out all day in the rain, relying only on your cloths and trees for protection. This wet day stretched all of our edges mentally and physically. Another lesson of the day was in group decision making. The Salamander Efts still have work to do in this area, but given the hard conditions of the day they are right where they need to be.

I realized what a wet day it had been when on the way home i opened my pack to get my lunch to fine a standing puddle of water and a soggy sandwich. Thank you Salamander Efts for exploring even in the rain and thank you parents for your continual support. Be sure to check out the Photo gallery for more pictures!  

Salamanders After Sunset in Arroyo

The final outing for the Salamander Eft’s fall season could not have been on a more beautiful day. With a wet week leading up to our night outing at Arroyo Park, the boys, mentors, and parents were all pleased to see clear skies during drop off. We began our outing by hiking up the trail and towards Arroyo Park. As the boys walked and talked with one another, we soon came upon a fork in the trail. Per usual, it was time to circle up and decide as a group which direction to go. While debating whether to go down to the creek and see the salmon, or hike up further into the woods, we encountered many a hiker, jogger, and even a BEC parent whose boy is in another group. Being experienced in the group decision making process, the boys soon picked to hike up into the woods and we set off.

Along the way we came across a gigantic boulder that was irresistible for the boys to climb on. A quick break to scamper up the rock, eat a snack, and layer/delayer accordingly and we were back on the trail. Eventually we got to a point where the boys just couldn’t manage to stay on the trail. There was just too much to explore and too many adventures to be had off trail. It took another circle and some group decision making skills, but soon the boys were wading through the sword ferns toward a promising site we spotted from upon the trail.

As we meandered down the hill, our intended destination just kept looking more and more promising. There was a beautiful little clearing to set up base camp, a little creek running just behind us, and a nice steep hill beside us for climbing around on. The boys dropped their packs and began settling in when one of the mentors hollered “HIDE!” and in a flash the boys melted into their surroundings. We played a few rounds as we got used to our environment and the light began to fade. The mentors had a few activities planned, but it was clear that these boys just needed some free time to explore the woods on their own terms. Free play is essential to connecting with the environment and the people around you, so as the light began to fade the boys set off in different directions; some clamoring up the steep hill, others practicing their shelter building, while the remaining boys hung out with the mentors and worked on carving or just chatting about whatever came to mind. It’s easy to forget how much these boys need unstructured time in their lives, and it was obvious these boys were thrilled to get to interact with the natural world, and each other, in whatever way the felt like.

With darkness upon us, the mentors called the boys in. Some boys had headlamps that they were intent upon using, but the mentors challenged them to try their best not to. It’s important to get in touch with our other senses because we are so deeply reliant upon our vision. In fact, our other senses can begin to atrophy over time if they are not properly stimulated. Not only are natural environments wonderful at stimulating all our senses, but under the cover of darkness, it becomes ever more apparent how uncomfortable it can be to try and rely on the senses that are often neglected in our daily lives.  In order to re-familiarize ourselves with our other senses, the boys were tasked with doing a sit spot. It was fascinating to see a group of seasoned explorers, who brazenly bushwhack off trail during the day, so apprehensive to go just a dozen or so yards away from the mentors. It was clear that these boys were pushing their edges, which can be a little scary at times, but is also necessary for personal growth. It seemed like a rather difficult task to perform a silent sit spot. Boys could be heard whispering to one another in hushed voices, or inching their way back to base camp. It was important, however, for these boys to feel a little uncomfortable, to get to know the darkness on a more personal level, and grow more in touch with senses other than sight. Additionally, even though the boys likely didn’t realize it, the mentors could tell that these boys were seeking comfort in one another. Having a buddy to whisper to makes the dark a lot less scary, and perhaps the boys learned a thing or two about appreciating the companionship and comradery that they share.

