The Chuckanut mountains are one of my favorite places to explore and it is always such a treat to do an Explorers Club outing in this area. The Chuckanuts have a vastness and wonder about them that is conducive to excitement and exploration.
The day was mild, but the forest still had a damp warm smell from the previous days rains. Signs of Spring were everywhere; from the flowering salmon berries to the excitedly chattering Townsend’s Chipmunks gathering in the parking lot. As we gathered the boys kept eying a small deer trail that led from the edge of the parking lot downward toward the creek. Once everyone had gathered we made the unanimous decision to forgo the main trial in favor of this seldom traveled route. We made our way along a steep bank, crossed a small creek and headed up a steep ridge covered in sword fern and huckleberry. Someone called Hide! and we all clung to the bank trying simultaneously to keep our hiding spot and not fall down the steep hillside.
The day was mild, but the forest still had a damp warm smell from the previous days rains. Signs of Spring were everywhere; from the flowering salmon berries to the excitedly chattering Townsend’s Chipmunks gathering in the parking lot. As we gathered the boys kept eying a small deer trail that led from the edge of the parking lot downward toward the creek. Once everyone had gathered we made the unanimous decision to forgo the main trial in favor of this seldom traveled route. We made our way along a steep bank, crossed a small creek and headed up a steep ridge covered in sword fern and huckleberry. Someone called Hide! and we all clung to the bank trying simultaneously to keep our hiding spot and not fall down the steep hillside.
The perfect spot for opening circle emerged at the top of the ridge in a small, mostly flat clearing. We talked about our Winters and shared our names since we had a new face in the Townsends Chipmunks. Brian and I then began to discuss our Earth Skills Focus for the season The Art of Shelter Building.Everyone had a story of building forts and some Explorers even had some shelter building experience. Soon the energy was bursting at the walls of the circle and we knew we had to move. We continued bushwhacking up the Ridge playing Hide!, marveling at woodpecker holes, and observing a large Cedar that had split in half. Our trajectory led us to the main trail where we decided to continue up the mountain instead of dropping on the lower trail toward the creek. Part way up the path we were all halted by a giant glacial erratic that was too tempting a spot to climb to pass up. We spent a while climbing the boulder, eating food, and of course playing more Hide!
After a while we circled up to decide what our next activity would be. The boys all seemed excited to playspiders web so we set off in search of a good location. We moved up the path and soon veered off the trail again to make for a low ravine that looked like an excellent spiders web spot. Since most of the boys had only played Spiders Web once or twice we took a moment to explain the rules and refresh our memories of the game.
The first round went really well. All the boys played with honor and challenged themselves. It was one of those rounds of Spiders Web where even the mentors could get into playing instead of facilitating conflict resolution and clarifying the rules. With the first round smoothly under our belts we decided to gear up for a second round.
We had a great closing circle. All the Explorers spoke from the heart when giving thanks and really listened to each other when they were not talking. It has been so amazing to see this group quickly bond and take to heart the culture of Explorers Club. Our season together last Fall was full of adventure and growth and i am really looking forward to another season of challenges and powers. Thank you Townsend’s Chipmunks and thank you parents for your support and bringing your boys out to explore with us. Make sure to check out our photo gallery for more pictures!
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