Carl Marrs
Although summer is here and many of us are busy enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, it's already time to start thinking about next season's adventures! The Mountaineers Youth Clubs are preparing to launch a new season of programming, designed to transform our young Mountaineers into lifelong outdoor enthusiasts. Registration opens this September - don't miss your chance to sign your kids up for a year of learning and exploration.
Our youth clubs function year-round to foster outdoor skills development, host trips, and create community. Throughout the year, you will have the chance to see your kids put snowshoes on for the first time, learn how to place climbing protection at the local crag, hike to a stunning alpine lake, and more. Each club cultivates skills in outdoor activities appropriate for their age range, allowing children to explore the natural world and to grow their confidence and abilities.
See below for information on each club and to sign up for new member meetings, held at our Seattle Program Center, to learn more. We also have youth clubs in Olympia and Tacoma.
Mini Mountaineers
Ages 3-5
Mini Mountaineers is designed to get our youngest Mountaineers and an accompanying adult interacting with nature together, fostering a love for the outdoors in the next generation. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, friends...let us do the planning to get you and your little one outside together with fellow outdoorsy families!
Pioneers
Ages 7-9
Our Pioneers program provides youth ages 7-9 and their parents/guardians with the opportunity to get outside at least once a month. Pioneers is designed to expose youth to a variety of outdoor activities and have fun! Participants will have the chance to climb, hike, paddle, camp, and more. The group will be supported by Mountaineers staff, but parents will be expected to play an active role in planning and even leading some trips.
New Member Meeting
Tuesday, September 24
6-8pm
Explorers
Ages 10-13
Explorers is a year-round outdoor adventure program for youth ages 10-13 and their parents. This program is designed for those who are looking for a community of like-minded families to build outdoor skills together. It will also prepare youth to be successful in our teen program, Mountaineers Adventure Club, once they are old enough. Members commit to meeting monthly and going on at least one outdoor adventure a month. The cohort will be supported by Mountaineers staff, but parents will be expected to play an active role in planning and even leading some trips. Staff will provide opportunities for parents to advance their own outdoor skills, as well as learn key skills for leading kids safely in the outdoors.
New Member Meeting
Wednesday, September 25
6:30-8:30pm
Mountaineers Adventure Club
Ages 14-18
The Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) is a year-round outdoor adventure program for youth ages 14-18 in Seattle and Tacoma. Members meet monthly to plan outings and learn skills. MAC Members must be 14 years old by January of the year that they join.
The youth members plan all of their outings, with guidance from adult advisers. From single-day outings to week-long camping trips, activities include rock climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, car and snow-cave camping, cross-country skiing, and mountaineering. While attendance at everything isn't required, the more meetings and outings you attend the more rewarding the program will be!
New Member Meeting
Wednesday, September 18
7-9pm
Looking for youth clubs in Tacoma or Olympia?
Our Tacoma and Olympia branches also host incredible youth clubs to get kids across the Puget Sound region outdoors and exploring. Learn more about these clubs and register for a program near you:
Tacoma Youth Programs
Mini Mountaineers (Ages 2-5)
Explorers (Ages 7-13)
Mountaineers Adventure Program (MAC) (Ages 14-18)
Olympia Youth Programs
Mini Mountaineers (Ages 0-5)
Explorers (Ages 10-13)
