This is our Realms Apprenticeship for Grades 2–8. Looking for a different age?
Grades 2–8 · One Weekend a Month
Realms Apprenticeship
Through our apprenticeships, expert Trackers Guides act as mentors to youth and teens learning in a small team of fellow Trackers. Kids share epic adventures while learning real outdoor skills:
Character Creation & Role-Playing
Develop your character. Choose to become an Elf, Wizard, Ranger, and more! Level up in the game of Realms by accumulating experience points with essential outdoor skills.
Nature Based Skills
Learn stealth, archery, and wilderness survival to stay safe on your journey. Let animals, plants, trees, and other forces of nature be your guides. Develop authentic skills of animal tracking and nature awareness.
Questing Leadership
Co-create the game. Help build upon an ongoing saga where each day is a new adventure. Weave these tales into an epic year-long story, team-building with your friends. Remember, the fate of the Realms is in your hands!
Our Team
Experienced Trackers Mentors lead this program. Each day, they help students build deeper connections with each other, their community, and nature.
- Expertise in mentoring and Trackers skills.
- Low student-to-guide ratio facilitating personal, team-based learning.
- Background checked with First Aid & CPR certification.
- Trained in outdoor safety and the Trackers Earth curriculum.
Our Place
For Apprenticeships, we use shuttles to journey from our drop site to authentic wilderness locations, featuring local forests, farms, and fishing spots. Each site is unique, specifically chosen for the day's activity, bringing kids to incredible places where they can both learn and grow in the skills Trackers teaches.
Mentoring Programs
Guides mentor Apprentices in Trackers skills that foster teamwork, independence, and connection to the natural world. Our curriculum is tailored to each age group and adapts creatively to the interests of each team. Teams usually include four to eight Apprentices who are closest in age. If you would like friends placed together within the same grade range, please send a friend request.
How It Works
Apprenticeships meet one weekend a month from fall to spring for a total of 9 field days plus Graduation. To offer flexibility, we provide multiple schedule options.
Returning Apprentices can rejoin their group by choosing the schedule with their Fellowship name, while new Apprentices may join any available group in their age range.
Day Schedule
- 9:00–9:10 AM Drop-off
- Field Site Outdoor Adventures
- 2:20–2:30 PM Pick-up
Tuition
Reserve your spot with a $50 deposit (non-refundable). Remaining tuition is split into ten monthly payments of $134 starting August 31.
Sibling Discount: Enroll two or more siblings for 5% off monthly payments.
Need Financial Help? We offer scholarships ranging from 5% – 15%. Learn More or Apply.
Choose Your Schedule
9 Field Days · 9:00 AM–2:30 PM
+ Graduation · May 8, 2027
First Year: Join any available Fellowship schedule in your age range.
Returning: Choose your Fellowship schedule to rejoin your group.
Grades 9–12: Check out our Trackers Leader-in-Training (LIT).
Make-Up Days: We understand plans change! Each Apprenticeship includes one make-up day per year. When space allows, your child can join another Fellowship. We also offer make-up days for weather-related postponements.
Saturdays
Fellowship Hawk
Grades 2–4 / 5–8
- September 19, 2026
- October 10, 2026
- November 7, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- January 16, 2027
- February 6, 2027
- March 6, 2027
- April 17, 2027
- May 15, 2027
Graduation · May 8, 2027
Advanced Program · One Weekend a Month
Trackers A-Team (Advanced Team)
This program offers an action-packed adventure for committed students ready to master tracking, contribute to their communities and nature, and develop independence through service. It has four primary elements:
Mentoring Weekends: 4 Overnights & 5 Field Days Fall to Spring.
Independent Study: Self-directed naturalist studies.
Service Learning: Service hours beyond program days.
Leadership Roles: Opportunities for leadership within Trackers.
