Explorers Ages 10–13
YOUTH-DRIVEN, ADULT-GUIDED
Explorers is a year-round course, focused on teaching outdoor skills and providing outdoor experiences for kids 10–13 and their families. Explorers members will have the chance to learn and try a variety of outdoor sports, and will learn important skills to keep them safe in the wilderness. Activities include hiking and backpacking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, building snow shelters, rope skills such as belaying and rappelling, wilderness first aid, wilderness navigation, ice ax skills, and more.
Note: Explorers or membership is $550 annually. Families will have the option of paying up front or paying the annual fee in a series of installments. This is an annual club. Contact sarahh@mountaineers.org to set up quarterly installments.
FAMILIES
Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate along with their child. We have had many parents join us who had no prior outdoor skills and greatly enjoyed learning alongside their kids! If you have a younger child (age 6–9) you may decide if you would like them to join the Pathfinders Program, or you may have them join Explorers along with their older sibling if you think they are up to the challenge!
MEETINGS AND TRIPS
Members meet one Tuesday evening per month at the Tacoma Mountaineers to plan trips and practice skills, and then go on at least one weekend outdoor trip per month. Activities include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, snow shelter building, cross-country skiing, ice ax and snow skills, and more.
SUPERVISION
All trips are supervised by adult staff and/or trained volunteers. Parents/guardians are expected to be active chaperones for at least 25% of trips and meetings, either by helping drive carpool, participating in the activity and helping provide supervision, or helping instruct. Carpool drivers can be reimbursed at 24 cents per mile. All staff and volunteers must pass a background check and be certified through The Mountaineers in any skill they are teaching or trip they are leading.
GEAR
Outdoor equipment can almost always be borrowed from The Mountaineers when given enough notice (usually 1–2 weeks prior to trip). See the gear list below for more details.
EXPLORERS MEMBERSHIP FEE
Tacoma Explorers membership is $550 for the year. Members may choose to pay in full up front, or pay in quarterly installments. Your Explorers membership costs cover: staff time, transportation costs, gear, camping fees and permits, and food for longer trips. At your first meeting, you will choose how you want to pay the remainder of your Explorers membership fee. Opting out of payment for a month because you missed the trip is not allowed.
HOW DO I GET MY KIDS INVOLVED?
First 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. Then, click on the button below to register! Here is an FAQ on registration if you have more questions.