The Vespula Veterans, Black-Tailed Deer, & Short-Tailed Weasels join for Service at Connelly Creek

Sipping coffee the mentors waited in the morning sun for the Vespula Veterans who would be the first of three groups to arrive for a full day of service. The mentors would like to the thank parents for their flexibility with our new drop-off and pick-up location. After getting feedback from parents, it sounds like the new location has a much better flow and was not too far out of the way. This location change came up with each of the three groups and led to great discussions about what it takes working within a community. The mentors highlighted the connection of their decision to move the drop-off location, based on the feedback of the neighborhood and our EC motto collaborate and compromise. It is important that we as mentors Walk our Talk as live our EC Mottos the same as we ask we ask the Explorers to do on our outings.

Once they had gathered the Vespulas Veterans walked over to the site and circled up for an opening meeting. As elders in their community the Vespula’s had been scheduled to work with two of our youngest Explorer groups; the Black-Tailed Deer and the Short-Tailed Weasels. Above the physical component of serving the land their primary focus for the day was to help guide and mentor the younger boys. After seven years in the program the Vespula’s transmission of culture and leadership is a vital presence in the Boys Explorers Club.

Having three years under their belt at the service site the Vespulas had a pretty good idea of what needed to be done and what the site should look like. Although the site was experiencing significant saturation it continues to look healthier and healthier each time we return.

As the two younger groups arrived and started their opening meetings the Vespula’s worked hard to weed our native plantings and caged Alders of Reed-Canary Grass. Reestablishing the stick rings marking each native sapling the boys did excellent prep on the site and set up the younger groups for success. Once the site was ready they got digging and immediately hit an underground nest. The group immediately thought the nest was Bald-Faced Hornets, but it turned out to be a type of ground-nesting bee. Thankfully no one was stung. This resulted in the perfect opportunity for the Vespula’s to gain some leadership skills.

The Vespulas brainstormed a plan for the bee nest while the Black-Tailed Deer and Short-Tailed Weasels were simultaneously reviewing a few key service points before joining them in the work. One important topic mentors cover in each of our service meetings is the question, “for whom and why are we serving?” This question helps bring the Explorer’s focus and remember why it is a gift and opportunity to be able to serve. 

It was also important for us to cover our EC Motto, A Tool vs. Weapon. Using our tools with intention on our service outings holds two important meanings in our Boys EC culture. First it is our commitment to use our restoration equipment as tools not weapons and to recognize that we each are personally responsible in controlling this difference. Secondly it means understanding how to use the tools and how to care for them. In our case recognizing that our partnership with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement and Bellingham Park & Rec is what provides us with the resources and guidance needed for the project. Maintaining our tools with a high level of care is part of maintaining a healthy partnership.

After a tool demo the Explorers spread out over the site working in tandem with the Vespula’s. One group worked to limb the dead branches of a crowded stand of Willows in order to build an earthen fence to establish a wide radius around the bee’s nest. Once this group was finished they moved to the back of the site to duplicate their technique and enforce the park boundary line.

The second group worked to remove Blackberry roots and stalks from the southern corner of the site. Digging Blackberries out of the ground is hard labor and the boys did excellent work being diligent to unearth the entire root system. By the end of the day the boys had hauled out a large pile of roots and clippings. Comparing scratches and scraps the boys seemed quite satisfied as they worked.

During service days it has become habit for us not to call lunch break and for the boys to self-regulate this need. One of the benefits of this is that it allows boys from all ages and all groups to mingle amongst one another. It is rare for middle and high school aged boys to share experiences and mentoring/mentee relationships with eight and nine year olds boys. It is powerful sight to witness.

Calling a halt to our service work the mentors gathered the entire crew into a circle and we sang Happy Birthday to one of our fellow Explorers while his dad passed out popsicles for everyone! The mentors would like to thank Carol and Bill Hawk for providing some much needed refreshment in the heat of the day.

Breaking off from the group the Vespula Veterans gathered their packs for a closing meeting. This was a perfect moment to debrief the one-on-one interactions that they had with the younger groups. In the end a powerful lesson was learned; the younger boys are always observing our elders behavior and the Vespula’s sustained awareness of this is needed as they make decisions and discuss topics in their presence. Vespulas and Vespula Parent’s don’t forget that our next outing is an overnight campout at Baker Lake. Click this link to be directed to the Equipment List for the overnight.

Waving goodbye to the Vespulas, the Black-Tailed Deer and Short-Tailed Weasels made one last effort to spread a large pile of mulch over our work site area before joining in their own closing circles. In both circles the boys gave thanks for: the ability to serve with a lot of new people, for the opportunity to use loppers and shovels and build fences, for the amazingly sunny weather, for water and food to nourish us, and for the ability to help restore the land. 

The mentors would like to thanks over volunteer for the day Hal Wershow for coming out and modeling a strong example of what it means to be a healthy and caring male in the world. We would also like to thank the boys for their efforts and ability to work together.

For more pictures from the outing please visit the Black-Tailed Deer, Short-Tailed Weasels, & Vespula Veterans joint photo album from the day.