Meeting up for their overnight, the Daredevils Club arrived
at the drop off location for the final time. Hanging out waiting for everyone to show up, the boys
who were there had a great time chatting with the mentors, watching a college
student who was moving out get some help from the two local chickens, and just
enjoy the notion that we were going to be together for the remainder of the
day. No pick up time lingering on the back burner of our minds it felt as
though the day was ours to do with as we wanted, when we wanted. In other
words; a sense of freedom. Loading up into the mentors cars we made sure we had
all the gear and hit the road.
Driving east along Mt. Baker Highway we enjoyed the quaint
countryside views and emerging foothill as we followed the Nooksack River out
to Racehorse Falls. Arriving at the end of a bumpy gravel road we got out and
decided to explore a bit and pick a campsite before unpacking. Following a
trail just behind the parking area, the boys were immediately amused by a
couple banana slugs who were of course, munching on a banana someone had
dropped on the trail. One can’t help but chuckle at the irony. Moving along we
broke out of the woods and clambered over a mess of a log jam that was once
deposited along the banks of the creek during a massive flood. Making our way
to the creek we explored upstream, found a few potential campsites, and then
were inspired to find the infamous waterfall that gave name to this area.
Studying the landscape we noticed a sharp incline further up the valley with a
gap between the trees and knew that must be our destination. The boys darted
off, scampering over logs and rocks. Looking closer it became apparent many of
the rocks had ancient fossilized remains of trees, leaves, and even large
shells. There is something truly magical about looking at a fossil, especially
one of an ancient cedar tree whose scaly tips remain identical to their living
relatives growing tall and proud around us.
Further up the creek bed we finally caught our first glimpse
of the waterfall. If seeing their cascading brilliance wasn’t enough, one of
the boys quickly shouted out “CAVES!” as he noticed a few small crevasses
delving deep beneath the rocky boulders below the falls. So much to see, so
much to do, but it was time to turn around and head back and establish our camp
for the evening. Good thing we headed back when we did, as the skies darkened,
and rain droplets began pitter pattering all around us.
At the cars the boys began unloading the gear, and to their
dismay there were only enough tents for the mentors. It appeared as though
someone had forgotten to pack tents for the Explorers. Appearances can be
deceiving, however, as are the sly mentors who used sleight of hand to stash
the Daredevil’s tents beneath the car out of sight. Convincing the boys they
had forgot the tents, everyone was immediately faced with the reality of
needing to improvise a shelter for the evening. Although this notion was not
met with much positivity, the mentors expected as much and were prepared with a
thick skin.
There is nothing quite like an approaching darkness to
inspire one to buckle down and build a shelter. This was the Daredevils Club’s
last outing with Boys Explorers Club so of course they should have known there
would be a test of their determination, will power, and skill. One Explorer
decided to get started on a debris shelter, while another took advantage of a
tarp provided by the mentors. The third, however, had his mind made up that he
would sleep in the caves near the waterfall. The mentors thoroughly enjoyed
themselves as they set up their tents and began working on some fire-starting
skills, all while listening in keenly to the boys and tracking their morale to
ensure no one’s edge was being stretched too far.
With a tarp shelter near completion and the start of a
debris shelter well underway, the mentors felt satisfied with the response of
the Daredevils Club. They faced reality, came up with a plan, and put in a
strong effort to prepare for nightfall. One of the mentors returned to the cars
to retrieve some snacks and of course the tents. Upon arrival to the campsite
the Daredevils Club were flabbergasted to find a tent. With some angry
grumbling, the boys munched on granola bars and cursed the mentors for their
treachery. They quickly got over this however, and with food in their stomach
and a tent to shelter in for the night their spirits lifted once more. Time for
some exploration.
Returning to the waterfalls, we decided to trek up the
hillside and see what we could find. Following an old mountain bike trail we
hiked up and up to an overlooking view of the falls. Seeing the large pool
above the falls and the water funneled into the gap to pour effortlessly down
the cliff face was a sight to be seen. Continuing our journey upward we soon
came across bush after bush of Red Huckleberry with copious amounts of red,
juicy berries, ripe for the picking. After demonstrating their ability to
improvise a shelter, seeing these boys gorging on wild edible fruits was icing
on the cake for the mentors. It appeared as though these boys truly could
survive out here if needed. Hiking further up we hit a freshly built logging
road and decided to turn back. On our return hike we found even more abundance
of food; Salmon Berry and even a Mountain Huckleberry with its blueberry like
fruits. All this snacking was making us hungry for a real meal. Time for
dinner.
