Oh, the Flying Squirrels. It never fails that you fill my heart with gratitude, humility, and love. Sunday's outing was a seriously special one.
We met, dropped our potluck food with John Perry (thanks again for your schlepping!), and started our day immediately with action. We had a "menu" of options for the Flying Squirrels to decide what to do with: visiting donkeys and a waterfall, a night hike, a bonfire, hot tub time, talking circle, potluck, etc. After a little coaching, the Flying Squirrels focused their minds together and came up with a solid plan for our day in similar fashion as Aimee and I. One thing that the Squirrels would learn, though, is that about 50% of our plans end up having to get tossed out the window in favor of what is happening in the moment. We call it, The Trail being The Teacher.
We ventured first to the donkeys. The girls pet, walked, and cuddled with these adorable creatures, explored the property (hiking up a waterfall, no big deal!), and appreciated some time in such a peaceful place. The property was full of exciting places to explore, and we spend a solid amount of time getting to know it. I am inspired to go back, as I know there is much more there than I got to see!
After carefully putting away the donkeys, we set on the trail towards Aimee's house. As usual, we shared stories and laughs along the way. At every outing, it feels as if the girls haven't seen each other in a small eternity, and their desire for connecting with each other makes that very apparent. So much of our day was in support of that very idea: Connection.
We connected over a sunset on the deck. We connected by the fire for a gloriously deep check-in. We connected by polar bear plunging into the Salish Sea. We connected in the hot tub for a special, sacred Talking Circle, where we honored each girl's desire to share what was pressing on their heart and mind. We connected over delicious food so generously provided for by our Explorers and their families. We connected. So, so much. I think that's really all the girls wanted, and it was so nice to hold that space for them to do so.
We are looking forward to our final season with the Flying Squirrels! Please be aware of our Spring Graduation weekend (Memorial Day weekend- Saturday, May 27 to Monday, May 29). We will need everyone to be there for our special final weekend together.
With infinite gratitude for these girls,
Hannah
To view a slideshow of our day (including just a few glamour shots that Jackie took with Hannah's camera), click here!
Friday, December 9, 2016
Woodstock Farm Service 11-11-16
In the past few months, a new personal motto has come up for one GEC staff: The Antidote to Apathy is Action. Taking action can also help alleviate frustration and anxiety, and generally helps one feel purposeful.
Four GEC groups contributed joyful purpose to our shared service day, taking pride in our new role as caretakers of Woodstock Farm.
At our gathering meeting, we learned about the history of this place and the role of generosity and forward conservationist thinking that led to its preservation. Thanks to Cyrus Gates, his family home and land has been gifted to Whatcom County for all to enjoy - Mr. Gates also had a strong hand in protecting Larrabee State Park, Arroyo and Fairhaven Parks, Sehome Arboretum, and the Mt. Baker Bulb Farm (since turned into Bellis Faire Mall due to a legal loophole).
We brainstormed on who the users of the park are: humans, yes, but also raven, salmon, chipmunk, raccoon, weasel, mouse, heron, slug and so much more. We talked about why a park needs caretakers for all these stakeholders, and what occurs without people lending a hand to manage trails and terrain. Since our gathering area was adjacent to a stand of alders, thimbleberry and salmonberry, overrun by invasive blackberry, the girls quickly understood how invasive species take over native ones rather quickly.
Then we were off on a very short trip by bus to our destination just up the road. The next few hours were spend collaborating in purposeful work, removing invasives with care and attention, singing and talking while we worked. Worms were admired, baby fir trees were transplanted, connections were made between within and between GEC groups.
Each group shared some time on the bluff overlooking the sea, marveling at this extraordinary view that is normal for us here in Bellingham, and feeling thankful that Cyrus Gates had the foresight to set this bluff aside for all to enjoy. We also gave thanks for the Clark family for it's donation of Clark's Point to the Whatcom Land Trust, and the preservation of Chuckanut Island, now owned by the Nature Conservancy (but which was, long ago, a 13th birthday present for Cyrus Gate's son!).
Other gratitudes shared included the company of one another, the chance to serve, Explorers Club, trees, the Salish Sea, connections, generosity, and people who understand that all things are connected.
Enjoy the slideshow from our day here!
Four GEC groups contributed joyful purpose to our shared service day, taking pride in our new role as caretakers of Woodstock Farm.
At our gathering meeting, we learned about the history of this place and the role of generosity and forward conservationist thinking that led to its preservation. Thanks to Cyrus Gates, his family home and land has been gifted to Whatcom County for all to enjoy - Mr. Gates also had a strong hand in protecting Larrabee State Park, Arroyo and Fairhaven Parks, Sehome Arboretum, and the Mt. Baker Bulb Farm (since turned into Bellis Faire Mall due to a legal loophole).
We brainstormed on who the users of the park are: humans, yes, but also raven, salmon, chipmunk, raccoon, weasel, mouse, heron, slug and so much more. We talked about why a park needs caretakers for all these stakeholders, and what occurs without people lending a hand to manage trails and terrain. Since our gathering area was adjacent to a stand of alders, thimbleberry and salmonberry, overrun by invasive blackberry, the girls quickly understood how invasive species take over native ones rather quickly.
Then we were off on a very short trip by bus to our destination just up the road. The next few hours were spend collaborating in purposeful work, removing invasives with care and attention, singing and talking while we worked. Worms were admired, baby fir trees were transplanted, connections were made between within and between GEC groups.
