Earth Skills Day / Outing at Little Squalicum Beach: 5-15-16

What a jam-packed day for the Trilliums. As mentors, we come into a day with a plan. Some days, this plan is thinner with room for nature to teach us what she'd like that day, and others, it is FULL of ideas that mentors carefully choose and weave into the day. Sunday was one of the full-plan days... Though we only tackled some of the activities we'd like to do with the girls, we have faith that we'll be able to fit in more team-building, talking time, and skills days in the Trilliums' future seasons.

We gathered in a calm state while remembering this place that we'd been to before: Whuh-I-kwal-luh-whum ("Dog Salmon Place"), the name for Little Squalicum Beach Park back when it was a fishing village site for Coast Salish people. We talked through the fascinating history of this park, from thriving village, to creosote factory, to Superfund site, and ultimately to the restoration-in-process place we know today. We acknowledged those in the community who have Turned Problems into Possibilities by helping to transform the contaminated soil/water, massively overgrown invasives and loss of wildlife into a healthier park for all.

After our opening circle, we set out to explore the park, and immediately saw the big Oeser Corporation smokestack looming above the hill of this lush, green park. We paused here to engage in what the Trilliums seem to love best: playing freely. The girls frolicked through the fields, making up lands, nests, characters, all fitting into a combined fantasty. The girls worked together on this project, and seemed to really enjoy their time together.

We then headed down under the bridge to the beach, and bundled up in the wind as we took out our baskets and learned from Isabel how to finish them off. For the next hour and 45 minutes, the Trilliums were in a state of Flow, focused on working diligently and present-mindedly to create beautifully and carefully woven baskets, all unique. 

We finished our time on the beach, as the wind was blowing walked back up to the grassy field where we found a spot for Closing Circle. We expressed our gratitude, and blissfully walked towards home

Our Words of the Day? "Grass, basket weaving, and skits!"

To see a slideshow of our day, click here!

Exploration and Basketry Skills at Governor's Point: 4-30-16

Picture this: sunshine on sandstone, wind dancing on waves, an isolated beach with a vista of tree-clad islands and the sparkling Salish Sea. Saturday was blissful, meaningful, and memorable!

The Trilliums arrived and quickly began on tasks with prepping ivy for basket weaving. We began Opening Circle with the history of Governor's Point... It's story started long ago when Governor's Point's only inhabitants were heron, seal, otter, cougar, bear, and myriad other non-human beings; then to the Mamosee people who plied these waters in dugout canoes; to the more modern usage of this land as boys' camp, rock quarry, and site of a prospective development. After this discussion, we set out to find the hidden cove, following a Songlines map. Songlines Maps describe significant landmarks using metaphors and the girls follow the clues to find their way. 

Along the way to the beach, we chatted and checked-in, examined a recently cut forest regenerating, and learned about dock - a plant to help cure nettle stings. Nearing the cove, we left the well trod road and fox-walked to a bluff above, where girls took turns scouting good routes down. Taking care to "Think It Through Before You Do" and S.T.O.P., we clambered down towards a spectacular cove. At this special point we imagined, shared, explored, discussed, played in the water and rocks, had a beautiful wedding between two sticks, and enjoyed a blissful Peaceful Place time. We learned how to start a basket made from ivy. With focus, patience, and persistence, each of the Trilliums created the bottom of a small basket. 

Time passed all too quickly, and before long we were hastening back to our ending circle, sharing our gratitude. And in this sharing our hearts emerged full, empathetic, grateful.

We mentors are so grateful for this group of girls, at once silly and serious, trustworthy and tough, wise and wonderful!

Our Words of the Day? "Seaside stick weddings, baskets and beauty!"

To see our photo album from the day, click here!