The Townsend Chipmunks met at Cascade Montessori on a rainy
day for their first outing using the Wild Whatcom bus. Now that this group has
been exploring the various parks and forests in and around the greater
Bellingham area, the mentors decided it was time for these boys to get out into
a little more of a wilderness setting. Loading up the bus we cruised out Mt.
Baker Highway to the Deming Homestead Eagle Park located alongside the mighty
Nooksack River. The inside of the bus buzzed with excitement and enthusiasm as
we made our way east and soon we had arrived.
Unloading our packs the boys quickly took shelter under the
trees beside the parking lot to escape the dreary drizzle. Holding our opening
circle among the shelter of the trees we had a bit of trouble focusing and
forming a circle. It seemed everyone was rather excited to get out exploring
and a bit distracted by the rain. Finally getting into a circle the mentors
made sure to cover a few important things that popped up during our first few minutes
on the land. Nothing to serious arose, but it was important to discuss two
topics in particular: respectful interpersonal communication and how to
properly dress for rainy weather. Reviewing a few topics of conversation we
discussed some techniques to help avoid conflict and escalation and improve
interpersonal communication among ourselves. We often forget about the
emotional side of risk management, but managing emotional risk can be just as
important as managing our physical risk. Speaking of physical risk, the mentors
noticed a couple boys who were wearing denim jeans in the cold, drizzly
weather. Remembering the old saying “cotton
kills” we discussed what we could do to help us stay warm; primarily this
means keeping cotton dry or even better, not wearing cotton at all. Getting rain gear on was the best we could do, but
next exploration the best way to avoid this scenario is just leaving the cotton
at home if it is looking like it may rain that day.
Now that we had discussed the importance of respectful
interpersonal communication and how to keep ourselves warm and dry we were
ready for some exploration. Heading out we soon hit our first obstacle; a
strong side channel impeding our access to the flood plains and beyond those
the Nooksack. Traversing eastward we took notice of a few wooden boards someone
had put in place to be used as a bridge to cross the side channel. One by one
we crossed and found ourselves in a flat, mossy flood plain full of young
Cottonwoods and head high Japanese Knapweed. The broad leaves of these plants
made it difficult to see much more than fifty or so feet in any direction.
Despite our proximity to the park and Mt. Baker Highway, we were immersed in a
wild setting, off trail, and needing to find a way to the river. This was much
different from what the Townsend Chipmunks had experienced in the past. The
flat gravel or packed earth trails of the parks and forests around Bellingham
make it easy to confidently trek off into the woods knowing there is a highly
developed and heavily trafficked trail to guide us. Out on the flood plains all
we had to go off of was an old footpath that looked to be used more frequently
by deer and coyote than human. Yet the Townsend Chipmunks took off confidently
down this trail. The mentors decided to let them get a bit of true exploration
in and let the boys lead the way. 
After a few minutes of trekking it became apparent the
Townsend’s Chipmunks assumed the trail would take us right to the river.
Putting full faith in this forgotten footpath was a reminder to the mentors
that these boys are still honing a greater awareness of their surroundings and
the ebbs and flows associated with moving through a wild landscape. One must
take note of everything around them; the level of the land, the plants growing
around you, the micro-climates you are passing through, the tracks of other
creatures and where they may be going, the direction of the sun and the time of
day, the sounds and sensations around us and off in the distance. There is so
much to track and so much to pay attention to. Of course this was the Townsend’s
Chipmunk’s first outing in a wild place like this, so after some trials and
tribulations the mentors stepped in and refocused the group. We had hit a
second side channel and it was time to pause and re-evaluate our situation.
People were getting hungry, thirsty, and energy was waning. Despite a few
Explorer’s motivation to press on, the group always comes first. We backtracked
to a clearing and settled in to eat some lunch, drink some water, and make a
new game plan to get to the river. One benefit of tracking is that not only can
you follow tracks of animals and where they went, but you can find your own
footprints and follow them back if you ever get turned around in the
wilderness. We tracked our path back to the trailhead and the mentors took a
route that they knew would take us down to the river. Despite a little
frustration and confusion, this first taste of wandering in the wilderness was
exactly what the Townsend’s Chipmunks needed. Not to mention anytime you wander
off trail in the wilderness you are bound to encounter a little frustration and
confusion from time to time.
Finally breaking out of the Cottonwood saplings we hit the
sand, rock, and silt of the banks of the Nooksack. Immediately the boys found a
bounty of tracks from canine to ungulate to avian. The Explorers scattered
across the landscape pursuing the natural wonders that called to them. After we
got through the initial excitement we gathered our packs and made it down to
the river. Here we spent the next few hours lost in free play. Splashing in the
side pools, discovering new tracks and natural curiosities, and even building a
bridge over a side channel to a log jam, there was so much to do and so little
time! The mentors found it deeply gratifying to finally see the Townsend’s
Chipmunks out on a vast, expansive, wild landscape like this. It was exactly
what they needed. As if to mark this moment the clouds burned off and the
sun shone brightly for the last part of our outing. Drying out, except for
those who decided to wade into the water, we were warm, dry and happy.
Fulfilled by exploration and free play we headed home feeling rather satisfied
with what we had accomplished. Although we still had to review how to listen
respectfully in our closing circle, there was a great step in growth taken
today by the Townsend’s Chipmunks. This group is really coming into its own and
after a successful day in the expansive wild lands along the Nooksack they will
no doubt have many more exciting explorations like this in the future.
Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from this outing here!
