Kids Programs

COVID-19 FALL UPDATE: kid PROGRAMS ARE HAPPENING IN MODIFIED VERSIONS THAT ALIGN WITH THE MOUNTAINEERS' COVID-19 PROTOCOLS. THIS MAY MEAN SMALL-GROUP MEETINGS/OUTINGS AND MOVING MORE ACTIVITIES OUTDOORS, AMONG OTHER MORE MINOR MODIFICATIONS.

The Mountaineers offers a wide variety of programming to help kids  meet new friends, learn outdoor skills, and develop leadership skills. Parents also have the opportunity to meet other outdoor-minded families, and open the door to a world of exploration for themselves and their family. 

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 students an opportunity to get together, in-person, with other kids once a week to learn outdoor skills.  Learn more about each program. 

YEAR-ROUND OUTDOOR CLUBS

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 enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, rock climbing and kayaking. Families are offered the opportunity to participate in an educational meeting and at least one outdoor trip per 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. Parents will have opportunities to advance their own outdoor skills as well as they learn key skills for leading kids safely in the outdoors. 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 have the chance to go hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, camping, kayaking, and more. This program is designed for families who are looking for a community of like-minded families to build outdoor skills together. Families are offered the opportunity to participate in an educational meeting and at least one outdoor trip per 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. Parents will have opportunities to advance their own outdoor skills as they learn key skills for leading kids safely in the outdoors. This program will focus on skill-building for both youth and adults, and on building an outdoor community. 

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. 

summer & Break camps

Mountaineers Summer Camp
Offered in Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia, youth are invited to spend their summer with The Mountaineers! Day camps and adventure camps (including overnight camps) are available for elementary-middle school aged kids. Specific age requirements vary by location. 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
Campers ages 5-10 are invited to join us on our beautiful Kitsap Property this summer! Located just beyond the Bremerton Ferry station, we offer ferry transport from Seattle for those interested. Youth 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.