Stewardship Exploration at Larrabee State Park with the Branch Hoppers

Last outing was a make-up after we were getting pummeled with snow in mid-April. Less than one month later, Branch Hoppers enjoyed a service outing without a single cloud in the bright blue sky when they got together at Larrabee State Park to do some service work!

Though we were supposed to plant some natives in an area where we had previously pulled English Ivy, we changed the plans because those plants weren’t available at the time we showed up for our service project. As such we focused on connections with our environment, did some impromptu service where it was needed, and explored the idea of stewardship as we toured different service sites along the trail to Clayton Beach.

A big thank you goes to Marcus, a member of the oldest group (Firestalkers) and our Explorers Mentoring Apprentice, for volunteering your afternoon with us. We appreciate your efforts and mentoring during our time together. Boys definitely benefited from having another mentor around and will most certainly ask you to carve them pointy sticks in the future. You better keep your carving skills on point!

During opening meeting we talked a lot about connections. We each chose an element of the ecosystem and clasped hands with the person who we felt best connected with us. Please ask your Explorer what he was during that connection activity and see if he remembers to what (or who) he was connected. In the end Explorers unraveled into a giant circle in which everyone was an important link.

As we walked toward our previous ivy-pulling service site, we came across some another area that needed some help. So we went straight to work and kindly removed the English Ivy from some trees. We also learned about Geranium robertianum (aka Stinky Bob). It has pinkish flowers and it is a bit out of balance in Larrabee State Park. Branch Hoppers pulled some that as well. We highlighted the importance of proper plant identification and looked carefully at the differences between Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa) and Holly (Genus: Ilex). Please ask your Explorer if he can recall (or maybe draw) the differences.

Because plants simply grow where their seeds are deposited, we are veering away from the term “invasive.” Instead, we are sharing with Explorers that these plants crowd out native plants and don’t share the space well as we emphasize the importance of a balanced ecosystem. The same is true of the word “weeds.” By changing our language, we withhold from labeling plants as evil or good and it helps us focus on a right intention while doing the service work of pulling living plants. As Steve says, a weed is a word used to describe plants for which we haven’t yet found a use. We invite you to join us in this dialogue!

In our subsequent hike Branch Hoppers surveyed different types service projects. We saw where plants had been pulled and others planted. We saw where a trail had been moved and designated clearly in order to prevent erosion. Explorers were also quick to point out the fences that had been erected to prevent hikers from falling off steep, cliffside trails and even suggested rebuilding a damaged fence. We also saw where the Girls Explorers Club had re-built a bridge over troubled (and muddy) water.

Boys were itching to play a game and we found good terrain to re-open our love of Spiders Web. Explorers asked that Calvin be the spider again and Forest also volunteered to be the second spider as we did our best to move slowly and blend in without getting sent back to the web.

These boys are getting to know each other better and better each outing. We mentors recognize that they have a lot of growing to do individually and together. They are starting to read each other’s patterns and are quick to interject themselves into others’ behaviors. This is great for building close friendships! It is also tricky because boys are figuring out where and how they fit into the group so there are likely to be communication problems and differences in. Mentors are excited for facilitating these experiences for the Branch Hoppers and we hope that they stay willing to be open-minded as we find the way together.

Discovering we were late, we hurried back to the parking lot for our closing meeting and a Circle of Thanks. Explorers, thank you for surveying different service opportunities. You have the power to do this work and we will introduce you to the Connelly Creek restoration site next fall! Parents, thank you for your support and for patiently waiting while we rushed back to meet you. Your consideration is very much recognized.

Please sign up for summer camp if you haven’t already and be prepared for our final outing of the season on June 16th at Sehome Arboretum. And don’t forget to see more pictures of this outing in the photo gallery!

Service with the Branch Hoppers at Larrabee State Park

The Branch Hoppers deepened their experience in Explorers’ Club by doing service at Larrabee State Park. Though the rain threatened to fall during the outing, Explorers stayed dry until the end of the day when the skies finally loosened up their hold on the clouds.

Before embarking on the service project, we immediately reviewed our camouflage knowledge with an activity. Dave was hiding in a snowberry thicket and Explorers had to scrutinize the area until they found him. It was a good opportunity for sharpening our awareness.

Then we talked about service and why it is an important activity. Explorers mentioned how the land cares for us by providing food, medicine, and materials for shelter. It only made sense that we should care for the land in return. 

We also understood that the ivy we were going to pull isn’t a “bad” plant. It is just growing in the wrong place at the wrong time. It causes an imbalance in the ecosystem and we were trying to restore a healthier balance.

On our way to the service area, we played games of Hide in various places. This gave us to opportunity to practice “breaking up our image” in different settings. Ask your Explorer what this means!

Matt showed us the focus of the day: English Ivy. He explained what it looks like and how even the smallest bit could re-grow an entirely new plant. It was vital for us to do a complete and accurate job in our service.

Also important was that this is the place where Explorers, both Boys and Girls groups, have been coming for seven years to start their journey of service. In doing our work, we joined the rich tradition of Explorers’ Club groups, past and present of giving back to the land.

Explorers pulled and tugged and dug and ripped at the ground! They got small leaves and deep, thick roots as well. Explorers moved from the small hill over to the “mother lode” as they worked alongside mentors and each other to get a formidable amount of ivy in only one hour!

In picking up even the small pieces, we practiced the motto, Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow. With deliberate action we did a good job in healing the land. Explorers learned that their hands are valuable tools and that they have power at their fingertips. They also discovered the essence of teamwork with two or more pulling on the same roots to fully eradicate some hard-fast vines.

After a feeling of accomplishment we took the last chunk of time to enjoy the fruits of our labor by appreciating the land that we worked hard to serve. Thus we explored the beach as the high tide line lapped at our ankles and the edge of the Chuckanut sandstone formations.

We practiced the motto, Stretch Your Edge during our Sit Spot. This is a paramount practice in Explorers’ Club. Ask your Explorer what he remembers form his spot. Boys may have been a bit unsettled at first to have some quiet time to themselves. But they found peace in the natural world and used their time to reflect on the day and observe their surroundings.

We practiced, Attitude of Gratitude, and all shouted a big “Thank You!” towards the water for all of the combined thanks we felt that day. We scampered up the stairs and back to our parents as the raindrops started to fall bigger.

Explorers, Thank you for giving back to the land. This is a good base point to consider future service. Parents, thank you for the support and encouragement. Don’t forget to check the photo gallery for other pictures of our outing. See you next outing!