BEC: Branch Hoppers Find Power on Galbraith

Branch Hoppers Explorers gathered for a strong season finish this past Saturday at Galbraith Mountain. We were graced with sunny and cold weather, the perfect condition for a hike up to the top.

The Branch Hoppers are a wonderful group of very talented and unique boys, capable of tremendous feats. Behind the scenes, mentors have had many discussions about how to help activate this group and guide them to places where they can find their own power as individuals and as a collective. We've used a lot of approaches, and each has led to certain insights. Different landscapes and different conditions that the outdoors have presented have brought forth an array of powers and challenges in this group. For this last outing, mentors tried a slightly different tactic than before. We gathered up the boys right off the bat and presented the format for the day. For this outing the boys would have to keep up with the mentors. In order for them to find the power to truly guide their own group and understand the art of exploring, we were starting with a little more overt guidance.

The missions were simple: hike to the top, harvest some nettles for cordage, and harvest and cedar bark for nests. We began down the trail, and right off the bat the question was raised about where nettles grow. A fantastic question indeed! We looked around and recognized that the entrance was a perfect place to start looking for nettles, so we asked scattered and had a two minute nettle scavenger hunt. Indeed we did find them, and it was a good opportunity to really look closely at this wonderful plant. We looked at the branching structure, the leaves, and the stem. Branch Hoppers may remember whether the nettle is alternate or opposite, whether it has entire or serrated leaves, and whether the stem is whole or segmented. After an ethical harvest of a nettle stalk, we were back on our way.

It must be said that the boys rose brilliantly and beautifully to the challenge. It was not a morose and restrictive day by any means-- the opportunities to genuinely explore were ample. The biggest mentor of all, our wild world, perpetually keeps us aware, responsive, and full of curiosity. We navigated the bike hazards expertly as we made our way toward the top. A few boys got hungry and voiced this to the group; we recognized the value of speaking up, the value compromise, and the value of making clear decisions together. We decided to wait for the top to eat our lunch.

As we neared the very top of the mountain, the sun was bursting through the trees. Half the group couldn't resist hiding from the other half and ambushing them just before they made it to the top. When we had rejoined one another, we came together to the impressive overlook and saw the vast wilderness of our own landscape all around us --- even in the direction of Bellingham, the wild water from the Cascades flowed down into the bay, the great thermal River of Arctic air washed over us from the Fraser River Valley, the trees breathed and birds swam through the sky. It was a magnificent day.

We all had lunch.  Then the world opened us up to simply play and explore. Time up on the mountain was a great chance for no structure; all the while the mentors maintained their intention of nudging the group further into the art of exploration. Without making any demands they simply began to work on their fire by friction. Curiosity took hold many of the boys and pretty soon we were all learning how to make cedar nests, and Dave was teaching the art of the bow drill. We discovered an interesting game trail, a recently deceased varied thrush, and curiosities in the rocks.

After good amount of time it was apparent that we needed to move as one. Matt gave the challenge to the whole wolf pack to chase him. He became a buck and took off down the trail. Explorers ran after him but soon learned that stealth and awareness are essential aspects went on the hunt. The “deer” led them all the way down to a junction in the trail where it seemed to have disappeared. When he was finally discovered, the wolf pack work together and caught him.

Shortly afterward, Dave disappeared as well and this time he was the alpha wolf and we were all still the wolf pack. We could not talk or make humans sounds or it would make the alpha wolf nervous.  In order to get him to howl, we needed to all howl in unison. Explorers figured out a good nonverbal strategy and did a wonderful job finding their far off wolf. We ended up in a magical forest spot where Explorers invented a game right there on the spot. Ask your son about the gopher and gopher snakes game. We finished with a very strong final meeting. It must be said that these boys shone as a wonderful group with great powers and the ability to meet the challenges. It's an honor to explore with them.

Don't forget to check out pics of our outing our photo gallery.

Also we're very excited to offer winter outings for the first time in Explorers Club. Click here for details.