Barnacles Follow Their Inspirations at Lake Padden

The Barnacles arrived at Lake Padden on a beautiful early spring day. This was world away from the winter wind storm that forced us to cancel and reschedule our outing for another time. Luckily, the sun was shining as the Barnacles showed up and prepared for our some good old fashion exploration. First and foremost we decided to take advantage of the big field and played a few rounds of “Fox Tails” to get our wiggles out before opening circle. Gathering together we talked about our plan for the day, loaded up our packs, and hit the trail.

Gathering around the map to find out where we are going

Pausing to take a look at the map the Barnacles were given a destination and tasked with figuring out how to navigate there. We would be taking the dog off-leash trail to hike a mile or so to the “big fallen tree” to set up a base camp. Along the way we paused to play a game of “HIDE” near a bridge. Taking a moment for the whole group to catch up allowed those in the front to indulge their curiosities and inspect a freshly fallen Western Hemlock laying parallel to the bridge. By the time the rest of the group caught up, everyone was lost in free exploration clambering over the log, digging in the roots, beginning the development of a shelter, and tossing rocks in the creek. Seeing the group immersed in free play the mentors decided to go with the flow and see how long it would last.

Exploring the fallen Hemlock

After nearly two hours of playful exploration the Barnacles were still eager to continue with their free time. Watching the entire group interacting together, collaborating on developing new games, gathering rocks for one another to toss in the creek, and playing with an old tennis ball watching it float under the bridge over and over was a treat for the mentors to watch. It was hard to call it quits, but the mentors thought it would be a great time for a “Sit Spot” where everyone gets some individual time to be by themselves and tune into their surroundings. Using the “Five S’s” of Silent, Solo, Still, Safe, and Senses, we had our ground rules for the sit spot and everyone scampered off to find a cozy place to hunker down for the next fifteen minutes. Following the joyful clamor of free play, the silence of the sit spot was a welcome change. Listening to the birds, building mini shelters, and soaking up the sunshine everyone enjoyed some peace and quiet before we gathered up again to return to the field.

Soaking up some sun and transitioning to skills work

With a bit of extra time leftover, we all gathered up in the sunshine to warm up and work on some skills while others went off to play some more games. With half the group off playing, the other half gathered around one of the mentors to learn a bit about harvesting natural materials for fire starting. Looking at a spread of a bow-drill kit, tinder fungus, cedar bark, birch bark, and other bits and pieces of natural tinder we had the opportunity to experiment. Practicing our bow-drill technique, using a ferrocerium rod to throw sparks onto tinder we tested bits and pieces for flammability and proper preparation. Although the Barnacles are years away from learning the Art of Fire, there is always room for a little practice and foreshadowing for the future. All in all this was an incredible outing. The Barnacles showed the mentors they didn’t have any need for a plan and can make an amazing outing on their own out of a simple bridge, fallen tree, and their imaginations. The entire group played together for hours immersed in imaginative play that would make any adult nostalgic for those precious days of childhood where success is measured by the simple metric of fun for you and your friends. No doubt, this was a successful day. 

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

Barnacles Explore Whatcom Falls

The Barnacles had an exciting day exploring Whatcom Falls. For some, it was the first time they had seen the waterfall! We crossed the stone bridge and discussed the origin of the name "Whatcom" and its Lummi meaning "place of noisy waters." We spent some time exploring near the falls, safely and carefully of course, and admiring ice formations that had been created from a cold night the day before.

Next we traveled down the trail to a spot where we set up temporary camp and played games. We reviewed our learned skills in the art of camouflage and played a few games of Hide. While hiding, we found many indications of human impact, from dog poop to plastic hangers. We discussed the scope of impact that our community and other visitors have on natural spaces like Whatcom falls, and the importance of Leave No Trace ethics. We were able to pack out the hangers and a few other pieces of "safe trash." We always make sure to discuss safe and unsafe trash. Pieces of safe trash are items such as plastics, wrappers, etc.  to which we can apply our motto "You see it you own it." That is to say that even though we may not have been the ones to leave the items, as environmental stewards and recreators, we still have a responsibility to clean them up!

After  several games of Hide and some lunch, we moved on to the Whatcom Falls' swimming hole. We watched a couple of teenagers prepare to slack line near the water and discussed the safety concerns of how people in our community use the swimming hole. Specifically, we worked through the dangers of cliff jumping into shallow waters, and how though it may sound fun, it is ultimately a very risky thing to do! We talked through a few specific considerations that make jumping into the water unsafe, such as the changing depth of water due to rain fall and the shifting of larges rocks and boulders beneath the water caused by a moving current.

During this discussion, we spotted a bird about which we had spoken earlier, the American Dipper! We recognized the bird based on a description we had learned at the start of our day. We noted that like the description we had learned, this bird was grey, round-bodied, found near the edge of a stream,  and bobbing (dipping) up and down searching for food. For more information about the American Dipper, click here!

