Exploring Clayton with the Vespula Veterans

The weather was W-E-T wet as we gathered for our last outing was the Vespula Veterans. Clayton Beach is a familiar place to all of us, but an essential part of Explorers’ Club is developing the mindset of constant exploration. We never truly and fully know a place. All things hold mystery in perpetuum, and the only limiting factor is our minds and hearts and how willing we are to continually engage. The question we asked the Explorers’ and ourselves is: do we really know our own backyard? Can we picture it right now perfectly? Where is the closest tree? What plants grow directly beneath it? What insects like to gnaw on the leaves of these plants? What birds eat those insects? What is the first thing to flower in the entire yard? The questions are endless. And the journey of discovery of the string of answers is what we might pithily call “life.”

We began our day in the parking lot with a little game. Drew brought out a bunch of picture cards and gave the group a challenge. He told them that the cards tell a story and their job was to organize the cards, but to do so without talking, and without ever having less than three cards in your own hand. Explorers began by talking. But the challenge was affirmed, and soon the Vespula Veterans were silently shuffling and rearranging both the cards and themselves. Once success was achieved, they gathered around that to see what Matt was up to. He had a bow drill set and was demonstrating how the art of carving fits into other skills and arts. He also inadvertently demonstrated the fickleness of fire. Despite the reliability of his trusty set, many unforeseen factors came into play and the fire did not come. Perhaps this was the lesson that we all most needed. Developing skill is that once an empowering and a humbling process. So, with a laugh and a commitment to visit this skill in depth again, we went on to our opening meeting.

We had an older Explorer with us who was serving as a mentor-in-training. He introduced himself, and we all put our minds together toward the coming day. But soon a decision about what our common vision was turned into a challenge for the group. The group began the decision-making process by chanting as loudly as they could in an attempt to come to some agreement. Drew, Matt, and our mentoring-in-training discussed this tactic and asked if it would actually work. The Explorers seemed confident. So the mentors stepped back. But soon the group got tired of yelling and began walking toward the mentors. The mentors sent them back and asked them to come to a decision. With some effort, they realized that there are better ways to plan out a day. So we gathered again under some agreement and finished our meeting, discussing safety and giving out jobs.

The Explorers took off and made their way along the trails until they came to the large clearing with the now defunct rope swing. Here authentic exploration took the reins. Explorers clambered up rocks, dug their hands  the roots and dirt, or dashed through trees. After some time, we played a game of Eagle Eye. We then decided to gather up our packs and move on. As we were in the process, we discovered a plant that an Explorer had pulled out of the ground. Poison hemlock. A perfect talking point. We took a very close look at this plant, and talked about the realities of this hazard, not to mention the fact that the plant probably would have preferred to stay in the ground.  This was a perfect guide for our summer plans. It is always beneficial to begin the deeply knowing your landscape by knowing your hazards. So Drew and Matt took note of this, and decided that hazards we work their way into the summer adventure.

Our explorations moved much like the water that was cascading all around us. We flowed down to the water's edge. Eddied there for a bit. We then condensed, and sublimated upward toward the trail. Many adventures along the way, of course, but not all outing reports can reveal all of our explorations. Needless to say, we did find quite a few salmon berries, some interesting new plants, learned a bit about sandstone, discussed shelter building and looked forward decent locations, and played an epic game of capture the flag to finish off our outing. We concluded with a closing meeting and a Circle of Thanks. Again, the Vespula Veterans are stepping into the challenge of self agency, of leading the meetings themselves as much as they can. This deep life skill will surely be developed over the next few years. We are excited to take this journey with them. Much thanks to all the explorers for your great and wonderful work! Much thanks to all the parents for your enduring support!

Be sure to check out pics of the day from our Photo Gallery!