The name of this camp proved to be truer than it first seemed. When we think of the Salish Sea in the summer we think of blue water and pretty sunny days. Alas, in the winter this body of water is stormy and scary to navigate. During the past week, we rode in a ship on the Salish Sea. There were some gems and really pretty moments where everything seemed awesome. But there were other times when the boat nearly keeled over and we were all lost to the power of the ocean.
Deep upwellings brought turmoil and strong undercurrents, and we struggled mightily to keep balance. Those upwellings also brought rich nutrients from the bottom of the sea floor and lessons we would be wise to remember. We enjoyed the various fresh and salty bodies of water we encountered. We also learned about fighting and how easily we can escalate and exacerbate problems if we don’t put in the effort to curtail them. In the end we learned that we have power as a community to call out the problems and remind ourselves that, “We are escalating.” If we recognize this, then we can bring peace to ourselves and others.
Before writing this outing report it is important to give thanks. Remembering the Boys EC motto, Attitude of Gratitude, we have so much for which to be thankful. For one of the most glorious summers in the past decade, for supportive families, and for county and state parks to explore, I am thankful. Thank you to REI Bellingham for donating the tents for our overnight camping experience.
Thank you to Kyle and James, Explorers Mentoring Apprentices (EMAs) in the oldest group, the Firestalkers. As members of the Four Shields program, the Firestalkers give much time to mentor Explorers and share important generational wisdom. Thanks for joining us guys!
Thank you to the volunteers that joined us throughout the week: Nick and Greg. You are good men, and the boys’ experience was much richer because you spent your days with us. Thanks for the good work!
Thank you to parents for being supportive of Explorers Club and for signing your boys up for this mentoring program. Your families are the program; certainly there would be no mentors if there weren’t parents like you that appreciate the value of mentoring. Thanks for making the statement that this work is important and valuable to make our society healthy and strong.
And thank you to the Salish Summer Camp Explorers who brought a lot of energy this week. We explored really hard and we also fought really hard. It was challenging to ride the ups and downs and we all grew as a result of those waves. Let’s not forget those lessons about escalation and fighting. Let’s also remember the good decision-making and exploring that we did too!
Highlights from Monday include explorations at Pt. Whitehorn. We drove Stubbs to the north of Whatcom County and explored the forest and the coast. Boys built forts on the beach but also found conflict with one another. Matt told us the story of the community of birds that all spoke different languages and eventually learned to get along with one another. This was a theme for the week as Explorers also needed to find a common language.
Tuesday traverse from Bakerview to Locust Beach:
Dave joined the group and we met at the Campbell’s newly remodeled home. Thank you to the Campbell family for letting us access the tidal flats from their property. You are a tremendous contributor to our program and we are thankful for your kindness and support. We dropped our packs and ran to the end of the tidal flats, to the water’s edge, and then into waist deep water. Explorers dug for clams and treated the animals with respect. We practiced carving and retrieved missing articles of clothing before our hike south along the coastline. During the hike over boys had to be reminded of respecting one another and treating the land with respect too.
Eventually we found the “Earthkeepers’ Den,” and saw how one household abided by an Explorers Club motto, Turn Problems into Possibilities. Ask your Explorer about that special place. We sloshed through the muck and mud, till our end point and celebrated by crawling around the mud flats like salamanders. We rejoiced in the shallows but eventually the play escalated into fighting. This wouldn’t be the last time boys goaded one another until an altercation occurred. We ended the day with a sit spot on the beach and a closing circle, walking out only ten minutes late.
Wednesday at 100-Aker Wood was a day of fighting. After an immediate game of Hide, we held an opening meeting. During that time Dave and Matt escalated a small situation into a fight. Despite its being planned, many boys reflected how they were troubled by the incident. We held a council circle about conflict and the importance of de-escalating those conflicts before they lead to physical violence. Though most boys took this to heart, some continued the week’s pattern of badgering others. During a snack break, the group became entranced by Japanese-style Rock-paper-scissors, and Kyle shared stories of fishing near Vancouver Island. We walked to the junction, and, in council, Explorers facilitated great group process in decision-making about where to go and the order of activities to do. During the afternoon we played two classic EC games, Ripple through the Forest and Spider’s Web. But eventually Explorers bended and broke rules and we held discussions to figure out why people were ruining the games for others. We ended the day knowing that we had work left to do.
Thursday- Fragrance Lake, Larrabee Campout:
After accidentally coyote-ing everyone with faulty directions, we eventually met at the Fragrance Lake trailhead. Matt drove our overnight gear to camp, and Steve joined the group. We hiked up a steep trail, sharing stories and practicing the art of orienteering. We revisited, and were able to hold space for, the Art of Harvesting. We looked at thimbleberry and oceanspray while exploring along the trail. More positive group decision-making as we scouted out the right trail to take to reach Fragrance Lake.
When we got to the lake, however, boys became adversarial and many small personal fires ignited. On our walk out, there were no less than three altercations between Explorers and we finally had to stop when two boys shoved one another. We discussed physical violence and re-revisited “de-escalation.” The group made a group contract, taking a pledge to respect one another and to do no harm. We rolled into camp at 6pm, and took to making dinner and setting up our tents. Boys were jovial in the evening and made a campfire. Mentors reminded Explorers that they had a lot of work to do in the respect department- in regards to treating each other nicely and in regards to the land by not burning trash and glow sticks. Eventually everyone turned in as the raccoons scurried about the campground.
Friday- Larrabee State Park:
Most folks woke up early and starting breaking down camp. With a hearty oatmeal breakfast, we sat down to opening meeting. Girls Explorers, who were camping nearby, brought us cookies to start the day. We played bandana tag, welcomed new mentors, and hiked up to our historic service area to remove ivy. Some Explorers still bickered with one another, refusing to de-escalate on their own. At this point we decided that anyone in the group could call out others by declaring, “We are escalating.” This limited blame and finger-pointing while empowering all Explorers with a useful peace-making technique. We pulled ivy and gave our service to the land. We celebrated a long week at the beach and took time for a sit spot before closing meeting. We coyote’d parents twice because the directions were wrong again :)
When we want to celebrate, we invite “calm” and “fun” to the party. When we want to grow, we invite “conflict” and “challenge.” This week we spent time with them all. It was a successful week because Explorers hung out with “calm” and “fun.” And even the repeated difficulties were successful because Explorers were forced to embrace responsibility and maturity. As H.G. Wells once said, “Affliction comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.”
Indeed we are all wiser and more sober after such a strong week. Great work everyone! Please look at the photo gallery for many more pictures from the Salish Sea Exploration Camp. See you in the fall :)
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