Environmental Educator (EE) Training Program Portland
There was time when learning meant the wisdom of village, hearth and land. Our methods of Environmental Education remember and honor those ways. Learn to become an outdoor skills instructor and teacher with Trackers's unique model of environmental education. Combine training in our Summer Youth Camps with our Rangers or Wilders Immersion program.
A program to Remember
Through the Trackers Environmental Educator Training Program you develop strong foundations in the ways of wilderness survival, tracking and ecology, wild plants and homesteading crafts. Finally, you learn to apply that experience in our unique model of outdoor education as an assistant in our youth camps.
My experience as an EE student has pushed me and challenged me to grow in new and often frustrating and exhilarating ways. What appealed to me about Trackers versus other programs was the depth and diversity of skills taught to all ages. They offer everything from wilderness survival and homesteading to magic camp, and forest ninja, and they teach it all to five year olds as well as to 95 year olds. -Jenni Bradley, Environmental Educator Training Student
Mentors of authentic skills
Cultivating a deep connection to nature through authentic outdoor skills is often lost in modern environmental education. We seek to change that. Our Program Mentors help you develop the foundations to expand your outdoor experience in arts both ancient and timeless. They also engage you in a College of Fellowship where together we explore best practices for sharing those skills with students of all ages.
A village of passions
Everyone you meet at Trackers is a super-nerd and genius in something, if not ten things. Our methods of community building and education support the diverse passions that comprise a truly engaging and intelligent learning community. This depth of experience and service is integral to our camps, adult programs and your role with us as a student of environmental education.
At Trackers we seek to recreate a village of mentorship and sustainability. Through our Environmental Educator Training Program you become ambassador for a world that needs to exist.
How it works
You begin by learning with our youth camps. This term is followed by outdoor education skills training in our Wilderness Immersion course for adults. These two parts combine to offer one of the most encompassing environmental educator training programs available.
Part 1 Commit 3-9 weeks as you learn as an assistant environmental educator in our summer youth camps.
Part 2 Join our 1-year immersion and you choose your area of focus...
Wilders Guild Wild Plants, Homesteading and The Wilders Garden
Rangers Guild Wilderness Survival, Animal Tracking and The Curriculum of Shadows
Important This is an application based learning program. Only the best fits are selected. Environmental education must be a genuine career goal. Do not mistake this program for work trade.
Environmental Educator Training Program
Commitment
Part 1 3-9 weeks learning as an assistant environmental educator in our summer youth camps
Part 2 Our 9-month Wilderness Immersion Course, 1-3 weekends a month depending on commitment
Location
Day Camps Trackers Scout Pit, 5040 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland, OR
Overnight Camps & Wilderness Immersion Camp Trackers, Sandy, OR
Register
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Ages AdultProgram Commitment Varies with Training Commitment See below Tuition $199 non-refundable membership fee due upon acceptance |
Membership Fee
Membership is a $199 non-refundable fee due upon acceptance in the program.
How it works…
1) Fill out the program application below
2) We call you for an interview to see if the program is a good match
3) You come in for an interview to outline your custom program
Important dates…
Orientation June 8-9, 2013, Overnight in the Marmot Valley
Camp training commitment...
Youth Summer Camps Various weeks June-August
Skills training commitment...
Year-Long Weekend Immersion 1-3 weekends a month September-June
Wilderness Immersion course for adults, options
1-Weekend a Month Outdoor Immersion (9-months) Attending 1-weekend a month of our year long immersion courses and 3-weeks of apprenticeship at our summer youth camps.
2-Weekends a Month Outdoor Immersion (9-months) Attending 3-weekends a month of our year long immersion courses and 6-weeks of apprenticeship at our summer youth camps.
3-Weekends a Month Outdoor Immersion (9-months) Attending 3-weekends a month of our year long immersion courses and 9-weeks of apprenticeship at our summer youth camps.