Finally it was time for closing circle. The mentors called the boys in and we circled up, still remaining in the dark. In anticipation of our next earth skills focus; the Art of Fire, the mentors wanted to show these boys how to use a bowdrill. Despite their best efforts, however, they just couldn’t get a good coal. This could have been due to many variables, but one in particular was the energy and focus of the group. Although it may sound a bit hokey, it is well believed by many that in order to get a fire there must be a calm patience balanced with intense focus, not only for the person with the bowdrill, but for all other group members as well. There were far too many jokes being cracked, giggles, outbursts, and a general sense of poorly intentioned energy. We weren’t successful with our fire, but that was for the best. These boys aren’t ready for fire, just as they aren’t ready to be adults yet. In the future, they will go through the long process of carving their own bowdrill kits, honing their technique, and developing the patience and focus to get a fire, just as they must also go through the process of developing maturity, expanding their awareness, and transitioning into adolescence. Some boys will take naturally to the bowdrill while others may struggle with it. Some boys will transition easily into adolescence while others may find it more challenging. Either way, these boys have each other, mentors who care deeply for them, and parents who love them unconditionally. It’s important these boys never forget how to crack jokes, giggle uncontrollably, and goof off, but as they grow they must learn how to harness their focus when it is necessary. Just as learning the bowdrill takes much time and practice, so does learning how to calm yourself and tap into your inner focus. As we enter new seasons with these boys we must remember this and provide them the time and space to make this transition. After such an amazing fall season full of exciting experiences and personal growth, one can only imagine what awaits these boys and their beautifully bright futures.

Salamander Efts Take Shelter at North Galbraith

On a damp drizzly Sunday afternoon, the Salamander Efts had their third outing of the fall season. This was truly salamander weather and the boys were going to have to tap into their inner amphibian to make it through this outing. As the first couple of boys showed it up at the North Galbraith Trailhead a light sprinkle slowly picked up. Thereafter it seemed like each boy that arrived brought out more and more of the rain. By the time the last Salamander Eft showed up it was a complete downpour; perfect weather to inspire a solid day of shelter building.

We began the day with a sense of urgency. It was wet, cold, and dreary and all we could do was start moving to make sure we stayed warm. The first task was to find a place to have opening meeting. The Salamander Efts have been around long enough to know what to look for. Remembering back to their first season studying the Art of Shelter we all were keeping our eyes out for nice big cedar trees, preferably a small cedar grove growing close together so their canopy of J-shaped branches could provide us cover from the rain. Unfortunately no matter where we looked it was inevitable, we were going to be getting wet. A quick hop off of the trail and we found a sufficient location for our meeting.

The opening meeting was a quick one. It was clear the priority here was shelter. Nature has a funny way of teaching, and today nature was forcing our hand. It almost felt like an exam. These boys knew enough about shelter building from past seasons, but today their skills were going to be put to the test. We continued along the trail looking for promising locations. Dry(ish) level ground, decent canopy cover, and abundant resources were all on the check list for where to set up shop. After a few minutes we came upon a promising location and got to work.

It took awhile for these boys to grasp the situation. It was cold, it was wet, it was miserable for some. These boys are reaching an age where they will begin to learn that sometimes they themselves are the only ones that can improve their situation. The mentors made it clear that it was no time to dilly dally, stand around, or complain about the elements, yet a good handful of the boys seemed to not know where to begin. The mentors split up to two locations and decided to give the boys a little help. One group dropped down to a cedar grove and the other went just up above the trail. Each boy was left to decide which group they wanted to join and soon it was clear the lower group had the majority of the boys and only three or four decided to go to the other location. Perhaps this would be an opportunity for the boys to see the motto “many hands makes light work” but alas there was still trouble finding motivation and compromise in how best to build the shelter.

As the lower group planned out a large shelter for their larger group, the upper group was still having difficulty deciding how best to approach the situation. As one of the boys from the lower group got frustrated with lack of effort and cooperation from his comrades, he decided to move to the upper group where his ideas were openly accepted and a shelter began to take form. The boys quickly realized that making a shelter in adverse conditions is no easy task. Even deciding which type of shelter to construct was rather confusing. So many great ideas just didn’t seem to work out in actuality as it did in their thoughts. After some trial and error, the lower group built a large framework that would have plentiful space for the whole group. The upper group decided to develop a cozy debris shelter.

As the shelters grew and took form, so did the boys morale. Although some boys had to take a break to warm up running along the mountain bike jumps, most of the boys finally got some good shelter building in and soon realized the work kept them warm, their minds occupied, and the time passing relatively quickly. One of the boys found taking shelter in the nearly complete debris hut kept him warm and dry. Although the couple of boys gathering the rest of the debris were only mildly amused by this notion, it provided ample evidence of the insulating properties of all the Big-Leaf Maple leaves we were piling up on the shelter.

Soon enough the rains began to let up. As the clouds lifted, so did the boys spirits. Boys were laughing and scurrying around playing various games with one another. Some of the boys found an excellent muddy hillside primed for sliding down after all the rain. Other boys were still highly motivated to finish the shelters. After a short discussion, the boys decided to spend the rest of the time putting the finishing touches on their shelters and enjoying the scattered beams of sunlight breaking through the tree cover instead of playing any games. Both mentors found a lot of maturity in this decision and were proud of the boys for wanting to finish what they started.

