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!

Building Great Things with the Townsend Chipmunk's at Lookout Mountain

The Townsend’s Chipmunks met up at Lookout Mountain for their third outing of the fall. After doing good work at our service site, it was time to get back to exploring and our earth skills focus of the season; shelter building. Before we could even have our opening circle we were visited by a Red Breasted Sap Sucker who allowed us to get remarkably close while it searched an old nurse log for food. This was a sign of a good things to come! After our opening circle we hit the trail and were on the lookout for more glimpses into the life of animals on Lookout Mountain.

Tribal Elder passing out jobs in opening circle

At a junction in the trail we stopped for the whole group to catch up so we could decide which direction to go. But before we could make much of a decision, a dank and decaying smell overpowered our ability to focus. Investigating, we followed our noses to find a deer carcass just off the trail. Looking closer at the carcass, we found it fairly intact and left out in the open with a variety of game trails leading in and out of the surrounding forest. Clearly animals have been interested in this, but which ones? Judging from the lack of secrecy, and the fact it was not stashed in a brushy area and covered with debris, it was clear this was not a cougar kill. The next likely predator would be coyotes, but judging from the area and proximity to the Lake Louis Road, we deducted that this deer likely was struck by a car and then, fueled by adrenaline, managed to find its way back into the woods where it laid down and died from internal bleeding. This was a good reminder that where there is life there is death as well.

Deer carcass we found in the woods

Changing gears, we pushed further down the trail and found a nice location off the trail a ways to get to work on building shelters. Having just scratched the surface on our first outing, it was time to get our hands dirty and see how much information was retained. Splitting into groups, the boys found three separate locations to work on shelters and each took shape in its own unique way based on the unique thoughts and abilities of each group member. One group utilized a downed log as a backbone for their shelter, another propped a back bone up against a tree, while the third created a free standing lean-to shelter. We spent a good portion of the outing working away, refining our skills, testing new ideas, and further strengthening the bonds amongst the Explorers.

One shelter utilized a fallen tree as the backbone

One group created a self supporting structure

One group propped their backbone up against a tree

After we finished up our shelters, we took a tour and each group shared their shelter with the other groups. We pointed out what we liked about each shelter, and how each shelter could be augmented or improved upon as well. With that out of the way it was time to play. Earlier in the outing the group had done a great job working amongst themselves to arrive at a group decision regarding a plan for the day that everyone agreed upon. The final item on our agenda was a big game of Spiders Web! Everyone had a blast and after a strong closing circle we hiked back to meet parents full of energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, and a little extra mud for good measure. This group demonstrated a strong aptitude for not only building shelters but also working together as a group to collaborate, compromise, and come to a consensus. The sky is the limit for the Townsend’s Chipmunks and we can’t wait to see what our future outings have in store.

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

We even found a salamander!

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!