The Short Tailed Weasels arrived at North Chuckanut Trailhead ready for their third outing. As a new group the Short Tailed Weasels have fully accepted the challenges of cohort dynamics and the group decision making process; growing through these experiences into a really collaborative and cohesive group. The Chuckanuts are an exciting place for an outing, rich with exploring opportunities and abundant in wildlife.
Once everyone had arrived we made our way directly down from the parking lot, following a small game trail toward the creek. The boys excitedly bushwhacked and lept down the hillside toward the creek. As we approached the creek we began wondering if we would see any salmon spawning up the creek. This is the time of year they do and also a location they frequent. We saw no fish, but began asking ourselves why; is the creek too low? are they salmon later than usual?
Once everyone had arrived we made our way directly down from the parking lot, following a small game trail toward the creek. The boys excitedly bushwhacked and lept down the hillside toward the creek. As we approached the creek we began wondering if we would see any salmon spawning up the creek. This is the time of year they do and also a location they frequent. We saw no fish, but began asking ourselves why; is the creek too low? are they salmon later than usual?
We held our opening circle on an exposed gravel bar in the middle of the creek. The Short Tailed Weasels gathered up, passed out jobs, and began discussing what they wanted to do with their day. Many ideas circulated and the group struggled a few times to hold their focus as we heard from everyone and tried to come to a decision that would fit everyone's needs. With a little gentle guidance the group agreed on hiking further upstream with the intention of finding a good place to play spiders web?
As we hiked up stream we played hide, explored the creek, through rocks into the water, crawled under bridges, learned about licorice fern, talked, laughed, found off trail hideouts, and immersed ourselves in the wonderful Fall day.
Eventually we came to a place where a giant log crossed the river and seemed to lead up a steep hillside, the perfect place for spiders web. Climbing up the steep hillside we were greeted at the top by dense sword fern and pronounced topography which would provide great terrain for spiders web. We took a break to eat lunch then dove into explaining the rules of the game to everyone. The boys all focused really well to the somewhat complicated game.
Soon enough we got the game under way. after playing for only about 10 minutes we heard voices coming up the hill and realized it was the Girls Explorers Club! The girls had come here with the same intention of playing spiders web. After talking briefly we all decided to just play one big game in this location. Again we brushed up on the rules and chose a new spider.
Soon enough we got the game under way. after playing for only about 10 minutes we heard voices coming up the hill and realized it was the Girls Explorers Club! The girls had come here with the same intention of playing spiders web. After talking briefly we all decided to just play one big game in this location. Again we brushed up on the rules and chose a new spider.
The game went excellent; it was the first time playing for both the girls and boys group. For such a big game and it being everyone’s first time there was surprisingly little conflict. Everyone played with honor and respect toward one another. The game lasted a little over an hour before the flies finally managed to bring the food source back to the web. The boys excited chatter of play by play accounts of the game lasted long after the girls had disappeared down hill.
We had an amazing Fall outing; Excellent Weather, good games, great group, and a perfect location to facilitate all of this. Thank you Explorers for a great outing and thank you parents for your continued support of our program. Please see our photo gallery for more pictures from the outing
No comments:
Post a Comment