Branch Hoppers Explore and Create at Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve

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

brought in all sorts of wonders from the intertidal zone onto the cobbles: Decorator and Dungeness crab shells, massive clumps of Bull Kelp and Turkish Towel seaweed, bones from shorebirds and Sculpins, and straight grained Cedar perfect for splitting and carving.

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

mentor lashed three straight poles together at the top with a Bull Kelp and raised a teepee like structure. The Explorers searched the beach for plank like shapes of driftwood and lashed them to one side of a teepee, creating Salish style back rest.

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.

Branch Hoppers - Shelter, Fire, & Play at North Lake Samish

The Branch Hopper’s final outing of the Fall 2015 season at North Lake Samish was jammed packed with skills, adventure, and play. As we congregated the boys stared up at the steep power line grade running adjacent the trail; the North Lake Samish Trail rises steeply out of the lake basin ascending up into the foothills of the Chuckanuts.

The boys were anxious to get on the trail, but before we headed out we needed to circle up to talk about jobs and the hazards that we might face in this location. NOAA had forecasted 20 mph winds from the south and driving rain. We talked about our motto BE Prepared and how we could approach the day with a preventative mindset for warmth and safety.

Once we were oriented to the landscape and weather we talked about another hazard that we’d been facing interpersonally throughout the season, the hazard of escalation. It is important to revisit this with the Explorers again and again.

Heading up the trail we entered into the forest canopy and were pleasantly surprised to find it quite sheltered from the rain. The land within the park boundaries is beautiful. Mature stands of Douglas Fir and Cedar growingly steeply on a bed of Sandstone rock and deep moss. Hiking along we discovered cascading waterfalls and exposed ridges of Sandstone.

Our goal was to make it to the top of the first crest, gaining roughly 700 feet of elevation. About halfway up we needed to stop and peel layers. On these drizzly and chilly days it is difficult to manage an efficient layering system. An efficient system requires a careful balance in regulating perspiration within ones layers and saturation from the rain. Snacking on our lunch underneath a big Doug Fir we watched the tops the trees sway lightly in the wind.

Once we had our clothing systems in order and our bellies full, we hiked up the trail until it petered out into a maze of social trails of both the deer and human variety. Following a fair well-worn path we ascended the ridgeline and made it to the top.  Looking around the forest was now quite different as we had left the park boundary and entered into logging land.

While scouting the forest the group noticed that there was hardly any under brush and the tree stands of fir were so dense they’d shed their lower branches. The group had some inspiration to play a game of Spider’s Web, but the mentors called a circle to focus the group’s energy before we started playing games. The mentors reminded the group that on our last outing to Clayton Beach we had postponed shelter building to carve, in an agreement to try and complete one on our last outing. With shelter as our core routine for the day we turned the leadership over to the tribal elder to facilitate a decision on how we could best use our time and accomplish what we collaboratively wanted to do.

Through a great effort from the tribal elder and collaboration and compromise from the group, the boys decided to delve into shelter building for the first half of the outing, then play Spider’s Web in our current location, and to end the day with a small twig fire and a circle of thanks.

With our minds set towards shelter we left the forest and crossed the power line clearing in search of deciduous trees that would offer the best resources for shelter building.  Our front scout found a stand of Big leaf Maples growing on the fringe of the power lines and led the group off trail to reach it. One the way they encountered a large patch of Stinging Nettle. It is wonderful to watch the boys track the land. They noticed that this nettle patch had just started sprouting and was not typical of the fall season. These nettles were quite potent and left painful stings on their arms and legs. Once we had literally grasped the nettle the boys tracked the land for an ideal location for shelter.

Finding a prominence on the hillside the boys scavenged for downed wood using a pack saw to cut a backbone and Y poles. Inserting the pole into the ground the group found our prominence was actually a buried rock and we would have to move our location somewhere with more forest duff. Finding another location the boys noticed that this spot would expose them to run off from the hillside, so once the frame of the shelter was completed a few boys immediately started digging a trench on the high side for run off. Their construction was incredible. They wedged sticks horizontally across the trench walls to act as rebar and divert the flow of run off to follow down the trench with gravity. The boys worked diligently as a group on the shelter, spending an hour and a half of focused energy on the construction.

