After a long day of rain the Salamander Efts met at Galby Lane to recreate their group culture and learn the first steps along the Carving Journey. With Greg out due to sickness, Matt swung over from a different outing to guide the Efts through some important considerations as the boys learned to use their edged tools.
Reminder about Explorers Club: Safety is a huge consideration in our program. If we are prepared with equipment, tools, knowledge, and compassion then we have different means to survive and thrive in outdoor settings. Indeed, we can consider the forest home once we see the abundance of food, medicine, shelter, water, and fire available in the ecosystem.
As we are learning those basics in every successive season, it is crucial that Explorers come prepared to outings with a backpack, water, extra clothing layers, food, and other items that will make their day fun. They’ll even need some space in their pack to carry group gear like our snack, toilet paper, and various resources. Boys usually make the mistake of wearing cotton clothes… hopefully they only make that error one time. Many of the Explorers were prepared but it’s important to reiterate this message to everyone. If you have any questions, please contact us!
Though we had an objective for the day, the slippery efts had other tasks in mind. The first, and most important, was to redefine the culture of the group. There were new faces to welcome and old faces to remember. As such we had a round of names and an opening meeting. Explorers kept their eagerness to carve on the backburner as we participated in these fun first steps.
We also had to go over the rules and then play a round or two of Hide. This game, as simple as it is, is really the first steps in nature connection. We use our awareness to help us quickly discover a fun and creative place in which we are to camouflage ourselves. We reawaken our innate ability to find a safe place in a given environment. If you are new to BEC, then please ask your son where he hid! If you have been involved for one or more seasons you may even ask your son to teach you how to play :)
Boys were eager to work on shelters they had built in the fall. How did they hold up through the winter? What new puddles and down trees would there be? As such we found that location and boys took to building shelters. Other groups took the responsible role of breaking down pre-existing shelters. Not for the sake of destruction but as a way to redistribute the shelter resources back into the ecosystem.
Some boys began to destroy a huge stump without awareness of the living mosses and other bryophytes growing in conjunction with the decomposition. They were asked to put things back to the way they once were, including every particle of sand. In this impossible task, the question came up: Is it ever possible to redo the impact we make? This is an important question from which we can all learn.
This may hopefully resonate for the boys in their lives as they let it settle into their hearts. As we gathered our things late in the day, boys found small sprouts; with some consideration and care they replanted these baby Bigleaf Maple shoots in those hopes that they might grow into mighty trees. Explorers have started processing the lesson about our human impact as their power takes root in a healthy way.
With a lunch break, the carving journey began. Matt told us a story about his teacher; exemplifying the motto, A Tool is an Extension of the Body. Dave then explained the basics of knife use and boys were keen to share their knowledge too. A also identified an important motto, The Difference Between a Tool and a Weapon is You. Ask your Explorer to elaborate on those mottoes if he remembers.
Boys found safe spaces to carve (we call them Blood Circles) and were handed some green Red Alder pieces to practice making a feather stick. Blade control is crucial for these boys and simple tasks of learning the blade and its resistance to the wood helps their hands’ muscle memory. Along with the emotional content of being responsible for their own safety and learning, these boys were focused and intent on their carving journey for well over 30 minutes. It was tough for mentors to ask them to stop so we could have closing meeting and a circle of thanks.
Following the motto, Attitude of Gratitude, we’d like to thank Explorers for their diligent work in a short outing. It was great for us to start this Carving journey alongside you as guides. Parents thank you for the trust as we use knives with your sons. They are gaining valuable strength and power through this skill and your support is much appreciated.
Please look at the photo gallery for more pictures from this outing. Next outing is next weekend; please see the schedule for details and come prepared to continue the carving journey and have a fun day of exploration- we are soon due for a game of Spider’s Web!
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