The Short Tailed Weasels gathered for their first outing, as many Explorers before them, at 100 aker wood. Slowly the group began to grow as more and more explorers and families trickled into the parking lot, and the group began to take form. With bright morning sun dappling the forest floor and high spirits all around it was time to start off our season of exploration.
As we tromped into the forest, the boys excitement was audible along the main path toward the deeper reaches of the park. Shorty we reached a wide clearing beneath a handful of cedar trees, the perfect spot for an opening circle. The Short Tailed Weasels circled up for their first opening meeting and the true start to their season. The first outing is a hard balance of talking about the important information we need to share with the new explorers and recognizing their need to play and explore in the forest. During our opening circle we focused on a few safety aspects of exploring ( sticking together, being aware of hazards, etc), as well as talking about creating a community that supported one another throughout our explorations. Soon enough our patience for sitting was gone and we had to move our bodies and continue hiking through the woods.
Another important aspect of Explorers club is play; through playing we experience our surroundings in a different way that goes beyond simply walking through an area.We introduced the boys to a game called HIDE! if you want to see your boys quickly disappear into whatever bush or stand of ferns is around yell HIDE! and you will see this happen. The boys were excited to play this game and played many rounds of it as we hiked through woods.
As we tromped into the forest, the boys excitement was audible along the main path toward the deeper reaches of the park. Shorty we reached a wide clearing beneath a handful of cedar trees, the perfect spot for an opening circle. The Short Tailed Weasels circled up for their first opening meeting and the true start to their season. The first outing is a hard balance of talking about the important information we need to share with the new explorers and recognizing their need to play and explore in the forest. During our opening circle we focused on a few safety aspects of exploring ( sticking together, being aware of hazards, etc), as well as talking about creating a community that supported one another throughout our explorations. Soon enough our patience for sitting was gone and we had to move our bodies and continue hiking through the woods.
Another important aspect of Explorers club is play; through playing we experience our surroundings in a different way that goes beyond simply walking through an area.We introduced the boys to a game called HIDE! if you want to see your boys quickly disappear into whatever bush or stand of ferns is around yell HIDE! and you will see this happen. The boys were excited to play this game and played many rounds of it as we hiked through woods.
Our exploration continued through the afternoon; Matting slugs, cool bugs, new trees, more HIDE!, lunch, laughter, sword ferns, making decisions, seeing birds, and getting to know one another. As our afternoon drew to a close we introduced the Short Tailed Weasels to another routine in Explorers Club, a sit spot. Sit spots are a time to take a minute to observe the forest quietly. We do so much play and exploration as a group that it is nice to take the time to explore it by yourself and quietly as well. The Short Tailed Weasels spread out through the forest and each found a place to sit quietly for the next twenty minutes.
As the boys came back in from their sit spots they forest was again alive with their chatter of what they had seen and heard while out by themselves. It was fun to hear all of their experiences from their time spent by themselves. As our stories drew to a close we transitioned into our closing circle. Closing circle is another Explorers club routine and a time for us all to say one thing we are thankful for or appreciated throughout the day. We had an excellent closing circle with many heartfelt thoughts. With our time all but out we made our way back to the trail and toward the parking lot.
As the boys came back in from their sit spots they forest was again alive with their chatter of what they had seen and heard while out by themselves. It was fun to hear all of their experiences from their time spent by themselves. As our stories drew to a close we transitioned into our closing circle. Closing circle is another Explorers club routine and a time for us all to say one thing we are thankful for or appreciated throughout the day. We had an excellent closing circle with many heartfelt thoughts. With our time all but out we made our way back to the trail and toward the parking lot.
Short Tailed Weasel families, we are so excited to have you as part of our Explorers Club community and for the opportunity to explore with your sons! thanks you Short Tailed Weasels for an excellent first outing. Make sure to check out our photo gallery for more pictures from our adventures.
No comments:
Post a Comment