The Bald Eagles arrived and quickly began on tasks with prepping ivy for basket weaving. We began Opening Circle with the history of Governor's Point... It's story started long ago when Governor's Point's only inhabitants were heron, seal, otter, cougar, bear, and myriad other non-human beings; then to the Mamosee people who plied these waters in dugout canoes; to the more modern usage of this land as boys' camp, rock quarry, and site of a prospective development. After this discussion, we set out to find the hidden cove, following a Songlines map. Songlines Maps describe significant landmarks using metaphors and the girls follow the clues to find their way.
Along the way to the beach, we got to know Indian Celery, an amazing photo-toxic plant, played with cleaver, and thought about the impact of putting houses on this point. Nearing the cove, we left the well trod road and fox-walked to a bluff above, where girls took turns scouting good routes down. Taking care to "Think It Through Before You Do" and S.T.O.P., we clambered down towards a spectacular cove. At this special point we imagined, shared, explored, discussed, played in the water and rocks, and enjoyed a blissful Peaceful Place time. We learned how to start a basket made from ivy. With focus, patience, and persistence, each of the Bald Eagles created the bottom of a small basket.
Time passed all too quickly, and before long we were hastening back to our ending circle. During closing circle, we put on our acting hats and spoke from the different perspectives of all the shareholders of this place. Some girls spoke as potential house owners, others as the heron and cedar who live on this special place. And in this sharing we continued to discover just how complicated our relationship is with the environment and how important it is to speak for the flora and fauna who can not speak.
We mentors are so grateful for this group of girls, at once silly and serious, trustworthy and tough, wise and wonderful!
Words of the Day: Weaving the Past at Governor's Point!
