We gathered near the trailhead in opening circle, and reconnected with our group. We revisited memorable moments from our outings this spring season and spent some time talking about how we feel about garbage, based on our last service project. There was lots of expression and digesting of feelings about how they know whether a situation feels safe. We discussed how to let the quiet voice inside be your guide when it comes to situations that may feel uncomfortable, and you are not sure what to do. We agreed that asking a grownup about the relative safety of garbage BEFORE picking it up is good advice, and listening to one's intuition is a valuable tool. While sharing a few salmonberries, we also talked about meeting plants before you eat, as some berries that are yummy, look like noxious ones, and vice versa.
We knew that today was one of the lowest tides of the year and the popularity of our destination, so we expected our location to be rather busy. We revisited relevant safety protocols, especially regarding picking up garbage, and our agenda of exploring today. We began our descent down the trail to the sea, and within minutes of leaving the trailhead the Salish Seals were engaging in impromptu service projects! These girls truly embody the motto You See it You Own It, and have owl eyes for litter that needs picking up.
We knew that today was one of the lowest tides of the year and the popularity of our destination, so we expected our location to be rather busy. We revisited relevant safety protocols, especially regarding picking up garbage, and our agenda of exploring today. We began our descent down the trail to the sea, and within minutes of leaving the trailhead the Salish Seals were engaging in impromptu service projects! These girls truly embody the motto You See it You Own It, and have owl eyes for litter that needs picking up.
Our day was framed by a constant dance of Stretching Our Edge, Safety First, and so much curiosity about the world. Often the strongest pull is to explore a new experience such as rock climbing, dunking in the chilly sea, scrambling down a steep hill or up a limbed tree. These new experiences offer the Challenge By Choice for girls to stretch their edges, and at the same time also require us to take responsibility for our safety by Thinking Through Before We Do and conducting S.T.O.P's before we leap into a challenge such as rock climbing. The girls are learning the important balance between going headlong willy nilly into exploration and taking a moment to contemplate and proceed with a wise plan.
Highlights from the day included:
-Lots of quality time spent during snack and lunch sharing feelings and stories.
-Setting up a rope and climbing up the steep rocky bluff to a grove of Madronas and stunning view of the bay
-Setting up a rope and climbing up the steep rocky bluff to a grove of Madronas and stunning view of the bay
-Looking out to sea and seeing a magical rainbow in the clouds!
-Discovering an alligator lizard sunning itself on the rocks, and quickly disappearing
-Finding many treasures to wonder. Piddock clams (they bored holes in the ROCKS-much to our sheer amazement), Seastars and crabs galore, sea anemones, sea cucumbers...
-A treasured visitor, Teacher Jess!
-A treasured visitor, Teacher Jess!
-Peaceful Place on the bluff during a busy afternoon.
Finally, as we do on the last outing of every season, The Salish Seals reflected upon the connections we made together throughout the season with a Web of Life Activity that reminded us of our motto All Things Are Connected. Each girl became something from nature we connected to this spring: clouds, sand, sticks, water, sunshine, the Salish Sea, insects, wind, the world, and a human. In creating our web with string, we clearly saw how all things are connected, and how every single action - human caused or nature made - affects the entire web. We can strengthen or weaken the web through our choices: in GEC we aim to be strengtheners!
