Safety & Quality
Our priority: care for your child. Trackers sets the standard of safety for outdoor camps in Oregon and beyond.
Award-Winning Classes & Camps
Winner of Best Camp & After School with PDX Parent.
Trusted by Portland families for outdoor and craft education since 2004.
Discover why parents choose Trackers for real nature skills & adventure.
Best After School in the Known Universe
At Trackers, we do more in one afternoon than most programs do all season!
Real Skills
Real outdoor skills such as survival, archery, fishing, foraging, handcrafts, and more. Choose your adventure.
Expert Educators
Experienced instructors teach authentic skills. Camp staff chosen through intensive interviews and background checks.
How It Works
Trackers picks students up directly from select schools or meets them at their PPS bus stop at our SE or NE Basecamps. From there, Guides head out to nearby parks and green spaces for the afternoon. Parents pick up at the NE or SE Basecamp at the end of the day.
Outdoor Adventure - Each Day
Nowhere else offers what Trackers does. Each day features one of our Four Guilds—skill groups that build well-rounded foundation in craft and connection to nature.
Rangers Guild
Train in wilderness survival, forest craft, archery, animal tracking, stealth movement, camouflage, and firecraft.
Mariners Guild
Hone waters skills like fishing, water foraging, navigation, knots, casting, outdoor cooking, and boating.
Wilders Guild
Cultivate folk crafts of woodcarving, tool sharpening, wild foraging, sewing, gardening, and weaving.
Artisans Guild
For certain weather head into our skills studio for ceramics, woodworking, movement, and story games.
Daily Schedule
Our day begins going directly outdoors. When weather calls for it we can hold craft and archery days at our indoor Trackers Studios. Class begins the week after PPS starts and ends on its last official day (excluding snow make-up days). We follow the PPS calendar for holidays and no-school days.
Pick Up: When school releases we journey to local nature parks. We one of the few programs that features pick up for PPS Early Release times.
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Return to Trackers Basecamp with NE Portland or SE Portland options based on school transport.
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Pick-up at Trackers Basecamp including homework time, supervised play, and active games.
Transportation
This program includes transportation—we pick your child up from school or meet them at PPS bus stop at Trackers.
Trackers Transport: Trackers picks up students directly at school and transports them to local parks for the afternoon’s adventure. Current Trackers Transport Schools — Richmond, Winterhaven, Alameda, Le Monde
PPS Bus Service: PPS provides bus service to or near a Trackers meeting point. Our staff meet and check in students right at the bus stop. Current PPS Bus Schools — Grout, Llewellyn, Duniway
Don’t See Your School? Parents can request PPS Bus Service via PPS or organize carpools and rideshare options. Contact our Family Success Team for help exploring options. Contact Us »
2 Convenient Locations
Choose from our NE or SE Portland Basecamp sites for school pickup.
School availability is based on Trackers school pickup or PPS Bus Service.
Need Less Than 5 Days a Week?
Explore our self-transported after school programs at the Trackers Skills Studio. These are 1 day-a-week running for seasonal sessions. Options include maker crafts, archery, ceramics, woodworking, role-playing games, and more.
Find Self-Transport After School »Registration
Choose the deposit that matches your school and transport method. After registration, we contact you to confirm details and set up your payment plan.
For Trackers Transport we provide pick-up from designated schools. Other options include PPS Bus Service or parent organized carpools to a Trackers Basecamp site.
Tuition
This is a 5 day-a-week program. All programs require a $55 deposit (non-refundable) to reserve your spot plus 10 payments of $684 billed monthly.
Sibling Discount: Families enrolling two or more children receive a 5% discount on all monthly payments. Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Trackers pick up my child from school?
Yes. This program includes transportation. Trackers either picks students up directly from select schools or meets them at our SE Basecamp after being transported by PPS Bus Service or parent organized transport. From there, Guides head straight outdoors for the afternoon’s adventure. Current Trackers Transport and PPS Bus Service eligible schools are listed in the Transportation section above.
What if my school isn’t listed?
Families may request PPS Bus Service through Portland Public Schools if available in your area. Some families also coordinate carpools or rideshare services to our SE Basecamp . Our Family Success Team is happy to help you explore options.
Is this program really five days a week?
Yes. Trackers After School Outdoors is a five-day-a-week program designed to build continuity, confidence, and real skill development. Daily immersion outdoors is what allows friendships to deepen and abilities to grow steadily over the school year.
What if I need fewer than five days?
If your family is looking for a flexible option, explore our Trackers Studio Enrichment Programs. These self-transported, 1-day-a-week seasonal sessions run in 6–8 week blocks and offer focused skill-building in maker crafts, archery, ceramics, woodworking, role-playing games, and more. It’s a great way to experience Trackers if five days a week isn’t the right fit. Learn more and view current sessions on our Trackers Studio Enrichment Programs page »
Where does pickup happen at the end of the day?
Parent pickup takes place at your selected NE or SE Portland Basecamp between 5:00–5:30 pm.
What happens on PPS Early Release days?
Trackers operates as scheduled on PPS Early Release days. If your child attends a Trackers Transport or PPS Bus Service school, we adjust pickup time accordingly.
What should my child bring?
Students should arrive prepared for outdoor adventure every day. That includes waterproof rain gear and shoes. Please pack an after-school snack, water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothing. We spend the majority of our time outdoors in all seasons.
Do I need to notify Trackers if my child will be absent?
Yes. For safety, families must notify us whenever a student will be absent — especially if transportation is involved. Please email hello@trackersearth.com, call (503) 345-3312, or use our website chat.
Can I pick up my child early?
Early pickup is possible, but because we spend most afternoons off-site in parks and natural areas, it requires advance and clear coordination. Early pickup must be arranged ahead of time with our After School Coordinator and will occur at the designated field site before our scheduled return to Basecamp. If that pickup window is missed, students will return with the group and can be picked up at Basecamp during regular pickup time.
How does tuition work?
Enrollment includes a $55 non-refundable deposit to reserve your space, followed by 10 equal monthly payments of $684. Tuition is evenly distributed across the school year to create consistency for families and to maintain staffing, transportation, and program quality.
Why is tuition the same during shorter months?
Monthly payments reflect the total annual tuition divided into 10 consistent installments. School holidays, breaks, and calendar variations are already factored into the yearly structure.
What if I need to withdraw mid-year?
The $55 deposit is non-refundable. Monthly payments continue for 30 days after written notice of withdrawal. For example, if your student’s last day is November 30, notice must be given by October 31 to avoid a December charge.
What if we don’t need programming in June?
If you plan to withdraw before June, written notice must be provided no later than May 1. Withdrawals after May 1 will include June tuition as a cancellation fee.
Have Questions?
Our Family Success Team is here to help you navigate transportation, enrollment, and scheduling.