Service with Greenways: 10-31-15

What could be more scary than a pack of Pikas on Halloween??!!  Actually we weren't very scary, at all; the girls were determined and engaged for our service with Greenways near Padden Creek in Fairhaven.  Our group was missing a few girls and rain was threatening, but spirits were high!  We began our day with our usual check-in and then revisited the motto, Our Cups Overflow.  The girls shared their deep understanding and appreciation of just how much they have in their lives. We left Fairhaven Village Green and headed for the work party site, the anticipated stormy day brewing ever so slightly.

Removing invasive species

Our "project" was a sweet little patch of young trees near the creek.  We pulled weeds and cut back invasive Himalayan Blackberry.  We gently unwound Morning Glory.  We learned about how to best support a young tree.  And, we hauled monstrous amounts of mulch to spread at the base of the trees. 

Hauling mulch

Bird's nest

We Widened our Circle, working alongside new friends.  The weather was just right for working and it was quite enchanting to be there all together in our tiny little grove.  Someone even discovered a bird's nest! We found earthworms and spiders.  When we finished we had supported 7 or 8 small trees to grow in a healthy environment, working to help restore this land to the ancient forest it was long ago...

Newly weeded and mulched tree

Now we set off through the woods, girls in charge of navigation.  After Collaborating and Compromising, we did some exploring and sharing, then headed back towards Fairhaven.   As we got closer to the village area we realized that it was trick or treating time!  The streets were full of vampires and Harry Potter characters.  There was candy to be had!  So we took a collective deep breath and headed into the fray as....a group of Explorers!

The skies let loose with rain and soon we were all bone-chilling cold.  We wrapped-up with a quick game of "Look Up, Look Down" and Closing Circle, then parents arrived just in time to whisk away their young Explorer for the rest of her Halloween festivities...

"Look Up, Look Down!"

Words of the Day: Service, Sun, Rain, Fun, Candy!
  
Check out our photo album for more pictures from our Padden Creek service.