Finding Shelter with the Branch Hoppers Explorers

The dappled brown on the cedar trees, the necrotic bracken ferns, and the ample big leaf maple tailings on the forest floor indicated our place in the circular story of the seasons as we entered the 100 Aker Wood and began our second year as the Branch Hoppers Explorers.

As we gathered, it was apparent that there was no need to rush or doanything. Explorers plopped down on the ground and expressed that they were tired, so we went with the flow and had a little conversation before we even entered the woods. Though tired, spirits were high, and soon enough we built up sufficient energy to foray into the green and start our exploration. We had one new Explorer to meet and many connections to reestablish. Mentors asked the Explorers how they would start this new outing. Led by each boy in turn, we formed a circle, brought our minds toward the vision of the day, discussed hazards, and gave out jobs. Our new Explorer, Miles, fit into the group perfectly, and proved truly skillful at the game of hide. After a few rounds of this game to warm up, we donned our packs and went further in.

Many hidden things unveiled themselves as we explored. Fall is the season of fungus: the decomposers. We touched into this world and discovered many wildly different forms all around us. Explorers also found a giant pile of broken glass and trash. After assessing the risk and considering what a shard of glass might do to a hoof, a hand, or a foot, we decided to safely clean it up. Pretty impressive to see how quick the Branch Hoppers were to do some service.

Afterword, we sat down to have a snack while Dave told us a story. If you are curious about the story, you are highly encouraged to ask your Explorer about the story of “go ask the squirrels.”  If he needs a further prompt, it's the story about learning how to build shelter through trial and error and finally realizing that the best teachers are the squirrels.  With inspiration, we set out to try building our own shelters. The first mission, however, was to decide where we could do it.

We moved down the trail a bit and came to a fork in the road. Drawing on our knowledge of place, we remembered that the road to the left surely had nettles (which we could use to learn cordage) and it had wasps. We also remembered that there were some good spots for shelter. So, considering the hazards and our own responsive abilities of awareness and naturalist knowledge, we decided to head that way. We paused to do a watershed assessment. Imagining a giant emptying a gigantic cup of water on the hillside nearby, each Explorer was challenged to stand in a spot where he would not get wet. We looked at each others’ spots and recognized a few things about water. We then recognized that many of these dry places were the same places where we would want to build a shelter.

Explorers split up and began the quest to build a shelter. In a very short time, we did discover a wasp nest, and we got a good chance to look at it closely and admire their handiwork. Almost every animal needs some form of shelter, and many create their own. We stumbled on some old human shelters as well, and got a chance to assess how well they might keep us warm and dry. With these as examples, we learned about the ridge pole, Y-sticks, and just how much debris it would take to stay warm and dry under the fiercest conditions. Many of us teamed up, and after a good while of stick gathering and breaking, debris collecting, and sporadic exploration, we ended up with the foundation of an excellent debris hut. Some explorers had created their own structures, so we had the opportunity to admire and assess different design options.

At the end of the day, we circled up, ate some apples, and gave thanks. Adventure was had and lessons were learned. Great group work today, Branch Hoppers Explorers! We are looking forward to seeing you next time. As we discussed, our next outing will be a challenge, so please come prepared with the right clothing and a good night’s sleep. We are very excited that you're ready for a big edge stretching exploration. Thanks so much to each and every Explorer for your spirit of adventure and willingness to try something new. Thanks so much to all you parents for your enduring support!

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