The Barred Owls "ambush" Lookout Mountain

Remember playing hide and seek with your friends? Did you have a place where you liked to lay in wait to surprise a sibling, friend or parent? Or a seemingly secluded place to create and enjoy a fantasy world? 

You’re connecting to your inner child when you think, wistfully, back to those carefree days. When I was a kid, I would visit my Aunt Marge and Uncle Frank in upstate New York during the summer with a few siblings. We’d explore the “swimming hole” down at  the local stream for hours on end.

Another great example of child passion - we held our opening
meeting in and around a tree!

Now, as Coyote mentors, we realize that what was happening was the expression of our child passions; of imagining, spying, climbing, joking, and many more. We watch for, and try to tap into, opportunities to capture those moments. Well, Sunday presented mentor Jedidiah and I with just such an opportunity. 

As we gathered at Lookout Mountain, we saw that another Boys Explorers Club (BEC) group was also exploring the Reserve that day. We talked with mentors Tim and Joey about possibly collaborating on a game or project, but they had a full plan for their day, so we headed off in search of a place to explore and carve (our skill for the spring). 

We would usually head up to the big waterfall and then down the hill to the creek bed, but the parks people have fenced off the hillside to restore it (a good idea!), so we chose to explore a different trail. We were quickly rewarded when we came upon a lovely place further downstream. 

This spot has it all - waterfall (see it on the right side of the picture), an open, flat space that was perfect for carving (see photo below), logs across the creek for crossing or lounging, and enough room to spread out for a Sit Spot.

We explored a while, then settled in for carving practice. The boys are choosing projects and getting a sense of what it’ll take to convert a block of wood to a useful tool. 

Ideas for carving projects ranged from chop sticks to......

Atl-Atls

It was soon time for a sit spot and some lunch. We then gathered the boys and asked if they were interested in trying to find the other group and “ambushing” them. That triggered a child passion as their faces lit up at the prospect of sneaking up on their peers. 

Boy in nature....need I say more?

We soon heard voices and immediately entered stealth mode (such as it was). The excitement was palpable as boys scattered into the ferns and berry bushes, sure of a surprise approach. Alas, it was not to be. We were quickly detected. All was not lost, however, as we learned a few important lessons:

• The adrenaline will flow…breathe! 
• Communication is key. Have a plan….walking into the enemy camp and saying ”Hi”, as one of our number did, doesn’t cut it…
• Set a place and time to meet should events warrant. 

Perhaps next time will produce more surprise, but we succeeded in tapping into a child passion on Sunday, our true measure. 

Connecting with the land with your whole being and preserving a natural setting is a constant balancing act...literally and figuratively.

We next meet on Saturday, April 22nd, from 10:30am-2:30pm for our spring service outing at Connelly Creek. In the meantime, check out the photo gallery for Sunday’s outing.

The Barred Owls rock their Arroyo "night" outing; 3/4/17

Let’s start at the end. When the Barred Owls walked off the trail at N. Chuckanut, they had just hiked for a half hour (about 3/4 mi.) in the dark without using a headlamp. I was prepared to give the OK for artificial light about half way through, but no need. They stretched their edge (motto) on this night: your Explorers were up to the challenge!

Throughout the outing, the mentors found opportunities to talk with the boys about using all their senses, anticipating the need to listen for the creek when the trail was less visible, or to focus on the feel of the ground through their boots to detect off-trail wandering. Our task was made easier by light from a 1st quarter moon, courtesy of a clearing sky thanks to a break in the rain/snow. 

Before hiking out, we spent time creekside carving (please check out our knife safely video) and sharing tea. As night began to make its presence known, we made sure our headlamps were accessible and we were each dressed warmly enough. As our “Be prepared” motto states, “A prepared explorer is a happy – and safe – explorer.” This is especially important come nightfall, of course. Because we didn’t have any issues with preparedness, we were able to relax and immerse ourselves in this spectacular natural spot. Props to the Barred Owls for being well prepared!

Prior to descending the hill to the creek, we engaged in a spirited game of Spider’s Web in a location that is very demanding for the flies. A mini-Grand Canyon that carries a stream toward Chuckanut Creek provides a commanding vantage point for the spider and little cover for the encroaching flies. The flies shared information; we tried different routes (including charging full speed straight for the “food source”); we got very muddy. Alas, none of it worked. The game ended in a stalemate. 

Life is like that some times. Try as you might, you can’t bend fate to your will. Significant for the mentor’s goals for the Barred Owls, however, was the fact that they chose to play Spider’s Web. They also chose to explore Chuckanut Creek below the N. Chuckanut parking lot after our opening meeting (see first photo below). These decisions were a result of collaboration and compromise (motto) by the Explorers, capably led by their Tribal Elder. Expect more liberty and responsibility as your Explorers grow and change.

Initially, our afternoon was relaxed, as is evident in this shot. The deliberate pace set the tone for a reflective outing.

We stumbled on a partially constructed shelter and quickly deemed it a "backpackrack". 

Mentor Jedidiah checks in with a well prepared Explorer.

The route to our carving/sharing tea spot involved crossing Chuckanut Creek on a log bridge. Here, Explorers Mentor Apprentice (EMA) Logan helps us climb down to creekside.

The boys chose a carving project to work on through the Spring. Most took to the task with characteristic energy and focus.

Safe carving involves ensuring that when your knife slips, which it will, it doesn't cut you. The Explorers on either side of Mentor Jedidiah are using proper spread-legged technique.

Ready to hike back in the dark!

Quick turnaround! As a few of the boys pointed out to me on Saturday, our next outing is this Sunday, March 12 (daylight savings starts this day) at Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve. So, check the rest of the photos quickly, then have a look at the schedule for details on Sunday's outing. See you at the trailhead.