Realms Overnight Apprenticeship
Elves, Wizards & Role-Playing

Join our Realms Leadership to save the Realms of Cascadia!
4 weekend overnights + 5 adventure days - Fall to Spring.

Grades 6-12 Journey into the Realms of Cascadia with Trackers Earth. Create your character! Play an elf, wizard, ranger, or more. Camp under magical stars with friends. Led by expert Realms Masters, embark on quests with foam swords and arrows. Level up in archery, wilderness survival, tracking, and healing plants. As a leader, this is your call to adventure—forge friendships, create the story, and save the Realms.

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This is our one weekend-a-month Realms Overnight Apprenticeship.
Need Camp? Go here for our week-long summer overnight program >>>



Realms Apprenticeship

Through our Realms Overnight Apprenticeship, expert Realms Guides mentor teens in small teams of fellow players. Over 9 weekends Fall to Spring, it includes 4 camping overnights and 5 adventure days. Our immersive Realms LARP emphasizes leadership and weaves an ongoing epic narrative with character development and real-world outdoor skills:

Character Creation & Role-Playing: Craft your unique character and embark on a journey of an incredible action-packed story. Will you be a thoughtful elf, navigating the forests with ease, a wise wizard wielding ancient spells, or a guardian ranger, protecting the realm? As you journey through our fantastical Realms, your character's growth mirrors your own, gaining invaluable skills and experience along the way.

LARPing Quests & Challenges: Wielding foam swords, sturdy shields, and mystical magic spells, you navigate challenging trials and face off against formidable foes. These thrilling adventures serve as your training ground, seamlessly blending the art of fantasy and storytelling with practical leadership skills and wilderness survival knowledge. It's here, in these moments, that legends are born and heroes are made.

Nature-Based Skills: Level up by mastering stealth, archery, and wilderness survival to ensure your safety and success on every journey. Let the animals, plants, trees, and the many forces of nature act as your guides through the wilds. You'll develop authentic skills in the ancient arts of tracking and nature awareness, connecting deeply with the world around you.

Realms Master Training: Venture beyond your own adventure to grow in the role of leader and creator. Mastering the art of the game empowers not only yourself but also those around you, training for the esteemed role of a Realms Master. This journey of discovery and leadership prepares you to guide others on their quests, shaping the fabric of our shared story.



Leadership Role

Participants are seen as young leaders in the Trackers Community. They have the option to share skills, becoming a force multiplier for learning in our community. They engage in forest caretaking and can attend extra apprenticeship days as Realms Master-in-Training (REMIT). They can also choose four free weeks of optional Leader-in-Training Summer Day Camps. Scheduling for REMIT days is arranged with program mentors.

Community Connection: Share your adventures and learnings. Help mentor newcomers to the Realms, fostering a welcoming environment for all players.

Team Leadership: Foster a spirit of collaboration within your team. Build a cohesive group that thrives on mutual support while playing in the Realms.

Creativity & Innovation: Your creativity shapes our Realms LARP experience. Our overnights introduce new ideas and plots that weave through the entire game of Realms.



Our Team

Our mentoring team includes our top Trackers staff featuring:

  • 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 Realms Apprenticeships, we use buses or vans to journey from Trackers HQ to wilderness locations specific to each weekend's activity. Our destinations could include Trackers' private 351-acre wildlife park. For overnights, we often use the 100-acre secluded Camp Trackers. Campouts can include staying in tents that Apprentices pitch themselves and cooking meals together outdoors—often over an open fire. When the weather calls for it, we might choose to stay closer to home, learning hands-on crafts in our art studios and visiting nearby nature parks.



Program FAQ

See below to read our Realms Overnight FAQ.

Realms Overnight Application

To ensure Apprentices are prepared for the overnight camping and leadership roles, 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 our Overnights, applying early is recommended.




Choose Your Schedule

5 Field Days 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

4 Camping Overnights Friday - Sunday
+ Graduation May 9, 2026

First Year: Join any available Fellowship schedule in your age range.
Returning: Choose your Fellowship schedule to rejoin your group.



Make-Up Days: We understand that plans can change! Each Apprenticeship includes one make-up day per year. When space allows, your child may join another Fellowship session. Please note that make-up for overnight weekends are limited due to fewer alternative options. We also offer make-up days for weather-related postponements.


FELLOWSHIP - Year 1 & 2

Grades 5-7 / 8-9/ 10-12
  • September 12 - 14, 2025 - Camping Overnight
  • October 10 - 12, 2025 - Camping Overnight
  • November 1, 2025 - Field Saturday
  • November 22, 2025 - Field Saturday
  • January 10, 2026 - Field Saturday
  • January 31, 2026 - Field Saturday
  • February 28, 2026 - Field Saturday
  • April 10 - 12, 2026 - Camping Overnight
  • May 1 - 3, 2026 - Camping Overnight
  • May 9, 2026 - Graduation Day


Frequently Asked Questions

Does this program require prior experience?
No. While familiarity with Trackers activities can help, a motivated student will succeed in learning the Trackers Skills described here.

