Cascadian Explorations Camp #2

A full week of exploring is hard enough to remember let alone recount within the confines of a screenful of paragraphs. How could one possibly transmit the smell of the sun on the shore pines, the feel of a of sandstone and moss as you climb a cascading mountain stream, the excitement of tasting your first trailing blackcap raspberry or salal or nettle seed, the suction of thick mud around your legs as you are suddenly faced with a cold deluge in mid July, the electricity pulsing through your being as you meet an eagle on the shore? Where, amongst these 26 letters is the heat of the day, the breath of the trees, the moisture of the lakes, the gentle south wind, the sting of a mosquito, the thrill of sneaking and chasing, the music of a thrush?

In Explorers Club, we have a practice of reminding ourselves of the events of the entire week during our final meeting. We do this because there is so much goodness in Exploring, and each of these experiences is fully worthy of being reinforced so that they can become a part of us and guide us as we grow with the world.

When asked to remember the events of the week during our closing meeting, Explorers shared a wonderful collage of memories: many games ofHide!; exploring wild plants and places around Hoag's Pond; the camouflage game; Playing Smog's Jewels; Our many chances to have a good Sit Spot; seeing how to make a bow drill and a hand drill fire; laying the foundations for our future journey with carving and knives; the seemingly endless run along the mud flats out to the water; the cold and wet and the surprise of needing to stay warm in July; moving past discomfort and finding joy and discovery in the mud; bull kelp and piling worms; the Earthkeeper’s Den with the giant metal buoy; an adventure to a new place at Lake Padden; meeting new plants and assessing our impact; Bees and the Hive and a crazy sneaking challenge; doing so much good earth keeping; exploring at Whatcom Falls- ducks to cedars to hidden gems; finding Rowan's fort; chasing down Matt when he turned into a buck; a great game of Spider's Web; a big and challenging discussion and group decision about fighting; the art of peace building; a good Sit Spot; a wild traverse up to Fragrance Lake filled with so many edible plants; Peter's challenge with plant recognition; exploring off the trail and finding vibrant streams, hidden gulleys, secret caves, and fire-holding wood; recognizing one another, the land, and the magic of the whole week; enjoying one another's company and giving thanks.

This Explorer could add volumes. This camp was rich and rewarding for all involved. Each mentor expressed delight at working with this group of boys. Challenges were there, and they were skillfully transformed into powers as the days went on. This group was full of exploring energy, and the mentors often felt like they were just trying to keep up with the boys. They were also a crew of very good people and they did do some serious peace building work when it was called for. Pictures are, indeed worth a thousand words. Experiences are worth ten thousand pictures. So, if you really want to know what this Explorers Camp was like, get out there with your Explorer and have him teach you what he has learned. Not just the information, but the games too. Go out and get dirty! Be a kid and play a few rounds of Hide!Actually rub your hands in mud and touch that frog. This Explorer could (and will upon request) give you all kinds of very compelling physiological and psychological research data that will convince you of the benefit… but do you really need it? This earth is our medicine and we are the sum and the quality of our relationships. Relationships are built by showing up and paying attention. Have your son and the landscape be your guide. Get out there and Explore the magical and vast wilderness of your own back yard.

You can also enjoy viewing the photos from our photo gallery.