Our first day of Wild Ways was soaked in beautiful sunlight. Some students got a crash course in dogbane processing for cordage in the morning, a skill we will continue to develop (or teach for those who don’t know how yet). After introduction and our sendoff, we got some energy out in the field with a game of skink tag. Skink tag is based on the defense mechanisms of skinks, dropping their tail. It’s a great game of agility and awareness.
After snack, it was time for our first challenge of the day. A blindfolded walk to camp led by a few peer chosen leaders from the group. It was wonderful to see the way these teens communicated and took care of each other in a large group.
We spent some time getting to know the place and then time for the second challenge. Fire lighting! Of course many of these teens are quite experienced, so they needed a handicap. Those that deemed themselves very confident or skilled with fire had their hands bound for the duration of the fire challenge. The purpose of this exercise was for those with a wealth of knowledge to help share those skills with others less familiar. Again this group communicated wonderfully, and ironed out some of the kinks in their plan as it went along. The fire was lit by the hands of newer fire builders under the (handless) guidance of their more experienced peers.
Chickadee brought to our attention that it is hawk migration season and even brought in a coopers hawk wing and tail to show off. She gave a wonderful crash course on some of the birds of prey we may see this week as they move south.
We’re trying a new take on sit spots this year, giving a longer period of quiet, low-energy time for the teens to explore, craft, or sit spot as suits them. It was a beautiful scene to see them moving silently through the forest, carving, meditating, and more.
The day ended in the field with some high energy games, and the hot sun on our backs.
—Raven, Quinn, Lauren, and Mary, September 20, 2021