YOUTH *outdoor adventures*
We're committed to bringing outdoor experiences to today’s youth through our youth and family programs. These opportunities offer outdoor recreation skills, self-confidence, self-reliance, an appreciation for the natural world, and a commitment to protecting the outdoor experience.
Our high instructor-to-youth ratio allows young people to learn from highly skilled volunteer educators who themselves love the outdoors (that's why they volunteer!). Our participating youth members attain the deepest and most personalized experience available. Read below to find the best program for the youth in your life:
After-school programs
New in 2020, The Mountaineers are excited to be offering after-school programs! Happening in Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle, these programs will offer youths an opportunity to get together, in-person, with other kids once a week to socialize and learn outdoor skills. Learn more about each program.
Year-Round Outdoor Clubs
Mountaineers Adventure Club - Ages 14-18
Offered in the Seattle, Olympia, and Tacoma branches, youth meet monthly and go on a wide variety of outdoor trips, including hiking, rock climbing, skiing, rafting, camping, and mountaineering. Led by its members and mentored by adults, this program is our pinnacle outdoor leadership program. Join today to meet new friends, develop new skills, and become a teacher and mentor for other youth.
Explorers - Ages 10-13 (8-16 in Kitsap)
Offered in the Kitsap, Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma branches, youth ages 10-13 (Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia) and 8-16 (Kitsap) and their families meet monthly and explore new activities outdoors. These include hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, and more. This program is designed to encourage outdoor adventure, teach safety and independence, and prepare kids who wish to graduate into Mountaineers Adventure Club.
Pathfinders - Ages 6-9
Offered in the Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma branches, youth meet to enjoy an outdoor adventure each month. Adventures include hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, camping, kayaking, and more. This program is designed to inspire a love of the outdoors and teach basic outdoor skills and preparedness.
Mini Mountaineers - Ages 2-5
Offered in Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia, Mini Mountaineers is designed to get tots/preschoolers and an accompanying adult outside to inspire a love for the planet in our future stewards. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, friends... let us do the planning to get you and your little one outside with fellow outdoorsy families! We host multiple events a month during the school year, including meet-ups for local nature walks, hands on nature-based activities, and outdoor adventure activities.
Mountain Workshops
summer & Break camps
Mountaineers Summer Camp
Offered in Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia, youth are invited to spend their summer with The Mountaineers! Day camps are for youth ages 6-12 and adventure camps (including overnight camps) are for ages 10-14. These experience-based camps offer youth a chance to learn a variety of outdoor skills and spend time outside with new friends.
Kitsap Forest Adventure Camp
Youth entering grades K-4 (ages 5-9) in the Seattle and Kitsap area will delight in this outdoor summer camp filled with art, music, drama, hiking, wildlife, forest creeks – and just plain fun.
Break Camps
When school is out, join The Mountaineers for a week of adventure! We offer programming during Winter Break, Mid-Winter Break, and Spring Break.