JM: The highs and lows of our Sehome Arboretum traverse - 4/29/16

When I think about leading an outing with the Jumping Mice, I’m reminded of a quote from Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. Mr. Lasorda described the job this way, “Managing is like holding a dove in your hand. Squeeze too hard and you kill it, not hard enough and it flies away.”

In one five hour outing, these boys excelled in a navigation exercise, failed to listen and follow

Just one route down!

direction with potentially harmful result, managed rock-climbing risk responsibly, and demonstrated decision-making focus at a level way above their pay grade. So, do the mentors loosen or tighten the grip?

As mentors, we look for opportunities to stretch each Explorer’s edge (see mottos). Situations that cause them to assess, to think things through, to exercise restraint while challenging themselves are sweet spots for us; at these times, we encourage the boys to think before acting (soon we’ll introduce the  “S.T.O.P.” model of assessing challenging situations), while reminding them that the guideline is challenge by choice (mottos). The tricky thing with the Jumping Mice is their tendency to lurch forward; the great news is they’re showing they have what it takes. A little more practice….well, perhaps a lot more.

Oregon Grage - We looked it up!

So, what actually happened on this “Purple Friday”? Well, the spring shower that made itself felt as we gathered was no match for the boys’ spirits. We began our exploration with a look at the trail map and a discussion of what the heck “traverse” means (in this context, it means don’t leave your water bottle, or whatever, behind because we’re not coming back past here!). After a short hike up the trail, we came to our first decision point - Douglas Fir or South Ridge trail? With input from one of our number that “They meet up again not too far.” we chose Douglas Fir and soon found some cool climbing rocks. In addition to working their muscles, the boys had ample opportunity to negotiate single lane routes in use by multiple climbers.

Back on the trail, we soon came upon the promised junction with the South Ridge trail - another chance to form a circle and come to consensus as a group. This decision also raised the stakes a little in that the boys were aware that a traverse doesn’t double back on itself (the South Ridge trail leads from this point back to our original junction), but this option offered the opportunity to play spider’s web, a favorite. After struggling with the alternatives a bit, they decided they had time for the diversion. The Jumping Mice had once again demonstrated singular focus and a quick, clean decision. Very impressive indeed!

After a few years of spiders web games, I still can’t tell exactly what makes for the perfect spiders

Decision time

web course, but I can say, in retrospect, that the placement of the food source in a small ravine made its capture by our band of “flies” a measure of patience and stealth. Likewise, the thick brush and numerous ferns on either side of the ravine provided decent cover for flies willing to take it slow, frustrating the spider. So, a test for both sides, with a predictable draw as a result. I guess it was a pretty good course after all!

Five steps South; 9 steps Northwest (curved tree); 11 steps Southeast (upturned tree root); 6 steps West; 8 steps North.

Next we tried our hand at creating and navigating a path described in terms of Cardinal and Ordinal directions. We’re working on navigation this season. This exercise saw an Explorer set out the target ribbon and create directions, like the ones above, for two Explorers to follow. The Jumping Mice did very well, another instance of strong focus.

And we thought they wanted to go THROUGH the tunnel!

From here, we gathered our packs and returned to the main trail. Our objective - the observation tower. Of course, the boys wanted to run up and down the tower steps, which the mentors encouraged. Throwing things such as pine cones and spitting off the upper levels, however, were expressly forbidden. This is where their inner compulsion to act before (without?) thinking got the better of them; a woman out for a pleasant afternoon hike was caught in the crossfire. Fortunately, she was both unhurt and understanding, but it was time to tighten the grip. Regrettably, we ended our short time at the tower with a stern reprimand for the group. Please remind your Explorer that the throwing of anything is expressly forbidden until further notice. 

A little more climbing inside and around the tunnel and we were finished for the day. The Jumping Mice truly are showing they have what it takes to become a high functioning group of honorable young men. Time, patience and guidance….

Check here for more photos.

