Tacoma Youth Programs
After school programs - new this fall! (6-12)
Starting this September, the Tacoma Mountaineers will be offering weekly afternoon climbing camps on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-6pm. Students may sign up for either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Fall camp has 10 sessions from mid-September to mid-November. The goal of After School Camps is to provide small-group in-person outdoor education, socialization, and exercise during the COVID era, as well as giving parents a few hours of childcare time.
Mini Mountaineers (2-5)
Mini Mountaineers is a community of parents and tots/pre-schoolers who love to get outdoors! We aim to offer a range of activities to match the energy levels of young children while keeping parents interested as well. Trips consist of monthly hikes at Pt. Defiance, nature lessons and activities, as well as bigger trips like car camping with hiking and rock climbing.
Pathfinders (formerly Pioneers) (6-9)
Pathfinders is our year-round program for kids age 6-9. Our goals are to build wilderness skills, develop an appreciation for the outdoors, and have fun! We have 1 evening meeting and one weekend outing per month. Parents are highly encouraged to participate alongside their children. Activities include hiking, climbing, backpacking, snowshoeing, xc skiing, kayaking, camping, and more.
Explorers (10-13)
Explorers is a year-round outdoor program aimed at pre-teen youth and their families. The group typically goes on 1-2 outings per month and activities include rock-climbing, hiking, back-packing, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, and camping. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend outings and even lead outings if they are a certified trip leader! The kids are not required to have any prior skills or knowledge of the activities - we will teach the skills as we go.
Mountaineers Adventure Club (14-18)
Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) is our year-round program for adventurous teens, age 14-18. MAC students choose their own goals and trips, and work toward them all year long. Skills learned may include: rock climbing, glacier climbing & mountaineering, skiing & snowboarding, hiking/backpacking, snow camping, and more. MAC students meet once a month at the Tacoma Program Center to work on skills, and plan at least one weekend outing each month.
Summer Camp
In summer of 2021, the Tacoma Branch will offer several weeks of day camp and overnight camp! Day camps are based out of our Tacoma Program Center, and focus on outdoor skills such as climbing, hiking, first aid, navigation, camp cooking, survival skills, and more! Each week includes at least one field trip for rock climbing or hiking.
We also offer overnight camps at our property on the Carbon River, just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park. These weeks include beautiful day hikes in the Carbon River and Mowich Lake areas, as well as wilderness skill building, games, camp cooking, swimming, and fun around the camp fire.
Mountain Workshops
Mountain Workshops is our outreach program, where we partner with other youth-serving organizations to provide outdoor experiences. We have worked with groups such as Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA, school classes and school outdoor clubs, and more. Programs may include rock climbing, belaying, wilderness first aid training, navigation training, hikes or snowshoe outings, and more. Programs can be tailored to the group, and financial assistance is available.
Learn more here or email sarahh@mountaineers.org to start planning your workshop today!
Volunteer with Youth
We are always looking for volunteers, especially belayers! Want to volunteer with our youth programs? Become a Qualified Youth Leader Here.
Have questions? Email Sarah Holt at sarahh@mountaineers.org, or call 253-566-6965.