What a great day to be outside! Under sunny skies and a warm southerly wind, Raccoon Kits met with Mentors atop the famous Sehome Arboretum to learn the Foundations of Service in Explorers Club. We welcomed Nick, who volunteered his afternoon with us, and together we tromped into the forest open to anything that arrived for us.
Five minutes into our hike we were faced with a challenge-- which way should we go? Seemed like a great chance for Alden to take charge as the Tribal Elder and help the group facilitate a decision about going towards the road or taking “the trail to nowhere.” Why Alden? He was in the front of the group at the time!
Christian led the group as front scout and Avi settled into the back scout position. Sandwiched by responsible Explorers, we walked downward toward the deer sleeping areas. Because we had a hard time finding a big enough flat space to hold opening meeting, eventually we doubled back and came BACK towards the road to a place conducive for our meeting needs.
Boys were quick to volunteer themselves to have jobs for the day: Chase B and Elliot were the Knowledge Keepers, Mason and Chase N were our Earth Keepers, Gunnar was the Hunter Gatherer, Finnegan served as Medicine Man, and Rowan held the important paperwork as the TTTPP. Levi was being funny in his refusal to volunteer so he was dubbed the Court Jester for the day. He took the position seriously and made us all laugh on a couple of occasions! Please ask your Explorer about his job and what he did for the group.
Upon finding ourselves back at the cave, we saw that there was service to be done. Bigleaf Maples abounded with a lot of ivy growing up their sides. Raccoon Kits were quick to identify that ivy can crawl up trees, adding extra weight and even growing over the trees’ leaves. In order to help the trees grow, we had to kill the ivy.
This is an interesting concept to teach. What is an invasive species? What is a weed? What plants are “good” or “bad”? In Explorers Club, we have a hard time distinguishing good from bad. The example we shared was about Himalayan Blackberries. Considered an invasive species or a weed, boys were also quick to share they enjoyed eating the berries! With the good/bad line somewhat cloudy, we brought up another perspective to shine some light on the situation: Balance.
Mentors shared about balance in an ecosystem. Plants that we consider “invasive” may simply be out of balance. Though they grow fine in the Pacific Northwest, we also champion the original or native species. So, though our service, we work to restore the balance of the ecosystem so that the natives can flourish without being overwhelmed by the invasives. Balance is the aim, not destruction or killing of “bad” things. As such, the Irish Ivy, commonly mistaken as English Ivy, lost its hold on our Sehome deciduous population as Explorers learned how to remove it.
When we finished up our work, Nick shared with us a great autumn pastime: catching falling leaves! Boys took tumbles and dove for falling leaves and “helicopter seed pods” as the wind loosened their hold on the trees.
Then the most special thing happened. Matt shared his sit spot with us. We journeyed toward that sacred ground and Matt showed the Raccoon Kits where he has spent nearly four years studying the natural world. We all saw and climbed into the dry and cozy debris shelter where Matt has spent the night outside. Then we sat captivated, eating our snacks, as he shared a story about the raccoon family that came to visit him in the very spot we were sitting! Thank you Matt for getting to know this land and bringing the Raccoon Kits to share the space. It is a special opportunity that will inspire us all to respect the power of our sit spot.
We raced back uphill to have our closing meeting. With an Attitude of Gratitude, we gave thanks and shared apples together. Then we sleuthed our way back through the forest and through the final sandstone cave to meet our parents who welcomed us with open arms.
Explorers thank you for such respectful attitudes and strong service ethics you formed today. It was inspiring to see you working to restore balance to the Sehome Arboretum. Also, the way you explored, played, and listened at Matt’s sit spot was truly inspiring for us Mentors.
Parents, thank you for encouraging these Explorers in their nature connection journey. Your support of the Explorers Club is important and we appreciate it very much.
Please look at more pictures from this outing in the photo gallery. And make sure to have the boys bring enough warm clothes and rain gear (and maybe even a Thermos with warm drink or soup!) for the next outing at Whatcom Falls Park on November 2nd. Have a great month!
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