The Townsend's Chipmunks Practice Knife Skills and Utilize Teamwork

Practicing our carving skills

What would you bring with you from our modern culture into a survival situation if you could bring only one item? Many people answer this question by first asking another question, "what kinds of tools necessary for survival are the most difficult to replicate in the woods?" A tent seems like it would be a poor choice if you only could bring one item; shelter is easily created in a variety of ways in our Northwest forests. What about matches or a lighter? Making fire is a skill that takes time to hone, but once learned, fire by friction is a reliable way to make a fire and have heat.

The Townsend’s Chipmunks were asked this question in our opening circle today, and many of them identified a knife as the item that they would choose to bring with them. They succeeded in recognizing the important human needs in a survival situation: shelter, water, heat and food. They agreed that the reason that they would want to bring their knives was because a knife could help them secure all four of those needs. Today, the Townsend’s Chipmunks got lots of time to practice using their knives for a variety of tasks. They also got to use a saw to harvest some wood for their personal projects. Finally, we ended our outing with a triumphant display of teamwork as the flies outsmarted the spider in an exciting game of Spiders Web.

After opening circle, we trekked back into the forest and eventually set up a base camp with the understanding that some of us needed space and time to explore, run, and play. A few of us stayed close to camp and half-jokingly asked the mentors if we could have a fire (must have been from all of that survival talk at opening circle). To their moderate surprise, the mentors agreed to allow them to make a fire, with a two key rules. 1) The mentors will not help build, start or maintain the fire and 2) their knife and their ferrorods are the only tools that they could use that they brought with them. With that, the Townsend’s Chipmunks set off on their impromptu challenge. Thirty minutes later, after many attempts at lighting a few different kinds of tinder that they found, we had no fire, just a bit more wear on our ferrorods. After the boys had decided that they lacked the necessary skill to start a fire, they debriefed their fire making methods with the mentors. Together, we were able to recognize that while attempting to make a fire they had done some things well and that in many areas, they still had space to learn and grow in skill. The Art of Fire will come at another time for these boys, but it was fun and illuminating to see them put their collective skill together and attempt to make a fire.

Attempting to start a fire

After our fire challenge, we chose to move out into the open area of the clear cut and peruse the burn piles for quality carving wood. Before we harvested any wood, we discussed what kinds of characteristics we wanted our wood to have, and then chose specific types and sections of wood to match those desires. We practiced a variety of cuts together. Some of us got to baton for the first time, a crucial skill for processing wood in the field. Also, others of us got a chance to learn about and use a pack saw.  

Using a knife to carve

Using a larger knife to baton

Getting some practice with a pack saw

After we had had our fill of knife work, we headed to a small patch of woods within which we knew we would play spiders web. As the game progressed, the spider (Mentor Joey) became more and more confident that this game would end in a victory for him. The food source had been moved very close to the web and he had a good perch from which to see all of the flies. What he had failed to take into account was the height of the ferns! The flies were able to slowly sneak off of the web and lay down under the ferns so that Joey could not see them. Then, they got the food source (a bandana) and passed it along their human chain of bodies lying below thick sword fern fronds. Joey was totally unaware of their plot until he heard a chorus of cheers that indicated that the flies had somehow won! This game of Spiders Web was a great illustration of cooperation. It turns out that every single fly touched the food source at least once on its long journey through the woods and back to the web. If this information is lacking context because you have never played Spiders Web, please ask your explorer to explain it to you; they will likely have their own memories of this specific game that we shared together.

A great spot for Spiders Web

We ended our outing as we always do with a closing circle where we have a chance to practice our Attitude of Gratitude. This is always a special time and it was inspiring and grounding to hear what the boys were thankful for.

To see the rest of the pictures from our outing, click here!

