The Short-tailed Weasels arrived at Stewart Mountain to find
the Cave Dwellers group already there. Looking around a few of the STW’s
recognized some members of the other group from outside of Explorers Club.
After playing a fun ‘get to know you’ game the mentors talked about their plans
for each of the groups’ outing. A few of the boys recognized that both groups
would be working on similar skills during the day and asked about running a
joint outing together.
Nominating a Leader of
the Day to help facilitate the discussion the boys quickly realized that
there were strong opinions on both sides and the decision was going to be a difficult
one. The process was made more challenging by some members of the Short-tailed
Weasels who had become overwhelmed and bored and as a result derailed our
discussion by either drawing attention to themselves or talking over those who
were trying to actively pursue collaboration and consensus.
After a solid fifteen minutes of discussion the group
decided that even though they were working on the same skills and were only a
year apart in age, it was better that they played a game a of Spider’s Web together and then went
their separate ways. It was disappointing for the mentors to watch the boys
come close to inclusion, knowledge sharing, and togetherness, but in the end
for them to feel like their groups were in different places. However, one of
the joys of Explorers Club is that we learn experientially over many outings
and it was our role as mentors to hold to their decision.
Brian let out a crow call after setting up a game course in
a dense grove of second growth Western Hemlock and Cedar and the boys
disappeared in the ferns.
The game lasted for about forty-five minutes and provided
just the right amount of challenge and redirection. The two groups followed the
rules with honor and got caught up in the spirit of play. Calling the game at
our allotted time we circled back up to debrief.
The mentors highlighted how the power of play had brought us
together. To further reinforce this concept a mentor shared a story about the Northern Ireland Conflict where Nationalists (mainly
self-identified as Roman Catholic) and Unionists (mainly self-identified
as British or Protestant) waged guerrilla warfare against one another over differences
in whether Northern Ireland should belong to Ireland or England for nearly
thirty years. 3,500 people were killed in the conflict and many neighborhoods
and families were left with deep scars and hatred for one another.
An Outdoor Professional from the region started a surfing
program for children from both sides of the conflict. Through a medium of play
and adventure they created strong friendships and goodwill amongst the younger
generations. The boys seemed to internalize this mentoring message and the STW
waved goodbye to the CD as they circled up to make a plan for the rest of their
day.
Turning to the Leader
of the Day the group needed to decide how to fit in eating their lunch,
finding a location to work on some knife sharpening and tarp shelter making
skills, and also provided a container for some free exploration. Once again
some of the Explorers started to derail the group using sarcasm and humor about
the process along with interjecting other subjects that were off-topic and
disruptive. The boys were looking for the mentors’ edge and had found it.
Getting triangular with the group the mentors asked the boys why they thought
their behavior was appropriate and if they really wanted to participate. The
mentors also let the group know that we purposefully choose to engage in this
work bringing intention and care to each outing, and we expect the boys to be
present and engaged.
With their plan in place the boys headed down to Lake
Whatcom to eat their lunch and then hiked up the Chanterelle Trail in search of
a quiet place off-trail to engage in skills. Taking out a knife sharpening kit
and the resources to make a tarp shelter the STW’s energy calmed down and the
mentors were able to get strong focus from the group. A portion of the group
worked on tarp shelters learning to: carve tent pegs, how to tie a tarp knot,
the proper height to raise the shelter to, and how to get a clean smooth shelter
surface to fend off rain using 45 degree angles and taught lines attached to
the tarp’s grommets.
Adam provided some hot chocolate on his jet boil stove while
he worked with a few of the boys on knife sharpening. The group harmoniously
worked away following their interests. Circling up for a closing meeting we
debriefed the second half of the day highlighting the mentors ability to pass
on knowledge, skills, and give more autonomy and responsibility when the groups
demonstrates that they are ready for it. Sharing our thanks and some apples the
group suffered more interruption and again needed to be reminded of our behavioral
expectations for our meeting time.
The Short-tailed Weasels’ group work needs improvement and
one hundred percent focus and engagement from its members in order to thrive. Fortunately
mentors and Explorers alike are given the gift of time in this program and the
STW will have the chance to try again after our holiday break. Adam and I are
thankful to work with your sons and for your commitment and support for the
program. We see opportunity in the group’s challenging dynamics and look forward
to tailoring our next few outings to help facilitate their capacity for
leadership and engagement.
For more pictures from our outing please visit the
Short-Tailed Weasels’ photo album from the day.
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