Salamander Efts Begin Learning Fire By Friction at North Galbraith

The Salamander Efts met up at North Galbraith Trailhead on a chilly, damp Sunday morning. This was perfect weather for us to begin the journey along discovering a timeless skill: The Art of Fire by Friction. Taking advantage of the recently altered landscape, we had a treasure trove of materials to harvest after the recent deforestation a half mile down the trail. But before we jumped into harvesting, it was time to get an introduction into what it takes to make a “bow-drill kit” and what it means to learn this skill.

Gathering under an cave-like overhang just felt right to begin learning this skill

  

Spreading out near the bike jumps, some of the Explorers discovered an small cave like overhang that would be just the right size for an opening circle. Squeezing in, we formed a circle and after some squirelliness from a few group members, we settled in to learn about the bow-drill. It was fitting to be doing this under such a prominent natural shelter and added to the timeless nature of this skill. Examining the kit the boys learned about each piece and its purpose. From the obvious bow, there was also the spindle, fireboard, top rock/block, and items to create a tinder bundle. A quick demo from one of the mentors showed how all these items worked together to create an ember through friction. This ember is then transferred into a tinder bundle and with the addition of oxygen blown into the mix of ember and tinder, a flame is produced. 

The bow, fire board, spindle, and top block/rock, with cedar bark for tinder

Not only is this a fun skill to learn about, but it also holds incredibly significant place in the development of humankind as we know it and the technology we have developed over thousands of years to allow us to live all across the world, explore the depths of space, access an endless wealth of information online, and basically do anything beyond basic survival day to day. The ability to create fire on demand, cook food, and even preserve food enabled early humans to not only survive, but thrive and begin developing the early forms of culture and technology that are now the basis of our everyday lives. There is something almost magical about learning this skill and once you can create fire from a few easily gathered materials in the forest, fire almost becomes a part of you that you can carry with you wherever you go.

Investigating the deforested lands where this group played Life and Death in the Forest a little over a year ago

It was now time for us to indulge in this ancient skill as we moved through the forest and out into the recently deforested lands where we could gather materials and find a location to begin learning this skill for ourselves. This group has always been one to get lost in the art of goofing off and their focus hard to wrangle at times. Initially it was looking like our outing was going to be a wash and despite a lot of fun and exploration when the mentors gathered the group up to rally and get going on gathering materials and putting together their own fire kits. Spreading out Explorers searched for potential spindles to harvest while mentors cut and processed some downed Western Red Cedar to use for fireboards. Everyone was able to track down a few materials and we gathered up once more to start carving away and refining our materials into something that could produce an ember.

Practicing with a fresh bow-drill kit

Despite a wandering focus and plenty of good times to be had, the Salamander Efts managed to gather up the basic materials for a bow-drill kit. We hunkered down for the remainder of our outing and a few of the Explorers actually had a go at getting an ember. Despite their fruitless labors, they honed their technique and began acquiring the muscle memory required to become proficient enough to get an ember. Of course learning such a skill will take many hours of practice, the Salamander Efts not only got off to a good start, but as always, had a good time doing it. The mentors are looking forward to practicing this ancient skill with the Salamander Efts as we progress into spring outings and their final season together before graduating into the Four Shields. This is an exciting time to be working with this group, and as they grow into arriving adults, the mentors hope they can begin learning not only the basics of the bow-drill, but the concentration, determination, and patience that is inevitably required to become proficient at this skill. These traits can then permeate into other aspects of their lives and hopefully give them a head start over their peers as they journey through adolescence and beyond.

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

Gathering together for closing circle to give some thanks before heading home

BEC: Art of Carving with the Salamander Efts

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!