Trackers Outdoor Homeschool
Nature Skills - Portland, Oregon

Teaching old-school skills is at the heart of what we do. At Trackers we give kids knives, arrows, fire, and more to help them become capable and competent for a life outdoors. Because of this core mission, safety is critical. To keep kids and staff safe, we have some basic guidelines that must be met by all campers. To know if Trackers is the right camp for your child, ask yourself if they can do these 3 things:

1. Stay with the group and follow ALL safety directions.
2. Be independent in taking care of their personal needs—eating lunch, wearing the right clothing, and carrying their own gear—so staff can focus on teaching skills.
3. Be uncomfortable at times, stretching what they think they can do. This can include getting wet or dirty, being cold or hot, etc.

If you feel confident that the answer is yes to all of these, you can skim the rest of this section. If you are not sure that your child is ready for these requirements, please read the rest of this section carefully. If we are not the right fit for your family, we’re happy to help you find a camp that is—contact us for Camp Finder support.

How to Know if Trackers is a Good Fit

Trackers exists to guide kids toward becoming more responsible and independent. To inspire kids to serve their community, future generations, and nature. Families that support our high expectations and unique approach are a good fit for our camps. But we know we are not the right camp for every family. And that’s okay. We want to continue doing what we’ve been doing for 20 years, and we also want your child to have a great camp experience. Please review our core values below to see if Trackers is the right fit for your family:

• Safety: Kids must stay with their group and follow safety instructions at all times. Guardians agree to promptly pick up their child if they cannot meet these expectations. If extra supervision is needed while awaiting pickup, a $50/hour fee will be charged for 2 additional staff members. No refunds are given if a student must leave a program due to behavior issues.
• Independence: We help kids grow to become more responsible and independent. Our policies and curriculum support that development and can’t be altered for individual needs without changing the core purpose of our programs.
• Resilience: Kids need to be ready to face challenges and adapt when environments or activities are challenging. Being outdoors in all weather can be challenging. Learning a new skill like archery or wood carving can be challenging. Our Guides are thoughtful and empathetic to children’s needs, but grit and resilience are core to our curriculum.
• Nature: Nature’s beauty lies in its unpredictability and students must learn to adapt rather than expect nature to go their way. We also go out in all weather. We rarely cancel for hot or cold days, instead using these as opportunities to teach campers how to adapt, dress properly, stay hydrated, seek shade and shelter, and move with nature’s rhythms. We embrace the natural world, rather than let discomfort keep us indoors.
• Community: We encourage campers to prioritize teamwork and care for community and nature over individual needs. If they are taking up too much attention from the Guide, then the rest of their team is missing out.
• Forest Craft & Foraging: One of the main skills we teach is forest craft, including foraging, which may include harvesting wild plants, insects, fish, or other animals for meat. We respect diverse food choices, especially those driven by sustainability, yet we openly engage in these practices, even if they may be uncomfortable for some.
• Tracking: For us, tracking is the superpower we teach. A way to adventure by incredible feats of nature awareness. Trackers camps are a good fit for kids who aspire to become true outdoor badasses with skills and abilities beyond mere mortals. While not every camper needs to be a full-blown Forest Ninja on day 1 of camp, they should be passionate about pursuing this goal.
• Internet/Phone Free Zone: We have a strict ban on digital and internet-connected devices during program time. All children must agree to leave digital and internet connected devices at home. These devices hinder connection with nature and friends.

If our core values resonate with you, we welcome you to register for and come to Trackers Earth programs. If not, we understand that we may not be the best fit for your child at this time.

Other Camp Options

If you’re not 100% sure your child can handle what is needed to come to Trackers, here are some other options to consider:

1. Before homeschool begins, do a 1-day camp such as Winter Break, Spring Break, or No School to see if your child likes it and is able to follow our safety directions.
2. Let us help you find a different camp beyond Trackers that is a better fit—contact us for Camp Finder support.

There are other excellent camp programs in our neighborhoods that could be a better fit for your family’s needs at this time. As your child grows and their interests change, their compatibility with Trackers may also change and align with our approach. When a kid is ready and they find Trackers, magic happens.