Our Forest School

We recognize that the youngest members of our community crave the adventures and challenges only Trackers can offer. The Rovers of Trackers are known in legend to be the most wise in the ways of the forest. They know the signs of the animals, voices of the birds, tales of the trees, and stories of the stars. We carefully balance open-ended nature exploration with developmentally appropriate skills that guide young children into competent, comfortable outdoor adventurers.

The Four Guilds

In our Rovers Forest School for 4 and 5 year old children, we combine all of the Trackers Four Guilds into our weekly adventures.

Rangers Guild: Wilderness survival skills and tracking
Wilders Guild: Homesteading and plants
Mariners Guild: Water wisdom and ecology
Artisans Guild: Storytelling and craft

Woven through traditional kindergarten and preschool skills, our Rovers Forest School also includes age appropriate introductions to archery, tracking, wool craft, plant identification, exploring the waterways of the Bay, critter catching, and developing storylines and characters.

Age Groups

Please note that to provide the most developmentally appropriate atmosphere, this program requires students to be 4 or 5 years old on September 1, 2019. Students who turn 6 during the school year may also participate. Please note that this age cut-off will apply for the entirety of the 2019-2020 school year.

Locations and Times for 2019-2020 School Year

Berkeley Forest Kindergarten & Preschool Tuesdays 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Ages 4-5

Fall Registration Open Soon! Want to try a trial day in Spring 2019 before registering for Fall? Please contact us at 510-575-9444.

Register for Rovers Forest School

Download 2019-20 Info Packet

2019-2020 Homeschool Registration Information

Registration

To secure your space for Fall 2019 we require a non-refundable $75 deposit per child, per enrolled day. Choose our easy monthly payment plan, or pay your balance for the year in full by 8/15 for a 5% discount. Charter school payments are not eligible for the discount. However, if you are paying partially by charter school and partially out of pocket, all out of pocket totals paid in full by 8/15/19 are eligible for the 5% discount.

If you enroll in a payment plan, your monthly payment is your full year's tuition divided by 9. Monthly tuition charges are NOT based on the number of classes in that specific month. This is for ease of accounting and budgeting. Payments are automatically debited once monthly from September - May. Please note that registrations are for a full year; however, we do allow for mid-season withdrawals per our cancellation policy (see below).

Please note that our groups are based on children's age as of September 1, 2019, and this rule applies for the entirety of our 2019-2020 school year. Children must have turned 4 before the September 1 cut-off to join our Preschool program and 6 to join our other Homeschool programs. We must receive at least one week's notice to schedule any new students for our Homeschool program.

Tuition Fees and Dates

Our 2019-20 tuition level for Berkeley Rovers Tuesdays is: 31 program days / $1,860 ($207 per month)

Please note that our program begins on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 and ends on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. There is no Trackers Homeschool during holiday breaks.

Trackers Programs will not meet the following dates (not included in total tuition):

Nov. 25 - Nov. 29: Thanksgiving Holiday (Camps Available)
Dec. 23 - Jan. 3: Winter Break (Camps Available)
Jan. 6 - Jan. 10: Trackers Staff Winter Break Holiday Week (No Camps Available)
Feb. 17 - 21: February Break (Camps Available)
March 30 - April 3: Spring Break (Camps Available)

Trial Days

We want your child to experience our program so your family can decide if it is the best fit for them. We will begin taking reservations for Fall trial days pending available space on August 21st. Single day trials are $55. If you then sign up for the program, your total tuition will be pro-rated for the time remaining in our year. Contact Us for more information.

Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy

Because of our small group sizes, we are greatly impacted by mid-year cancellations and withdrawals. Nevertheless, we understand that the needs of families may change during the year. Our cancellation policy is as follows:

We request a two-week courtesy notice prior to withdrawals, made in writing via email.
For all withdrawals, we will retain your non-refundable deposit as a $75 withdrawal fee.
Tuition due at the time of withdrawal will be calculated based on elapsed program days. Due to our monthly payment schedule, this will not always match up perfectly with tuition paid. Any overpayment will be refunded and should a balance be due an invoice will be sent.

Potential Guild Activities

Rangers Guild

The Rangers Guild are the scouts of the forest. Students train in stealth, tracking, and wilderness survival skills. If you ever loved the books My Side of the Mountain or Lord of the Rings the Rangers Guild is where you want to be.

Rangers may build a shelter, learn to carve wood, safely make fire with no matches, craft simple bows, or play fun stealth games to build outdoor fitness. They can loose an arrow with keen aim and steady eye.

Rangers are also master naturalists. They know the language and sign of all birds, beasts, and plants that live in wild.

Wilders Guild

Tthe Wilders Guild offers homesteading activities. Students could make cheese from farm fresh goats milk to bring home or press apples in the cider press while dancing to fine fiddle music.

You may find a Wilder starting seedlings for planting in family gardens or even working on fiber arts projects.

They make pickles and preserves, help cook nourishing meals over a fire, weave baskets, spin, knit, use plant dyes and other natural materials for coloring fabric. Through their thoughtful care of the forests and the meadows, the Wilders bring balance cultivation and care of the natural world.

Mariners Guild

The Mariners Guild trains us in the skills of the water and sea. Mariners may study water ecology to learn about aquatic creatures. They could tie knots and even partake in artistic knot work.

In the Mariner's wood shop, we may build a canoe or other traditional skin on frame boat. Most importantly, the Mariners Guild goes fishing and kayaking! While they may not guarantee a catch, Mariners always have a good time sitting by the shore and casting. With the Mariners Guild, you can count coming home with a safe adventure on the water and a tall tale about the "big one that got away."

Artisans Guild

The Artisans Guild encompasses a diverse range of storytellers and craftspeople. Instructors trained in the dramatic arts teach theater improv games that build confidence, creativity, and teamwork.

Artisans also share their stories through craft and art: From safe and successful metal working projects for younger students to more challenging blacksmithing techniques for older students. The Artisans also express their own story through painting and other art media; they create beautiful and useful things with their leatherworking and woodcraft projects. Through their craft, stories, and incredible adventures, the Artisans will take you on an unforgettable journey.

Rovers Forest School