Shelter Skills Day at 100 Acre Wood: 10-18-15

If you take a stroll through the 100 Acre Wood, you'll find that a new subdivision has been developed, using sustainable "green" construction methods and materials. These state-of-the-art residences are not for sale, but they are open for viewing (and snuggling into). The talented architects and construction crew? The Bald Eagles!

After a check-in, we discussed the realities of wilderness survival, reviewing the Survival Rule of Fours (ask your daughter what the four survival priorities are and in what order... and ask her why deep breathing is so important in a survival situation). On this day we focused on the survival priority of shelter, learning how imperative a properly insulating shelter is for surviving even a single night in the woods. We discussed the many ways and reasons one can become cold: conduction, evaporation, convection, and radiation (see if your gal remembers and can explain these). 

Our first focus was to put on shelter eyes, traveling up the trail and seeking nooks and crannies that could be or become a shelter for different sizes and types of animals. After a snack and shelter story from survivalist Tom Brown, we took a cue from the squirrels, who build nests with sticks and insulate them with leaves, and let their designs inspire our own natural shelters, which were built in the classic "debris hut" style. Our community dwellings sprung up from the forest floor, and within a few hours we had two deluxe shelters (we started with three, but alas, two collapsed in process. Girls were able to shift gears and re-calibrate and collaborate to create new shelters).

With the bit of time remaining, we took a home tour of each shelter, assessing each on their ability to withstand wind and rain, retain body heat, and remain safe from any nearby blowdowns. A few brave girls even tested the shelters' rain resistant capacity by getting inside to receive a water bottle dunking (if the shelter was really well built, little water made it through). 

Finally, we engaged in a group awareness activity that helped us understand where each group member is on the bridge of adolescence. This activity was really illuminating for the group to empathize, understand, and respect that we all travel across this bridge differently, and to be aware of where each of our group members is at with different aspects of adolescence. 

Next time you take a walk through the Hundred Acre Woods, see if your own "shelter-seeking eyes" can detect these artfully constructed debris huts- they are truly impressive, and almost invite one in to spend the night...

Our words of the day? Go Ask The Squirrels!

You may see the slideshow from our day here. 

EC MOTTOS that came into play today: Many Hands Make Light Work, All Things Are Connected, LIBK, Be Prepared, Leave No Trace, Safety First

Chuckanut Overnight: 9-26-15

During the years girls spend in GEC, winding their way up a spiral curriculum of learning and growth, we aim to facilitate at least one group overnight, with one primary purpose: group bonding. We're not setting out to impart concepts like symbiosis or ecological impacts/connections, do field science or service; we're hoping that through joyous connection and conversation, girls will become a more bonded group, rather than a group made of separate bonded friendships. Laurel and I are delighted to report that this BE overnight was a success!  

The BEs arrived and the connections began within minutes. When middle school girls are given room to explore, they often choose to explore connections with one another – this overnight was a social time! After settling in the house and discussing the flexible plan for the afternoon and evening, the girls chose to have their check in then and there, rather than later. This was our first practice of the day in Active Listening, a skill we all agreed we need to practice. 

Then we were off to the beach! There are few things more satisfying than watching middle schoolers, who can sometimes feel self-conscious and inhibited, explore with abandon. It was a high tide day, yet most of the group managed, with a lot of teamwork, navigate the shoreside rocks to sunspot, whose warmth compelled them to swim! There was much talk about it prior to the dipping, but then a few brave souls made the plunge, followed by others. What hilarity! Others were more solemn on the beach, assembling and releasing a memorial raft for Sundance the dog (Gigi's dog who died the previous night). 

Chilled bones spurred the girls back up the beach trail and into the hot tub! Others chose to prep dinner (and I must say, this mentor appreciated having 5 in the kitchen rather than 12!). Our circle of thanks before dinner was lovely – lots of gratitude in this group.

During dinner we talked about our roses and thorns, an interesting way to reframe strengths and weaknesses; as with the rose bush, both roses and thorns work together and are integral to the plant. Using this metaphor, we look at how our roses can become our thorns and how thorns can be roses, and how really, there are only qualities we possess that can become either depending on the circumstances. For instance, some girls shared that they are bold, outgoing and silly; they felt this is a rose because it brings joy to those around them, helps them make friends, and they are fun to be around, but it can become a thorn if not watched/controlled in certain situations because it can be over the top and sometimes seriousness is needed. Others cited their strong emotions as both a rose and thorn. We reflected on our triggers that affect how these qualities are expressed (level of rest, past experiences, events, hormones). The BEs were quite reflective, and we all learned to lessen self judgement about what we perceive as thorns and celebrate our roses. It was interesting how challenging it was for some girls to talk about their roses, a societal trend GEC aims to mitigate. Again, we worked hard on Active Listening during this exercise. 

We also shared what we thought the Bald Eagle roses and thorns are. Most agreed that the group generally has a comfort in talking about personal matters, has developed trust in and with one another, has strong opinions and ideas and great senses of humor. We also agreed we're so eager to share that we sometimes don't listen to one another, and that it can be hard to make decisions. 

Dinner was followed by some wonderful music, dancing, games, dessert and free-range conversation, and finally (after that conversations ranged, and ranged, and ranged...) bed and sleep. 

Morning brought more sharing, slow movement towards clean up and breakfast, a feast of food, and a final circle of acknowledgements of one another. 

Laurel and I are so grateful for this bonding time with the Bald Eagles!

Please enjoy the entire slideshow from our rolicking good time here.