The Short-Tailed Weasels Collaborate Beside Caves on the Rock Trail

The Short Tailed Weasels arrived in a convoy for the first outing of the fall season. We gathered together for opening circle and after meeting new group members and going over our plan for the day we headed down the Rock Trail. Our focus for the day would be shelter building, however in the end we would learn our true lessons would be learned on another topic. 

Checking the map for information to help our outing

Heading down the trail the group was tasked with searching out “natural shelter” as in any emergency, finding a shelter that is already build for you is much quicker and easier than constructing one of your own. Further down the trail we found a series of caves that offered up plenty of natural shelter. One of the caves in the sandstone cliffs was even big enough to fit four Explorers!

Hiking beside the sandstone cliffs

Clambering into caves!

Seeing how many Explorers can fit in the cave

 Transitioning to the second half of our outing we circled up to plan what to do. We would need to focus on shelter building, however afterwards we had the option of either playing Spider’s Web or trying to hike down to Lost Lake. As the group tried to deliberate on what to do, we revisited the “four C’s of decision making”; circle, collaborate, compromise, consensus. First and foremost we needed to circle up and focus ourselves on communicating with one another. Next we took time for each person to share what they wanted to do. The upcoming step of compromising was where we faced our challenge for the day. 

Hanging out to eat lunch

With about half of the group wanting to play Spider’s Web and the other half wanting to go to Lizard Lake, we hit a sticking point in our decision making. After much deliberation and discussion the majority of the group began leaning towards Spider’s Web, however a couple group members were still not satisfied with the plan. Although most of the time outside of Explorers Club, decisions like this are made by a democratic vote resulting in a majority rules scenario. However, this often leaves a group polarized and at least a few members, if not half of the group, unhappy with the decision made. In order for a group to agree with a decision in its entirety, a consensus must be reached. This is not easy, and we asked a lot of the Short-Tailed Weasels to come to a consensus, but through determination and thoughtful compromise we finally arrived at a consensus. We would have a brief shelter building lesson followed by a game of Spider’s web and a strong intention of returning to the Rock Trail in the spring time to hike down to Lizard Lake. 

Transitioning to learning how to construct a model debris hut

Although the process of reaching a consensus is often painstaking for both Explorer and Mentor alike, the resulting group morale and lessons learned in communication, leadership, and creative thinking to arrive at a compromise were well worth the lengthy time in circle. Not only did this group get a chance to play games and practice their shelter building, but they took a big step forward in their ability to function as a whole and arrive at decisions that everyone can agree upon.

Proud shelter builders. Next we will see how they do constructing full size shelters!

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