What are the sleeping accommodations?
Campers sleep in tents provided by Trackers, or they may use their own with approval from Trackers Guides to ensure functionality. Tents are all-weather and protect against rain and other elements. Campers must bring their own cold-weather sleeping bag and pad—equipment recommendations are provided upon registration. Campers learn to care for their tent and organize their Trackers Kit (gear and clothing) to stay clean, dry, and well-maintained. Nearly all activities take place outdoors. This is an authentic camping experience.

What kind of meals do student Trackers eat?
Meals are often served outdoors and may be cooked over an open fire or on personal camp stoves, depending on the season and logistics. Food is simple, similar to backpacking or expedition-style meals—such as hearty stews. This is not a camp for picky eaters. We may eat food we’ve butchered, foraged, or processed from the wild. Due to the rugged nature of this camp, accommodating specialized diets can be difficult. If your child has a severe food allergy, contact us. We may be able to coordinate with your Medical Doctor (MD) to adjust meal plans.

What is your medication policy?
We do not administer medication. Student Trackers are responsible for their own self-care, including remembering and taking their medication. This promotes independence and aligns with the program’s focus on self-sufficiency. All medications must be in original packaging, labeled with name and dosage, and kept in the student’s backpack. If a student carries an EpiPen or inhaler, they must keep it on them and inform the instructor of its location for emergencies.

What gear should we pack?
We provide gear recommendations for the Trackers Kit (gear and clothing) to prepare students for all-weather camping. The kit includes a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, outdoor clothing, and personal items. Before the program begins, we send packing suggestions with links to help families stock the kit efficiently and affordably.

Can my child bring their cellphone?
No—phones must be left at home. This is a strict rule. Electronics distract from developing real-world observation skills in the outdoors. Tracker Guides carry cellphones for necessary contact. While not a rule, we discourage both short- and long-term social media use. Digital distractions skew perspective and hinder situational awareness—a key survival skill. Developing this awareness requires being fully present in the real world.

How does the optional Leader-in-Training (LIT) opportunity work for all grades?
Students in Grades 5–12 may serve as a Leader-in-Training (LIT) for other weekend Apprenticeship programs outside of their primary program. LITs connect with and inspire younger campers, learning leadership through guided mentorship. While we ask for a consistent schedule, attendance is not required. LITs are present for their own growth and educational experience, and do not count toward student-to-staff ratios. All LITs must follow the LIT Code of Conduct and are held to high expectations as role models. Trackers A-Team Apprenticeship includes four free weeks as an LIT for summer day camps if the Apprentice meets standards throughout the year.

What is the default role of Grades 11–12 students as Leaders-in-Training (LIT)?
All overnight Apprenticeship students in Grades 11–12 are automatically considered Leaders-in-Training (LIT) as part of their primary program. LITs step up within the Trackers community, gaining hands-on leadership experience while learning from mentors and guides. They actively support the team and help younger Trackers under supervision, passing on knowledge from one generation to the next. This integrated role sharpens their skills and prepares them to be future mentors. While on program as LITs, Grades 11–12 are held to high standards and must consistently demonstrate responsibility, initiative, and care for others to continue in the role.

What am I getting my child and our family into?
Trackers offers genuinely fun summer camps, but the Realm Overnight Apprenticeship goes beyond the typical experience. Its foundation is built on deep outdoor skills, taught through training as rigorous and comprehensive as martial arts. This demands focus and effort from the Apprentice, improving both academic and physical ability. Ecological thinking—especially in tracking—fosters understanding of complex systems, patience, humility, and strategic thinking.

What is the role of Grades 11–12 students as Leaders-in-Training (LIT) during the main program?
All overnight Apprenticeship students in Grades 11–12 are considered Leaders-in-Training (LIT) by default. LITs step up within the Trackers community, gaining hands-on leadership experience while learning from mentors and guides. They connect with and inspire younger Trackers under supervision, passing on knowledge from one generation to the next. This blend of learning and leadership sharpens their skills and prepares them to be future mentors. While on program as LITs, Grades 11-12 are held to high standards and must demonstrate responsibility, initiative, and care for others to remain in this role.

What is the role of program mentors?
Program mentors are among Trackers’ best, overseeing curriculum and logistics for field days. They tailor their mentoring to each team, regularly checking in on student well-being. Mentors are available to families for advice on skills, independent study locations, and student progress.

Have Questions?

For any questions, please feel free to contact our Family Success team.

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