Trackers Earth: Back to School, Back to Nature

For many kids, going back to school often means spending more time indoors. This could be due to cooler weather or more screen time for homework. But that doesn’t mean outdoor adventures have to stop. At Trackers Earth, we believe that nature is a year-round teacher, offering lessons in resilience, creativity, and connection. It’s important for families, educators, and youth leaders to keep that connection with nature strong, even during the school year.

Staying connected to nature is vital for kids’ health. Spending time outside and getting away from internet connections can reduce stress, improve mood, and help kids think more clearly. Try setting aside regular time each day to go outside, even if it’s just a short walk in a local park. Nature can be found close to home, in your backyard, or at a nearby green space.

At Trackers Earth, outdoor education is playtime PLUS building a deep connection with the natural world. Our programs help kids stay curious, resilient, and connected to nature.

As kids return to school and spend more time indoors, it’s important to balance that with outdoor play. And Fall is a great time to get outside. The woods are full of wild foods to discover, and foraging can be a fun family activity. Fall is also a great time to strengthen new school friendships with after school or weekend outdoor adventures. At Trackers camps, we see how this time spent outside together helps kids bond and grow their friendships.

There are plenty of outdoor skills to learn in the fall too. Learning to build a survival shelter, make a fire, or forage for wild foods turns nature into an exciting outdoor classroom. These hands-on experiences help kids connect deeply with the natural world, and teach them to be resourceful, patient, and to think critically.

You can also bring nature into your child’s schoolwork. For example, a nature walk can become a science lesson on local plants and animals. Or a creative writing assignment can be based on outdoor observations. This makes learning more engaging and reinforces the idea that nature is a valuable classroom.

The key to enjoying the outdoors with kids is making sure everyone stays comfortable—not too hot, not too cold, and definitely not wet. At Trackers, we think of clothing as the survival shelter you wear. The right clothing lets you explore almost anywhere. We categorize clothing into two groups: Insulation and Armor.

Insulation (Base & Mid-Layers) Insulation keeps you warm. It includes the base and mid-layers of your clothing. By using several thin layers, you can adjust as the temperature changes. Base layers include long underwear and socks, while mid-layers consist of a warm coat and pants.

Armor (Outer Layer) Armor protects you from wetness, wind, and sun. It’s the outermost layer of your clothing. In wet weather, Armor keeps your Insulation layers dry, which is crucial because staying dry helps you avoid getting cold. Armor includes a waterproof coat, pants, and boots.

In the fall months, it can be hot and cold, so layering these clothing items is the best choice. 

When it comes to dressing for the outdoors, not all materials are equal. Here’s what you need to know about the best choices for staying warm, dry, and comfortable.

Cotton should be avoided in cold and rainy weather. It absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin, making you feel cold and wet. In hot weather, however, cotton can be helpful because it cools you down by holding moisture.

Wool is a better choice for cold and wet conditions. It doesn’t soak up moisture as quickly, and keeps its insulative properties for longer in wet weather. Merino wool, in particular, is a great base layer. It’s soft and doesn’t itch. Merino wool wicks moisture (sweat) away from your skin, so it’s also antibacterial. Meaning you won’t smell as bad after days of wearing unwashed merino wool.

Down is excellent for warmth because it’s lightweight and insulates well. However, it’s not naturally water-resistant. When down gets wet, it loses its ability to keep you warm. Some down products are treated to be water-resistant, but even then, water can get trapped in the material, making it heavy and less breathable.

Waterproof vs. Water-resistant are terms that get confused. Waterproof gear completely blocks water from getting through. Water-resistant gear might repel water at first, but eventually, it will soak through, leaving you wet and cold. Make sure your boots are fully waterproof, too, not just water-resistant. Look for an outer layer with a waterproof rating of 5000mm or higher. 10,000mm is best for staying dry.

Breathability is key in waterproof clothing. As you warm up, your body releases sweat as water vapor. If your clothing isn’t breathable, that sweat stays inside and makes you wet. Look for waterproof gear that allows moisture to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable.

Once you’re dressed for the variable fall weather, you’re ready to head out. But where to go? Lucky for us, the Pacific Northwest is chock full of amazing outdoor destinations. The beaches are still nice and the mountains are still snow-free. Here are a few of our favorite destinations to explore with kids:

• Wildwood Recreation Site:  located about an hour east of Portland, this 550-acre park is nestled along the “wild and scenic” Salmon River. The hiking trails—which wind through old-growth Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar—are perfect for young kids. You can swim in crystal clear swimming holes and picnic on sandy beaches.

• Bull Run Education Center (BREC):  this beautiful 341-acre wilderness area an hour east of Portland is where Trackers kids have been exploring and adventuring for 20 years. This fall we are opening the space up to families who want to gather for day trips or overnight camping. It’s the perfect spot to hike, chill in a hammock, or practice outdoor skills like carving, archery, tracking animals and foraging for wild foods.

• Hagg Lake  : want to teach your kids how to fish? Hagg Lake, an hour west of Portland, is a perfect spot. One of Oregon’s largest lakes and a premier fishing destination, it’s home to smallmouth and largemouth bass, bullhead catfish, rainbow trout, yellow perch, crappie and bluegill. It’s also got great beaches and swimming. 

• Chinook Landing Marine Park  : Feeling the need to channel your inner Katniss Everdeen? Wouldn’t your kids love to shoot bow and arrows with you? This park, located on the Columbia River 20 minutes east of Portland, has a great outdoor range with six targets. The rest of the park offers picnic and beach areas. 

At Trackers Earth, we know kids learn best through hands-on experiences that fully engage their senses. Our curriculum focuses on timeless wilderness skills that kids find genuinely exciting. Ask any kid:

• Would you rather “build character” or train in wilderness survival by building your own shelter to spend the night in?

• Would you rather “learn biology” or catch, gut, and cook a fish over an open campfire?

• Would you rather “study plants” or eat free food while foraging for weeds and berries?

• Would you rather “meditate for mindfulness” or quietly track a red fox, hoping to catch a glimpse of her hunting?

We believe in learning through real-world engagement and deep connections with nature. Trackers Skills teach all the academic concepts listed above while also cultivating profound physical and sensory awareness, preparing kids to be adaptable in real-world environments. Children naturally want to get outside and become that archetypal Tracker because they see every outdoor experience as an opportunity for grand adventure—a desire embedded in all of us through millions of years of human evolution, yet often lost in today’s modern world.

This call to nature is not gone, though. It comes alive with every new animal track found, fish landed, plant identified, bird song heard, or fall evening spent under the stars. These experiences taps into something deeply natural within us, opening the door to a greater world. And this journey can’t be limited to summer—it’s something to embrace all year long.

Trackers offers tons of options for getting your kids outdoors during the school year. We have something for every family: afterschool programs, weekend apprenticeships, homeschool, and no school day camps.

• Apprenticeships 

• After School Club

• Homeschool Programs

• Outdoor School (Fridays)

• PPS Early Release Day Camps

• No School Day Camps

• Fall/Winter Break Camps 

Shop outdoor gear, apparel and more at Next Adventure retail locations or at Nextadventure.net!