Short-Tailed Weasels Exploration at North Lake Whatcom Trailhead

The Short-Tailed Weasels gathered at the parking lot of North Lake Whatcom Trailhead for their last exploration of the spring season. Once they assembled, the group headed down the trail in searching of a spot for an opening meeting. Hiking along the forest was wet and saturated. The shades of gray in the low hanging cloud ceiling and slight southerly breeze chilled the air and refreshed the group. The climate reminded us of the weather much more typical to our Pacific Northwest spring season. It was powerful to witness the Explorers mindset and relationship with the rain shifting in this way. In Explorers Club we go out often in the rain and cold. Our aim is for the boys to begin to see this weather as a gift more than an advisory.

Finding a clearing next to the trail the group circled up as the mentors passed out jobs for the day. With a little encouragement from the swarming mosquitos the boys were able to recall each of the Explorers Club jobs and delegate a few that were deemed less desirable. The group was anxious to move, but the mentors held the circle explaining there were a few more important topics to address. The boys stretched their edge and worked hard to make a plan for the day in spite of their discomfort. Our aim was to hike a mile down the trail in search of multi-tiered waterfall then follow the creek down to the shore of the lake for a sit spot. We would end our day leaving a good chunk of time for Spider’s Web.

With a plan in order and our minds oriented toward the landscape we headed out in search of the falls. On the way the boys explored their skill for the season the Art of Harvest, taking moments along the trail to investigate the flowers and fruits of spring. Together we looked at Stinging Nettle stalks, Indian Plum fruits, Western Hemlock tips, and the elegant flowers of Red Columbine, Aquilegia Formosa. The boys were also introduced to a very helpful plant Herb Robert (more commonly known to the Explorers as Stink Bob) whose fresh leaves can be rubbed onto the skin to repel mosquitos.

After a solid effort the boys arrived at the base of the waterfall. Looking up the pools overflowed and cascaded down smooth Sandstone faces. Climbing over a logjam the group tucked into the woods and sat down for some lunch. Before we explored the falls any closer the mentors wanted to layout some ground rules. The Mentors talked with the group about two issues: making sure we stayed off the steep trail above us, and watching our own impact of erosion on the creek. The mentors stressed the connection of clear, clean, and cool water and its relationship with healthy habitat for the amphibians, macro invertebrates, and fish. Deepening this connection the mentors explained that this creek also poured directly into our own water source Lake Whatcom.

With that the group explored freely up the first half of the falls getting close enough to feel the spray of the water off the rocks and practicing their balance on logs that bridged the creek. It was at this moment that one of the Explorers got on the side of a hill and he did not feel he could go up or down. In this case the Explorer perceived that the risk was great, but the physical risk was quite low. One of the mentors worked with the Explorer for over half an hour helping him to overcome his fear and navigate the hurdle. This was an empowering moment for both the mentor and mentee. Our longer outing format and deliberate mentoring style provides the time and space for the Explorers to overcome their hurdles and find the power in their challenges.

Simultaneously the rest of the boys were hopping down the creek checking out tiny fish and Water Striders on their way to the lake. Rallying the group the mentors sent the boys out on a sit spot near the lakeshore. Getting quiet the boys relaxed back against the trees and listened to the wind move and waves lapping against the shore. As we sat an American Dipper frolicked on the streams edge feasting on bugs. This was yet another reminder that species in the forest were rejoicing for the rainfall.

The Short-Tailed Weasels came back from their sit spot to find three concentric circles drawn into the forest floor. Earlier a few boys had asked why it was difficult for the Explorer to navigate the seemly easy obstacle of getting down off the hillside. Asking the boys to stand outside the widest circle, the mentors explained that each circle represented a comfort level: the first being completely comfortable, the next being semi-comfortable but still within their growth zone, and the third being completely in the panic zone. The group was to place themselves inside the appropriate circle when asked their comfort level in different circumstances.

As the boys ebbed and flowed between the circles they came to realize that everyone was different in levels of comfort in each scenario. Together they came to realize the important lesson that their peers all have individual powers and challenges and it is the job of the group to help each other work through them.

Feeling the push of the clock we hiked back near the parking lot, stopping at a dense grove of Cedar and Sword Ferns for a round of Spider’s Web. The first round was over in about five minutes with the Spider wining after decimating the fly population. Gathering back up, the group used circular leadership to modify the game to increase the level of challenge for the spider. The next game lasted quite a bit longer and had to be called halfway through because we needed to have a closing circle.

