Labor Day Week
Tracker Gathering
at Humboldt, California YMCA Camp Ravencliff
Nine Days of Tracking, Trailing and endless curiosity. Come when you wish, depart when you must.
September 4-12, 2026 Humboldt County, Northern California
Join us for the THIRD Humboldt Tracker Gathering (2006, 2016 and now, 2026!), a relaxed, community-driven event celebrating the art and science of wildlife tracking in one of California's most breathtaking natural settings.
Hosted at YMCA Camp Ravencliff along the scenic Eel River, this 10-day gathering from September 4 -12 (overlapping Labor Day weekend) is designed for trackers of all experience levels—from absolute beginners to seasoned experts. Camping, cabins, YMCA kitchen, multiple refrigerators, dining hall, showers and restrooms available for $20 a day with proceeds donated to the YMCA Camp and TCNA financial access fund. Come when you wish, depart when you wish.
Arrival Times: Leaders and participants may arrive as early as Tuesday, September 1. Our grand opening ceremony and introductions will take place during the evening meal on Thursday evening, September 3 at 6pm
A full slate of 9 days of clinics and workshops by various leaders begin first thing Friday morning, September 4 and continue daily up to and including all day Saturday September 12. Closing ceremonies take place on the evening of Saturday September 12 when we'll say our goodbyes to Kim, the Eel River, Camp Ravencliff and each other.
Inspired by the Legendary Kim Cabrera
by Terry Hunefeld
Kim is a tracking icon with dual specialist certificates and a massive following through her Facebook groups including "Animals Don't Cover Their Tracks" and Bear-Tracker.com. I consider Kim a legend in tracking—one of a few women (and perhaps the first?) in North America with dual specialist certificates. Her amazing ability to interpret and see things that others miss has inspired many of us. She's produced countless helpful videos and vignettes (especially from the Eel River Valley near her home), built an educational website for new trackers. Kim devotes her entire life to this work. Many of us consider her a legend, and this is my chance to finally meet her in person on her home turf.
A Smorgasbord of Events... Something For Everyone
Activities and workshops for all levels of trackers: The Tracker Gathering aims to foster a welcoming space for all levels of trackers... where participants can learn, connect, and immerse themselves in nature without pressure or rigid structure. This event is about building camaraderie, turning newcomers onto the joys of tracking, and supporting the growth of our community.
Meet Trackers from all around North America: Whether you're drawn by Kim's insightful videos from the Eel River Valley or simply eager to explore redwood country, this is your chance to meet like-minded tracker with endless curiosity, share stories in the lodge dining room or around the campfire, and deepen your tracking skills in a fun, informal atmosphere.
Customize Your Own Experience: The Tracker Gathering embodies a "choose-your-own-adventure" vibe, allowing you to customize your experience. Stay for just a couple of days, the full duration, or anything in between—there's no minimum commitment. Each day will feature a variety of workshops, group outings, and communal activities, with plenty of flexibility to mix and match. Come when you wish, depart when you must.
Enjoy an Evening Meal with Kim: Trackers are invited to use the large, spacious kitchen for meal preparation. We will have full use of the dining room in the camp's lodge for getting to know each other, exchanging tracking tips, swapping stories, casual discussions and opportunities to unwind with each other. Kim plans to be at every evening meal, so this is your opportunity to get to know her - up close and personal - and thank her for all the great work she's done over the years.
Daily Free Tracking Clinic: At 6:00pm each evening in The Lodge dining room a Workshop or Clinic Leader will present a 30-60 minute clinic on tracking and/or trailing with a Q&A period. Subjects such as feather ID, skull ID, mammal dentition, survival skills, obscure track ID, identifying browse sign on plants and just a few of the potential topics.
All Proceeds Support the TCNA Financial Access Fund. A goal of TCNA is to make professional-level tracking training more inclusive for underrepresented communities in wildlife research, conservation, and outdoor education. This event is about building camaraderie, turning newcomers on to the joys of tracking, and supporting the growth of our community.
It's All About You and Your Schedule: Come when you wish. Participate in events that speak to you. Leave when you must.
Stunning Location and Ideal Conditions
Nestled in the heart of redwood country, YMCA Camp Ravencliff spans over 60 acres of lush meadows, wooded hillsides, and riverfront terrain, providing an isolated yet accessible haven for exploration. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Eel River, the camp borders Redwood State Park, granting direct access to groves of towering ancient redwoods and a plethora of tracking hotspots. In September, the weather is typically mild and beautiful, with low river levels exposing expansive mudflats perfect for spotting fresh tracks and signs. Dusty dirt roads throughout the area hold impressions exceptionally well, while nearby bends and stretches of the Eel River—many on public land—offer diverse habitats teeming with wildlife clues like scat, rubs, and feeding sites.
