Seattle Camp Overview

Day Camp Courses

Open to campers ages 6-12, Day Camp is a chance for youth to learn foundational outdoor skills and begin their journey into top rope climbing. Campers will spend four days of the week onsite at our Seattle Program Center, climbing and interacting with outdoor curriculum in the mornings, and swimming at the Magnuson Park Swim Beach in the afternoons. One day a week, they’ll head offsite for a field trip tailored to the weekly theme and their age. 

Day Camp is an experiences-focused program, meaning campers sample a variety of outdoor curriculum. Lessons shift depending on camper interest, staff background, and weekly camp theme, but examples include: introduction to first aid, introduction to navigation, the 10 Essentials, Leave No Trace, outdoor cooking, introduction to kayaking, rope ascension, arts and crafts, guest presentations, and more. 

Add-ons for Day Camp include Extended Care before or after the camp day for families who may be interested in early check in or late pick up as well as a Thursday night overnight lock-in at our facility for campers 8 and up.

Themes:  Every week of Day Camp has a theme that designates the field trip for the week as well as a few of the weekly activities.  Weeks with climbing specific themes (i.e. Ropes and Rocks Week, Rockstar Week, etc.) include a hike day for younger campers and an outdoor climb day for older campers. Weeks with water specific themes include kayaking in Magnuson Park and field trips to Discovery Park (Wind and Waves Weeks) or to raft on the Skykomish River (Water Weeks). Survivor Week includes a field trip to Alderleaf Wilderness College to learn survival skills.

Day Camp is a great fit for campers who:

• enjoy spending time outdoors
• are new to Mountaineers programs
• are new to summer camp
• have never climbed before or are hoping to develop their basic climbing skills
• want to build friendships, skills, and confidence

Overnight Adventure Camp Courses

Open to campers ages 10-14, Adventure Camp provides space for youth to sleep outside, delve further into recreation skills and activities, and build independence in outdoor settings. There are three types of Adventure Camp trips - Backpacking, Car Camping, and Camp & Climb Trips. Trips run mid-week, generally Tuesday-Friday, and begin and end at the Mountaineers Program Center in Magnuson Park.

Backpacking Trips include traveling deeper into the Washington wilderness, carrying everything we need on our backs, trail fun, and learning skills such as backcountry cooking and water filtration. There will also be plenty of time for relaxation and games at campsites in the evenings! No prior backpacking experience is required and varying trip lengths are available. Depending on the trip, campers should be able to hike 2-6 miles per day carrying a 30lb backpack.

Car Camping Trips include spending multiple nights in a tent, cooking meals together, going on day hikes, and campsite fun like playing cards and games in the evenings together. Varying trip lengths are available and no prior camping experience is required. Campers should be able to hike up to 7 miles with a day pack.

Camp & Climb Trips include spending multiple nights in a tent, cooking meals together, learning rock climbing skills, sport climbing at nearby crags, and campsite fun like playing cards and games in the evenings together. No prior camping or climbing experience is required. Camp & Climb Trips are equally suited to new and experienced climbers as we have access to routes of varying difficulty and the capacity to build on existing skills or start from scratch.

Adventure Camp is a great fit for campers who:

• are ready to grow their outdoor skills and knowledge
• are ready to sleep away from home for multiple nights 
• enjoy spending extended time outdoors 
• want to build friendships, skills, and confidence 

Teen Adventure COurses

A subset of Adventure Camps, teen adventure programs are open to teens ages 14-17. There are two types of Teen Adventure trips - Backpacking and Camp & Climb Trips. No experience is required, but campers should be able to hike up to 7 miles per day carrying a 30lb pack for backpacking trips.

Teen Adventures are a great fit for campers who:

• are excited to challenge themselves in outdoor settings
• want to gain confidence and independence in their abilities 
• enjoy spending extended time outdoors 

Overnight Lodge Camp Courses

Previously a part of Adventure Camps, Lodge Camps provide youth ages 10-14 a week-long residential camp experience. Campers will bunk at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges (located at Stevens Pass, Stampede Pass, or Mt. Baker) where they’ll participate in day hikes, onsite stewardship opportunities, games and chores, and explore around the lodge. 

Campers will work together to cook meals, maintain their bunk spaces,  and have fun together during their week  at the lodge. These programs are experiences-focused, with emphasis on building leadership, teamwork, and transferable skills in a unique, fun setting. 

Lodge Camps start and end at the lodge, with the option of transportation from Seattle as an Add-On. 

Lodge Camps are a great fit for campers who:

• are new to Mountaineers overnight camps 
• are ready to grow their outdoor skills and knowledge
• are ready to sleep away from home for multiple nights 
• enjoy spending extended time outdoors 
• want to build friendships, skills, and confidence