Nine mellow-minded Explorers met at Samish Woods Montessori. Seven boys are squirrelly Daredevil's Explorers and two boys are in their thirties. :) Together they enjoyed contrasting attitudes that the forest tends to stimulate. From wily clambering and throwing sticks to focused tool usage and fire-making, Daredevil's Club Explorers really settled into place at Squires Lake. They nestled in like it was their home.
Boys were eager to play Hide and we didn’t even wait to walk out of the parking lot before playing two rounds. Mentors stepped aside and encouraged Explorers to hold opening meeting. Though jobs were passed to various members of the group, we made no plan and had no intention or focus for the day. This lack of intention prompted mentors to say, “Worst opening meeting ever!”
This was in jest, of course, because the day lent itself to a relaxed atmosphere. Mentors, too, were feeling the same way as the boys… let’s just celebrate our time together and move slowly, like the banana slug bus that delivered us to Squires Lake. There wasn’t any real reason to make a plan. We had the space and freedom to explore as the rain stopped for the window of time for our outing.
Explorers had mixed feelings about what to do: hike to the top of Alger Alp, play Spider’s Web or check out the Beaver Pond. After lunch at the edge of the lake and learning about the medicine plants, broad- and narrow-leafed plantain (Plantago major and P. lanceolata), we scoped out a place to playSpider’s Web. Alas, the location wasn’t good, so we traveled deeper into the forest.
One thing led to the next and boys started flinging sticks, branches, logs, and two-person-loads of wood from a high point down onto the trail. We all giggled as wood shattered, broke into pieces, and made “umph” sounds against the wet, muddy ground. Explorers then cleaned the trail and carefully placed the wreckage back into the forest to decompose in appropriate places.
Still wandering, we headed up the trail. The mischievous attitude came with us however and six of us hid from the three catchers-up. The three Explorers saw through the devious ambush and then plotted their own a bit further up. But the first group of boys got comfortable at a boulder to which they all climbed. For 30 minutes, Matt, Kalifa, and Matt waited for the rest of us but we were playing and paid them no heed. Even our ambushes were ineffective to inspire creativeness... but suddenly it happened!
A crow call. Time to gather. Atop the boulder above the cave. What did we find? A downed red alder. Suddenly we found inspiration. We had the tools to harness this wood. Explorers went to work. Boys sawed chunks of wood, and split those pieces with a hatchet. Others harvested cedar bark to make a nest. We carved a piece of the alder into a spindle. Then the fireboard got its first work. And then a bow drill and a top rock appeared on the scene.
With our whole community of nine working on separate projects, we harvested the necessary elements to make fire by friction. Though the Daredevil’s Club was slated to learn the art of fire by friction next summer, we finally found our focus for the day: making a fire for closing meeting. Everyone focused their attention as mentors created a coal from the bow drill set. We placed the coal into the nest and blew it into fire! Boys were surprised that their efforts led to flame. Yes, Daredevil’s Club Explorers—you DO have the power to harness the sun energy stored in trees. Welcome to this new realization and to our next step in the Earth Skills Journey!
Closing meeting reflected the realizations and thanks that filled us all that we are learning how to fend for ourselves in the woods. Though we have practice to do, this spark can light our way in the seasons to come. We celebrate fire, as our ancestors have done throughout history, and now have a focus that can guide our outings in the upcoming seasons: Find the pieces for our own bow drill kits.
Explorers, great work today… but do you remember how to identify the two plantain species in that forest?! Explorers who missed this last outing, fear not, you too will soon be introduced to the skill of fire by friction. When we reunite in the spring, you know what to expect.
Parents, thanks for your enduring support of our program. We are honored to work with your sons and enjoy every moment of it. They are such well-rounded boys!
Please check out more pictures from the outing at the photo gallery. We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Solstice Gathering on December 14th and at our winter outings - being offered for the first time ever!
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