Each group shared some time on the bluff overlooking the sea, marveling at this extraordinary view that is normal for us here in Bellingham, and feeling thankful that Cyrus Gates had the foresight to set this bluff aside for all to enjoy. We also gave thanks for the Clark family for it's donation of Clark's Point to the Whatcom Land Trust, and the preservation of Chuckanut Island, now owned by the Nature Conservancy (but which was, long ago, a 13th birthday present for Cyrus Gate's son!).
Other gratitudes shared included the company of one another, the chance to serve, Explorers Club, trees, the Salish Sea, connections, generosity, and people who understand that all things are connected.
Enjoy the slideshow from our day here!
Wilderness First Aid Awareness: 10-7-16
This Earth Skills Day was jam-packed with useful knowledge that prepares the girls to support others should an emergency arise while they are adventuring in the wilderness or elsewhere. We had so much material to get through that girls were limited to minimal story-telling during opening and closing circle, but that didn’t stop everyone from sharing ample hugs and side conversation throughout the afternoon. We covered so much during the day - below is an abbreviated list of the day’s activities:
First Things First: What is wilderness first aid, and how is getting hurt five miles down a trail different than getting hurt on Holly Street? Remote medicine is defined as an hour or more from definitive care.
- Something’s gone wrong! What do you do when you approach a scenario in which people appear to be injured? We deepened our understanding of STOP principles by evaluating the possible dangers of rushing into an emergency scene. What was the Mechanism of Injury (MOI)? Are there other victims? Could assisting someone possibly hurt me? A helpful thing we say to remember this is: # 1 - I’m Number One! (no more victims) / #2 What Happened to You? (MOI/obtain consent) / # 3 Don’t get any on me! (BSI) / #4 Are there any more? / # 5 Dead or Alive?
- ABCDEs: After we assess that the scene is safe for ourselves to enter, we check for a clear Airway. signs of Breathing, Circulation (signs of blood), Disability (how is the individual injured), Environment/Expose (get the injured individual warm/cool and comfortable as possible. Expose the primary injury to assess damage). Ask your girls for elaboration on the ABCDEs!
- We discussed the criteria for a possible Mechanism of Injury (MOI) for spinal injury, for example falling from a height greater than three feet, making impact at a speed faster than running, compression. We also learned that if you’re not sure if someone could have injured his or her spine—stabilize his or her neck until you can be sure they did not incur spinal damage!
- The crossroads: Is this a medical injury (for example altitude sickness, dehydration, ulcers) or a traumatic injury (broken bones, lacerations, etc)?
If it’s a medical injury, we discussed that taking a SAMPLE history, a detailed history of the injured individual, is the best way to get more information about his or her ailment. If it’s a traumatic injury, we learned that conducting a full patient assessment is the next step.
We practiced these skills by creating scenarios in which half the girls were patients and half were in charge of administering first aid. Between some giggling and plenty of requests for extra fake blood, both responders and the injured took their roles very seriously.
We did let the girls know that this foray into wilderness first aid wasn't an official training, and thus, we weren't able to provide training for treatment, but suggested they consider taking a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder course - several GEC teens have taken these, leaving knowledgable and inspired. We'll be reviewing concepts and practicing more on our next outing!
It was great to follow the day with apple picking at Arden's for the Food Bank!
Check out the slideshow from our day here.
First Things First: What is wilderness first aid, and how is getting hurt five miles down a trail different than getting hurt on Holly Street? Remote medicine is defined as an hour or more from definitive care.
- Something’s gone wrong! What do you do when you approach a scenario in which people appear to be injured? We deepened our understanding of STOP principles by evaluating the possible dangers of rushing into an emergency scene. What was the Mechanism of Injury (MOI)? Are there other victims? Could assisting someone possibly hurt me? A helpful thing we say to remember this is: # 1 - I’m Number One! (no more victims) / #2 What Happened to You? (MOI/obtain consent) / # 3 Don’t get any on me! (BSI) / #4 Are there any more? / # 5 Dead or Alive?
- ABCDEs: After we assess that the scene is safe for ourselves to enter, we check for a clear Airway. signs of Breathing, Circulation (signs of blood), Disability (how is the individual injured), Environment/Expose (get the injured individual warm/cool and comfortable as possible. Expose the primary injury to assess damage). Ask your girls for elaboration on the ABCDEs!
- We discussed the criteria for a possible Mechanism of Injury (MOI) for spinal injury, for example falling from a height greater than three feet, making impact at a speed faster than running, compression. We also learned that if you’re not sure if someone could have injured his or her spine—stabilize his or her neck until you can be sure they did not incur spinal damage!
- The crossroads: Is this a medical injury (for example altitude sickness, dehydration, ulcers) or a traumatic injury (broken bones, lacerations, etc)?
If it’s a medical injury, we discussed that taking a SAMPLE history, a detailed history of the injured individual, is the best way to get more information about his or her ailment. If it’s a traumatic injury, we learned that conducting a full patient assessment is the next step.
We practiced these skills by creating scenarios in which half the girls were patients and half were in charge of administering first aid. Between some giggling and plenty of requests for extra fake blood, both responders and the injured took their roles very seriously.
We did let the girls know that this foray into wilderness first aid wasn't an official training, and thus, we weren't able to provide training for treatment, but suggested they consider taking a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder course - several GEC teens have taken these, leaving knowledgable and inspired. We'll be reviewing concepts and practicing more on our next outing!
It was great to follow the day with apple picking at Arden's for the Food Bank!
Check out the slideshow from our day here.
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