Second time's the charm: Jumping Mice explore N. Galbraith Mountain

Welcome to the Jumping Mice’s first Explorers Club Spring season! We gathered at N. Galbraith trailhead and immediately expressed thanks for the mostly calm air. The anticipation was palpable after our last Fall outing had to be moved from this location literally last minute due to high winds.

We were looking at two new faces as we sat in circle for our opening meeting. Mentor Conor joined us for just this day, subbing for Bobby, who has replaced Finn. The boys will get to meet Bobby when we venture out again on April 29. And Elliot (no, not that Eliot) is a new explorer in our group, but you wouldn’t know it from his quick integration with our culture and games. Welcome Elliot L!

Never Eat Soggy Waffles!

While in circle, we began our skill journey for the spring - navigation. Our task was made more difficult by the overcast sky. When thinking about the cardinal directions of North, East, South and West, as we were, it’s helpful to be able to glance at the sun to establish south and take it from there. Failing that, we looked for other clues such as the Canadian Cascades, which were peaking out from under our beloved “blanket” of clouds to the north. We finished with a handy way to remember the 4 cardinal directions - Never Eat Soggy Waffles!

Who needs a bike?

A short walk into the park brought us to our first planned “drop-your-packs” spot - mountain bike jumps that we prefer to run! If there’s a better way to get the “wiggles” out, I haven’t found it. We even put a cherry on top of that treat with a game of Hide!

While we were raising our heartbeats, an explorer suggested we investigate a cave and cool bridge he knew about just up the hill. Totally unable to resist the sound of that, we scrambled up to see a sheltered spot under a large boulder, then found the bridge. We weren’t able to determine exactly the purpose of the bridge built into the side of a hill, but we agreed it was cool.

Following lunch, Conor brought us back to navigation by explaining how indigenous peoples

Lewis and Clark's crew?

developed a navigational technique known as Story Mapping, or Songline. This ingenious process involves creating a story for each significant landmark along the trail and linking the stories together to create a route that can be followed on the return trip. Our Tribal Elder helped us decide whether to create one story as a group or 14 individual stories. The explorers did a great job of deciding on a compromise - one small group and several individual stories. With that plan set, off we went to find that great Spider’s Web spot I mentioned in my reminder note.

Connecting....

Since the EC was last to this spot out of the way of mountain bikers, an access road has been constructed, presumably in preparation for home construction. For us, that was more reason to celebrate this place by engaging in a few great games of Spider’s Web, which we did. The boys are figuring out that stealth is the best strategy as the flies sneaked their way to victory in the first game. The spider upped the ante in the second round, which ended in a draw. We finished our games with just enough time to test our story maps as we hurried back to the trailhead.

The Jumping Mice are a very special group of boys….but you knew that already. What I’m referring to here is the group’s special place in the culture and lore of Wild Whatcom and Explorers Club. By virtue of their name, they will always be associated with the definitive Native American story of The Jumping Mouse. In the story, a very industrious mouse hears a call to venture beyond his comfortable life in pursuit of a better day, a more meaningful way. His journey is marked by menacing, even terrifying happenings. The mouse perseveres, stretching his edges and even sacrificing himself for other, seemingly more important “brothers” he meets on his journey. Finally, he is rewarded for his courage and caring sacrifice. Although just a simple mouse, he proved himself to be a creature of character who comported himself with honor. 

The better to hide from the Spider!

We read the story of the Jumping Mouse during our outing at N. Galbraith on Friday. This group is working hard at self-regulation during our circle times, but we had very little talking over each other during the story (admittedly, they were eating lunch, so their attentive behavior might not have been totally due to the dulcet tones of my captivating story-telling!). We’ll read the story each season as we watch these boys grow into honorable young men.

For now, enjoy more photos here. We’ll see you at our next outing - Friday, April 29th, 10:00-3:00pm, Traverse: Sehome Arboretum (Lower Parking Lot). 