Beyond the camp itself, Kim is compiling a list of her favorite tracking locations for workshop leaders within a 30 minute drive, many of which have featured in her popular videos and vignettes. These spots include sandy riverbanks, forested trails, dusty dirt roads and open meadows, ensuring a rich variety of environments to practice in.
The camp's serene, isolated feel is balanced by its convenience—it's just a short drive from the charming small towns of Redway and Garberville, where you'll find groceries, gas stations, and other essentials. This makes the event not only immersive but also practical, allowing you to stock up easily without disrupting your tracking-focused escape. Whether you're tracking along the low-flowing Eel River or wandering dusty roads, the setting promises an unforgettable blend of tranquility and adventure.
Workshops and Activities
Multiple Workshops From Which To Choose: At the core of the Tracker Gathering are daily workshops led by Kim Cabrera, Mike Cox, Terry Hunefeld, Jonathan Shapiro, Sandy Reed and other experienced trackers. Many of these sessions will be intentionally approachable, catering to newer and intermediate trackers. Other workshops are planned for intermediate and skilled trackers. We are also planning informal field trips for highly skilled trackers. We will have enormous fun!
Workshops: Length/Locations: will probably range from half-day to full-days to two-days. Most will be held out in the field (or indoors if the weather is inclement) or a combination of both. Many workshops will take place right on the 60+ acre YMCA grounds in the Redwood Forest where Kim has filmed more than 80% of her hundreds of famous videos. To top it off, there are a half dozen more tracking sites within a 30-minute drive from the camp that will also be explored in workshops.
Workshop and Clinic Topics will draw from the abundant local sign, focusing on real-world in-the-moment discoveries. Our "textbook" will be dusty roads holding excellent Redwood Forests and Eel River -- and our teachers will be the animals themselves. Leaders will focus on hands-on explorations where participants discuss tracks, scat, digs, nesting sign, feeding sign -- all in the moment - as we encounter them.
Skill Levels: To accommodate varying skill levels, we'll tailor offerings based on experience levels; expect a mix of beginner-friendly sessions like "Tracking 101: Intro to Reading Track & Sign," "Mock Evals" (certification-style practice with zero pressure and no stakes), "Tracking Along the Eel River" (hitting nearby mudflats).
Something For Everyone: The emphasis is on fun and fitting themes that emerge from the group's interests—perhaps a holistic look at animal evidence in the redwoods or riverbank discoveries. No matter your level, you'll have opportunities to track in diverse spots, learn from each other or experts without stress, and even participate in evening meals that turn into impromptu mentoring sessions.
Lead A Workshop
You are warmly invited to lead a tracking or trailing workshop, especially for new, inexperienced or intermediate trackers, many of whom are taking their very first steps into this craft. Because Kim’s Facebook community now reaches more than 80,000 people, we expect many new or inexperienced trackers to join us, curious and eager to learn the basics in a friendly, low‑pressure setting.
If you hold a high Level 3 certification score (97-99) or above, you already have enough knowledge to guide a beginner group This gathering is intentionally casual and welcoming, a place where experienced trackers can share what they know without needing to be “professional teachers.” Your presence—and your willingness to lead—would mean a great deal. Read More About Leadership
Workshops allow one-on-one instruction and a lot of getting up close and personal with the tracks.
Above are 3 photos of Matt Nelson while conducting Track & Certifications all across North America
Two TCNA Track & Sign Certifications
The featured events are two official Tracker Certification North America (TCNA) Track and Sign certifications conducted by evaluator Matt Nelson, marking his return to the circuit after a well-deserved break to finish his house and welcome a new baby. These standard evaluations are scheduled for Sunday-Monday, September 6-7, and Wednesday-Thursday, September 9-10. Tuition for each event is $425, limited to 11 participants. If you're ready to test your skills in a supportive environment, these certifications offer a structured path to advancement through Tracking Certification North America (TCNA). Workshops will take place during and around these dates, allowing participants to prepare, observe, or recover without missing out on the fun. Even if certification isn't your goal, watching or joining mock versions can provide valuable insights into the process. All certification proceeds will be donated to the TCNA Financial Access Fund.
Lodging - All Proceeds For A Good Cause
Keeping accessibility in mind, lodging and day use are super affordable at just $20 per day - whether you opt for a cabin bed or camping spot. Proceeds from these fees will be split between YMCA Camp Ravencliff (for their generous hosting) and the TCNA (Tracker Certification North America) Financial Access Fund. All proceeds from the TCNA Track & Sign certifications will be donated 100% to the TCNA Financial Access Fund.
TCNA is committed to expanding access to professional-level tracker training across a wide range of communities—agency personnel, scientists, conservationists, ranchers, hunters, educators, and outdoor enthusiasts. By bringing these skills into diverse settings, we not only ensure their survival but also enhance community science, empower local experts, and reinvigorate natural history in academia, conservation, and wildlife management.
