Youth & Family Hike & Backpack Leader Application

If you are interested in volunteering as a Youth & Family hike or backpack trip leader, fill out this form and we will forward it to the nearest youth committee so they can review it and help you begin the process of familiarizing you with our guidelines, policies, and standards for these activities. All prospective Youth & Family hike, backpack leaders should attend a new Youth & Family leader seminar and do a mentored trip in addition to filling out this application.

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The look on a child's face when you get them outside and show them places they've never seen is one of the best rewards for volunteering. If you are interested in contributing to the mission of The Mountaineers by organizing and leading youth & family hikes and backpacking trips, please let us know by completing this simple application. Our committees vet new leaders to ensure everyone meets our activity standards, and this application provides relevant information about your goals and experience. One of our volunteers will follow up with you on the next steps to get you certified as a youth & family hike or backpack leader!

Thank you for your interest!

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Your Name

Your E-Mail Address

Best phone number to reach you

Address This will also help us make sure we work with The Mountaineers branch that is closet to you.

Are you a current Mountaineers member? This is not a requirement to apply, but may help the equivalency evaluator assess your level of comfort on outdoor experiences. Ultimately, hike, backpack, and urban walk leaders must be Mountaineers members, at least 18 years old, with an up-to-date waiver on file. New hike, backpack, and urban walk leaders are strongly encouraged to go on a minimum of 3 activities with The Mountaineers, preferably with different leaders, before becoming a leader themselves. Please contact info@mountaineers.org before applying if you do not yet meet these requirements.

Yes No I'm a Guest Member

Which branch do you think you would like to be affiliated with as a Leader?

Which of the following activities do you want to lead? Please select all that apply.

Hikes Backpacks

Tell us briefly about your experience with Hiking and/or backpacking. Please list the hikes and backpacks, you have done during the past 1-2 years. Note whether they were with The Mountaineers, on your own/with friends, or with another organization. Please include the trip name or destination, the approximate mileage/number of days, and the pace. If there are many (more than 10), please describe a few representative ones and indicate about how often you hike or backpack.

Why are you interested in leading trips? Please tell us what interests you about becoming a trip leader with The Mountaineers. What about leading appeals to you and how might it fit with your personal goals or other plans?

Please review the Youth & Family sections of:

The Mountaineers Hiking Standards
The Mountaineers Backpacking Standards

Can you comply with the standards for our hiking and backpacking programs?

Yes No

10 Essentials and Leave No Trace Please describe your familiarity with the essential hike and backpack gear along with your familiarity of Leave No Trace principles (camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly etc).

Group Leadership Experience Please explain any group leadership/outdoor leadership experience you have (including service as a leader, instructor, or other similar role in conducting outdoor recreational activities).

First Aid Training Have you taken an Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or Red Cross First Aid/CPR course? If so, how long ago was it? Please also let us know of any other medical training you've had.

Other Outdoor Skills Training Have you received training in any other outdoor skills that would be relevant to taking groups of people outside or into the wilderness? If so, please tell us about it!

Thank you for your interest in our Youth & Family Hiking and Backpacking programs! We will forward your application on to one of our amazing volunteers, who will review it and get in touch with you about how to move forward. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@mountaineers.org.

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Youth & Family Hike & Backpack Leader Application

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