After watching the American Dipper for a few minutes, we began our trek back to the stone bridge. Along the way we played a game called "Cougar Stalks Deer," a game very similar to "Red Light/Green Light," but tweaked to discuss how deer have a hard time seeing things that aren't moving, but have excellent hearing and are more apt to notice animals when they make sudden movements.

Once back at the stone bridge, we spent a few last moments exploring near the waterfall before moving to the field to play some final games. We ended our outing as we always do with our Attitude of Gratitude, and finished just in time to miss the sleet! 

For more photos from this outing, click here!

Barnacles Explore Hundred Acre Wood

During our first adventure into Hundred Acre Wood, the Barnacles took advantage of an open outing schedule to tackle a variety of Explorers Club lessons and activities, such as learning  to track our steps  through a web of trails, playing games with honor, and Collaborate and Compromise. In our opening circle, the Barnacles discussed all of the roles and jobs we've been using to perform together as a group. In particular, we discussed the importance of sharing jobs  and the associated gear amongst members of our group, even if we thought our packs were already full! In Explorers Club, the motto "We. Not Me." is one that we often utilize to remind ourselves that when we explore together, we are always working  as team and learning to take care of ourselves without losing sight of the needs of the group. Click here to take a look at some other Explorers Club Mottos.

At our first split in the trail, the Barnacles learned an integral Explorers Club tradition, Collaborate and Compromise Circles. This is a tool we use to make sure everyone's voice is heard in the decision making process. When asked to make a group a decision, young explorers often default to voting, as it's a process we learn young and learn to value. While we believe there is certainly a place and time for voting, in Explorers Club, we prefer Collaborate and Compromise as  a way to hear all voices and opinions, even from those in the minority vote who may have otherwise been unheard. We learned "The Four C's of Collaborate and Compromise." Circle. Collaborate. Compromise. Consensus. We used these 4 C's to guide our decision making process about where to go and what to do with our time. Ultimately, we compromised on an hour of playing games and an hour of exploring a near by "secret cave" to which one of our explorers led us. In order to not lose our way in the complex spider web of trails, we learned to make stick arrows to track our path.

Once we reached our destination, we explored the cave with head lamps and tried to see how many Explorers we could fit inside. We also took this time to learn more about each other through conversations about our families, schools, and favorite hobbies.

After we had exhausted our exploration of the cave, we continued to explore and see what we could find in the Hundred Acre Wood. We found many different types of mushrooms, some so new you could still see the fuzzy margins which indicate recent growth!

We even came across wild life. First, we saw a frog we thought to be dead. After further investigation, we considered that the frog may just be hibernating due to the low temperatures. Just in case, we covered it back up with some pine needles and dead leaves for extra insulation. Later in the day, we had a much more active wild life sighting. We heard a woodpecker somewhere in the trees and tracked it down. After observing that it had a red spot at the top of its head and a white underbelly, we determined that it was a Downy Woodpecker.

After lots of exploring and playing games, it was time to head back. We ended our day as we almost always do with a Sit Spot, an exercise in learning to be still and silent in hopes that the forest shows us its secrets. We spent about 10 min looking, listening, and experiencing a quiet moment in the woods. Afterward, we wrapped up our day with our Attitude of Gratitude Circle. We all shared something from the day we were thankful for, from friends and games to sticks and mushrooms. It was a wonderful way to enjoy a brisk December day!

Here are more PHOTOS from our outing!

Exploring N Chuckanut Mountain and Arroyo Park

On our second exploration outing, the Barnacles worked on honing our exploring skills and safety awareness. We began our opening circle by reviewing trail safety and how to dress for success outdoors. We talked through layering clothes to stay warm and dry in anticipation of a wet chilly day. After assigning our jobs: TTTPP (Totally Terrific Toilet Paper Person), Knowledge Keeper, Leader of the Day, and Front and Back Scout, we headed up the trail to see what fall in the Chuckanuts had in store for us.

Licorice Fern on a Big Leaf Maple

On our first stop, we learned to identify Licorice Fern. Specifically, we wanted to make sure we could tell the difference between Licorice Fern and Sword Fern. Licorice Fern, we learned, takes advantage of the PNW's mild,wet winters to grow on mossy patches like those often found on Big Leaf Maples. We noted that unlike sword ferns, the leaves of the Licorice Fern are fully attached to the stem and only grow in single fronds rather than a cluster. Some Barnacles shared that they have tasted licorice root, the edible part of the plant historically utilized by Native Peoples for its medicinal properties. Since Explorers only eat plants if we are absolutely certain they are safe, we discussed the EC motto "Meet before you eat!" For now, we decided it best to ask a Mentor before eating anything while we improve our foraging skills.

Wesley and Kate "shake hands" with Licorice Fern

Our next stop along the way was a trail-side waterfall. We splashed around in the cold water and tried to make a mental map of the flow of water through Arroyo Park. Some of us even climbed up part of the fall! It was a good time to review S.T.O.P. (Stop,Think,Observe,Plan) to make sure we were climbing safely in slippery conditions.

