Spawning salmon, fire by friction, carving, and river rambling; what powerful way for the Branch Hoppers to end their fall season. Heading out from the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead the Branch Hoppers circled up at the first junction in the trail for an opening meeting. Now that the boys are a well-seasoned group of Explorers it is important for them to begin to track the different locations we explore and realize how they are connected geographically. Working together the group tried to orient to the cardinal directions and determine where the two trails were headed. They came to the conclusion that one way led to Chucaknut Creek and Lost Lake while the other led to Clayton Beach. Each time an Explorer makes a connection like this they can begin to construct a mental map of natural landscape, like a patchwork quilt. When a boy traverses from Clayton Beach to Arroyo Park, rambles up Chuckanut Creek, and climbs to Pine and Cedar Lakes he begins to understand the many important mountainous creeks which feed the lowlands, and in turn support us all. Our aim is for the boys to develop a deep sense of place and connection through this geographical knowledge. When they understand the landscape’s watersheds and topography they begin to understand how to take care of it holistically and fully.
Heading East towards Chuckanut Creek the group marveled at the damage the last storm caused and the abundant waterfalls and streams flowing off Chuckanut Mountain. The beautiful fall colors in the foliage and mild weather left the group in high spirits as we roamed. Arriving at Chuckanut Creek we gazed over the bridge and one of the Explorers called out Salmon! The boys darted off the bridge and leaned out over the creek, trying to get close. The Chum Salmon were large and could move with speed and precision up the creek.
In our opening meeting we talked about a woman who could catch salmon with her hands, not by chasing and overpowering them, but through patience and stealth. This must have inspired the boys because some of them were quickly up to their waists in the creek! Some of the boys balanced patiently on logs and rocks, submerging their hands in creek and waiting, while others tried to chase the salmon. Soon half the boys were in the creek like a group of hungry bears. In the end one Explorer who had waited patiently pulled a twenty-pound salmon triumphantly onto the bank. Looking at it we could see that it was starting to deteriorate. We quickly put it back in the water and it was one its way.
The mentors and EMA’s grouped up and discussed the actions of the group from an environmental impact standpoint. In the end we decided this was the perfect way for the boys to understand the power of these salmon’s journey. As a few boys chased a salmon, it with only a few flicks of its tail that it was sixty feet up the creek and had disappeared under a log. The boys bared witness to the grace, strength, and technique of this master of survival. How wonderful to see the land living and thriving right in our backyards.
As we rambled up the banks of the creek a few boys connected the power of their knives to harvest salmon. They asked if they could harvest one and the mentors told them they were not prepared nor was it appropriate. They asked why, and the mentors explained that the harvest of salmon was something that needed to be done with the right tools and intention. If we came out with the specific intention of harvesting then we would do it. This carried into a deeper conversation about what ethical harvest is with a look at the many types of harvesting we do in the forest. Addressing the case of the salmon, we needed to take into consideration that we had no fishing license nor did we know the regulations of the creek. One Explorer mentioned that no one would ever know if we took one, and it was a powerful teaching moment to talk about the concept of integrity. We stressed to the boys that integrity is most important when no one is watching and requires engagement in a constant search for truth and honesty within oneself. In the end the boys agreed that we were capable, but not prepared.
Wrapping up the conversation some of the soaked boys started to look cold, and we decided it would be wise to build a small fire to warm up. We crossed over a Western Hemlock that spanned the creek. Climbing up the hill we found a secluded area and made it our base camp for a skills session. Peter found a downed Cedar and harvested some of is wood. The boys worked on their own carving projects while Peter worked on a small but hardy fire.
It was nice to see the boys get quiet and relax into the solitude of the location and witness the power that fire has to bring us together. As a small flame started to rise the boys gathered around it. Slowly we fed the fire with Hemlock twigs. Warming their cold feet and hands, the boys roasted their apples slices and gave thanks for the day. The boys gave thanks for carving, creek rambling, the power of salmon, the abundant resources which are all around us, for the ability to take resources and leave them for others, and for special locations like this one. We also revisited the conversation we had earlier about integrity and ethical harvest. Emphasizing that the only way we can live as humans is by taking, and its how we take and give back to the land that makes all the difference.
Recognizing that we had made a fire and needed to deal with it responsibly we took all the water that was left in our water bottles and put the coal and ash out completely. Peter taught the group and old Apache Scout method for burying ash. Once the ash was was buried we returned the duff to the soil and covered the area with debris. Scattering our carving shavings you could barley tell that we had been there. We may have caused a little impact, but these boys are establishing a relation with the wild spaces around them and need to be free to see the effects of their actions. This is the only way they will learn how to protect it.
The mentors are thankful for an incredible season with the Branch Hoppers and look forward to our upcoming winter season. We also would like to thank Logan and Jordan for being such great EMA’s for the boys. The Branch Hoppers really gravitate towards them and they can lead and teach in so many ways that we mentors cannot and for that we are thankful.
For more pictures from the Branch Hopper’s outing please visit their photo gallery.
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