Youth Blog

In a busy world, there’s nothing quite like spending time in community outdoors, especially when that time involves returning home each evening to a mountain lodge. Our Overnight Camps, held at The Mountaineers Stevens and Baker Lodges, invite campers ages 10-15 to engage deeply with the natural world while make lasting memories in some of our state’s most beautiful places. Read more…

The Mountaineers Adventure with Purpose Gala is an opportunity to celebrate our mission and the organization’s meaningful impacts across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. And no celebration is complete without our Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) students!  Read more…

As the Seattle Youth Clubs manager, it’s not often that I have a free window of time to jump in and help our other youth programs. I am usually in the thick of planning and leading trips, coordinating with campground hosts, and supporting our team of instructors and volunteers. But when I was asked by my colleague Lauren (who oversees Partner Programs) to help belay a small class of students at the Seattle Program Center, I thought, Why not? My morning was open, and being outside beats sitting in front of a computer! Read more…

With fall in full swing, we’re thrilled to announce that registration is open for our first-ever VIBE Outside Youth Conference! This brand-new event is created by youth, for youth, offering high school students a space to connect, learn new skills, and build confidence in exploring the outdoors safely and responsibly. The conference will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Seattle Program Center. Read more…

Interested in helping  young people build skills, courage, and a lifelong love of the outdoors, while having a blast along the way? The 2025–2026 youth program year is about to kick off, and we’re seeking passionate volunteers to spark adventure in the next generation of leaders. From climbing and skiing to kayaking and trail running, there are so many ways to share your love of the outdoors. Read more…

When I started out in the bicycle industry, I was full of enthusiasm, excitement, and passion. With my head in the clouds and my heart with the stars, I didn’t know where my feet were supposed to be planted. I needed a mentor – someone who could redirect my tractor beam aspirations into a plan with a focused goal, process, and outcome. Read more…

As I clipped into my skis for the first time – the cool wind hitting my face, excitement filling my soul – I started to push forward… splat. My face met the cold ground – probably not the best start to my cross-country skiing career. Nevertheless, I got up and continued on the trail, thinking to myself that this MAC trip might be a long one. Read more…

Packed with climbing, bouldering, outdoor-inspired games, and creative activities, After-School is a blast for kids who love to move, learn, and make new friends. For two hours each week, kids will climb, play, and connect with other young adventurers at our Seattle Program Center. Tuesdays are open to youth ages 6-9 and Thursdays are open to youth ages 10-13.  Read more…

One of The Mountaineers core values is to empower our community to safely enjoy the transformative power of the outdoors. Creating the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts starts with our youth, and we’ve recently been reimagining how we engage with our youngest members at our Seattle Branch. Read more…

Being outdoorsy didn’t come naturally to me. Although I’m from a small, blue-collar farming community, my parents' idea of spending time outside meant performing back-breaking work in the mid-Atlantic humidity or struggling to stay warm in Carhartt coveralls during blustery winters. In 2013, I migrated to Wyoming and met people who had different ideas of the outdoors: that it could be healing, peaceful, and most importantly, fun. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

With summer sun and fun right around the corner, our team is diving into camp preparation and planning. This year will include many of the traditional Mountaineers Summer Camp activities in addition to new ventures. This year, we’re launching a Day Camp program on the East Side, expanding our Summer Camp offerings to include week-long Day Camp programs in Renton starting in 2024.  Read more…