Townsend's Chipmunks practice Navigation

With our first outing of the season being cancelled due to high winds the Townsend’s Chipmunks had jumped right into their Fall with a service outing at Connelly Creek. With this work under their belts it was time for an outing full of exploration, play, and adventure. The sun shone through the trees, but there was an unmistakable fall chill in the air as we moved deeper into the forest.

At the top of the first hill the boys found an excellent spot for an opening circle and got themselves organized to discuss our outing. Since many of the boys were new to explorers club we had a longer opening circle; going over some safety, talking about hazards, introducing ourselves, and finally talking about what it means to explore. All the boys were patient as we went over this information and helped keep each other focused. With the talking behind us we all needed to move and played a few rounds of Hide!. 

This season the Townsend’s Chipmunks are practicing their Navigation skills in order to become comfortable and proficient wilderness travelers. Once back on the trail we pulled out a map and took some time talking about the basics of using a map. What the map key was, how to orient a map, how to read topographic lines, and how to visualize what you are seeing on the map in real life. Many of the boys really took advantage of this time to ask questions and focus on the skill of map reading. After going over some basics we identified a spot at the far end of the 100 aker woods and challenged the boys to navigate us there.

Once hiking a couple boys really too initiative with the map; pulling it out at every junction, identifying our current location, making decisions based on the map, and sharing the information with the group. As we went we played games, explored, and found fresh mushrooms along the trail. The Townsend’s Chipmunks did an excellent job navigating the winding and often confusing paths of the 100 aker wood. After a while we reached our destination and decided it was time to take a break and eat lunch.

After lunch we realized we were in the perfect location to play a group favorite, Eagle Eye. Eagle Eye is half sneaking half hiding and the perfect bridge between playing Hideand Spiders Web. A lush patch of sword fern and salmonberry provided the perfect location and plenty of creative hiding spots. After playing a multiple rounds it was time to pack up and navigate our way back toward the pickup location.

In our closing circle we talked about the importance of navigation. Many of the boys had great insights into what it means to navigate and the opportunities it opens up to feel comfortable navigating through the woods. Beyond their focus and interest in navigation i was even more impressed by how the Townsend’s chipmunks have embraced the change in the group with about a third of the group being new this season. Our new members are fitting in great and our older participants are behaving in an open and accepting way. I am excited for future explorations with the Townsend’s Chipmunks and to watch them grow as a group. Please take a look at our photo gallery for more pictures from our outing!