By the end of the day the boys had been through a lot. The elements did their best to make things miserable for them, but on the hike back to the parking lot any passerby would have had no idea. Everyone was laughing, cracking jokes with one another, and playing the whole way back.  When we finally broke through to a posse of anxious parents, it was clear there was some relief to see the Salamander Efts in high spirits. It was certainly a trying day, but the boys came away with a whole new appreciation for warmth and dryness. The Art of Shelter may not be the most glamorous, but these boys further solidified their knowledge, ability, and mastery of a skill that could one day save their lives, or at least keep them a little more comfortable in inclement weather.

Salamander Efts Take Shelter at North Galbraith

On a damp drizzly Sunday afternoon, the Salamander Efts had their third outing of the fall season. This was truly salamander weather and the boys were going to have to tap into their inner amphibian to make it through this outing. As the first couple of boys showed it up at the North Galbraith Trailhead a light sprinkle slowly picked up. Thereafter it seemed like each boy that arrived brought out more and more of the rain. By the time the last Salamander Eft showed up it was a complete downpour; perfect weather to inspire a solid day of shelter building.

We began the day with a sense of urgency. It was wet, cold, and dreary and all we could do was start moving to make sure we stayed warm. The first task was to find a place to have opening meeting. The Salamander Efts have been around long enough to know what to look for. Remembering back to their first season studying the Art of Shelter we all were keeping our eyes out for nice big cedar trees, preferably a small cedar grove growing close together so their canopy of J-shaped branches could provide us cover from the rain. Unfortunately no matter where we looked it was inevitable, we were going to be getting wet. A quick hop off of the trail and we found a sufficient location for our meeting.

The opening meeting was a quick one. It was clear the priority here was shelter. Nature has a funny way of teaching, and today nature was forcing our hand. It almost felt like an exam. These boys knew enough about shelter building from past seasons, but today their skills were going to be put to the test. We continued along the trail looking for promising locations. Dry(ish) level ground, decent canopy cover, and abundant resources were all on the check list for where to set up shop. After a few minutes we came upon a promising location and got to work.

It took awhile for these boys to grasp the situation. It was cold, it was wet, it was miserable for some. These boys are reaching an age where they will begin to learn that sometimes they themselves are the only ones that can improve their situation. The mentors made it clear that it was no time to dilly dally, stand around, or complain about the elements, yet a good handful of the boys seemed to not know where to begin. The mentors split up to two locations and decided to give the boys a little help. One group dropped down to a cedar grove and the other went just up above the trail. Each boy was left to decide which group they wanted to join and soon it was clear the lower group had the majority of the boys and only three or four decided to go to the other location. Perhaps this would be an opportunity for the boys to see the motto “many hands makes light work” but alas there was still trouble finding motivation and compromise in how best to build the shelter.

As the lower group planned out a large shelter for their larger group, the upper group was still having difficulty deciding how best to approach the situation. As one of the boys from the lower group got frustrated with lack of effort and cooperation from his comrades, he decided to move to the upper group where his ideas were openly accepted and a shelter began to take form. The boys quickly realized that making a shelter in adverse conditions is no easy task. Even deciding which type of shelter to construct was rather confusing. So many great ideas just didn’t seem to work out in actuality as it did in their thoughts. After some trial and error, the lower group built a large framework that would have plentiful space for the whole group. The upper group decided to develop a cozy debris shelter.

As the shelters grew and took form, so did the boys morale. Although some boys had to take a break to warm up running along the mountain bike jumps, most of the boys finally got some good shelter building in and soon realized the work kept them warm, their minds occupied, and the time passing relatively quickly. One of the boys found taking shelter in the nearly complete debris hut kept him warm and dry. Although the couple of boys gathering the rest of the debris were only mildly amused by this notion, it provided ample evidence of the insulating properties of all the Big-Leaf Maple leaves we were piling up on the shelter.

Soon enough the rains began to let up. As the clouds lifted, so did the boys spirits. Boys were laughing and scurrying around playing various games with one another. Some of the boys found an excellent muddy hillside primed for sliding down after all the rain. Other boys were still highly motivated to finish the shelters. After a short discussion, the boys decided to spend the rest of the time putting the finishing touches on their shelters and enjoying the scattered beams of sunlight breaking through the tree cover instead of playing any games. Both mentors found a lot of maturity in this decision and were proud of the boys for wanting to finish what they started.