From puddle jumping to splashing in waterfalls, 

the Barnacles don't mind getting wet!

Next, we stopped for lunch and free exploration time. Some of us waded in the creek...

Rock hopping under the bridge!

...while others took advantage of a natural tree fort created by a downed Cedar Tree. When it began to rain, we made sure to put our rain layers on and continued to play without minding a little precipitation.

How many Barnacles can you spot in this tree fort?

Our last stop along the way was to an open area perfect for learning another "Art of Camouflage" game. We learned to play Spider's Web, an absolute EC favorite. In this game, a Spider (one player) hides their food source (a bandanna) somewhere in the woods. It is the job of the flies (all other players) to capture the food source and bring it back to the spider's web without getting caught. But be careful! If the Spider sees you, it's back to the web until a fellow fly can give you a sly wave allowing you to sneak away.

Barnacles in search of the perfect Spider's Web location

After a successful game of Spider's Web- Flies won!- we headed back to the trail to make our return hike. We stopped once more at the waterfall to share some hot cocoa and warm up. With bellies full of cocoa and fingers rewarmed, we finished the remainder of the hike to the trail head. In keeping with EC tradition, we wrapped up our outing with  a closing circle to share our "Attitude of Gratitude" for the day. All in all, we agreed that it was a successful outing and that even the rain couldn't put a damper on our day, especially when we had hot cocoa to warm us back up!

For more photos from our outing, click here.

The Barnacles Go to the Beach!

The Barnacles started off their Explorers Club experience with a classic outing to Clayton Beach. We began with an opening circle to discuss what Explorers Club will be like, how to stay safe as we explore, and even played a game to get to know one another a little better. Feeling prepared to transition to the adventurous part of our outing, the group demonstrated they were listening closely as we safely crossed Chuckanut Drive and dropped down into a ravine to explore and learn some new games.

Exploring the ravine

In the ravine, we set up some boundaries for free exploration and introduced a tool for us to use as we manage risk in the field. The tool is called STOP or (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan), which allows us to asses any hazards we may encounter, analyze them, develop a context given our situation, and determine the best way to proceed. Feeling prepared to explore safely we spread out and poked through the stream finding plenty of macro-invertebrates, unique trees to play on, a baby garter snake and the beginnings to new friendships.

Collecting macro invertebrates

After our free exploration to get to know the area, we transitioned to learning some games that would help us with our seasonal focus to learn the Art of Stealth and Camouflage. Every new Explorers group learns one game in particular; HIDE. This game encourages Explorers to learn how to utilize foliage and landscape features to shelter themselves from the view of the spotter. Each game offers 30 seconds for everyone to hide where they can see the spotter but not be seen by the spotter. After 30 seconds the spotter will take a few minutes to try and spot as many Explorers as they can. When they can no longer see anyone they quietly hold up a number using their fingers then have the remaining Explorers come in and whisper the number in their ear to confirm they could actually see the spotter. This game helps us learn how to blend in with our surroundings while still being able to observe what is going on. Not only will this improve our skills at future forest games, but will begin honing our ability to travel through the forest quietly and concealing ourselves in order to observe wildlife without spooking the animals.

Learning how to play HIDE

Feeling ready to transition from the forest to the beach we packed up and began trekking down the trail. Having spent over half our time in the forest we only had a little bit of our outing left to explore the beach, but despite the shorter time we found just as much, if not more, exciting natural history mysteries at the beach. Flipping over rocks, peering through tide pools, gazing out at the San Juan Islands basking in the sunshine made the last of our time fly by. Before we knew it, we were gathering together for our closing circle.

Play Food and Water! Now you see me....

Now you don't!

Closing circle is something that is very important and takes place on every outing. During our closing circle we reflect on our time exploring that day. We share what we call “Attitude of Gratitude” at Wild Whatcom where each Explorer is given the opportunity to share something they are thankful for with the group. Not only is this a great way to reflect on all that we did that day and reminisce on highlights, but it allows us to begin nurturing a safe place to share our feelings with one another. Beginning with something easy to share like gratitude will allow us to develop a culture of speaking from the heart that one day will enable the group to share how they truly feel with one another when outings get difficult or we’re having trouble making a decision as a group. 

Exploring at the beach!

The biggest of the crabs we found while flipping over rocks

After everyone shared their gratitude with the group we put on our packs and hustled back up the trail. As with most first outings, we tried to fit too much in and were running late. Luckily, despite the fatigue from a full day of exploring and playing games, the group rallied and cruised up the trail. This was a fitting way to finish the day as throughout our outing the mentors asked a lot of this group but they consistently responded by not only doing what was asked of them, but doing so with a smile on their face and plenty of laughs to go around. With a strong start to their Explorers Club experience, we are eager to see what is in store for the Barnacles on future outings.

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