Mariners 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 farm craft skills:
Fishing & Foraging Master the art of angling with various gear and tackle. Fish from the bay and local lakes. Cast your pots and nets for crabs and other marine species. Enhance your outdoor cooking skills to prepare a sumptuous Mariner's feast!
Boating & Outdoor Skills Gain hands-on experience traveling by boat along our waterways. Practice essential paddling and water safety skills. Learn outdoor survival crafts such as fire building and foraging for wild foods—ensuring you're prepared for any adventure.
Wayfinding & Navigation Sharpen your navigation skills to traverse both on the water and overland. Learn to accurately chart courses in your local backcountry—both on trail and off. Develop essential expeditionary skills, becoming an adept Tracker able to adventure anywhere.
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 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.
Mentoring Programs
Our school-year programs aim to ignite an adventurous spirit in every student. Guides mentor Apprentices in Trackers skills to develop teamwork, connect to nature, and build independence. Our curriculum is tailored to each age group and adapts creatively to the unique interests of each team:
Grade K-1: Inspiring curiosity through imagination and play in nature.
Grade 2-3: Encouraging fun, hands-on exploration and discovery.
Grades 4-5: Fostering independence and connection to friends and the natural world.
Grades 6-8: Empowering confidence with skills of self-awareness and adaptability.
Grades 9-12: Advancing service and leadership through ecological and community stewardship.
How It Works
Our Apprenticeship is a school-year program that teaches Trackers Skills one weekend each month from Fall to Spring.
Field Days: 9 total + Graduation Day
You choose your monthly field day. For flexibility, we provide several scheduling options—see below for dates.
Day Schedule
9:00 - 9:15 AM: Drop-off @ Camp Herms
9:15 AM: Journey to the Forest
Field Site: Outdoor Adventures
3:30 PM: Journey Returns
3:30 - 4:00 PM: Pick-Up @ Camp Herms
Tuition
Choose your $55 deposit (non-refundable) to reserve your spot. The remaining tuition is divided into ten monthly payments of $124 beginning August 31. We follow-up after you register to create a payment plan.
Sibling Discount: Families enrolling two or more children receive a 5% discount on all monthly payments.
Need Financial Help? We offer scholarships ranging from 5% - 15%. Learn More or Apply.
Have Questions?
For any questions, please feel free to contact our Family Success team.
Choose Your Schedule
9 Field Days: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
When choosing, be sure your child can make most weekends.
Due to group size limits, we cannot switch between schedules.
We offer make-up days for weather-related postponements.
The Graduation BBQ is May 10, 2025
Schedule Options
Sundays
SCHEDULE - D
Grades 2-5 / 6-9
- September 22, 2024 - Field Day
- October 13, 2024 - Field Day
- November 3, 2024 - Field Day
- December 8, 2024 - Field Day
- January 12, 2025 - Field Day
- February 9, 2025 - Field Day
- March 9, 2025 - Field Day
- April 6, 2025 - Field Day
- May 4, 2025 - Field Day
- May 10, 2025 - Graduation Day