Branch Hoppers Explorers Explore Plants and Fire

The Branch Hoppers Explorers gathered for their last outing of the season this Saturday. It was a fine June day: the salmon berries ripening, the thimbleberries in flower, the Wilson's warblers chattering, the sound of the wind dancing through the thick foliage above. It would have been enough to simply be in that environment for four hours. So much medicine surrounded us. Our little bodies rejoiced at the increased oxygen content; our eyes gathered the unique green of chlorophyll and sunlight. Did you know that when the human eye simply sees the green produced by chlorophyll and sunlight, the blood pressure drops?

That said, more knowledge and connection lead to even greater benefit. As we gathered our surly crew together, everyone was rowdy and excited to explore one last time before summer started. Steve and Matt were just as excited, and they were holding loosely onto some plans for sharing knowledge about plants and fire. Finn, our volunteer mentor, was equally excited to be out with us for the day. As we are prone to do, the exploration did in fact begin with a game of Hide! We scattered and dug right in to the earth as we hid from the caller, embracing the simple Explorers Club motto, “get dirty!” After a couple rounds, we walked down the trail. Matt paused the group and gave a challenge: splitting Explorers into teams, he asked them to spread out and find three edible plants a piece. Steve then spotted a good starting point and lead our group further into the woods.

Making sure we had enough water in your systems, and after sharing a couple impromptu stories, we set out. Explorers put a bandanna or some other marker on every plant that they saw that they knew was edible. When the time was up they all gathered back together and we got up to take a look at what we had all found. Plant by plant, we looked at who the plant was, what made that plant edible, and any dangers we should consider. This was an edge stretcher for Explorers and we all knew it, but such foundational information is vital for being connected to our land. We checked in after a decent amount of plants and asked the Explorers if they could stretch that edge just a little bit further and learn a few more plants. We reminded them that this is
 their group, and sometimes learning requires the discipline to stick with something longer than we want to. We actually and genuinely gave them the option, and they decided that we could look at a few more plants. When we were done, we recognized that we had only walked the size of a footprint of an average house and we had identified a dozen edible plants. Even more amazing than that, was that we had not even scratched the surface of medicine or tools, and there were other edibles in that area that we have not discussed.

Reading the field is vital in community. One can read the physical field, as we were doing while getting to know the natural landscape and communities. One can also read the field of the group, which can include knowing when the group needs to just run around in order to regenerate and revive. So we found a large tree and decided to play a game of Hungry Hungry Marten. Explorers were cautious and sneaky and used some interesting natural tactics to try to get to the tree. With our noses to the ground, we got to know the plants in a different way. We did play one more round and then regathered to check in and see what the group needed.

Food and water was the verdict. Amazing how similar we are to plants and all the other living beings. We went to the backpacks, ate and drank, shared stories, and then put our minds to fire.

Steve brought out his bow drill kit and told the Branch Hoppers Explorers that, in the fall, they will be learning to use knives. This group has shown amazing growth and they are ready to go on this journey together. Steve showed his his knife and demonstrated how had carved his bow drill kit. Then he went into an elegant and clear demonstration of how to make a proper bow drill fire. Steve, Matt, andFinn spent a good amount of time talking about the power of fire and the danger of not being responsible with fire. We looked at fire hazards and fire safety and good fire etiquette. Someday not too far from now these boys will be making fire with their own bow drill kits, and they will do it in a good way.

After the fire, not much time was left, but we knew the importance of keeping that spirit of playfulness and youthfulness in all of our work. So we played a lightning fast game of Spider's Web and had a good closing meeting. Explorers eloquently share their thanks as did the mentors.

This Explorer is so deeply grateful for every single one of these boys.
 These boys have grown so much and have been powerful teachers for this Explorer and each other.  It is an honor to be in community with them. It is another to be in community with the other mentors in Explorers Club and all of the volunteers that care so much about our human and natural communities. It is another to be in community with all of the parents who care about their sons, the land, and the future of our wonderful, wild planet.

Don't forget to check out pics from our outing in the photo gallery.