Programs by Age Group & Type
IN ACCORDANCE WITH WASHINGTON STATE AND CDC GUIDELINES, THE MOUNTAINEERS HAS DEVELOPED AN OPERATING PLAN FOR OUR PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE PAGE.
We're committed to bringing outdoor experiences to today’s youth through our outdoor youth and family programs. We introduce young people to the benefits of outdoor experience: a healthy lifestyle, outdoor recreation skills, perseverance, 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.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Offered in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma, these programs will offer youths an opportunity to get together, in-person, with other kids once a week to socialize and learn outdoor skills.
CAMP PROGRAMS
Mountaineers Summer Camp
Offered in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma, 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
Offered in Kitsap, 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.
School Break Camps
Offered in Seattle, when school is out, join The Mountaineers for a week of adventure! We offer programming during Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break.
Partner PROGRAMS
In Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma we partner with over 40 youth organizations to provide introductory and progressive outdoor programs in the Puget Sound. Our partner programs, called Mountain Workshops, are custom-designed with the partner agency, and can include rock climbing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, wilderness first aid, team building, map and compass education, and Leave-No-Trace training.
YEAR ROUND CLUBS
Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) | Ages 14–18
Offered in Seattle and Tacoma, 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/Junior MAC (Olympia and Seattle) | Ages 10–15
Offered in Olympia (Explorers ages 10-12 & Junior MAC ages 12-15), Seattle, and Tacoma, youth ages 10–13 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/Nomads (Seattle Only) | 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 Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma, 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.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Whether you're already an adventure enthusiast wanting to engage the rest of your family outside, or you are completely new to the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, The Mountaineers can help you enjoy our natural world with your kids in a safe and fun environment. Learn more about our Family Programs.
GEAR LIBRARY
The Mountaineers is deeply committed to helping folks explore, learn about, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest. As we seek to promote greater inclusion in the outdoors, our Gear Library is here to make our wild places more accessible. Borrow gear to make your outdoor exploration dreams a reality! The Gear Library is a community resource to make both Mountaineers courses and personal adventure more sustainable and accessible for all outdoor enthusiasts.
Individuals, families, non-profits, schools, and organized groups can borrow gear for the following activities:
- Hiking
- Car Camping
- Backpacking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-Country Skiing
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available for youth, family, and partner programs. We recommend applying for a scholarship at least two weeks before you plan on enrolling in a program.