The Vespula Veterans met for an outing at Fairhaven Park they would not soon forget. The eldest Explorers took the first step in learning a skill that has been handed down from generation to generation, all the way back to early human history. I don’t know if it was do to the fact that they were excited to see each other or if it was that they had been cooped up in a classroom most of the week, but their was an abundance of energy. Whatever the reason, mentors decided to harness the energy with a round of Name Tag. The group laughed and joked as they got to know one of the new mentors Tim Massey. Once the Explorers had familiarized themselves with Tim and reconnected with each other by wrestling, climbing and stealing each other’s hats they had enough focus to start the first activity
The opening activity was called Mouth, Ears, and Body. In this game Explorers get together in groups of three and line up single file at the designated starting line. The first team member blindfolds himself and is only allowed to move by listening to directions from the second team member. The second team member turns around and faces the direct opposite way of the starting line and is only allowed to call directions without gesturing or looking. The third member faces the second team member who is only allowed to give hand signals to direct their voice. When everyone was in position mentors threw out chunks of Cedar randomly into the field so that only the third player knew where they were. Ideally we would have played with all the pieces that make up a bow drill kit, but the grass was wet and in order to make Fire by Friction you need to keep your kit pretty dry. The purpose behind this activity was not only to familiarize us with the materials, but also to use many of our senses to start to get to know this process of Fire by Friction.
It is important to get to know the Art of Fire by Friction with many of our senses because it can only be achieved if the individual is willing to engage the eyes, ears, breath, heart, mind, and body all at the same time. It is a culmination of many of the skills that the Vespula Veterans have learned over countless outings. The process of Fire by Friction starts with creating a coal that is produced through friction as the wooden spindle whirls against the fireboard. The motion of the spindle drops hot powder through a notch in the fireboard. The coal is then dropped onto the tinder or nest, and it is blown into a flame. Harnessing fire is easier said than done; this skill requires the ethical harvest of the kit materials, the proper shaping and crafting of the tools, and the patience and practice of form and technique.
In our opening meeting mentors demonstrated the process to the group and showed them the elements of a bow drill kit, but not before talking about the responsibility and safety involved with this skill. Discussing the use and abuse of fire brought us to a conversation of a tool vs. weapon. When fire is used as a tool we can create warmth, purify water, cook, make tools and building materials, regulate landscape, and create a space for conversation and processing. Using fire as a weapon we can kill, devastate landscapes, squander materials, and injure ourselves. The gift of fire comes with reverence, appreciation and integrity for it. Mentors challenged the Vespula Veterans to build a culture of respect for fire. Part of that respect comes from the recognition that fire is in everything because it is really just the process of harnessing energy. In previous campouts mentors asked the Explorers, “Where does fire exist in your homes?”. The group came to the conclusion that fire exists in every light switch, in the energy that it takes to make all our possessions, and in the energy it takes to sustain us; we are truly surrounded and dependent on it. If we can learn to recognize this resource in our day-to-day lives then our fire culture can transfer into the way we use and conserve energy in all its forms.
After some inspiration and safety the group started on their journey towards fire by setting up an appropriate place to make it. Watching out for low hanging branches and easily ignitable sources, the group set up our workspace underneath an open tarp shelter and got to carving spindles. They learned how to use a baton and knife to split wood for their spindles and fireboard. The group’s knife skills really showed as they carved their spindles with balance and finished the sides with a frictionless texture. After an hour or so of focused carving some of the group went into the 100 Aker Wood to harvest a few bow-shaped branches while the rest put their spindles and fireboards into action experimenting with the mentor’s kits. While practicing the Explorers focused their minds and learned to breath in sync with each bow stroke. As they focused their energy and raised their intensity and speed they started to smell the distinct scent of Western Red Cedar smoking from the spindles friction. By the end of the outing a few boys had gotten close to creating a coal and all of them had spindles and fireboards to start their bow drill kits. Mentors offered up the challenge that on next summers backpacking trip the Vespula Veterans would have to harness their own fires if they wanted one. On our next outings hike up Whatcom Creek the group will be able to scout for top rocks and bows to harvest.
At the end of our day we gave thanks for the space and time to practice this ancient skill, for the rainy weather giving us the need and inspiration to have fire and for all the materials that go into harvesting fire inside and outside our homes. The mentors would also like to give thanks to Kyle our EMA. Kyle connects deeply with the group and revels in the spirit out the outings. Kyle is developing quite a leadership presence and finding his voice as a mentor. In a few seasons the Vespula Veterans will be entering into the Four Shields Program with the Firestalkers. Soon these boys will be asked to model the leadership and responsibility that they exhibited during this outing as EMAs for the younger Explorers Club members. The Vespula Veterans are taking their first look at the rapidly approaching life stage of arriving adulthood and mentors are thankful and excited to support them throughout this transition.
You can check out more pictures from the outing in the Vespula Veterans photo gallery!
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