The Branch Hoppers were visibly excited as we headed out to
Point Whitehorn to have an opportunity to explore along the coast. Pulling up
at the marine reserve we piled out of the bus and circled up. The mentors let
the group know that we had observed a trend over our last few outings that if we
left the plan up to the group we would generally squirrel out instead of
actively engaging in something productive. Our aim for the day was to explore
to the beach at high tide, possibly do some carving, and have a nice long sit
spot to listen to the migratory shore birds that frequented the area in the
winter months.
Turning the meeting over to the group they decided to get
out of the steady 15 mph wind and head into the forest to find a sheltered
place. Nestling under a predominately Sitka Spruce forest the boys looked
around and observed that the ecology was slightly different than we were used
to in the lowlands around the Chuckanuts.
The boys did an excellent job of holding their focus and
making a plan. We would first head to the beach and spend some down time
following our interests, then try and build some sort of driftwood structure
while some of the group carved, leaving enough time to hike the mile long preserve
to the end of the point for a sit spot and a closing meeting.
Traveling a quarter mile through a dense coastal wetland of
Salmonberries, Rose, and Salal the group arrived at an overlook. Although the
weather forecast called for heavy rain we were in the perfect micro climate for
mild weather. The light cast amazing shadows over the northern Salish Sea and
we could see the Canadian Gulf Islands shrouded in shades of gray. What the
mentors did not anticipate was the wind blowing due West, creating four to
five-foot wind generated swell that crashed on the beach’s high tide line.
The Explorers were immediately captivated and spread out on
the cobbled beach playing games of chance as the waves crashed at their feet. It
was clear to the mentors that at this moment the land was speaking to the group
and the boys were deeply present with it. Following inspiration they gathered
beach logs and began to create a giant wind block. The immense power of the
wave energy
Gathering flat smooth stones one Explorer made a perfect
circular fire ring and began to split Cedar for kindling. The mentors brought
the group together and asked if anyone noticed the sign at the beginning of the
trail. One boy responded “yes” and informed the group that there were no fires
allowed at the preserve. The group did a great job of holding to that rule even
though they knew they could have a sustainable fire and cover it up without
anyone knowing.
Following the Explorers’ inspiration one of the mentors cut
a length of Bull Kelp and remembered a story he had read about the Makah Nation
sewing together the mouth of a Humpback Whale after the hunt with Bull Kelp so
it wouldn’t sink as they paddled it back in. Enlisting a few boys to help, the
With some wild success at their first creation the group
strategized together and wondered if we could make a giant teepee like
structure. The boys asked the mentor how many times he had built a teepee. The
mentor replied “never”. It was a great learning moment for the group that
sometimes trial by fire and experimentation are the best methods for learning a
given skill. We tried three times to raise the teepee and found that straight
ridgepoles of medium weight gave us the best structure. The teepee must have
been 12 feet tall when it came together!
The boys sprang into action wrapping at least one hundred
lengths of Bull Kelp horizontally around the ridgepoles. Then something
miraculous happened! The group figured out that they could split shingles out
of Cedar and weave them throughout the kelp to create a cedar shake style
siding. The group worked for an hour with each Explorer entirely focused on the
task. Three-fourths of the way through they finished with their creation; the
mentors looked at the clock and realized if we wanted to head to the point we
would need to leave immediately. This was a tough leadership decision for the
mentors. We wanted the group to connect deeply with the place through a sit
spot, but we also recognized that they were already connecting with the location
through their Earth skills.
Making a triangular decision to head down to the beach the
boys seemed frustrated and confused. As they packed up the mentors called the
group back together and revisited the decision, recognizing that even we make
errors in judgement occasionally. The group unanimously decided to stay and
work on the shelter with the mentor’s caveat that we need to hold to a sit spot
at the end of the outing.
Through some focused effort and perseverance the group
completed their shelter and reveled in their accomplishment. Calling the group
back in we packed up and spread out on the beach for a sit spot. As the boys
settled in a sun beam broke through the cloud ceiling and illuminated the thriving
Eelgrass beds, revealing their aquamarine blues and emerald greens. Common
Mergansers, Surf Scoters, Grebes, Loons, and Buffleheads foraged through the
beds and rode the wind swell with grace and ease.
The Explorers were present and calm in that moment and did
not want to leave, but leave we must. Circling up one last time the group
reflected on the season and shared their highlights. We passed around apples
after sanitizing our hands and transitioned into the sacred portion of the
meeting. The mentors reminded the boys that life is a dance between the sacred
and the profane. That a balance of both are important and that our circle of
thanks was sacred moment. Reverence for this practice has become deeply engrained
in the BH’s culture over our last five years together.
The Branch Hoppers’ thanks gravitated towards heartfelt
connection with their peers, the power of the land to inspire, and the sense of
craftspersonship that comes with hand work completed in the natural
environment. What a pleasure it is to explore and grow with the Branch Hoppers.
If there is such a thing as hitting the mark on outings, I would say this was one.
Parents thank you for your support and dedication to the
program and for raising your boys with the ideals of love, truth, health, and
connection. It is an honor to walk alongside them as they step into Middle
School. For more photos from the outing please visit the Branch Hoppers’ photo album and if you have
not already checkout the second half of the BH’s 2016-17
schedule posted on their group’s page.