It was all going well until one Explorer accidently stepped on another’s hand and it escalated into a small physical confrontation. Pulling the Explorer(s) aside it was important to allow each boy the time to process, reflect, speak their truth, and find what it would take build community again and find conflict resolution. After a heartfelt discussion with both of them they came to three clear agreements that I think we can all take to heart: “I will believe you when you say it was an accident”, “I will treat you with respect and care”, and “I will forgive your genuine apology with grace”. It is moments like these on the land where outside elements of wind and rain fade away and we deeply connect to our mentees and the heart of the work we are doing. I can’t thank these boys enough for their efforts towards building peace and trust amongst one another.

Wanting to hold to our commitment the mentors gathered the shelter builders and had them stand back to take a gander at their work. Although we did not complete the shelter, the group is about 85% on their way towards being proficient shelter builders. This is a skill that will not only provide them a firm foundation on the land, but deep knowledge of place.

Heading over to the dense patch of forest the boys set up the course and got to playing. As they played a lone mentor gathered dead Western Hemlock branches for a small twig fire to close our outing and season. The forest was so dark that the boys began to look like shadows as they crawled and crept through the landscape.

Scraping away the duff layer a mentor took out a bow drill kit and managed to get a small but hardy fire. After calling the game to a close, the cold and wet Branch Hoppers spirits were lifted around the warmth and glow of the fire. It was a dear moment. The group huddled together as they roasted their apples and gave genuine thanks around the fire circle.

Brian and I deeply appreciate the time we get to spend with your Explorers. Our outing was a reaffirmation of why we do the work that we do and it is our strong parent community that gives us the grace and trust to be able to walk alongside of the boys as they explore, learn, grow, and experience together in the woods.

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

The Branch Hoppers explore Stewart Mountain & the Art of Shelter-Building II

This being their fourth year in Boys Explorers Club, exploring and connecting with the Branch Hoppers is as familiar as coming home. Being the seasoned Explorers that they are, the boys arrived on Sunday adorned in rain gear with high spirits. The Mentors were thankful to hear that no one from the group was seriously impacted by the storm. Circling up it was great to be in the presence of a familiar cohort and hear about summer adventures. Brian informed the group that instead of spending the day by the lake we would be climbing the lower flanks of Stewart Mountain in search of a good place to build shelters and to be sheltered from any hazards leftover from the storm.

On their last outing of the spring 2015 season the Branch Hoppers made a few outing location requests for their upcoming fall season. The group has spoken fondly of a previous excursion to North Lake Whatcom, in early September. Looking out the window Saturday morning with its ominous rain clouds and occasional gusts it was hard to believe this was the same time of year. The previous year’s outing had been sunny and warm as we spent hours swimming on Whatcom’s shore.

As outdoor guides our mentors are continually impressed by the power of the dynamic landscape in which we live. The Saturday before the Branch Hoppers’ outing now marks the strongest pacific summer storm on record for the Whatcom County area. This storm brought wind gusts up to 56 mph and took down large deciduous branches throughout the county. With much of the foliage still on tree limbs, coupled with brittle branches from the seasonal drought, it was indeed the “perfect storm” causing the Explorers Club to cancel all outings. The Boys EC mentoring team would like to thank the Girls Explorers Club and Wild Whatcom team for their quick response and attentiveness to the change in weather patterns and overall commitment to the safety of our Explorers and mentors.

