The Branch Hoppers gathered for the first time after a long summer season of adventure and vacation. Jumping into Stubbs their noise level amplified reverberating off of Stubbs’s box like walls. Although the noise was a bit hard on the mentor’s ears it so wonderful to see the friendship and cohort that these boys have built together. Arriving North Lake Whatcom Trailhead parking lot we evacuated the hot bus and quickly circled up under the shade of some Hemlocks for an opening meeting. This outing marked the start to the Branch Hoppers journey through the Art of Carving. The boys have been waiting and asking for the day when they could start and the mentors now feel that they are ready and responsible enough to use their knives with good intention.
Sitting in circle the mentors asked the group, “Who had brought a knife?” Many boys raised their hands and we took a moment to review the types of knives. For the carving that we do in Boys EC a fixed blade knife with a good sheath is the most reliable and safest. These knives are easy to carve with and fit the Explorer’s hands. Click here for a link to our knife safety and selection page with great references on where to buy inexpensive and sturdy knives. 
Once the group was oriented to the different styles of knives we talked about the proper way to unsheathe them. Always making sure that our hands were lower than the opening of the sheath and remembering to check our Blood Circle before we unsheathed it. The mentors reiterated to the group that it was not only important to be responsible for physically safety with a knife, but to always keep good intention in their minds and hearts when using them. With all the violence we see in our culture, media, and around the world it is easy to joke around and down play the sacred and ancient relationship we have with these tools. The mentors often see this manifested in language like, “I am going to kill you” or a boy brandishing a stick like a sword pretending to hurt another Explorer. We stress to these Explorers that what you marinate on and what you put in your mind often manifests in the same way in action; unintentionally or intentionally.
After a long intro to carving Brian, handed out jobs and the group made a game plan for the day. Group decision-making is often times a point of contention for the Branch Hoppers and their edge is letting go of their personal wants and Collaborating and Compromising. Brian helped facilitate a valuable discussion, which ended in the Explorers deciding that they were going to find a swimming spot where some could carve along the shore.
Walking down to the lake the boys harvested wood to carve. Tracking the branches different shapes and forms they gathered Cedar, Hemlock and Big Leaf Maple. Although the boys were high energy it was clear to see that being out on the land on this sun really centered them. Giving them some much need relief from being cooped up in class all day. They laughed and joked with each other as they scouted for a place to swim. Finding a great spot the group sat carved for a solid two hours. They experimented by whittling sharp points and making designs by stripping off the bark in sections. Eventually they started to get more targeted and a few carved the start to chopsticks and butter knives. If your Explorer is searching for a good wood to carve around the house Western Red Cedar is a great option. The wood is easy to carve and easily sanded. It is also non-toxic and makes great utensils. The mentors will be providing the boys with some blank pieces next outing with the aim that by next summer the group will have their own set of handmade utensils to eat with at overnights.
Basking in the sun the Explorers swam to their hearts content. The waves of passing by boaters made for some great body surfing. Wading out into the water a little further one Explorer called “Over here!” We all swam over to see what he had found. Diving down wee could see a steep drop off under water. This must have been one of the deeper sections of the trough that makes lake Whatcom. We did not push out any further and had fun treading over the edge. Climbing out of the lake and looking at our watch for the first time all day the mentors realized that we needed to get back to Stubbs soon.
On our way back we played many rounds of Hide and honed our plant identification skills. I was such a joy to spend the day at Lake Whatcom with the Branch Hoppers. These boys modeled excellent behavior with their knives and are starting to develop some real skill. We ended our outing with a closing meeting near the bus. The boys gave thanks for the free time to explore and follow their interests, for water and waves, for the ability to use tools, for friendship and laughter, and for the wonderful places that we explore. What a great way to bring summer to a close and usher in fall. As mentors we are excited for this groups’ friendship and all the adventures that lie in store for them this season.
For more pictures from the outing please visit the Branch Hopper’s photo gallery.
No comments:
Post a Comment