Purpose

The Purpose is made up of three rings: Family, the More Than Human World, and Many Generations Beyond Us. The Hearthstone is the Relic connected to the Purpose.

Care for Family and Community whatever form it takes.

Care for the More Than Human World to include every aspect of nature.

Care for Many Generations Beyond Us for those who come before and after.

While learning challenging skills at Trackers, it’s important that kids understand why such competencies are useful. Almost everything at Trackers is fun, yet developing the timeless, Jedi-like abilities of a Tracker also requires perseverance and grit. The Game of Tracking is about saving the Earth. No big deal. Having a higher purpose helps kids to tap into deeper wells of resilience. All our programs start with an agreement to follow the Trackers Purpose while at camp.

Define Purpose

Care for Family There’s a reason why we say “family” and not “community”. Family is who you take the time to truly know. That depth of experience is reciprocal. Family can extend to all kinds. When youth and adults feel and contribute to cultivating family, they are healthier people who naturally serve the greater world around them.

Care for the More Than Human World We say “more than human world” and not “nature” because humans are also a part of nature. A Tracker fishes, hunts, and gathers. To live they take the life of plants and animals. But that same Tracker, who is part of the Human World, deeply understands the beautiful life stories of survival in the Deer World, the Dandelion World, and Mouse World. They know this because they have firsthand knowledge and experience of what survival means. That empathy leads to deeper respect for the connection we all share. The Tracker feels a real kinship with the More Than Human World.

Care for Many Generations Beyond Us Many Generations means all of nature, human and more than human. A Tracker always cares for those younger and elder to them. They help nourish and cultivate the potential of youth. They seek out and respect the wisdom of Elders. They remember many generations beyond their lifetime, holding the story of those who have come before us and stewarding the Earth for those who will come after us. Every moment of effort must contribute to the life of our children’s children’s children and beyond.