The Jumping Mice and Whatcom Creek run through Whatcom Falls Park

Upon reflection, it’s clear to me that Sunday’s Jumping Mice outing was a scarcely manageable tangle of ebullient energy.

According to Wikipedia, “Common energy forms include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the radiant energy carried by light, the potential energy stored by an object's position in a force field (gravitational, electric or magnetic), elastic energy stored by stretching solid objects, chemical energy released when a fuel burns, and the thermal energy due to an object's temperature. All of the many forms of energy are convertible to other kinds of energy, and obey the law of conservation of energy which says that energy can be neither created nor be destroyed; however, it can change from one form to another.”

The Jumping Mice experienced and exhibited all manner of energy atWhatcom Falls Park on Sunday! Our rainy, overcast November took a breather, resulting in an increase in radiant energy - the sun came out! Gravitational force pulling ferocious Whatcom Creek over the falls for which the park is named thundered at all times in a persistent reminder of the power of nature’s energy - it was loud! Mentor Steve taught us that the water in the creek is colder than the Pacific Ocean water at the surface, which combined with the raging and heavy surge of the water required constant vigilance on the part of both mentors and our first time EMA (Explorers Club Apprentice) and Vespula Veteran explorer, Xavier. It was nature in all its glory and we tried to soak in as much of it as we could in a few hours.

Of course, central to our interest is the Jumping Mice explorers. How was their energy, you might ask? Well, in just under 5 hours, we:

• played a name game so Xavier (and the mentors) could get to know who was who,

• checked out the juvenile salmon and trout in the rearing ponds,

• played a game of Cougar Stalks Deer,

• had lunch in the sun,

• launched sticks into the creek and watched them tumble over the falls,

• worked through the rules for Spider’s Web for a half hour or so,

• played Spider’s Web and Hide!,

• gave thanks in our closing circle, and

• checked out the raging creek one more time from the famous stone bridge.

Along the way, we learned about how to properly harvest licorice root, the qualities of Yew trees, the job of the Tribal Elder in Explorers Club, the importance of sitting in a circle when collaborating as a group, and marveled at the power of the creek.

Whew! Plenty of energy of all forms at Whatcom Falls Park for our outing. Of course, as long as no one gets hurt, on the inside or the outside, lots of energy is exactly what we want.

By no means is it our sole focus, however. We do things because they’re fun, energetic and exciting; we do things so the boys can learn and grow; we do things that combine the two. For example, most of our explorers love the game called Spider’s Web. It’s a capture the flag type game that emphasizes strategies that are often used by creatures in the wild, most notably stealth. Boys new to the game tend to run through the forest to get to the flag (or “food source” in our parlance) which more often than not leads to detection by the spider and a free trip back to the “web”, from which they need to start over. With greater experience, the boys are more inclined to sneak through the ferns and approach their prize stealthily. So, while playing a game, they’re learning about survival in the natural world.

In fact, before we begin a game of Spider’s Web, we discuss the ground rules for the day. This often involves meeting in a circle (so everyone can participate equally) to work through particulars such as how far the Spider needs to stay from the food source (to minimize “puppy guarding”). Or, as was the case on Sunday, how far away from the web a “fly” needs to be to free captured flies by waving them off. Our discussion was led by one of our explorers, whose job for the day was Tribal Elder. He did excellent work ensuring that all points of view were considered and consensus was reached. This takes a different kind of energy - a discipline on everyone’s part to listen, consider other’s input, suggest resolutions, and the like. The Jumping Mice are new to these Explorers Club expectations and get understandably antsy after a time in circle. On Sunday they showed great promise as they hung in there, mostly, for the better part of a half hour. It was great to see.

Two games of Spider’s Web and a round or two of Hide! and we were ready to call it a day. We have one more outing (Dec. 5 - check here for the details) in the opening chapter of the story that will be the Jumping Mice group experience. I can’t wait to see where their energy takes them.

Click here for more photos from our day at Whatcom Falls Park.