By the end of the day the boys had been through a lot. The elements did their best to make things miserable for them, but on the hike back to the parking lot any passerby would have had no idea. Everyone was laughing, cracking jokes with one another, and playing the whole way back.  When we finally broke through to a posse of anxious parents, it was clear there was some relief to see the Salamander Efts in high spirits. It was certainly a trying day, but the boys came away with a whole new appreciation for warmth and dryness. The Art of Shelter may not be the most glamorous, but these boys further solidified their knowledge, ability, and mastery of a skill that could one day save their lives, or at least keep them a little more comfortable in inclement weather.

Salamander Efts Explore the Old Growth at Mile Marker 44

What a beautiful day to kick off the Fall Season for the Salamander Efts. The clear, sunny sky held promise for our first outing of the season. Boys trickled in one-by-one and before we knew it Stubbs, our Wild Whatcom bus, was loaded and ready to roll. We chugged along to the IGA on Mt. Baker Highway to pick up the remaining explorers before continuing on to Mile Marker 44 and the wonders of the old growth forest.

Finally, after a lengthy drive, we made it to the pull out and unloaded. The beautiful old growth forest was a relief for the mentors and some of the boys after a noisy bus ride. Just a few yards down the trail and we were all in awe of a massive old growth Douglas Fir that took both the mentors and eight of the boys holding hands to wrap all the way around its trunk. We were truly now in the presence of giants.

After checking out some more of the old growth, we found a nice place for opening circle. The Salamander Efts were reunited once again, but this time there was a new face that we had the pleasure of welcoming to the group. Not only did a new face bring new thoughts and inspirations to the group, but this also gave the boys a chance to reflect upon the culture we’ve built over the seasons as we shared it with our new Salamander Eft group member. The old growth was calling to the boys so we quickly wrapped up our meeting and got out exploring the pristine ecosystem.

Some of the boys ventured down a trail and found a massive downed tree that was ripe for shelter building. A couple of other boys explored back in another direction and found a wonderland of mushrooms of all sizes from as big as a bullfrog to as tiny as a tadpole carpeting the forest floor. The boys also spent some time during this exploration period to build a couple miniature shelters with one of the mentors to show the other boys a few new ways to construct different types of shelters beyond the tried and true debris huts we learned to build in previous seasons.

While some of us were working on mini shelters, the rest of the group was hard at work constructing a full scale shelter that incorporated the downed old growth tree. There was so much potential with this shelter site that some of the boys had differing opinions on what kind of shelter to build and who should get to make the decision. There were some difficult moments as some of the boys felt they had more of a right to do what they want because it was “their” shelter site because they “found it first.”

While these boys were working out their differences, it left them hyper-focused inwardly and on their immediate situation. Little did they know that the other group of boys was sneaking up on their flank with one of the other mentors. The sneak took the boys in a long looping path around the southern flank of the squabbling shelter builders. It was rather easy to track where they were because they could hear the other boys chattering away. Along the sneak, they encountered numerous fungi of differing shapes, colors, and textures. They navigated through dense Devils Club, over (and even under) giant old growth nurse logs, and snuck in close just to the east of the rest of the group. It was truly an epic sneak, but before we could get any closer our time for exploration and free play came to an end.

Back near where we had our opening circle, one of the mentors shared the mini shelter creations with the rest of the group where we discussed the pros and cons of the different types of shelters and discovered how quick, easy, and resource efficient it is to practice your shelter building skills by building mini shelters. Not only can you build them anywhere there are some sticks, dirt, and other natural materials, but it gives the boys an opportunity to practice all their fantastic shelter building ideas on a smaller scale before they attempt them on a full scale shelter. Towards the end of our discussion a pair of small black and white woodpeckers with red heads decided to join us. We stopped and watched for a short time before gathering for our closing circle.

At closing circle we reflected upon the day, and finally had an opportunity to discuss the issues and negative impacts on others that can arise when individuals are overly possessive. The boys re-visited the concepts of escalation and were given a few insights into conflict resolution by the mentors. However, as we were trying to give thanks to wrap up the day, some of the boys weren’t giving the proper respect to others which was especially troubling to one of the mentors. Although we were already running late, it was important for the boys to understand the significance and meaning of reflection and gratitude for the beautiful day, magnificent location, and strong brotherhood we had on this outing. Being a bit late was well worth it as we found the significance behind thankfulness and reflection before scurrying to the bus, loading up with smiles on our faces, and heading back to meet the parents. What a day, full of peaks and valleys, but also such growth, graciousness, and good times shared by all.