Bringing our focus together the group passed around apples and shared some genuine thanks as well as one thing they heard and how they felt on their sit spot. 

Our outing had come full circle as the mosquitos started to swarm us once again.

Before going our separate ways for the summer the mentors asked the group where they would like to go on their upcoming fall 2016 season. The boys mentioned wanting to begin their carving journey, which is definitely on the table, and wanting to visit Lake Padden, Clayton Beach, Arroyo Park, and return to North Lake Whatcom. 

Parents, thanks you for your strong support and commitment to the program. Our time spent building relationships with your sons throughout their first season in Explorers Club has been wonderful. Our mentors have begun to vision and dream for their years ahead in the program. We look forward to exploring with them in our summer programs and again this fall!

For more photos from the day please visit the Short-Tailed Weasels photo album from the day.

Short-Tailed Weasels explore & harvest above Lake Padden

Circling up for the Short-Tailed Weasels first outing of the new spring season, new faces were introduced, and jobs were divided with our focus maintained on getting out onto the trail. With the help of our Tribal Elder, the boys reached a consensus at our first trail junction, deciding to explore a new trail and following the lead of one of our explorers to take us to the perfect spot to play Spider’s Web. The way through to this magical area was not without its challenges. Bushwhacking down a steep hill pushed some of our explorers to their edges, and challenges the loamy soils ability to hold together the roots of sword ferns, Oregon grape, and salal. 

Finding a nice log to sit on, we enjoyed our snacks while waiting for our dispersed group to all gather together again. We discussed erosion and the impact we all have on our landscapes, and decided that we would go out a different way than we came to this spot, so as not to stress the slope’s soil further. Not that we were planning on leaving anytime soon! We’d found our perfect Spider’s Web spot, bounded on two sides by steep terrain, with a hill in between to create a series of hills and valleys, all covered in the camouflaging sword fern. We even discovered, while exploring this spot to try and discern where our boundaries should be, evidence of other Explorers Club activity in the area, in the form of a very well constructed debris shelter in one of the valleys!

After discussing our boundaries and reminding ourselves of the rules, the boys nominated their new mentor Conor to be the spider, a choice which would test the limits and stretch the edges of their camouflaging skills. For over an hour, the boys try many different tactics to camouflage their movements as they attempted to home in on the food source – a bandana hidden well up one of the valleys – and rescuing each other from the spiders web when their movements and rustlings were called out by the spider. Never losing focus or enthusiasm, the boys sportsmanship, skill and spirit finally paid off when our newest explorer succeeded at taking the food source around the back of the hill to the web, thus winning the game for the flies! Circling round to debrief the game, we discussed the boys different strategies and found opportunities to learn from our successes and mistakes.

Following a path Steve had scouted as we played spiders web, we rejoined the trail and began our journey back, as well as the journey into our skill focus for the season – harvesting. Here the Short-Tailed Weasels and mentors were challenged to hold the space for harvesting knowledge while energy levels ranged from focused to hyperactive. With the help of our Knowledge Keeper, we learned how to identify stinging nettle – saw toothed leaves, square stems, leaves opposite each other, short stinging hairs on stock and leaf – and that one can harvest it without stinging themselves, by picking the leaf from the top where there are few if any hairs, and rolling the bottom of the leaf against itself to remove the stingers. One important element of harvesting is how to not take too many: For every one we take, we leave one alone for other animals to eat, one alone to make seed and regenerate the plant, and one alone for the intrinsic value that plant has to exist on its own.

After harvesting a pot full of nettle leaves, we continued on the trail back in search of a good spot for our closing meeting. Before we found our spot however, we found another edible plant, the licorice root fern. Found growing through the moss of Big Leaf maple trees, one can feel for the end the fern’s roots, and harvest a modest amount. We’re careful not to harvest the middle of a root, as this will kill the plant below our harvest. The root tastes very much like licorice, and after sampling some on the spot, we harvest enough to add to the pot of nettles we’re intent on brewing into tea.

We ended our day with a sit spot overlooking the dog park – not the best choice of location perhaps, but a perfect way to bring our energy focus back to our harvest being boiled into tea, and reflection on gratitude for what nature provides. After our tea of nettle, licorice root fern, peppermint tea, cedar fronds and fresh water had steeped, we gathered ourselves back from our sit spots for our closing circle. Drinking tea and eating apples, we have thanks for nature’s bounty, and to consecrate the end of the beginning of the Short-Tailed Weasels spring season.