The mentors told the group that the Alevin Explorers, who are only two years older, were scheduled to climb the west side of Mt. Baker on the Ridley Creek Trail. This difficult terrain required multiple creek crossings and unconsolidated riverbanks. Using this scenario as our frame, the group envisioned that they were the Alevin and had decided to go on the outing anyway, crossing the Ridley Creek in the morning only to find that with the heavy rain and debris flow during the day they were now unable to cross it in the evening. This is one of many scenarios in which a day hike can become an overnight survival situation in the blink of an eye. The boys’ task was to search out an ideal shelter location to weather the storm and take shelter until the creek flow decreased.  

As we hiked the boys looked for a safe shelter location. They were searching for a well-drained, mature stand of Cedar and Douglas Fir with relatively abundant amount of debris and downed branches close by. Scanning the landscape our senses attuned the sweet aroma of morning rain that brought a freshness about the landscape. The Sword Ferns had sprung back up with liveliness and Robins called out in song for the abundance of life giving water and the relief of the southerly wind.

Ten minutes into hiking the group came to a junction in the trail. We realized that no one had handed out jobs and there was no Tribal Elder to facilitate a group decision on which way to go. The boys took a vote and those that were the minority graciously offered to follow the rest of the group on the trail to the right. The Branch Hoppers are becoming skilled at considering transition times when there is a need to flex to each other’s needs and ideas in circle. Brain and I are inspired by their growth and maturity in this arena.

Climbing onwards we passed through second growth stands of Cedar and Maple that eventually gave way to a massive power line clearing. Steeping out of the cover of the forest the sky opened up with rain and we retreated under the dense canopy of Cedars. Pulling out some lunch we nestled ourselves under the umbrella like branches of a Western Hemlock. The temperature was warm and all the boys looked refreshed by the rain.

We then turned our attention to our skill for the season, the Art of Shelter-Building II. The group decided that they would first try to build their own shelters in teams without any guidance and then the group would build the frame and base layers of a freestanding shelter together. All the Explorer teams decided to use existing structures as the base of their shelters. The mentors later cautioned that although finding a lean-to under a tree or shrub can be effective time saver in an emergency, trees often drip water down the trunk and finding just the right shelter materials to fit the shape of the tree can be time consuming.

As the boys worked on their shelters half the group really engaged in the process while others attention dwindled. The mentors attributed the groups’ lack of cohesion and focus to the boys’ excitement to see each other and catch up about their hobbies. On one side of the coin, this behavior is exactly what we want for the boys. They have become so comfortable and relaxed in the natural world and amongst their peers that they carry on as though they were hanging out in their living room. Showing a deep sense of connection with place. On the other side of the coin, their cohesion presents issue when mentors are trying to have the Explorers hone in a specific skill and they are interest in following their own agenda.

Recognizing the need for cohesion and change the mentors stopped the shelter construction to play a few rounds of Hungry Hungry Martin to help break up the task. Once our focus had returned the group revisited and constructed the frame and inner workings of a simple, but sturdy freestanding shelter. The group started off with a strong push, but again half the group broke off in side conversations. In the end those that did participate learned a lot about setting up a shelters frame, matting, and insulation.

Our third outing of the season will provide the perfect opportunity and abundance of resource for the boys to learn the about the second step (insulation) and Final step (3 feet of debris!) of the shelter building process. In our closing meeting the mentors shared with the group that we have been tracking their maturity and see it as vital that they as seasoned Explorers deeply know the skills required for wilderness living. This will not only benefit them on day outings and in emergency situations, but on our backing trips that they will all be eligible for come Summer 2016.

Passing apples around it was clear to see that our core routine of giving thanks holds meaning for these boys. Before our circle closed an Explorer, who shall remain anonymous, gave thanks for the vastness of the wild spaces that is so close to Bellingham. He gave thanks for the vibrant wildland and mentioned that he did not think it would be there when he was old. After further questions and some elaboration he expressed that with all the change in weather patterns, population growth, development, and forest fires he feared this patch of land would most likely not be there when he was old. It was a great time for mentors to encourage the Explorer and group that the future of these and our front country wildlands relies on our ability to know these places deeply while advocating and serving them as a community. It was truly a powerful moment for the boys and a lot for them to hold. This is a conversation that we will continue to revisit over the course of the season.

