Trackers Earth - SE Portland

Trackers is an exceptional and transformative experience for families. Our son entered trackers over a year ago, timid and hesitant. He had trouble making friends, connecting with people and I would even say he was a little withdrawn. He also expressed little interest in reading and writing and pretty much doing anything but being on the computer. He seemed so unmotivated and lonely to us that we started looking at programs that might kickstart something in him that maybe he didnt know was there. We are SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL we found trackers because this place has changed our family. The trackers staff and program was the missing ingredient 100%. On Wednesdays, he attends the Realms program--which not only has fed and fueled his imagination, but now he writes characters and stories based on the roles he has played at Trackers. He's reading adventure books these days and thinking about strategy in role playing games. On Fridays, he attends the homeschool group and travels out for another adventure in the wilderness. Every week, he is returned to us full of information on bull frog overpopulation, how to survive a cold night in the wild by covering yourself in the forrest, how to build a fire, what the rules are for the goblin market, what wild plants actually taste like licorice (but better!) and how we all need to take better care of the environment around us. He comes home stinky and dirty and full of stories that I know are building memories that will last his lifetime. On the ride home, we trade stories. I tell him about growing up and going to summer camp only once a year and I feel so lucky that he gets to go not just once but twice a week! On top of this, theres archery, blacksmithing, crafting...you name it. I'm just as guilty as the next person and because of work, we are online ALOT...so as a result we are a perfect example of how magical Trackers is. Knowing our kid gets the experience to connect with nature as much as he does is such a relief. Every kid needs Trackers. Its imagination preservation at its finest!

I've had three kids as part of the Trackers family. My first worked at Trackers over a decade ago and he had a very enriching experience. He was the first person to teach me about edible plants on a hike. I had some younger kids, so when they were old enough we got them into the classes. First we did some summer camps and they loved them so much that we put them into some full year programs. My middle child is now in the Trackers A-Team program where they are learning more advanced skills. My youngest child has matured so much in the two years since starting Trackers programs. The thing that has impressed me the most is how the things they have learned in Trackers programs has helped in their overall human development. They have become more aware and community minded. They are socially & environmentally conscious, and do things to take care of our neighborhood (ie. part of the Adopt One Block program). They are better students and more eager to learn at school. They have also been more helpful with their teachers and fellow students. As a parent, I could not be more pleased with how the skills they learn at Trackers have affected every other aspect of their lives. We have a family reunion camping trip every year and my 7 year old and 12 year old can start the camp fire faster than any other adult in our group. The kids are able to teach the other family members about fire safety, edible plants, knife safety and being aware of things going on around them. My kids have done so well that they were each able to participate with and assist Graduate level geology students to study and map areas of the Malheur National Forest. I had the pleasure of observing my kids help gather scientific data and discuss it logically with the adults who were working on their Bachelor and Master's degrees. The grit that they have gained, the maturity, and the ability to participate in scientific inquiry at such a high level is directly related to the things they do and learn at Trackers every single week.

My 13-year-old son has been going to trackers summer camps, no-school day camps, and year-long apprenticeships since he was 5 and he still loves it. They have a wide variety of offerings that they tailor by age group, they get kids outdoors and he always comes home tired and covered in dirt, which I generally feel is the ultimate achievement for a child. His counselors have been supportive and fun over the years, with many repeat counselors who have gotten to know him as he's grown. Trackers is a really special camp, we are so lucky to live in a town that has this. Highly recommend!

We have been so impressed with the Rangers counselors. Our kiddo routinely comes home covered in dirt and sap and berries and joyful exhaustion. His passion for the wilderness has grown as has his confidence outdoors. I highly recommend their outdoor programming and am so grateful the adventures he has each day!

"This is the sort of experience I'll remember forever." Direct quote from my daughter. I'm a Gen-X dad juggling career, family, and my own helicopter instincts in trying to raise my kids. Trackers is an awesome break from the tender care of the rectangular baby sitter, getting the kids out in nature, active, and learning about the world around them. She came home grubby with dirt on her face and a small farm under her fingernails, exhausted, and absolutely glowing. Awesome. :)