Exploring Sehome Arboretum with the Branch Hoppers Explorers

We were graced with another beautiful day as our Branch Hoppers Explorers gathered at the top of Sehome Arboretum, ready for exploring a new location with our group. Sehome Arboretum is a vibrant patch of wilderness in the middle of the city, an oasis for many species, a vibrant green gem amongst the many layers of concrete. It is also a bit of a maze with many trails carved out over the years and many secrets yet undiscovered. This jutting of this Chuckanut Formation spits out huge boulders of sandstone and provides ample cliff faces for eager climbers. It's an important home to many black-tailed deer and many of our more finicky spring warblers. Great horned and barred owls both love to fly along the forested cliff sides, to build nests in snags, and to eat their fill of the shrews and mice who are constantly scouring the ground in search of bugs or seeds.

As we gathered for our opening circle, we noticed that one of the Explorers was exceptionally large. We asked him who he was and what grade he was in, and it turned out that he was actually in college and was volunteering with us for the day. Thanks, Brandon, for joining us! We started off with a little game, with some questions about the day, and with some attention to safety. The Branch Hoppers Explorers were given just a few goals for the day:all we needed was time for a sit spot, a good closing meeting, and an opportunity to make it to the tower.  The rest was up to them.

They agreed to lead the way, but then looked confused when faced with the power to actually decide. They kept looking at the mentors, asking where we're going and how long it would take. But the mentors only asked the questions back and soon it was apparent that it really was up to them. So their first challenge of the day was making a decision as a group. They gave it a good try. They also learned a bit about what works and what doesn’t in the decision-making process.  It was effective enough that we were soon on our way. We played a quick game of incoming and then did a round of name game to help Brandon out.

After that it was exploration. We discovered a downed cherry tree whose wood makes beautiful chopsticks, bowls, and spoons. We spotted a bird’s nest, met new plants, and heard unusual birdsongs. We challenged ourselves by going down some steep trails, and everyone navigated them wonderfully. At the bottom of a particularly steep trail, we discovered a debris hut big enough to fit almost all of us. We moved on a short way and found a giant boulder and a big open spot that was perfect for sitting down and having some lunch. Once they had eaten, Explorers were on the boulder like flies on… well, you know. They scrambled and slid and crawled. After some time of open exploration, mentors were inspired with the game. Everyone paused to listen, and we heard a bird song in the distance. It was the Robin telling us her story.  The story she told in that song was about all the work that she put into building her nest and raising her young. She told about the cowbird and the crows and the jays, the sharp-shinned and the coopers hawks.

With her story in mind, we decided it was time to get this story in our bodies and realize just how much work it takes to protect a nest. We played Where's My Egg. This game required one very attentive robin to be perched at the top of the boulder while everyone else scrambled and hid amongst the many sword ferns trying to get to the egg. Explorers went about trying different personal tactics, getting dirty, and developing strategies on how to work together. The robin was tough, but eventually the egg was stolen. It took many working together to get it back, but in the end we all realized that it takes work for everyone to eat and to protect their young.

During the game, one Explorer discovered some nettles. Taking a look at the stings, we took the opportunity to spread out and look for a patch of nettles so we all could learn more about them. At the top of a hill we discovered a healthy patch, and everyone gathered around to learn more about this potent and wonderful plant. We looked at the leaf pattern and the shape of the stalk and we considered the structure of the little hairs that coated the whole plant. Explorers were encouraged to take a picture with their minds. They were also encouraged to recognize that, while there are many remedies out there, the best remedy for a nettle sting is time. As much as they hurt in the moment, they pass quickly, and our breath and our patience and the aim of our minds dictate how we are affected by these sensations. So interesting that the most helpful and tasty plants often have the best defenses.

In the last part of the day, we played one more game and worked a bit on interpersonal and group relationships. The Branch Hoppers Explorers are learning the art of being a pack, and this art takes time. If families feel inspired at home, it would help the Branch Hoppers to discuss ourmottoes: collaborate and compromise and bridges not walls.  Bringing lessons from EC into the home is a wonderful connection. We did manage to have a nice little sit spot.  We did not manage to make it up so that tower, but that tower is still there and will be there in seasons to come, and the Branch Hoppers Explorers will grow into an increasingly cohesive unit that can make it to the top.

Thanks so much, Branch Hoppers Explorers, for all your work and for your sense of exploration. Thanks so much, Brandon, for joining us. Thanks to all you parents for your enduring support. We'll see many of you this summer! Don't forget to check out pics from the outing in aphoto gallery.