Wayfinder Cycle 2: Wildlife Tracking & Self Observation
Chuckanut | Shuksan-Whatcom | Cascade
The Wayfinder 2024-2025 season theme is Nature Connection Through Self and Wildlife Observation. Over the course of the season, Wayfinders will practice the art of wildlife tracking, learn about and practice wildlife photography, make and utilize their own nature journals, and participate in the 3rd Annual Wayfinder Film Festival. The season will also include outings to the National Geographic 100 Best Wildlife Photos exhibit, an outing with a local wildlife photographer, and a trip down to Fidalgo Island.
As Wayfinders ramble through forests and along beaches, they will learn tools to connect with wildlife while reflecting on how to track who they are becoming in the world. Our outings will consist of nature explorations, skills practice, games, reflection, and community-building. Our hopes are for the Wayfinders to not only adventure in, and discover, our area, but also explore what it means to honor yourself and your truth while transitioning into young adulthood.
Standard outings and curriculum are below. Individual Wayfinder group schedules and curriculum may vary based on group needs, mentor discretion, previously canceled outings, group progress with technical skills, etc.
OUTING 1 | NAT GEO WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
We are SO EXCITED to partner once again with the Whatom History Museum for this outing. All of our Wayfinder groups will meet on this day to visit the National Geographic’s “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs” exhibit and gain some inspiration for the art of wildlife photography. We hope that this specialized and interactive visit to this exhibit will help Wayfinders to start making the keen observations that inform a seasoned tracker. Following this visit we will move outside for the Wayfinders to all create their own personalized tracking journal to use throughout our year. Please note that there will be an outside component to this day, so don’t neglect to send your Wayfinder with a nice hat and sunscreen.
WHATCOM MUSEUM
OUTING 2 | INTRO TO TRACKING
Today sees the Wayfinders venturing out to practice some of the basics in our outdoor skill theme for the season-- wildlife tracking! After setting our group’s Community Agreement and intentions for the season, we will begin learning about this technical skill. We’ll sharpen our senses and delve into the fascinating world of wildlife tracking, discovering the hidden stories written in the tracks and traces left by the creatures that call this island home. Through observation, journaling, and hands-on activities, we'll hone our skills and unlock the secrets of the natural world around us.
Fidalgo Island
OUTING 3 | Combined group tracking
On this day of fun, Wayfinder groups will come together to put our heightened nature-awareness and tracking skills to work. We’ll embody the wildlife that lives in our forests through games of stealth, observation, and camouflage! Wayfinders will use the routines of Invisibility and seeing the world from a different perspective to track each other through the forest. We'll also practice leadership skills that build executive function, like collaborative decision-making (and play itself!) and finish our day with fun, new memories, and more connected as a group.
100 Acre Woods
OUTING 4 | Birding & Wildlife Photography
The winter months are ideal for watching the movement of birds. With our eyes and lenses pointed to the sky we head south to the Skagit Valley where migrating geese and swans gather. We’ll learn about the Trumpeter Swans comeback from near extinction and will also be joined by a professional wildlife photographer, Lauren McClanahan, from the Bellingham Youth Media project. Lauren will provide us with the basics of photography and wildlife tips and tricks. Aided by our local wildlife photographer and the cameras we already carry in our pockets, Wayfinders will learn how to capture a moment of wildlife without needing to buy any fancy equipment.
Samish Flats
OUTING 5 | Pancakes, prep, & props
On this cold February day, we’ll meet for a day of pancakes, a campfire creation (we love fire x friction!), and filling in the details of the story that we’ve been creating. Do we need to get more ideas, lines, or directions down on paper? Do characters, storylines, or themes need to be tuned up? What props will we need to bring? To put or to not put chocolate chips in the pancakes? We’ll work together to get the whole story prepped so that our next outing, we’ll be able to get right into filming and production!
Birch bay
OUTING 6 | Nature documentary filming
Ah yes, the humble Wayfinders. Here we see them in their natural habitat - crawling clumsily through the woods just as muddy as they are content. Today this pack has decided to capture memory of their natural world through the use of a smartphone camera. Technology of this kind makes a somewhat rare but important appearance in the life of a Wayfinder so it will be paramount that they take great care in exposing these devices to the wind and rain. But they will find success if they can brave cold fingers in pursuit of the perfect shot.
TBD
OUTING 7 | campout
To celebrate the arrival of spring, we’ll have a combined group campout, big fire, and lots of s’mores! During this weekend trip, we will practice setting up camp, fire starting and safety, and team building. We will also have plenty of time to play games, tell stories, and spend unstructured time together. Additionally, we will be holding our 3rd Annual Wayfinder Film Festival Awards Show, so prepare your acceptance speeches and leave room for popcorn!