Playing Through the Cold at Lake Padden

Carrying momentum from a highly productive outing of shelter building the weekend prior, the Townsend’s Chipmunks met up at Lake Padden for a well-deserved games day. Despite chilly temperatures and a dampening drizzle, the Explorers brought just as much enthusiasm and energy as ever. Chatting about our day the mentors made sure everyone knew this day would not only focus on playing games, but more importantly providing the Townsend’s Chipmunks with the opportunity to prove their growth in group decision making. Coming to a consensus as a group of unique individuals is a difficult proposition on a sunny summer day, let alone a hand-numbing, nose-dripping, Pacific Northwest day of cold and wet.

Planning where to go for our outing

Our first task of the day was to figure out where to go, but before we did that the mentors had the group make an agreement that would help them work together in circle. The Explorers came up with three ways they agreed to help; listen closely to the Tribal Elder, be cooperative and not counter-productive, and focus on one variable at a time. With that taken care of we picked to hike to the Big Fallen Tree on the dog off leash trail. Not only is this a fun hike, but everyone had a great time meeting a number of playful pups that couldn’t pass up a posy of Explorers eager to pet them. Along the way we stopped to explore a pond of standing water that upon further investigation was frozen just below the water’s surface! Next we ate some food, drank our hot beverages, and headed off to find a place to play games.

Exploring the pond

Collecting sheets of ice

We even made an ice ornament with the help of  a cedar root

Arriving at the Big Fallen Tree, we circled up again to decide where to play our games. Sticking to our agreement we made sure to pick on variable, make a decision, then move on to the next variable. Additionally, despite a few reminders from mentors, everyone did a great job being extra cooperative and listening keenly to the Tribal Elder. Finally we came to a consensus on where to play our game, and that our game would be Spiders Web! This is a classic Explorers Club game and we even had the joy of introducing this game to two of our groupmates. Navigating off trail we set up the playing field, tuning into the terrain and hazards amongst the landscape. Hazards were a big theme of our day; from the cold and wet, to widow makers, to what to do when you get lost. We sometimes say that the natural world is the best teacher, and today the subject matter was quite pertinent. 

Holding focus in circle to come to a group consensus

Peaking around a tree in the midst of a game of Spider's Web

After a lengthy game of Spider’s Web, sneaking through sword ferns, traversing the terrain, but ultimately arriving at a stalemate, we all had a blast and took a moment to reflect on our game through a debrief of what went well and what we would have done differently if we were to play again. With just enough time for a quick hike out and closing circle, we set off to be reunited with parents. In our closing circle everyone shared something they were thankful for, a highlight of the season, and something they are looking forward to next season. Everyone had a great time thinking back to our shelter building outings at North Galbraith and Lookout Mountain and our service outing helping put of fencing and plant trees at Connelly Creek. A games day at Lake Padden was the perfect finish to our fall season. Looking ahead to the winter and spring, almost every Townsend’s Chipmunk said they wanted to learn how to carve. This was not the original plan for the spring, as the mentors wanted to really solidify our shelter building skills, but it is tough to fight a groups inspirations and we may just have to reconsider whether or not this group is ready to carve. The mentors told the Explorers that if they brought their A-Game to their winter outing; demonstrating safe tool use, strong focus, and treating one another with the utmost respect, then perhaps the skill focus for spring time could be shifted to The Art of Carving. The Townsend’s Chipmunks made a big step as a group this season demonstrating their shelter building abilities and developing group comradery. They answered the call this time, but will they prove ready to kick it up a notch and begin carving? I guess we will just have to wait and find out.

Check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!

Townsend's Chipmunks Track at North Chuckanut Trailhead

Townsend Chipmunks - N. Chuckanut Trailhead - 03/12/16

Meeting up for the first time this season the Townsend Chipmunks and mentors arrived at North Chuckanut Trailhead. While a few of the late arrivals trickled in, the rest of the boys were immediately drawn to the pond beside the parking lot. Obviously eager to explore they scampered about the logs and if not for the mentors calling them back would have likely ended up quite wet and muddy before our outing even began! Gathering up for opening circle we welcomed a new mentor to the group and shared all our names and favorite animals to familiarize ourselves with one another before hitting the trail. We also took some time to discuss our earth skills focus for the season; Tracking and Bird Language.