Choose your Guild
In the Wilderness Immerion portion of the program you select the Guild core studies you feel the most passion for. Below is the "story" of each guild and breakdown of their curriculum. You do not need to know which core studies you will focus on to apply for the program. Our role is to help with you find the best fit for your goals.
The Way of the Wilder
The Wilders are caretakers. They tend to the balance of their village. They listen to the land as they help abundance flow. They guide the needs of the people into harmony with the needs of all life around them.
The tools of a Wilder is remediation through mycology, animals, plants and life itself. They change the land by asking and courting certain ways of life to grow and take root.
The Wilders Guild
After the summer youth camp commitment, you can choose join the Wilders Guild and take one or all of its 3-core studies.
Wild Plants Every 1st weekend of the month for 9-months, Cultivate and harvest to feed the village. Go in depth with wild foods, medicines and care taking for the land.
Homesteading Every 2nd weekend of the month for 9-months, Embark on projects of self-sufficiency and sustainability projects in animal husbandry, sustenance gardening, natural building and much more.
The Wilders Garden Every 3rd weekend of the month for 9-months, Discover connection with the land that goes beyond permaculture. Get hands-on experience implementing an argoforestry plan.
Youth Camp Training Schedule
Orientation June 8-9, 2013
3-9 Weeks Assistant Learning Your choice between June
18 - August 31, 2013
Wild & Medicinal Plants Schedule
Fruits and Berries: Gathering, Fermenting & Preserving September 13-15, 2013
Plant Taxonomy and Crafting Your Herbarium October 4-6, 2013
Filling the Pantry: Nuts, Roots and Saving Seeds November 1-3, 2013
Medicinal Plants: Filling the Winter Apothecary January 4-5, 2014
The Digging Stick: Root Harvest, Root Beer and Folk Recipes February 1-2, 2014
Stinging Nettles: Stocking the Spring Pantry and Wildcrafting March 7-9, 2014
Spring Greens and Wildland Foraging April 4-6, 2014
Coastal Harvest Expedition: Sea Vegetables and Seashore Life May 2-4, 2014
Program Graduation May 30-June 1, 2014
Homesteading Crafts & Self-Sufficient Living Schedule
Fermenting Foods: Cheese, Wines and Beers September 20-23, 2013
Natural Building: Timber, Mud and Straw October 11-13, 2013
The Larder and Pantry: Harvest and Preserving November 8-10, 2013
Blacksmithing and Homestead Hardware January 11-12, 2014
Fiber Arts: Spinning, Knitting and Felting February 8-9, 2014
Pig Butchering: Bacon, Bacon, Bacon March 14-16, 2014
Animal Husbandry: Large and Small Livestock April 11-13, 2014
Sustenance Gardening and Agroforestry May 9-11, 2014
Program Graduation May 30-June 1, 2014
The Wilders Garden Schedule
The Plan: Introduction to Agroforestry and Design September 27-29, 2013
Our Web: Forest Ecology and Production October 18-20, 2013
Death: Timber Harvest November 15-17, 2013
Rooted: Life of the Willow and Woods January 18-19, 2014
The Edge: Native Plant Propagation February 15-16, 2014
Being Useful: Pollinators and Predators March 21-23, 2014
Emergent Properties: Stealth Gardening April 18-20, 2014
The Plan Revisited May 16-18, 2014
Program Graduation May 30-June 1, 2014
The Legend of the Ranger
The Rangers are hunters and scouts for the village. They are versed in the arts of wilderness survival, tracking and awareness. In their listening they find a silence, one that compels them to protect what is Wild.
Flow is the Way of the Ranger. They follow the trail of the cougar, deer and other animals. With finely honed senses they become the eyes and ears of the village, living completely with the land and tending to it as if an invisible ghost.
The Rangers Guild
After the summer youth camp commitment, you can choose join the Rangers Guild and take one or all of its 3-core studies.
