Gray skies, the threat of rain, the promise of learning the art of shelter, and two eager mentors greeted the Salamander Efts and their families at the Galbraith lane parking area. Eagerly, we carried our belongings into the forest to find a suitable place for opening meeting. Explorers were eager for jobs and a chance to share stories since the last time we met.
The weather provided the perfect backdrop for shelter building. Gray skies, cold wind, and rain were important for illustrating the need for good shelter. Dave led the boys to a place where the Boys Explorers Club has been practicing the art of shelter building for several seasons. After seeing the shelters, the boys scattered to begin work on their own. Mentors roved around, offering help and advice regarding the importance of where a shelter is located. These were questions like: Is the ground well drained? Is it exposed to wind or hazards like rotting snags above? Is it near easily available shelter materials?
The Salamander Efts' energy towards building shelters was incredible! Mentors began construction on a classic debris hut to illustrate a reliable way build a shelter in any wooded area. The boys cycled through the classic hut, helping to find all the parts necessary to building and insulting it. During construction an important event occurred. The Salamander Efts found Ensatina eschscoltzii, a salamander species that is common in our forests, yet elusive due to its small size and effective camouflage. This particular Ensatina demonstrated an effective defensive measure by severing its own tail, which thrashed about next to the salamander. Finding the namesake of this group of explorers is an exciting marker as it speaks highly of the Salamander Efts ability to pay attention to the landscape and notice even the smallest of its inhabitants.
As Explorers’ energy began to lull, mentors brought in some magic to shift the days events. Suddenly, boys transformed into cougars and Greg transformed into a fleeing deer! After hiding carefully from his pursuers, the deer was stalked and captured by Connor! Back together after the hunt, the Explorers headed further up the trail, climbing up every old growth stump along the way.
The wind demanded our attention when we were on the trail. Dave twice attempted to set up a game of Spider's Web, a wonderful game of sneaking and stalking, but the weather demanded that we could not play. While we were all disappointed to not learn how to play Spider's Web, there was no denying that the wind had increased as evidenced by healthy branches that were falling nearby. Without a safe place where we felt comfortable playing in this part of the forest, Explorers held a meeting to determine the next course of action. They decided that the best plan would be to head back to the shelters and spend some more time working on them and exploring that part of the forest.
Before we resumed work on the shelters we held closing meeting. This was a chance to share with the boys how mentors had been assessing the weather throughout the day. We shared that a wind storm in September is tricky because the Maples, Alders, and Cottonwoods all still have their leaves. Thus, these deciduous trees catch the wind more than they would in November through January, when we typically have our largest storms. And this turns them into huge sails, making them vulnerable to losing branches. We concluded our meeting in our typical fashion of offering gratitude and sharing something we learned that day. Many boys were thankful for a safe day in a windy forest and a chance to learn the art of shelter building. Mentors were thankful for the opportunity to have another day afield with these boys. Thank you Salamander Efts Families!
Despite the rain, the Mentors remembered to get out the camera and took a number of pictures during the outing that you can find in our Salamander Efts photo gallery located here. Our next outing is at Connelly Creek and it is an opportunity to do some service and meet another extraordinary Mentor Tim Massey. We will be working to restore balance to the landscape with the goal of repatriating salmon to this part of the watershed. This will be a great opportunity for Explorers to strengthen their connection to the land by giving back in the form of habitat restoration. See you then!
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