Seattle Pathfinders and Nomads Ages 6–9

Youth aged 6–9 are invited to join a community of other outdoor enthusiasts. No experience or skills needed to join; we will teach all the skills necessary to participate in activities. The group meets once per month at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center to learn skills and goes on 1–2 outings a month. Enrollment lottery applications are now being accepted.

FAMILY-DRIVEN, STAFF-SUPPORTED

Our Pathfinders and Nomads programs provides youth ages 6–9 and their parents/guardians with the opportunity to get outside once a month. This club is designed to expose youth to a variety of outdoor activities and have fun! Participating families will have the chance to climb, hike, paddle, explore, and learn how to be safe in the 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. Staff will provide opportunities for parents to advance their own outdoor skills as well as 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.

In Seattle, Pathfinders is divided into two cohorts: Pathfinders for ages 6–7 and Nomads for those who are 8–9. This allows us to give more families more opportunities to get outside. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Member Services!

TRIPS, MEETINGS, AND SKILLS

TRIPS

Trips are planned and led by Mountaineers staff, volunteers, and parents. Pathfinder and Nomad youth are given the opportunity to go on one or more trips per month. These trips range from single-day hikes, paddles, and climbs, to multi-day hiking, climbing, or camping trips. Some trips have a maximum capacity, while others are open to as many youth and adults as want to attend. Parents are encouraged to join with their youth.

MEETINGS

Students meet monthly at the Seattle Mountaineers to learn about various outdoor topics ranging from Leave No Trace to navigation to conservation and more. These meetings are also used for trip planning and Q&A.

SKILLS

Parents are offered the opportunity to participate in skills workshop series. Currently we are offering a climbing skills series as well as a trip leadership series. Skills workshops take place at the Seattle Program Center.

View CalendarPathfinder adventure photos

GEAR

Outdoor equipment can almost always be borrowed from The Mountaineers when given enough notice (usually 1–2 weeks prior to trip). Gear lists are noted on the activity page for each trip as well as the check out and return time for gear.

MEMBERSHIP FEE

Pathfinder and Nomad membership is $1,100 in total for the year. By default, members will pay the entire annual course fee all at once upon registering for the club. Upon request, families may elect to agree to an installment plan in order to make 4 payments on the annual course fee over the course of the year.

The membership fee covers: staff time, transportation costs, gear, camping fees and permits, and food for group meals on overnight trips. In return, members gain a community of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy spending time learning skills and getting outside together. As families grow through our programs, lifelong friendships are built. When graduates of our teen program come home from college, they meet up with other Mountaineers friends to go hiking, backpacking, and climbing. This program is just the beginning.

We offer scholarships! To apply for assistance from our scholarship funds, click here.

BECOME INVOLVED

SIGN UP FOR A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

To get involved, you'll need to sign up for a Family Membership with us. Once you have created your new account, add your kids to your account by clicking on the "Membership" tab and adding a family member. Here is an FAQ on that process.

ENTER THE Pathfinder OR Nomad ENROLLMENT LOTTERY

To ease the stress of enrollment for Pathfinders and Nomads and make the process as equitable as possible, we will be using a lottery to manage registration. The lottery application period will begin on June 18th and last until September 2nd at 11:59pm and during that time, interested families both new and returning will have the chance to apply for a spot in Pathfinders or Nomads. Preference will be given to returning Pathfinder and Nomad families in this lottery process.

Submit your lottery application using this form, beginning on June 18th and ending on September 2nd at 11:59pm.

On September 3rd, the lottery will be conducted and families receiving a spot will be notified of the opportunity to join Pathfinders and Nomads. Enrollments will be confirmed and families will be invited to register and pay for Pathfinders or Nomads beginning on October 1st. Any spots not confirmed by invited families will be awarded to the runners-up in the lottery per the results throughout October or as soon as possible.

ATTEND OUR SEPTEMBER INFO SESSION

Our program year begins in September. We will be hosting our info session on September 1st from 6:00-8:00pm so you can learn in more depth what Pathfinders and Nomads are and what we offer as well as ask all of your questions.

enroll in PATHFinders or nomads

The Pathfinders and Nomad course pages for 2022-2023 is now available and is where registration will take place. Registration will not be freely available, and offers to enroll will be extended directly to families as per lottery results beginning on October 1st.

Questions?

Contact the youth programs manager or our member services team with questions or for more information.

PARTICIPANTS MUST ENROLL ONLINE. PROGRAM YEAR RUNS OCTOBER 1 - AUGUST 31. PAYMENT IN FULL OR 1ST PAYMENT IS DUE UPON REGISTRATION. SUBSEQUENT INSTALLMENTS DUE ON THE 1ST OF JANUARY, APRIL, AND JULY. BECAUSE pathfinders AND nomads ARE YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS, PARTICIPANTS CAN ONLY ENROLL IN OCTOBER. SEE PAYMENT FORMS FOR CANCELLATION POLICY DETAILS.