Animal Tracking Every 1st weekend of the month for 9-months, Cultivate intensive awareness skills. Learn to trail any animal or human across any terrain while delving deep into natural history and ecology.
Wilderness Survival Every 2nd weekend of the month for 9-months, Develop craftsmanship in primitive arts and technology. Learn to adapt to any environment while finding shelter, water, fire and food.
The Curriculum of Shadows Every 3rd weekend of the month for 9-months, Discover an invisible world while following the shadows of the forest. Become and expert in the art, flow and philosophy of camouflage that forges a strong connection to land and community.
Youth Camp Training Schedule
Orientation June 8-9, 2013
3-9 Weeks Assistant Learning Your choice between June
18 - August 31, 2013
Wildlife & Human Tracking Schedule
Identification and Gaits September 13-15, 2013
The Rut: Trailing Deer and Elk October 4-6, 2013
Sign Tracking and Trail Profiles November 1-3, 2013
Snowshoeing and Snow Tracking January 4-5, 2014
Man Tracking and Traps February 1-2, 2014
Predators: Territories of Cougars, Bear and Bobcats March 7-9, 2014
Hunting the Foragers April 4-6, 2014
Teaching Tracking: Oregon Dunes Expedition May 2-4, 2014
Program Graduation May 30-June 1, 2014
Wilderness Survival & Primitive Skills Schedule
Shelter and Fire Making September 20-23, 2013
Bowmaking and Archery October 11-13, 2013
Butchering a Goat November 8-10, 2013
Animal Tracking, Hunting and Trapping January 11-12, 2014
Hide Tanning plus Bone and Stone Tools February 8-9, 2014
Knifesmithing: Forge and Fire March 14-16, 2014
Bowmaking and Archery Apprenticeship April 11-13, 2014
Baskets and Containers May 9-11, 2014
Program Graduation May 30-June 1, 2014
The Curriculum of Shadows Schedule
The Plan: Defensive Strategy and Awareness September 27-29, 2013
Our Web: Invisibility and Stealth of the Shadows October 18-20, 2013
Death: The Indomitable Spirit November 15-17, 2013
Rooted: Martial Arts and Weapons Training January 18-19, 2014
The Edge: Social Tactical February 15-16, 2014
Being Useful: The Web of Shadows March 21-23, 2014
Emergent Properties: Cultivating the Shadow April 18-20, 2014
The Plan Revisited May 16-18, 2014
Program Graduation May 30-June 1, 2014
Core Immersion Courses
9-months Rangers Wilderness Immersion 1-3 weekends a month immersed in wilderness survival and primitive skills, animal tracking and the arts of invisibility, awareness, ecology, and natural strategy.
9-months Wilders Restoration Immersion 1-3 weekends an month immersed in wild edible and medicinal plants, homesteading, sustainability, and restoration of native landscapes with village gardens.
1-year Environmental Educator Training Program 3-9 weeks in the summer, 1-3 weekends a month in the fall. Study to be an outdoor skills instructor with Trackers's unique model of environmental education. This program combines training in our Summer Camps with our Rangers or Wilders Immersion.
Specialty Immersion Courses
7-months Archery Training Immersion 1-weekend a month immersed in the sport and art of archery. Our instructors provide expert coaching in archery fundamentals while bridging into more advanced skills.
2-months Hunting Immersion A course on the practice, ethics and regulations of subsistence hunting. This program takes place over a series of evenings and weekends.
Youth Apprenticeship Courses
Trackers Apprenticeships are the opportunity for youth to work with highly experienced mentors in wilderness skills and sustainability.
Ages 11-17 Rangers Apprenticeship Youth work with experienced mentors to develop authentic outdoor skills applicable to all aspects of life, learning, and leadership.
Ages 6-10 Junior Rangers Apprenticeship Youth learn the arts of animal tracking, wilderness survival, tracking and silent movement through the woods.
Ages 7-17 Archery Apprenticeship Intensive training program for any teen or youth interested in archery as a practice and art.
