{"id":6004,"date":"2026-09-18T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/?p=6004"},"modified":"2026-11-13T21:45:59","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T05:45:59","slug":"mollys-favorite-winter-break-camps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/mollys-favorite-winter-break-camps\/","title":{"rendered":"Molly’s Favorite Winter Break Camps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Trackers Families,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first fall rain just rolled in, and I’ll admit it: I’m already dreaming about winter break. Some of my favorite Trackers days happen in December, when kids come in from the cold with pink cheeks, smoky jackets and a story they can’t wait to tell you. Winter break registration is open, so here are the camps I’d pick for my own kids, with links for Portland, the Bay Area and Kirkland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here We Go A Waffling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one has been my favorite since the very beginning. The day is part kitchen and part concert. Kids mix batter, learn a handful of carols and head out on Joy Missions to sing for the neighbors. Then everyone comes back for a waffle feast. It only runs one day, so mark your calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Kids<\/span>Here We Go A Waffling<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 22 \u00b7 Grades PK\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Two<\/span>Here We Go A Waffling<\/span>El Cerrito & North Oakland \u00b7 December 21 \u00b7 Grades K\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cocoa Commandos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Secret agents, hot cocoa and a mission that has to be solved before the marshmallows melt. Kids crack codes, build gadgets and sneak through the woods on spy missions. Our littlest Bay Area spies get their own Jr Spy Cocoa Command day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Young<\/span>Cocoa Commandos<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 30\u201331 \u00b7 Grades 1\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Secret<\/span>Cocoa Commandos<\/span>El Cerrito & North Oakland \u00b7 November 24 \u00b7 Grades 2\u20138 \u00b7 Jr Spy Cocoa Command for K\u20131 on Nov 24 & Dec 29<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Snowshoe adventures, for teens in Portland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For my older kids, nothing beats the mountain. We head up to the snow, strap on snowshoes and learn to travel, stay warm and read tracks in a winter forest. Choose a three-day Mountain Adventure, or go all in with our three-day Snowshoe Overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Teens<\/span>Snowshoe Mountain Adventure<\/span>December 21\u201323 \u00b7 Grades 6\u20139<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Portland<\/span>\"Snowshoe<\/span>Snowshoe Overnight (3 days)<\/span>December 28\u201330 \u00b7 Grades 6\u20139<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rangers Craft: Fires, Forts & Shelters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Winter is the best time to learn fire. When everything is damp, kids find out what really burns, how to split kindling and how to keep a flame going in the rain. Then they build a shelter and test it. Few things make a kid prouder than a fire they built themselves on a wet December day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"A<\/span>Rangers Craft<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 22 & 30\u201331 \u00b7 W PDX \u00b7 December 22 \u00b7 Grades 1\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Rangers<\/span>Rangers Craft<\/span>El Cerrito & North Oakland \u00b7 December 30 \u00b7 North Oakland \u00b7 January 4 \u00b7 Grades 2\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Kirkland<\/span>\"Rangers<\/span>Rangers Craft<\/span>December 23 & 30 \u00b7 Grades 2\u20136<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rangers Recon: Forts, Archery & Capture the Flag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For kids with holiday energy to burn, this is the one. They practice archery, build forts with their team and finish the day with a big game of capture the flag in the woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Kids<\/span>Rangers Recon<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 November 24\u201325, December 23 & 28\u201330 \u00b7 Grades 1\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Rangers<\/span>Rangers Recon<\/span>El Cerrito & North Oakland \u00b7 November 25 & December 28 \u00b7 Grades 2\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Kirkland<\/span>\"Rangers<\/span>Rangers Recon<\/span>December 21, 28 & 31 \u00b7 Grades 2\u20136<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Realms of the North<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vikings and the long northern night. Our role-players spend the day inside a winter saga, full of quests and adventure. In Portland, brave adventurers can also join Troll Hunters on December 28\u201330.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Realms<\/span>Realms of the North: Vikings<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 29 \u00b7 Grades 6\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Realms<\/span>Realms of the North<\/span>December 23 \u00b7 Grades 6\u20138<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Portland holiday favorites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few of our holiday traditions only happen in Portland, and each one is a little bit of magic. The ninjas race to rescue Christmas, the Wilders gather around a bonfire on the farm, and the Woodworking Elves make handmade gifts to bring home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Young<\/span>Ninjas Save Christmas<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 21\u201322 \u00b7 W PDX \u00b7 December 21 \u00b7 Grades 1\u20136<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Portland<\/span>\"Campers<\/span>Wilders Bonfire<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 November 23\u201324 & December 21\u201322 \u00b7 Grades 1\u20135<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Portland<\/span>\"Kids<\/span>Woodworking Elves<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 21\u201323 \u00b7 Grades 3\u20135<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rovers Survival, for our youngest Trackers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our littlest campers get their own day of archery, fort building and capture the flag, paced just right for small legs and big imaginations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland<\/span>\"Young<\/span>Rovers Survival<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 November 25, December 23 & 30\u201331 \u00b7 Ages 4\u20135<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Young<\/span>Rovers Survival<\/span>El Cerrito & North Oakland \u00b7 November 25, December 28 & 30 \u00b7 Grades K\u20131<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Kirkland<\/span>\"Young<\/span>Rovers Survival<\/span>December 21, 23, 28, 30 & 31 \u00b7 Grades K\u20132<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Something new this winter: Memkin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This winter we’re launching Memkin, our nature monster card game. Kids track real animals, train their Trackers Skills and battle with their decks, and every camper takes home a free starter deck. The art is by our own Yuki Saeki, and the babies are impossibly cute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Baby
A few baby Memkin, drawn by Yuki Saeki.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Portland<\/span>\"Memkin<\/span>Trackers Memkin & Memkin Tomodachi<\/span>SE PDX \u00b7 December 28\u201330 \u00b7 Grades PK\u20135<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a>Bay Area<\/span>\"Rufuskin<\/span>Trackers Memkin & Memkin Tomodachi<\/span>El Cerrito & North Oakland \u00b7 December 23 \u00b7 Grades K\u20135<\/span>See dates & register \u2192<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most of our winter camps are single days, so you can pick the days that work for your family. If you need more time in the day, many sites also offer Pre-Camp and After-Camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions? Write to us anytime at hello@trackersearth.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Molly

See you in the forest,
Molly Deis<\/strong>
Trackers Earth
Founder & Mom<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Waffles and carols, Cocoa Commandos, snowshoes on the mountain and fire in the rain. Molly shares her favorite Trackers winter break camps for Portland, the Bay Area and Kirkland.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5403,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camps"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6004"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6101,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6004\/revisions\/6101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}