Our day of service work at Connelly Creek was welcomed with a beautiful Fall day; sunshine, falling leaves, and temperatures that felt like the middle of summer. These service outings are a fun and unique opportunity for Explorers to work with other groups of boys. It is always fun to see two groups interact and work together throughout the day. Having the Daredevils Club paired with the Townsend Chipmunks was very powerful. The Daredevils with many years of exploration and service under their belt provided great role models for the new group of Townsend Chipmunks.
Once we had all gathered in the sunshine adjacent to the service sight the Daredevils Club instructed us on the proper and safe use for all the tools we would need today. The Daredevils talked about blood circles with these tools and communication when working in close quarters. Again having these older boys set an example for the younger boys in the Townsend Chipmunks was really inspiring and gives the Townsend Chipmunks an opportunity to see what a strong group can do.
Once we had all gathered in the sunshine adjacent to the service sight the Daredevils Club instructed us on the proper and safe use for all the tools we would need today. The Daredevils talked about blood circles with these tools and communication when working in close quarters. Again having these older boys set an example for the younger boys in the Townsend Chipmunks was really inspiring and gives the Townsend Chipmunks an opportunity to see what a strong group can do.
After our crash course into using the tools properly Steve walked us through the service sigh to explain what needed to be done. Steve explained that our main goals today were too dig up the last of the blackberry roots, cut down the reed canary grass, and finally spread mulch over this prepared area. The reed canary grass is a non native plant that has been choking out this sight for a while now. It takes out a massive amount of nutrients from the soil so once cut we leave it on the sight so it can breakdown back into the soil.
Everyone was enthusiastic about the work and really took it to heart to work hard during this time. The boys worked together really well to accomplish a lot; both Daredevils and Townsend Chipmunks worked alongside each other to Pull stubborn blackberry roots or tackle a particularly extensive patch of reed canary grass. With so many hands on sight you could really see the land change right in front of your eyes. Plenty of sweat, Dirty hands, blackberry scrapes, freeing trees, cutting reed canary grass, laughing with new friends, and a lot of hard work. After two hours of solid work it was time for the Daredevils to leave.
Everyone was enthusiastic about the work and really took it to heart to work hard during this time. The boys worked together really well to accomplish a lot; both Daredevils and Townsend Chipmunks worked alongside each other to Pull stubborn blackberry roots or tackle a particularly extensive patch of reed canary grass. With so many hands on sight you could really see the land change right in front of your eyes. Plenty of sweat, Dirty hands, blackberry scrapes, freeing trees, cutting reed canary grass, laughing with new friends, and a lot of hard work. After two hours of solid work it was time for the Daredevils to leave.
With the Daredevils departure the Townsend Chipmunks began to reach their edge for focused work. After so much great service to the land they had decided it was time to explore! The townsend chipmunks began to make their way down to Connelly creek with loud shouts of excitement and joy. Exploration is such an important part of Explorers club and it was so good for these boys to explore the land that they had been dedicating so much hard work of service to all afternoon. After about twenty minutes of exploration the Townsend chipmunks were ready to bring it back in for a last push of service. We attacked the mulch pile; some of us filling buckets, some moving these buckets, and others spreading the mulch around the base of trees. This intense hour of service left the land looking really good. It was fun for the boys to finish on a task that left our service site looking so aesthetically pleasing.
Service is such an important task for these boys We play so much on the land and take so much it is really important to learn to give back to the land as well. It is a good teaching moment for all of us in selflessness and humility. Both the Daredevils Club and the Townsend Chipmunks did really great work and became a solid team. Parents please have your boys show you this spot next time you are out for a walk, it is truly amazing how much good work has been done! As always thanks for sending your boys out with us and thanks Explorers for your hard and dedicated work! Check out our photo gallery for more photos!
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