Tracker Gathering FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
a/k/a
Things You Didn't Know, But NEED TO KNOW
PLUS!
Maps of Redway and Camp Ravencliff Below
What Does It Cost To Attend?
- All workshops are a la carte... you may attend as many as you wish, tuition varies by length of workshop. See the
Events Calendar. - A $25 day-use-donation ($15/day until May 1) includes one night of overnight camping or a bunk in a rustic cabin plus fast Starlink Wi-Fi, use of The Lodge, the 64 acre property, a big commercial kitchen with many refrigerators, "real" bathrooms, hot showers and evening presentations. Come when you can, leave when you must. Reserve HERE
- Limited Capacity, reservations a must.
I will stay offsite. Must I still pay a "day-use" fee if I don't sleep in the camp?
Your day use donation goes directly to the Camp Ravencliff Scholarship Fund to help children - who couldn't otherwise afford it - attend summer camp. It's a donation, and it is a prerequisite to attending.
If I take a bunk in one of the cabins, what should I bring?
The YMCA furnishes a clean cabin. The beds come with a mattress, and that is it. We recommend that you bring a sleeping bag and a pillow, or sheets, blankets and a pillow.
If I opt for a bunk in a cabin,
how many "roommates" will I have?
Each cabin has eight bunk beds. Each guest is responsible for leaving it as clean or cleaner than they found it. Many trackers are opting to tent camp in the redwoods, so we feel cabin occupancy should not exceed 3-4 individuals per cabin, thereby providing each occupant with a bunk for sleeping and a bunk for storage.
Are all the cabins co-ed or
will I have options?
There will be cabins set aside exclusively for the following groups: (1) women, (2) men, (3) couples, (4) co-ed, (5) LGBTQ+
Should you opt for a bunk cabin, please let us know if you have a preference. Contact Us.
What is furnished in the
bathrooms and showers?
Your hosts will purchase toilet paper and paper towel sufficient for our needs. Bring your own shampoo and soap.
What Shall I Bring?
- Sleeping bag or bedding (don’t forget a pillow)
-
Bath towel and washcloth
-
Ingredients for meals and snacks - please label items if storing in one of the refrigerators
- Water
-
Toiletries and medications
- Hiking shoes or boots
-
Flashlights, headlamp, battery lighting (no electric in the cabins)
- No fires or flame anywhere except in approved fire rings in the campsites
- Personal first-aid kit
- Raingear
-
Camera (phone cameras work well)
Tent Camping
Camp Ravencliff has 12 designated camping spots with fire rings and picnic tables that will accommodate at least 24 tents (see camp map below showing those locations). Prefer absolute quiet? Camping is allowed on the entire 64-acre grounds of Camp Ravencliff. Find your own spot in the Redwood Forest.
Recommended Books
We recommend you obtain BOTH books... they complement each other and each are invaluable. Poppele is convenient to bring into the field. Elbroch is full of detail.
I Wish To Study Tracking From Home. What is the Very Best
On-Line Tracking Training?
What are the most important
pages on this website?
The Calendar is the heart of the site. Everything happening is there... workshops, certifications, leader bios, free evening clinics or presentations... in short, EVERYTHING
The FAQs contain critical information for your stay and are a MUST read. When we receive questions from prospective participants, we add that question to the FAQ. It's chock full of information that just doesn't fit anywhere else. Updated regularly.
Who Profits From the Tracker Gathering?
100% of all proceeds from day use and certifications are donated to scholarship funds for YMCA Camp Ravencliff and Tracker Certification North America.
What is a Cybertracker TCNA Tracking Certification?
The essence of the Tracker Certification process is captured by well-known nature and wildlife author Ben Goldfarb who actually participated in the entire process. His fascinating account details exactly what a certification looks and feels like. It was published in the Smithsonian Magazine.
What Is TCNA?
Tracker Certification North America. It's all here: TCNA
Where Is Camp Ravencliff?
Note: Access to the camp from Redway - despite being a short walk across the Eel River from the town of Redway - takes nearly 30 minutes by car after negotiating dirt roads and locked gates. The roads are maintained to be navigable for two-wheel drive passenger cars. See maps below.
Access Through The Locked Gates
The only access to Camp Ravencliff is through a locked gate. The road is accessible to standard two‑wheel‑drive vehicles.
To receive the gate code, we must have your signed liability waiver on file. A copy of the waiver is below; please complete it and return it to thunefeld@gmail.com. We’re unable to issue gate codes without a signed waiver.
Liability Waiver
How Do I Reserve My Spot
At Camp Ravencliff ?
Reserve your spot by making your donation for day use of Camp Ravencliff Reserve HERE.
QUESTIONS? Contact Us
How Do I Reserve A Spot in the 2-day TCNA Track & Sign Cybertracker Certification?
Reserve your spot in the Certification of your choice by making your certification donation. Reserve HERE.
QUESTIONS? Contact Us
What if I absolutely know I will attend
but am not sure of which dates?
For example: If I reserve three days but then a month later would prefer to change both my arrival and departure dates?
A: Yes, if you make a reservation for three days, you will be able to add, change, redesign your arrival and departure dates. This flexibility applies even after we've closed off new reservations. We encourage you to make these changes by August 1 to ensure that we are able to accommodate your changes.
QUESTIONS? Contact Us FAQs
Car Pooling
it's been suggested that we put something out there about carpooling because it's a long way from Southern California to Northern California. Let us know if you're interested in carpooling, and we will circulate your email to others who have expressed an interest in carpooling.
Navigating The
TrackerGathering Website
Roadmap: TrackerGathering website directory
Workshops clinics, presentations and more workshops
Reserve & Register to attend the Tracker Gathering
TCNA Certifications with Matt Nelson
Links for Payments and Donations
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Calendar of Events
Google Map showing Redway and Camp Ravencliff -
just across the Eel River but worlds away in remoteness.
Camp Ravencliff - 64 Acres of Remote Wooded Wilderness
"The Back Road" is the dirt road leading to the town of Redway.
Navigating the
TrackerGathering website
Roadmap: TrackerGathering website directory
Workshops clinics, presentations
Reserve Your Spot: to attend the Tracker Gathering
TCNA Certifications with Matt Nelson
CAMP SECRETS - You absolutely MUST read this page
Calendar of Events - This page is where it all happens
