Branch Hoppers ascend to Lizard Lake, August 28, 2016

The Branch Hoppers are a veteran Explorers Club group whose appreciation for each other was apparent at the trailhead as they reconnected for the new year. It's nice to see friends so happy to get back together.

Just as great was the Branch Hoppers' acceptance of a new group member and a visiting boy from another group.  Collective and individual strength was evident: a person unfamiliar with the group would not have been able to pick out the new and one-time members. Credit the Branch Hoppers for demonstrating an Explorers Club motto - Widen the Circle.

The boys were to enact other mottos as the day progressed. The collaborated and compromised; they chose to engage with planned activities - or not (motto - Challenge by Choice); they immersed themselves in skills work, play and exploration (motto - Be Here Now).

At times lost in play and exploration and sometimes focused, these boys are at or near a transitional age in which they vacillate between childhood and adolescence. Behaviors associated with both were apparent on a mixed weather Sunday on Blanchard Mountain.

 The Alternate Incline trail can challenge younger hikers, but the Branch Hoppers are strong enough to take on a hill with gusto. It was nice to "air it out" with an energetic hike up to the lake.

Not much of a swimming lake, Lizard Lake offers an excellent habitat for beavers, frogs, fish and more. Upon arriving at the adjoining campground, the boys took a little time to explore.

We then gathered to plan the day. Our tribal elder led a discussion that addressed skills-focused work, organized play and free exploration. A year ago, the mentors would likely have stepped in to guide the conversation; not so this day. The group exhibited behaviors necessary for effective group decision making, including soliciting and valuing input from all interested group members, discussion of the pros and cons of the suggested approaches and group consensus on the final plan, all with no input from Brian or Steve. I wonder if your Explorer can explain our consensus process to you. Hint: the critical last question asked by the tribal elder: Is anyone not ok with this decision?

Our skill for the fall is the Art of Backpacking. Shelters are a foundation element of time in the backcountry: Mentor Steve demonstrated two knots critical to constructing a tarp shelter. Ask your Explorer to demonstrate the Bowline and Tarp (or taut line) knots. Refer to The Hiking Life (under skills; knots) for more information.

While Steve was working his magic, some of the boys lost focus. Fortunately, we have a few more outings to work on shelter building.

No problem with focus here!

We moved from skills work to free exploration. Lizard Lake is a place rich in nature to explore. Interestingly, while a few chose to work on an earth shelter, the majority decided to play a game of Hungry, Hungry Marten. It's fair to say the mentors were surprised none seemed interested in the beaver lodge...or the log crossing...or....

Several boys worked on their carving. Fortunately, no cuts!

A chief attraction of this outing is the boulder field up the hill from the lake. When the boulders crashed down, they created a series of caves that are great to explore. The mentors cautioned that extra care is required as the hazards are real and medical care beyond our first aid kit is a few hours distant. With that admonition in mind, the Branch Hoppers clamored over, under, around and through the caves for a while.

They checked out the site with the "Lizard Lake Legend" was discovered (true to form it was nowhere to be seen).

Verdant forest, large boulders, curious Explorers...so much for which to be thankful.

 

Welcome rain arrived late in our long outing, a reminder that fall is near. We quieted ourselves for a sit spot near the boulder field, then headed down the mountain to our waiting rides. 

As the Branch Hoppers take their rightful place as leaders among Explorers Club groups, it's a process of two steps forward, one step back. On this first gathering of the 2016/17 year, the boys showed outstanding maturity during our counsel and displayed care and concern for their peers. Several also "squirreled out" during Steve's tarp shelter lesson, however, backsliding a bit. On balance, they are a close group that treasures its shared nature connection journey.

Next up - Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve on October 1. Outing details here. And we have more photos from Sunday’s exploration. Here’s to a strong start to the year!