Youth Programs by Age Group
Check out what Youth Programs we offer organized by Age Group.
AGES 2–5
Mini Mountaineers:
Created for ages 2–5, Mini Mountaineers is designed to get our youngest Mountaineers and an accompanying adult interacting with nature, fostering a love for the outdoors in the next generation. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, and friends, let us do the planning to get you and your little one outside with other outdoorsy families! Mini Mountaineers is available in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma.
AGES 6–9
After School:
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.
Break Camp:
Join The Mountaineers for a fun-filled week-long break camp! These day camps will be led by familiar faces from our summer camp team. Kids will have a chance to try climbing, rappelling, and belaying, as well as learn outdoor skills such as outdoor cooking, navigation, and wilderness first aid. Break Camps take place in Olympia and Seattle.
Summer Camp:
Campers are invited to join The Mountaineers for fun-filled adventures packed with traditional summer camp games, songs, and a heavy dose of outdoor activities. Overnight adventure camps will explore Mt. Rainier, Mt. Erie, Mt. Baker, the Cascades, and the Olympics. Day camps take place in Bremerton, Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma .
Pathfinders/Nomads:
Our Pathfinders program provides youth ages 6–9 and their parents/guardians with the opportunity to get outside at least once a month. Pathfinders is designed to expose youth to a variety of outdoor activities and have fun! Participants will have the chance to climb, hike, paddle, explore, and learn how to be safe outdoors. The group will be supported by Mountaineers staff, but parents will be expected to play an active role in planning and even leading some trips. Families are offered the opportunity to participate in an educational meeting and at least one outdoor trip per month. Pathfinders take place in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma . Note: In Seattle Pathfinders is split into two age groups: Pathfinders Ages 6–7, and Nomads Ages 8–9.
AGES 10–13
After School:
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.
Break Camp:
Join The Mountaineers for a fun-filled week-long break camp! These day camps will be led by familiar faces from our summer camp team. Kids will have a chance to try climbing, rappelling, and belaying, as well as learn outdoor skills such as outdoor cooking, navigation, and wilderness first aid. Break Camps take place in Olympia and Seattle. Note: The maximum age for Break Camp is 12.
Summer Camp:
Campers are invited to join The Mountaineers for fun-filled adventures packed with traditional summer camp games, songs, and a heavy dose of outdoor activities. Overnight adventure camps will explore Mt. Rainier, Mt. Erie, Mt. Baker, the Cascades, and the Olympics. Day camps take place in Bremerton, Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma. Note: The maximum age for Summer Camp is 12.
Counselor in Training:
Counselor in Training is an opportunity for teens and camp grads aged 13–17. Join day camp as a volunteer this summer to learn the ins and outs of being a camp counselor and hone your leadership and camp skills. CITs bring enthusiasm and energy to camp every summer and are an important part of our Mountaineers Camp Community. In 2021, CIT’s have the option to join camp in one of two roles: All-Time Belayer or Junior Counselor. Counselor in Training take place in Seattle.
Explorers/Junior MAC:
Explorers is a year-round outdoor adventure program for youth ages 10–13 and their parents who want to learn new outdoor skills and make lasting friendships. These programs are designed for parents and children who are looking for a community of like-minded families. Families are offered the opportunity to participate in an educational meeting and at least one outdoor trip per month, with activities like hiking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, rafting, snowshoeing, camping, kayaking, and more. Explorers take place in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma. Note: In Olympia Junior MAC allows youth up to 14 years old. In Seattle Explorers is split into two age groups: Explorers Ages 10–11, and Junior MAC Ages 12–13.
AGES 14–18
Counselor in Training:
Counselor in Training is an opportunity for teens and camp grads aged 13–17. Join day camp as a volunteer this summer to learn the ins and outs of being a camp counselor and hone your leadership and camp skills. CITs bring enthusiasm and energy to camp every summer and are an important part of our Mountaineers Camp Community. In 2021, CIT’s have the option to join camp in one of two roles: All-Time Belayer or Junior Counselor. Counselor in Training take place in Seattle.
Summer Camp:
Teens age 14–17 are invited to join us for overnight camps during the summer! Programs are backpacking- or climbing-based and run for four days in the Cascade Mountains. No previous experience at summer camp, climbing, or backpacking necessary. Transportation, instruction, food, and gear are included. Teen adventure camps take place in Seattle.
Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC):
The youth members plan all of their outings, with guidance from adult advisers. From single-day outings to week-long camping trips, activities include rock climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, car and snow-cave camping, cross-country skiing, and mountaineering. While attendance at everything isn't required, the more meetings and outings you attend the more rewarding the program. MAC takes place in Seattle and Tacoma .