A Challenge to Outdoor Ed12thFebruary
Every year, outdoor education adds more and more limits to what kids can do. We're swiftly reaching the point where they will only be allowed to carry a sack lunch and tromp around on an asphalt trail. Maybe one day camps won't even let kids go outside but instead be limited to floating the landscape on virtual maps.
Trackers exists to reverse that. Common sense skills are no longer common. Our safety policies are the most intelligent around and we will not participate in the slow degradation of competency in our children. We will not follow suit in subtracting vital skills from the repertoire of camp simply because outdoor education is becoming too lazy and fraught with fear. We are always looking for real solutions that will keep kids safe while also reviving the arts that are quickly becoming lost.
Our House Safety Certifications help a child learn new skills in a safe way: ranging from woodcarving, harvesting wild plants, using an oven and animal husbandry. The first level of certification is limited to applying the skill with instructor supervision. This is how it works…
1) Each level requires the student to memorize a certain set of safety protocol: i.e. always carve away from yourself, maintain a circle of safety
2) Then with the instructors and class watching they demonstrate their understanding and ability to safely perform the skill: i.e. sharpening five pencils, carving a notch in wood
3) Finally, to receive their House Safety Certification pin on their sash, they make an agreement to only use the skill within their approved level: Level 1 would only be with instructor or parent supervision
While it’s great that kids are learning key safety protocol, it’s even more important that the students are making specific agreements with staff to follow them. Making safety protocols almost a rite of passage improves the quality of following them dramatically. Fostering this genuine personal responsibility is one of the most vital ways to keep children and even adults safe. Speeches go over their head but actions speak louder than words. Eventually, with proper coaching and collaboration at Family Camps, parents (in their Houses) will also offer the House Safety Certifications. One day even heading them up. I'm personally excited about this. It not only builds responsibility in the child, it also builds greater discourse for safety and trust in the families we work with.
I believe this level of forward-thinking is necessary. Trackers is not a camp where we give credence to the slow erosion of intelligent discourse afflicting our world. Instead it is a place where families and children can go to be empowered in self-sufficiency and care.
Featured Spring Break Camps for tweens & teens…
Ages 10-13 Fire Making March 23 Learn the ancient skill of starting a fire in any weather and with no matches. Plus, understand how to responsibly use this key part wilderness survival.
Ages 10-13 Archery Apprenticeship March 22 Learn to properly and safely shoot a bow from an expert. Train stealth skills in live action scenario games with safe foam arrows.
All Ages See more Spring Break Camps
Featured Summer Camps…
Age 8-10 & 11-13 Rangers Guild: Nature Skills Overnight August 1-2 or August 22-27 During one adventurous week train the skills of a Ranger. Learn tracking, stealth and wilderness survival from expert instructors.
Age 8-10 & 11-13 Wilders Guild: Homesteading Overnight August 1-2 or August 22-27 For one week experience life on an organic farm. Tend to chickens and other livestock while eating fresh organic food straight from the garden. Also, make jams, jellies and much more to take home to the family.
All Ages See more Summer Camps
