Lately we’ve been watching the turtles slowly make their way to sandy, sunny spots to lay their eggs. Initially we called this the Strawberry Moon, but that was wishful thinking—it’s been dry and the strawberry crop didn’t amount to much. However, the early harvest of greens such as spring beauties, musky leaf, and wild leeks was bountiful. Their season is over, yet the green season (summer) staples such as basswood, nettle, and milkweed are just as abundant. In fact, last quarter moon (week), the Seekers decided not to get any greens in their food drop, so they are on their own to forage every day to get enough fresh plant matter, which is an important digestion aid and vital nutrient source. They are doing well with the challenge!

It has been quite an exciting time lately with important survival skills being learned. The high point was a very popular bug eating workshop. Some were immediately inspired to go out and make Ant Tacos, which are made from hundreds of ants from an anthill rolled up in a basswood leaf. Knowing that insects are one of the richest food sources, the Seekers  crunched and munched away. Some bugs are up to ¾ protein, whereas mammals and birds are about half that. Many insects, such as wood grabs. which they found in the wood and under the bark of downed trees, are great fat sources.

Hunger is the motivator for many to begin stretching their horizons for food sources, and as active as they are during these long, sunny days, the Seekers are working up appetites. Another motivation has gotten the children moving in an entirely different direction: they’re setting up their own hearth. The inspiration seems to be the example of the adults. Just like children everywhere, they yearn to learn about themselves and the world by emulating the adults utilizing their own strengths, faculties, and skills. They are organizing, storing, and cooking their own food, in addition to building and maintaining their own fire hearth. They have a separate food drop now, and we’ll be watching from the other hearth to see how they do.

Fear can also be a powerful motivator, which might have been what was behind this year’s first Seeker leaving the experience. Just before he turned to go, he was told he had only two days to return or he would not be readmitted.  He got about 30 miles away, where he slept in a pine grove behind a Wal-mart. The next morning, the Circle welcomed him back. He explained how the experience helped him to see himself and his life journey more clearly, and to realize that at this point in his journey he was intended to be here. He has rededicated himself to the clan and the adventure.

Although the Seekers don’t quite know it yet, something is notably lacking in their experience at this time. It’s a vital component of any Northwoods wilderness immersion—something they’d typically be very connected to, and the Guides are concerned that they will not get the full benefit of their time here without it. We’re talking about mosquitos (zagime in Ojibwe). It has been an unusually dry spring, and the ephemeral (temporary) meltwater ponds where zagime breed are all dried up. The eggs accumulate till the ponds refill—and then watch out!  We haven’t heard a peep from the Seekers about zagime haranguing them, and were concerned they’re going to start feeling cheated.

Though they don’t have to deal with zagime buzzing in their ears all night and making pin cushions out of every inch of their exposed skin, there is another big challenge looming: rumblings of trouble in the clan. As is typical of an intense immersion experience, conflict arises. It is setting the stage for invaluable lessons in truthspeaking and conflict resolution skills, which include getting in touch with their personal truths and expressing their feelings in the moment. They are learning not to blame anyone for their feelings, but to take full responsibility for them. In the time-honored fashion of a wobbly toddler, they are learning how to take strong steps by working with each other through intense personal dynamics. We’ll keep you posted on how they do with the undercurrent of tension, so stay tuned for updates, which very soon will include more words from the Seekers themselves.