Mentoring Days
Ongoing from September to June, the program includes 9 mentoring weekends with a mix of overnight campouts and outdoor field days. We focus on cross-training essential skills across our Four Guilds:
Rangers Guild
Our goal is for students to master all wilderness survival skills: shelter, water, food, and fire. We delve into the art of tracking, starting with animals and expanding to broader nature awareness. Students gain practical experience with hunting tools and techniques, preparing for game harvesting if interest develops.
Mariners Guild
We focus on aquatic and marine species, exploring the bounty of our waters through seasonal harvests. Training covers boating safety and paddling skills in canoes or kayaks, along with orienteering, navigation, and expedition skills for wilderness and global travel.
Wilders Guild
We delve into animal husbandry and care, including butchering livestock for homesteading. A significant focus is placed on foraging and wild food preparation, supported by seasonal botany studies. We maintain high safety standards for farm tools, tailoring tool usage to age groups.
Artisans Guild
We explore the fundamentals of folk crafts such as woodworking, ceramics, and blacksmithing. Through martial arts and stealth training, we enhance physical fitness. Storytelling is developed as a crucial survival skill, emphasizing thoughtful communication and its impact on the community.
Independent Study
Students are expected to engage in independent study to deepen their understanding of naturalist topics, supported by mentor-provided journals and study methods. Topics include:
Outdoor Safety: In-depth study of natural hazards.
Wildlife Tracking: Research to complement field tracking.
Botany & Ecology: Detailed study of plant taxonomy and biology.
Leadership & Strategy: Exploring how nature connects us to our community.
Service Learning
To benefit our wider community, students are asked to volunteer hours outside of Trackers, ideally in emergency response or community care, fostering a sense of service and community connection. This is a great way to make a difference and connect with others!
Leadership Role
Participants are young leaders in the Trackers Community. They have the option to share skills, becoming a force multiplier for learning in our community. Trackers A-Team students Grades 9–12 can attend extra apprenticeship days as Leaders-in-Training (LIT). They can also choose four free weeks of optional Leader-in-Training Summer Day Camps. Scheduling for LIT days is arranged with program mentors.
Our Mentors
This program is led by key program directors and our most experienced Trackers mentors. It also includes guest instruction from other skilled Trackers staff, including curriculum development from Molly and Tony Deis, Trackers' Founders. Core qualifications of all our educators include:
- Expertise in mentoring and Trackers skills.
- Low student-to-guide ratio facilitating personal, team-based learning.
- Background checked with First Aid & CPR certification.
- Trained in outdoor safety and the Trackers Earth curriculum.
Our Place
For Apprenticeships, we use buses or vans to journey from our drop site to authentic wilderness locations, featuring local forests, farms, and fishing spots. Each site is unique, specifically chosen for the day's activity, bringing kids to incredible places where they can both learn and grow in the skills Trackers teaches.
How It Works
Trackers A-Team Apprenticeship teaches advanced Trackers Skills one weekend each month from Fall to Spring in the following mentoring weekends:
Field Days · 5 total + Graduation
Saturday · Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, + May (family day)
Camping Overnights · 4 total
Sat–Sun · Sept, Oct, Apr, May
Day Schedule
- 9:00–9:15 AM Drop-off
- 9:15 AM Journey to the Forest
- Field Site Outdoor Adventure
- 3:45 PM Our Journey Returns
- 3:45–4:00 PM Pick-up
Overnight Schedule
- Sat 9:00–9:15 AM Drop-off
- Sun 3:45–4:00 PM Pick-up
Application
To confirm a student Tracker's interest in learning advanced skills, this program requires an application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with acceptance notifications sent within two weeks. Given the very limited space in Trackers Teams, early application is advised.
Tuition
Reserve your spot with a $50 deposit (non-refundable). Remaining tuition is split into ten monthly payments of $223 starting August 31.
Sibling Discount: Enroll two or more siblings for 5% off monthly payments.
Required Gear: We require the purchase of a Trackers Team Kit, which includes a high-quality wool jacket, pants, and team patch. Average cost: $285.
Need Financial Help? We do offer financial aid for Trackers A-Team Apprenticeship—if needed please note on the application.