TCNA created a fund to support individuals facing financial or contextual barriers, particularly those from communities underrepresented in wildlife research, conservation, and outdoor education.
How To Be "First in Line"
This event is still in its early planning stage... We're currently scheduling workshop leaders to shape the schedule and offerings. If you're interested in attending, leading a workshop, participating in one of the track and sign certifications with Matt, leading a workshop or simply learning more, reply to Terry Hunefeld at: thunefeld (at) gmail dot com
- We'll prioritize early expressions of interest for the Track & Sign Certifications. Once details firm up, if you've reached out, you will be first on the list.
- For updates, reply to Terry or keep an eye on Kim's Facebook group "Animals Don't Cover Their Tracks."
- Come meet Kim on her home turf, track the Eel River, wander the redwoods, lead a workshop or simply be part of a legend in the making—hope to see you there!
UNIQUE, COLLABORATIVE, JOY-FILLED
The Tracker Gathering is a unique, collaborative, and joy‑filled celebration of our tracking community, offering workshops and activities for every skill level in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where learning happens naturally.
Trackers from across North America will come together to explore redwood country, share stories in the lodge or around the campfire, and deepen their skills through hands‑on experiences and daily free clinics on topics ranging from feather and skull ID to obscure tracks and plant browse sign.
With a choose‑your‑own‑adventure format, you can stay for a couple of days or the full week, mixing and matching workshops, group outings, and communal activities entirely on your own schedule.
Evenings bring shared meals in the spacious lodge kitchen and dining room—complete with time to connect with Kim Cabrera herself, thank her for her contributions, and enjoy unhurried conversations with fellow trackers. Every moment is designed to build camaraderie, spark inspiration, and strengthen the bonds of a community that learns, laughs, and grows together, all while supporting the TCNA Financial Access Fund to make professional‑level tracking training more inclusive.
YMCA Camp Ravencliff
The YMCA camp is busy in June and July with three different long sessions for school-age children. By late August, its quiet. Nobody is there except the animals... and... in September 2026, trackers.
The location's proximity to Redway and Garberville means you can easily grab groceries or supplies, keeping things economical and hassle-free. This setup allows for a true immersion in nature while maintaining modern conveniences.
COMMUNICATION: The lodge has fast broadband Wi-Fi from Starlink. Cell phone coverage is good from the lodge and the cabins.
The Facilities
YMCA Camp Ravencliff is fully equipped for a comfortable group experience, with the entire site reserved exclusively for our gathering after the busy summer season. Choose a bed in one of 11 rustic cabins (each with about 8 beds for shared lodging) or spacious tent camping areas complete with fire rings for that classic outdoor vibe. The camp features a large lodge with a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and ample refrigeration, making meal prep fun and easy. Restrooms with running water and showers are available in multiple locations around the camp. You may select from any vacant bed in any cabin.
The Early Days
Camp Ravencliff celebrated its centennial in 2025.
Archaeological studies have established that the hillside Camp Ravencliff now occupies has been inhabited by human beings for at least 4,000 years. At least two major groups of Native Americans used the site as a winter village to which they returned year after year.
In the 1930's, the YMCA in Eureka purchased four acres on the west bank of the Eel River near Redway and established Camp Ravencliff. Some of the camp buildings date from that era. The original cabins and shower house were located close to the river, and were washed away in the 1964 flood. During that flood, the raging waters tore the deck off the lodge and water inside the lodge was a foot deep. In the 1960's the YMCA purchased an additional 60 acres of surrounding meadow and woodland from local owners. In 2019 The Sonoma County Family YMCA acquired Ravencliff from the YMCA of the East Bay.
Organized by W. Terry Hunefeld
Track & Sign Professional & Specialist Certifications
email me at: thunefeld AT gmail dot com
"An Incredible Event"
The Tracker Gathering is a unique, collaborative, and joy‑filled celebration of our tracking community, offering workshops and activities for every skill level in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where learning happens naturally.
Trackers from across North America will come together to explore redwood country, share stories in the lodge or around the campfire, and deepen their skills through hands‑on experiences and daily free clinics on topics ranging from feather and skull ID to obscure tracks and plant browse sign.
With a choose‑your‑own‑adventure format, you can stay for a couple of days or the full week, mixing and matching workshops, group outings, and communal activities entirely on your own schedule.
Evenings bring shared meals in the spacious lodge kitchen and dining room—complete with time to connect with Kim Cabrera herself, thank her for her contributions, and enjoy unhurried conversations with fellow trackers. Every moment is designed to build camaraderie, spark inspiration, and strengthen the bonds of a community that learns, laughs, and grows together, all while supporting the TCNA Financial Access Fund to make professional‑level tracking training more inclusive.