Returning to camp we readied the stoves and boiled some
water for Mac n' Cheese. A special treat was in store so we even cooked up some
bacon to mix in the macaroni. A meal fit for a king, or at least a hungry Explorer. After dinner it was time
for a fire. Collecting wood was as simple as finding a good log jam and picking
up the seasoned wood. Despite its sun bleached exterior, splitting into the
wood we discovered beautiful, red, straight grained cedar. What a find! The
mentors brought the boys together for a quick discussion about the theory of multiple intelligences, and prompted them to ponder which intelligences resonated
with them and what they hope study and eventually which profession they would like to enter when they come of age. The
Daredevils Club was sent out for a lengthy sit spot as dusk approached and the
Swainson’s Thrush rhythmically called to one another welcoming the night.
Getting an ember with a bow-drill, dropping it into the
tinder bundle, and blowing life into the flame, the mentors soon had a healthy
fire. As the last of the light
disappeared the boys were called in and instinctively circled around the fire.
Without any prompting by the mentors, each Explorer shared what they thought
about while on their sit spot, how they felt about the theory multiple intelligences,
and what they hoped to be when they grew up. Their openness and sincerity was a
beautiful reminder of just how close this group had grown over the past year
and soon discussions evolved to a depth the mentors could not have anticipated.
Revisiting the surrealness of this being their final outing together, our
discussion evolved into what it means for things to come to an end; what it
looks like, how it is perceived, and how we process it. The analogy to death was all
too apparent because this was the “death” of their group. No longer would the
Daredevils Club join together for another outing. Some of the things the boys
said were incredibly profound and demonstrated a depth of wisdom and character
beyond their age. It was an honor to be a part of this moment and witness the
growth of these boys as arriving adults who are now capable of understanding
and processing incredibly deep and complex topics. To spend an evening
encircled around a fire, in the wilderness, at night, talking about life and
death, happiness and sadness, the past, present, and future, is something
sacred and timeless. There is no better way for us to have spent our last
outing as the Daredevil’s Club than how we spent it. Heading to bed, we all slept
well that night knowing that the Daredevil’s Club would have a clean death and
everyone who was a part of it would be at peace with this reality.
The following morning we woke up to a cloud filled sky.
Mentors sipped coffee and listened to the creek as the boys awoke and
proclaimed they were hungry. Looking to the mentors for breakfast they soon had
to face the reality that the mentors would not make them breakfast. Though they
still have much time left for childhood, after the previous night it was clear
to the mentors that these were arriving adults and they could figure out how to
boil some water and make oatmeal. They could do this on their own, they knew
what to do, and it was time to do it. Instead of complaining they got the stove
ready, boiled water, and found oatmeal and all the fixings. We had another fire
after breakfast which kept us warm during sporadic showers and provided a
centerpiece for playful conversation.
As morning transitioned to afternoon we broke down our camp
and hauled everything back to the cars. We decided to spend the remainder of
our time exploring the logging roads. We packed up lunch and piled into the
car. Up and up we went as views down onto the Nooksack River and the valley
opened up before us. Soon, though, we hit a gate. Piling out of the car we
decided to hike further along the road to see what we could see. Immediately we
began encountering piles of scat filled with what appeared to be berries and
seeds. Taking a closer look at the size, and a few tracks off the side of the
road we deciphered the culprit. Five toes, moderate-large piles of scat,
berries, seeds; Bear. We soon noticed many other signs of coyote, deer, and
other critters, game trails popping out off of the roadside here and there. This was a
wild place that clearly belonged to the animals who lived there, though they
obviously enjoyed the old logging road for ease of travel. Soon, however, it
was time to head back.
Loading into the car one more time we stopped to cook lunch.
One more meal together and it was time to go. Driving back to town we had just
enough time to stop at LaFeens for some donuts to celebrate a successful camp
out and culmination of our time together in Explorers Club. Getting back to our
pick up location we had a few more minutes together before parents arrived and
it was time to say goodbye. Clearly it was hard for the boys to say that last
goodbye, but as with all challenges that face us in life, they are unavoidable
and inevitably we must face them. Although this was the end of the Daredevils
Club and these boys time in Explorers Club, it was also the beginning of their
next step in life as individuals and arriving adults.
There is no doubt that
each one of these Explorers will always be an Explorer at heart and keep with
them their playfulness and enthusiasm for life and all its joys. At the same
time they are becoming young men and facing a big world with so much going on
in it. Of course there will be ups and downs, but after all the time the
mentors have spent with this group, there is no doubt they will be able to
overcome any challenge they face and not only survive, but thrive. It was a
real honor to get to know each and every one of the Daredevil’s Club and we are
blessed with countless memories that will undoubtedly bring a smile to our
faces no matter where we are or how much time has passed. We are so proud of
this group, their resiliency, courage, and playfulness and wish them the best
of luck in their promising futures.
Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our overnight here!
