With a new name, Raccoon Kits became an official group this fall when they met at 100 Aker Woods to learn about the Art of Camouflage. Being one of the most basic and introductory lessons in the forest, Explorers were excited to join the ranks of the other ten Explorers Club groups and begin their camouflage journey.
Explorers met Drew and Dave who took them into the shelter of the forest as the rain began to fall. We had opening meeting and got to learn that circles are very important in Explorers Club. We meet in Circle at the beginning and end of each day for meeting, during which we check-in and share about ourselves. In circle, no one has more power than any other person. We are all free to speak and to be heard. Physically being in a circle is the first step toward the Circular Leadership model that Boys EC promotes and uses. We all have an important say in group decisions!
We played a game of “Incoming” to stay warm and to re-introduce the concept of camouflage and hiding in the forest. Please ask your son about the game if you would like to learn more. Everyone put on his raingear because we decided that staying dry and warm was the best approach to having a successful and fun outing. These Raccoon Kits are wise beyond their years!
As Explorers were getting ready to trek into the woods, Drew spotted an Ensatina adult! This salamander (Ensatina eschscholtzii) is a special treat to find in the forest because they are elusive and hard to see. In fact their camouflaged coloring makes them blend in very well with the forest duff. As they hide in and under downed logs, bark, and wood, these herps' big eyes help gather enough light for them to hunt bugs and worms. If you look closely, then you’ll know their tail detaches if they are threatened; the constriction at the base of the tail shows you where it will come off.
Raccoon Kits traveled further under the protection of the canopy and deeper into the 100 Aker woods. We practiced “Hide” with various rounds in a gamut of locations. As we found a good place to set up base camp, Drew shared some important information about camouflage. We considered shape, size, color, light, and shadow, movement, and sound as parts of how we can blend into the forest. Drew told us about “human lines” and then we observed how we can break up those lines as we hide.
Dave set up a Camouflage Gauntlet for the group, but all of the sudden we heard a soft, “Who-cooks-for-you… who, who?” It happened three times and we knew that we had company. We quietly stalked over to where we heard the sounds and gazed up in the trees looking for the Barred Owl. Some Explorers pointed it out but many of us had a hard time seeing it. In part because we were searching for a Barred Owl when we should have been trying to recognize a Great Horned Owl! Perhaps our misidentification of the owl insulted it enough that it felt the need to fly elsewhere.
After the owling excitement, we looked for hidden chenille sticks (colored pipe cleaners) along a trail using our Owl Eyes. Please ask your Explorer to explain what it means to have Owl Eyes. How are our human eyes different than the owls’ eyes?
The sun came out and then the rest of the afternoon was spent lazily in the trees, eating and snacking, telling stories, sharing about bird language, and delving into the details of hummingbirds. Explorers shared their vast knowledge of the number of heartbeats and wing beats per second and we were all thoroughly impressed by wild facts about our animal friends.
As a last order of business, Raccoon Kits practiced an important Explorers Clubmotto, Attitude of Gratitude. We stood, once again, in circle, and had apples together while sharing one thing for which we were thankful. Giving thanks is an important part of the Explorers Club culture and one that we hope these new Explorers will appreciate. When we give thanks, we are able to connect more deeply to the land, our community, and ourselves.
Explorers, thank you for embracing the rain and cold today. It was great to be out there together. Parents, thank you for your support of these great boys and our program. We are excited to welcome you into the Boys Explorers Club community.
You can check out more pictures from the outing in the Raccoon Kits photo gallery. We’ll see you at the next outing on October 6th at Sehome Arboretum.
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