The Branch Hopper's Continue their Carving Journey

Circling up off trail we tried to track what had happen to the land.  After some investigation and observation we decided that strong southeast winds had blown through the area downing many Alders and Maples. The group decided that we would need to be on high alert for trees leaning precariously and branches waiting to fall. Once we were oriented to the land the group revisited knife safety, highlighting our motto A Tools vs. a Weapon and some of the carving techniques that we practiced the first outing. It is vital that we go over knife safety every outing because the second that that the boys get overconfident or careless with their knives will be the time when they cut themselves or worse another.

Passing a few items around the circle the mentors showed the group the utensil set that they had carved to try and give the group some inspiration for their carving projects. Handing out jobs and turning the meeting over to the boys, the mentors asked the group how they would like to spend their time. Through some collaboration and group process the boys decided they would search the area for some carvable wood and end their day with a round or two of Spider’s Web. We enjoy being able to hand the leadership over to the boys and follow their inspirations.

Packing up we headed down the trail and not before long we found a downed Maple branch. We took a couple shattered pieces of the Maple and made them into shims. We pounded the shims into a split in the Maple Branch and it quickly popped in half under the pressure. Then taking our knives at a parallel angle from our bodies we split the wood into a carvable size with a technique called battoning. Once the boys had their carving blanks they got right to work.  It is refreshing to see them settle into the land and get quiet. The boys leaned against the trunks of a few old Cedars and relaxed in the duff of the abundant nursing stumps as they carved. It is plain to see that they feel at home in the woods. Our aim as mentors is for the boys to slowly come to know the woods as a place of nourishment, feeling as comfortable on the land as they do in their own homes.

As we carved the mentors asked a question to the group, “What do we have in our homes that does not come from the land?” It was interesting to hear some of the boy’s responses: computers, steel, microwaves, clothes, cars, etc.… It was important to reiterate to the group that everything we have comes from the land. It is the force that sustains our lives and we are dependent on it. Connecting the boys with Earth Skills like carving helps them establish this connection. When we harvest a piece of wood and turn it into utensils and then eat and cook with them we can tangibly make this connection. Our hope as mentors is for the boys to have a reverence for the life giving resources that the Earth provides and start to build an awareness of what it means to conserve and take, in order to live.

We commend the Branch Hoppers for their careful awareness and respect for their knives. The boys carved for two hours straight and the whole time they made each other aware when they were in each others Blood Circle and slowed down enough the really practice proper form and technique that this vital skill demands. The boys ended up carving some beautiful forks and knives. The group has made a goal that by the time summer camp roles around they will all have hand carved utensils to eat with.

Packing up we headed to explore a new location. On our way over we played a few rounds of Hide. We came across a giant Western Hemlock that had cracked at its base and rested precariously on a small Maple. It had broken and fallen in a northern facing direction, confirming our assessment that the storm had blown in from the south. Hiking on Jake called the group over to a nursing log with hundreds of mushrooms sprouting off of it. We all agreed that it is amazing to witness the power of fungus to decompose such large organisms like a nursing log.

We closed our day with a round of Spider’s Web.The area that we played in was perfect for the game. With two giant fallen old growth Cedars crisscrossing the playing field the Explorers were able to get on their bellies and sneak the length of them. We held our closing meeting next to the base of a Douglas fir stump and shared some thanks. The boys gave thanks the multitude of ways they found to use their knives, for the time and space to be able to freely carve, for the storms which bring about an abundance of resource, for friends and family, and for the ability to learn new skills and still get the chance to play.

It was a great outing with the Branch Hoppers and they really rose to the occasion. As mentors we intend to hold a fine line between use and misuse of knives and the group showed that they were ready for the responsibility. We encourage the Explorers to continue carving in their free time at home.  Parents, we would love updates on how the boys have been doing with their knives at home. Modeling proper knife safety and skill should be practiced in every situation when the boys are using their knives. We would be happy to answer any questions that you might have regarding our culture of knives and safety. Together as community we can help transform the violence in our society by empowering the Explorers to become skilled craftsmen while keep good intention in their hearts and hands.

For more pictures from the outing please visit the Branch Hopper’s photo gallery