Today only supported my theory that rainy days are the best days. We started off the morning with some games in our separate groups, then came together for some gratitude, a hilarious improv game called “Freeze Frame!” and a song. Then we broke off into our separate groups and headed to camp.
Along the way, the Grey Foxes tried to spin as fast as they could with their arms out to get some blood flowing to cold fingers, then rushed up the trail, eager to get to camp and make a fire. On the trail we spotted a buck scrape site! We spent a few minutes learning about deer behavior, then discussed what he might’ve been doing and where he might’ve gone next. A few brave souls even stuck their noses in the dirt to smell for deer urine!
When we arrived at camp, we had snack and built a fire, then played Towhee, Towhee—a game similar to Red Light, Green Light. Then, we jumped into crafting. We learned how to chop wood with an ax, which is harder than it seems. We learned how to make cordage (rope) out of basswood bark, with the help of our teeth, toes, and sticks (also harder than it seems!). And we made water-proof tinder cloths. These took a long time and a lot of work. First, we melted a big pot of beeswax and oil, which we poured into paper-cup molds to cool. Then we ripped squares of cotton material, painted them with walnut ink, and dried them by the fire. While they dried, we ate lunch, roasted some hot dogs, warmed our hands and toes by the fire, told some bad jokes, shared some riddles, and played a goofy memory game called “G’day Bob!”
After lunch, we finished our tinder cloths by popping the dried wax and oil out of the paper cups and rubbing it all over our decorated cloths. We used the heat of the fire to melt the wax and spread it more evenly across the cloths, then we strung them back up to harden, and jumped into a big game.
The Grey Foxes played Hawk and Bird Tribe—a Flying Deer classic that involves finding “food” in the forest, running from hawks, and communicating in bird language. The younger group played Hive Wars, which is a bee-themed version of Capture the Flag.
Both groups returned to the parking lot soaking wet, laughing, and ready to get into their warm cars!
—Bobcat, Barred Owl, Hickory, and Black Walnut (Alana, Josh, Emma, and Raven), October 16, 2020