Pine Martins explore Samish Park

I am constantly amazed by all of the incredible areas we have for exploring our natural world.  It seems that every week I am fortunate enough to explore a new area.  February 11 with the Pine Martins was one of those days.  I was lucky enough to join them on an adventure to Samish Park.  I had never been there before and it was so fun to explore with them. 

opening circle

We met in the parking lot of Samish Park and found a nice grassy area to have our opening circle.  We passed out jobs and talked about some of our favorite animals and discussed their “nature superpowers.”  After a brief discussion we headed out, and immediately started hiking up and up. 

Samish Park is 26 acres of forested land tucked in the Chuckanuts on the North end of Lake Samish.   The hiking is steep, and there are a number of streams running down the hillside. The Pine Martins were witness to some pretty cool waterfalls and got to work out some strong hiking muscles.  The Explorers did great.  

Great place for a snack

About half way up we took a nice break on a huge rock jutting out from the hillside.  The Pine Martins collaborated and compromised on whether they wanted to continue on the trail or take a more direct route to the top, up the right-of-way.  They decided as a group to hike the trail for a couple more switchbacks then to finish the hike by taking the pipeline clearing. 

Strong hikers!

When we reached the top of our hike we set up a nice basecamp and went about exploring the area and setting up some firm boundaries for the explorers.  Some of the boys found a great area for spider’s web, and we had a really fun and challenging game with the entire group.  

The food source!

After our game of spider’s web, we circled up for some lunch and introduced tracking to the Pine Martins.  As a group we talked through some basics and why it is a skill we teach.  We then broke up into two groups and played a really fun tracking game.  The first group waited at base camp for 15 minutes, while the second group hiked out towards the parking lot.  After the allotted time the first group then tracked the second group to their hiding place.  We then switched roles.  The Pine Martins met this tracking game with tons of enthusiasm and humor.  We all realized just how difficult tracking is.  Especially when there are lots of old tracks in the area.  

Which way did they go?

The outing was ended with a very respectful closing circle.  Thanks Pine Martins for a great day exploring. To view more photos from this outing click here.

The Pine Martens Finish the Art of Navigation with Collaboration and Celebration

Following the Pine Martens off-trail near Pine and Cedar Lakes

One of the most powerful aspects of our Explorers Club program is the amount of voice and choice that Explorers have in terms of determining where we go and how we spend our time on outings. Our Art of Navigation curriculum, the earth skill that the Pine Martens have been working on this fall/winter, is typically introduced early on in an Explorers Club group's tenure as it introduces tools that will allow groups to effectively use their voice to choose.

The technical skills of navigation (cardinal directions, awareness, orientation, recognizing landmarks, etc.) are not always easy to learn, but are somewhat straightforward. As Explorers Club groups practice the Art of Navigation, they are also honing their circular leadership and decision making skills. The deeper skill of collaborating, compromising and coming to a consensus about a decision (where to go, what to do) as a group is harder to teach and therefore best learned through practice. We intentionally spend a whole season working on and practicing the technical and interpersonal skills that are required for decision making because these skills will now be used in virtually every one of their outings going forward. Of course, Explorers will always continue to hone and refine these skills; learning the fundamentals of these skills early on makes this possible.

For their first outing of 2018, the Pine Martens met at the Pine and Cedar Lakes trailhead. As we gathered under a typically drizzly winter sky that morning, the Pine Martens wanted to know,  "Will we hike all the way up to the lakes or spend our time exploring other parts of this lush forest?" The answer was, as you likely guessed, "the Pine Martens must decide!"

At our opening circle, we welcomed a new member to our group; Chris! Chris brings a wealth of varied experience working with children in the outdoors in addition to his own outside adventures. The Pine Martens gave him a warm welcome and, upon discovering that he had never played Spiders Web before (how is that even possible?!) excitedly anticipated teaching him how to play today!

Hi Chris!

The Pine Martens were then handed a map and told that, for their last outing of the Art of Navigation earth skill, they were in charge of where to go and what to do. This time, there was no "x" on the map that they needed to attempt to find. They could place their own "x" or choose to meander and see what they run into. Of course, any decision that they made would need to be a consensus, but the mentors committed to following their passion for the day. 

At the conclusion of our opening circle, the Pine Martens decided to get moving along the trail for a few minutes to get some blood pumping and see what was out there. After a break for a snack, they would get together, revisit the map, and choose how to spend the remainder of the day.

This is far enough, lets take a break and get some food in us!

Today, the Pine Martens truly wandered. They followed their curiosities and held solid decision making circles that ensured that all voices were heard and that consensus was reached before acting. We discovered some fungi that we had never seen before, led each other on treasure hunts, found an awesome off-trail area, and, of course, taught Chris how to play Spiders Web. See the pictures below for some snapshots of our day.

A rare bright yellow color in our typically green and brown woods

How many species of fungi can you find in this picture?

Making decisions; a circle is the first and most important tool

These Pine Martens utilized S.T.O.P. to decide how to best cross this log

This looks like a great spot for Spiders Web!

At our closing circle, we felt our cups overflow as we shared gratitude in a practice of thanksgiving. We also looked ahead toward our next earth skill focus, the Art of Tracking, which we will begin on our next outing together!

The Pine Martens prepare to share some gratitude

Please see the rest of the photos from our day together here.