Forest Training Grounds Overview

The Forest Training Grounds serves as the induction playground for every aspiring raccoon thief. Nestled in a secluded wooded hollow behind a suburban development, this training area introduces the core mechanics of Dumpster Gang without the high-stress pressure of an active human police response or roaming pest control patrols.

Your mentor, an elder raccoon wearing a patched tweed vest named Old Man Snout, will guide your crew through a series of obstacle courses designed to test your agility, grip strength, cooperative lifting, and throwing precision.

Completing the training grounds not only unlocks the primary heist map board at your campfire hideout, but also rewards your gang with 150 bonus starting Trash Coins and the Scavenger Cap headpiece.

Step-by-Step Training Course Walkthrough

The tutorial is split into five distinct obstacle zones. Follow this step-by-step walkthrough to clear every section with maximum efficiency:

Zone 1: Movement & Agility Paws

Begin by sprinting through the log tunnel. Tap crouch while running to execute a low slide beneath fallen birch branches. Next, leap across three mossy river boulders. If you fall into the shallow stream, climb back onto the bank using the gentle mud slope; raccoons swim slowly and lose forward momentum in water.

Zone 2: Vertical Trunk Scaling

Approach the marked pine tree with scratched bark. Hold the climb button to scale the trunk up to the wooden treehouse platform. Notice the stamina drain: stop on horizontal branches to let your stamina meter recharge to full before leaping across to the adjacent watchtower.

Zone 3: Scavenging & Throwing Precision

In the campsite clearing, pick up empty soup cans and pinecones scattered across the picnic table. Hold the aim button to bring up the dotted trajectory arc. Target the three cardboard cutouts of John Exterminator. Landing a direct headshot knocks the cutout down, teaching you the precise stun angle required in real missions.

Zone 4: The Co-Op Heavy Log Carry

Approach the massive fallen cedar log blocking the stone archway.

  • Solo Mode: Grip the log handle and drag it slowly backward toward the designated drop zone.
  • Co-Op Mode: Have two raccoons grab either end of the log simultaneously. Notice that the log lifts off the ground, allowing your raccoons to walk at normal speed across the rickety suspension rope bridge.

Zone 5: Vent Crawling & Extraction

Crawl into the rusted drainage culvert pipe. Press crawl to squeeze through the narrow opening. Follow the green glow sticks until you reach the extraction dumpster. Drop the test loot into the bin, jump inside, and pull the lid closed to trigger the mission complete fanfare.

Tutorial Zone Primary Skill Taught Key Mechanics Bonus Challenge
Zone 1: River Trail Sprinting & Sliding Crouch-sliding under obstacles Clear river jumps without touching water
Zone 2: Pine Canopy Vertical Tree Climbing Stamina management & branch rests Find the Golden Acorn behind waterfall
Zone 3: Target Range Item Aiming & Throwing Arc projection & headshot stuns Knock down all 3 cutouts in 5 seconds
Zone 4: Cedar Gorge Heavy Co-Op Lifts Multi-raccoon object weight scaling Cross bridge without dropping the log
Zone 5: Drainage Pipe Vent Crawling & Exit Concealment & dumpster extraction Stack 3 items neatly inside the cart

Collectibles: The Three Golden Acorns

Before concluding the tutorial, make sure to collect all three hidden Golden Acorns to earn the Master Scout badge:

  1. Waterfall Acorn: Near the river crossing in Zone 1, jump through the cascading waterfall veil. A hidden cave behind the water holds the first shiny acorn.
  2. Hollow Oak Acorn: In Zone 2, look for an ancient hollowed-out tree trunk to the left of the main pine. Climb inside from the top opening to grab the second acorn.
  3. Ranger Watchtower Acorn: At the top of Zone 3's wooden observation tower, scale the roof shingles to find the third acorn resting inside an empty eagle's nest.

Pro Tip

Use the tutorial's cardboard targets to practice the "catch and toss" mechanic with your co-op partner. Passing items through the air is twice as fast as walking, and mastering this skill early makes the Suburban House heist effortless.

Continue your mission preparations with our detailed guides:

Official Sources & Verified Evidence