A little ways into our hike we reached an intersection in the trail yet no one seemed to pause to ensure the group was together before moving on! The mentors crow called and got everyone to regroup to debrief what had happened. It may seem like a tedious task to pause at every intersection, but when these boys are old enough to go on backpacking trips in a few years, getting separated from the group while taking a wrong turn down a trail could be the difference between making it home safe and sound and being lost in the wilderness. But enough of the lecturing, time for a game of HIDE!

While we played a quick round, our EMA (Explorers Mentor Apprentice) headed off to begin a game of Stick Drag. The Explorers were briefed that the EMA would drag a stick along the trail to leave a track, picking the stick up from time to time and perhaps even trying to trick them a bit with his trail. It was their task to track in down and find him. Hurrying along they quickly picked up the drag marks and were in hot pursuit. Due to the nature of the trail it was pretty clear which direction the EMA went so some of the boys ran ahead, however the majority of the group really took to tracking. Getting down and examining the various skid marks and scuffs along the trail made tracking a bit difficult, however, looking ahead of us we could spot muddy sections and puddles that would provide excellent substrate for finding signs of the EMA. Picking up the pace we caught up to the EMA right at the bridge that crosses the creek into Arroyo Park.

Enamored with our surroundings it was impossible not to get sucked into a session of exploration. Scampering up and down the creek bed we made numerous discoveries. First of all there was a funny looking structure of sticks that upon further examination appeared to be some sort of hut constructed by whomever was here before us. We also found a variety of colorful stones, some blossoming Salmon Berry flowers, and even an adventurous WinterWren (who has one of the most complex songs of all the birds in our area!) that was residing beside the creek. Continuing upstream we practiced our tracking skills through some muddy sections of trail before arriving at an ancient Western Red Cedar that had fallen across the creek forming a magnificent land bridge. This was our gateway back across the creek and into the depths of the forest.

Pausing to eat lunch and explore our new surroundings for a bit, we regrouped and talked a bit more in depth about tracking. One of the best ways to hone your tracking skills is to get into the mind of the animal you are tracking! What better way to do that than embodying the animal’s locomotive techniques through Animal Forms. Taking turns we each practiced various gaits and strides pretending to be different animals from bears, to deer, to otters, and even a “crazy pig” which looked much like a fish out of water. All this body movement made us crave a good game of Spiders Web.

Hiking up the hillside we settled into a bit of a valley filled with chest high sword fern and a deep ravine cut out by a babbling brook. The thick forest canopy cast a dim light on the landscape evoking the sneaking and stalking mindset required for success in Spiders Web. We set up the game and were underway in no time. While the game was taking place one of the mentors held back to harvest some cedar for carving before jumping back into the game. Skirting around the edge of the field of ferns, dropping into the ravine to cross the creek, and snaking his way back up the other side the mentor was feeling pretty good about his chances. Suddenly he heard some rustling in the brush and hit the deck. Slowly but surely an Explorer came sneaking his way towards the mentor. Noticing he was there the Explorer calmly flashed him the food source bandana before continuing his way back to the web for a victory. The mentor was left in awe of this group of boys who in previous seasons couldn’t manage to sneak quietly through the underbrush, yet today they utilized the landscape, maintained constant camouflage from the Spider, and swiftly returned to the web without detection. In all honesty this was quite an impressive feat for a group of boys this age and was a great indicator of the growth both as individuals and as a group.

Gathering in circle one last time we broke out the apples and cutting board for a circle of gratitude. It was emphasized throughout the outing to hold a strong focus in circle, not to interrupt others, and to truly listen and not just wait to speak. This was the final test of the day. Could we get through closing circle without losing our focus and falling back to goofing off? Much to the amazement of the mentors the Townsend Chipmunks held their focus, listened to one another keenly, and shared deep gratitude for one another, the land, the animals, and all the fun we had during our outing. The mentors thanked the group for stepping up to the challenge and marking yet another step forward in the growth and development of this group. What a great way to start of the spring season!

Make sure to check out all the photos from our outing here!