Finishing our thanks the boys expressed gratitude for: the rain, exploring a new part of a familiar location, storms creating abundance of resource, a powerful start to the fall season, and for the sunshine that broke through the clouds halfway through the outing. Thank you Branch Hoppers for a strong start to the fall 2015 season.

For more pictures from the outing please visit the Branch Hoppers’ photo gallery. 

Finding Shelter with the Branch Hoppers Explorers

The dappled brown on the cedar trees, the necrotic bracken ferns, and the ample big leaf maple tailings on the forest floor indicated our place in the circular story of the seasons as we entered the 100 Aker Wood and began our second year as the Branch Hoppers Explorers.

As we gathered, it was apparent that there was no need to rush or doanything. Explorers plopped down on the ground and expressed that they were tired, so we went with the flow and had a little conversation before we even entered the woods. Though tired, spirits were high, and soon enough we built up sufficient energy to foray into the green and start our exploration. We had one new Explorer to meet and many connections to reestablish. Mentors asked the Explorers how they would start this new outing. Led by each boy in turn, we formed a circle, brought our minds toward the vision of the day, discussed hazards, and gave out jobs. Our new Explorer, Miles, fit into the group perfectly, and proved truly skillful at the game of hide. After a few rounds of this game to warm up, we donned our packs and went further in.

Many hidden things unveiled themselves as we explored. Fall is the season of fungus: the decomposers. We touched into this world and discovered many wildly different forms all around us. Explorers also found a giant pile of broken glass and trash. After assessing the risk and considering what a shard of glass might do to a hoof, a hand, or a foot, we decided to safely clean it up. Pretty impressive to see how quick the Branch Hoppers were to do some service.

Afterword, we sat down to have a snack while Dave told us a story. If you are curious about the story, you are highly encouraged to ask your Explorer about the story of “go ask the squirrels.”  If he needs a further prompt, it's the story about learning how to build shelter through trial and error and finally realizing that the best teachers are the squirrels.  With inspiration, we set out to try building our own shelters. The first mission, however, was to decide where we could do it.

We moved down the trail a bit and came to a fork in the road. Drawing on our knowledge of place, we remembered that the road to the left surely had nettles (which we could use to learn cordage) and it had wasps. We also remembered that there were some good spots for shelter. So, considering the hazards and our own responsive abilities of awareness and naturalist knowledge, we decided to head that way. We paused to do a watershed assessment. Imagining a giant emptying a gigantic cup of water on the hillside nearby, each Explorer was challenged to stand in a spot where he would not get wet. We looked at each others’ spots and recognized a few things about water. We then recognized that many of these dry places were the same places where we would want to build a shelter.

Explorers split up and began the quest to build a shelter. In a very short time, we did discover a wasp nest, and we got a good chance to look at it closely and admire their handiwork. Almost every animal needs some form of shelter, and many create their own. We stumbled on some old human shelters as well, and got a chance to assess how well they might keep us warm and dry. With these as examples, we learned about the ridge pole, Y-sticks, and just how much debris it would take to stay warm and dry under the fiercest conditions. Many of us teamed up, and after a good while of stick gathering and breaking, debris collecting, and sporadic exploration, we ended up with the foundation of an excellent debris hut. Some explorers had created their own structures, so we had the opportunity to admire and assess different design options.

At the end of the day, we circled up, ate some apples, and gave thanks. Adventure was had and lessons were learned. Great group work today, Branch Hoppers Explorers! We are looking forward to seeing you next time. As we discussed, our next outing will be a challenge, so please come prepared with the right clothing and a good night’s sleep. We are very excited that you're ready for a big edge stretching exploration. Thanks so much to each and every Explorer for your spirit of adventure and willingness to try something new. Thanks so much to all you parents for your enduring support!

Don't forget to check out pics from the outing in the photo gallery.