Thanksgiving Break Camps Portland, Oregon

A Dangerous & Edgy Camp

Now that we have your attention, we can really talk about if Trackers is good fit for you and your family. We run the kind of camps where most parents say, "You have to send your kid to Trackers this year, there's nothing like them." And that is true, we believe there is nothing like us. We also believe that "we may not be for you, and you may not be for us". We can be smart, caring, edgy, witty, funtastic and more. We are not your typical camp counselors.

We believe that the "rugged" was taken out of camp far to long ago. We think kids today should get to be like our grandparents. The Goonies who wandered country backyards 50 years ago: tired, sometimes cold, muddy, wet and ecstatic from the woods and wild.

Respect & Discipline

Contrary to popular opinion though, this is NOT Lord of Flies or the Lost Boys camp. We do real skills and we have high expectations for our campers. We insist they not only show care of themselves, but also show respect for all the other campers, instructors and land they learn with. This means we always expect students to listen to the directions of the experienced counselor who are their guides them on this epic adventure. Our ultimate goal is to raise the bar of accomplishment for any age, from 5 years to 99.

We May Not Be You

Also, we will make no effort to fit into the specific morals or idealogy of any individual. We love feedback when it is offered to spark creative genius and mutual respect. We are NOT interested in hearing how various idealogies declare how one should NOT offer camps with things we happen to find awesomely fun. Examples being safely shooting one another with foam bows and arrows, intelligently modified nerf guns, getting muddy, gorilla suits, Joss Whedon and other smart aspects of pop culture. We like nature, yet we are not Luddites. Nor do we ascribe to one model of child development. When it comes to both encouragement or discipline with our campers, we revel in articulate parent support.

You May or May Not Be For Us

We love parents! We have learned that this preemptive conversation about "who is a good fit" is vital. This job is a pretty hard and challenging one. It's a profession not necessarily rewarded by money. Instead our return is heartfelt work, an opportunity to be total geeks, the love we feel for the family of Trackers and most of all appreciation and understanding for the extended families we work with.

We are seeking parents who will engage us in intelligent dialogue when they are confused or curious about why we do what we do. We are seeking parents who aren't simply looking for a client/server relationship, but one of fellows and family. We are seeking parents that will respect that everyone is imperfect and will make mistakes: parents, kids and "gasp" even us. We are seeking parents that want their children challenged and will truly help us improve how we accomplish that.

At Our Core

Trackers is filled with people that march to the beat of a different drummer. We are your children raised by wolves. We quest to rekindle that wild spirit. A passion for life that is NOT always shiny, easy, TV perfect, newest age or even pretty. Instead it is heartfelt, sad, challenging, awesome, arduous, complicated and on rare occasion, necessarily and intelligently "dangerous and edgy". But then, isn't that why you choose Trackers?

We have sailed those epic stormy waters of the unknown. Many of our core instructors have literally survived in the wilderness in a way few in our modern culture will ever know. We are highly compentent about many things most people fear in our modern world. We seek to bring about the return common sense that is no longer common.

We have forged ahead an Art of Camp few have found. We are always trekking to find our frontier. To Remember a culture that needs to exist. To Remember what it is like to be human and truly part of the wild, epic and gorgeous world we live.

Rave Reviews...

"This has been the best camp! And, we've gone to a few! I have been telling everyone about it. I don't think you could have developed a more perfect camp experience for my son. Seriously… Honestly, I cannot think of enough words to describe how great this week was for Ethan. He was engaged, enthusiastic and exhausted at the end of the day. The storyline that his group developed was amazing and kept him thinking and connecting every night. I love the enthusiasm of Stewart. The patience and guidance he has with kids is inspiring. He has the ability to command a group of excitable kids safely and in a way that gets them thinking, creating and using their imaginations-- which is an under utilized skill (in my opinion). I loved how he made the whole camp adaptable to what the kids were interested in, and had the flexibility to flow with it. Fantastic job you guys!!!" -Forest Ninja Parent, Age 6

"Excellent--My daughter is a Forest Ninja. And has promised to use her newfound powers for the good of the world." -Forest Ninja Parent, Age 8

"As a city dweller, I take pride that my son still has an opportunity to catch frogs, go fishing & be outdoors. By far one of the best camps he's attended." -Forest, Fishing, Fly and Reel Parent, Age 7

"They are the best I have seen! Smart, passionate, energetic, funky and caring." -Little House: Wilders Homestead Parent, Age 6

"A totally new experience. Like Junior Outward Bound." -Welcome to Middle Earth Parent, Age 5

"He's been proud to share new things he's learned with whole family. He specified, however, that he's not learning like school, he's "discovering." Thank you!" -Welcome to Middle Earth Parent, Age 8

"Surpasses any experiences with camps so far; this is our first Trackers Camp." -Stealth, Archery & Wilderness Survival Parent, Age 9

"He says this is 'probably the best camp I've been to in my whole life' (little does he know he's doing kayaking camp (with Trackers) in 2 weeks… I wished I'd plugged into your camps sooner." -Forest, Fishing, Fly and Reel Parent, Age 10

"I've never seen her so excited to go to camp everyday." -Secret Agent Academy Parent, Age 9

If your kid is imaginative, adventurous and loves the outdoors, there simply isn't a better camp experience." -Welcome to Middle Earth Parent, Age 6

I will definitely look into other Trackers camps experiences for my son--and for me!" -Forest, Fishing, Fly and Reel Parent, Age 7

"He loved doing "real" activities." -Little House: Wilders Homestead Parent, Age 6

"I really thought Silent Wednesday was a great idea." -Middle Earth Parent, Age 5

"The elf pouch is a huge hit and will likely be worn all summer." -Faeries, Elves and Mostly Friendly Dragons Parent, Age 4

"He chose Forest Ninja and has come home each afternoon Filthy, Tired and very impressed with his new Stealth Ninja Skills!" -Forest Ninja Parent, Age 9

"Tell us about our staff… they radiate serenity and competence." -Forest Ninja Parent, Age 8

"This camp is seriously a FULL week of doings!" -Little House: Wilders Homestead Parent, Age 8

"I just loved that my daughter was getting to all the things I did as a child." -Parent

"I feel like Trackers is the perfect fit for my kid. He would much rather be shooting a bow and arrow or fishing in a lake than doing some of the more mainstream stuff he is exposed to through his school peers and neighborhood friends, like video games and team sports.  He's a quirky kid and Trackers thrills him." -Parent

"Everyone was patient and friendly, especially with the kids." -Parent

"So creative and engaging on a level that was perfect for them." -Parent

"I was blown away by what our class accomplished. The instructors set high expectations and then helped my students rise to the occasion. From blacksmithing to survival skills, we did so much this week... The instructors were real with my students while also being completely professional. That's a balance you don't see very often." -8th grade teacher

"Hands-on learning with a dose of humor." -Parent

More Reviews >