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 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.