Volunteer with Youth Programs

Thinking about getting involved in Youth Programs? Fantastic! The Mountaineers run a variety of programs designed to foster a love of the outdoors. We are always looking for volunteers who are excited about sharing their skills and being mentors. Find out about types of programs, volunteer requirements, and current opportunities!

 

Programs where we need your help

Partner Programs 

The Mountaineers offers a variety of custom partner programs, called Mountain Workshops, for  youth serving organizations. Mountain Workshops are single or multi-day experiences designed in collaboration with partner organizations to meet the educational goals of their group. Programs happen mid-week, on weekends, and in the evenings, and need volunteers to help belay, teach basic first aid, navigation, outdoor cooking, and much more. It's easy, fun, low-commitment, and very rewarding. 

 Summer Camp

Mountaineers summer campers ages 6–12 spend their days climbing, swimming, learning outdoor curriculum, completing stewardship projects, and exploring the great PNW. Volunteers are invited to belay campers every Friday morning from 9:30am–12:00pm. It's a fun, easy way to connect with campers and give back to The Mountaineers community.

  year-round Youth Clubs

Join youth ages 6–13 outside all year long in the full array of outdoor activities offered by The Mountaineers. Get involved by helping belay at a skills workshop, or teach backpacking basics, navigation, or how to cook a favorite camping meal at a monthly meeting for our families.   

Hoping to help out with our Teen Club? Head on over to the Seattle Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) page to learn more. 

Ready to jump in? Click on an activity, choose register an instructor on the right side, and sign up for the activity. If you have any questions contact the event lead listed.

 

Upcoming Activities:

Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike

Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike - Poo Poo Point via Chirico Trail

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
A quick conditioner to rewarding views in Issaquah Alps.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Fri, Dec 26, 2025
Prerequisites
2 participants 0 chaperones
Registration closed Dec 24
Seattle Branch
Dragana Lassiter
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders XC Skiing

Seattle Pathfinders XC Skiing - Hyak Lake, Nordic Pass, Windy Pass & Mount Catherine

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of XC skiing!
Difficulty: G-XC 3 Intermediate Groomed, G-XC 4 Advanced Groomed
Sat, Dec 27, 2025
Prerequisites
1 participant on waitlist 0 instructors 0 chaperones
Registration closed Dec 9
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers XC Skiing

Seattle Explorers XC Skiing - Cabin Creek

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join us for a xc ski adventure!
Difficulty: G-XC 3 Intermediate Groomed, G-XC 1 Beginner Groomed, G-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Groomed
Mon, Dec 29, 2025
Prerequisites
1 participant 0 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Dec 27
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC XC Skiing

Seattle Junior MAC XC Skiing - Cabin Creek

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Join us for a day of xc skiing!
Difficulty: G-XC 3 Intermediate Groomed, G-XC 1 Beginner Groomed, G-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Groomed
Mon, Dec 29, 2025
Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors 0 chaperones
Registration closes Dec 27
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip

Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip - Paradise

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Advanced backcountry skiing in the wilderness that involves using climbing skins to go uphill and
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Tue, Dec 30, 2025
Prerequisites
2 participants on waitlist 0 instructors
Registration closes Dec 28
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Snowshoe Trip

Seattle MAC Snowshoe Trip - North Mountain Lookout

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Come Join MAC on a New Year's Day snowshoe adventure.
Difficulty: *Varies*, Easy, Winter Scramble
Thu, Jan 1, 2026
Prerequisites
0 participants 0 chaperones
Registration closes Dec 30
Seattle Branch
Ana Maria Feito
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Snow Play

Seattle Pathfinders Snow Play - Gold Creek Pond

Youth Lecture: Pathfinders
A day spent snow playing at a local Sno-Park or other snowy recreation areas!
Fri, Jan 2, 2026
Prerequisites
2 participants 0 instructors 3 chaperones
Registration closes Dec 31
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Skills Night

TAC MAC Skills Night - Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
MAC Meeting and Skills Practice
Wed, Jan 7, 2026
No Prerequisites
4 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Jan 6
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt

Seattle MAC- General Meeting

The MAC cohort meets on the first Wednesday of the month. We'll learn new skills, discuss upcoming trips, and plan activities

Jan 07, 2026
07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman A, Goodman B, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls
Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing

Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing - Paradise Area (winter)

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of snowshoeing!
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sat, Jan 10, 2026
Prerequisites
1 participant 1 instructor 1 chaperone
Registration closes Jan 8
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Stewardship Day

Seattle Junior MAC Stewardship Day - Discovery Park

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Join us for a day of stewardship! The location will be Gold Creek County Park
Sat, Jan 10, 2026
Prerequisites
4 participants 3 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 8
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Stewardship Day

Seattle Explorers Stewardship Day - Discovery Park

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join us for a day of stewardship! Location TBD but we will be at a
Sun, Jan 11, 2026
Prerequisites
11 participants 6 chaperones
Registration closed Oct 19
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Climb Night

Seattle Pathfinders Climb Night - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Youth Programs open the climbing wall to students and families.
Wed, Jan 14, 2026
Prerequisites
24 participants
Registration closes Jan 14
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Methow Cross Country Ski Weekend

Seattle MAC Methow Cross Country Ski Weekend - Methow Valley Winter Trails

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
MAC's annual trip to the beautiful Methow Valley for a weekend of Nordic skiing based
Difficulty: G-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Groomed, G-XC 4 Advanced Groomed, G-XC 1 Beginner Groomed
Fri, Jan 16, 2026 - Mon, Jan 19, 2026
Prerequisites
10 participants 7 instructors 0 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 14
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing

Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing - Heather Lake (Mountain Loop)

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of snowshoeing!
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Sun, Jan 18, 2026
Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors 0 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 16
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Partner Program - Interagency High School Climb
Come belay and support youth from Interagency High School during this six part challenge series!
Thu, Jan 22, 2026
No Prerequisites
0 participants 4 instructors
Seattle Branch
Lauren Glassbrenner
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop

Seattle Explorers | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Avalanche Safety Lecture: Explorers
This is a skills workshop for Explorers interested in learning to lead climb and belay.
Thu, Jan 22, 2026
Prerequisites
3 participants 2 instructors 5 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 21
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Jr. MAC | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop

Seattle Jr. MAC | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
This is a skills workshop for Jr. MACers interested in learning to lead climb and
Thu, Jan 22, 2026
Prerequisites
1 participant 2 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 21
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC XC Skiing

Seattle Junior MAC XC Skiing - Erling Stordahl

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Join us for an afternoon of xc skiing!
Difficulty: G-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Groomed
Sat, Jan 24, 2026
Prerequisites
7 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Jan 22
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Wilderness First Aid

Seattle MAC Wilderness First Aid - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
MAC learns and gains certifications in Wilderness First Aid (WFA)!
Sat, Jan 24, 2026
No Prerequisites
16 participants 4 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 22
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers XC Skiing

Seattle Explorers XC Skiing - Erling Stordahl

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join us for a xc ski adventure!
Difficulty: G-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Groomed
Sat, Jan 24, 2026
Prerequisites
3 participants 0 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 22
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Climbing Skills Series | Anchors, Cleaning & Lowering

Climbing Skills Series | Anchors, Cleaning & Lowering - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Youth Clubs Parent Skills Series
Clubs parents will be learning and practicing anchor building and rope management.
Sun, Jan 25, 2026
Prerequisites
2 participants on waitlist 1 instructor on waitlist
Registration closes Jan 23
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing

Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing - Paradise Area (winter)

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of snowshoeing!
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sun, Jan 25, 2026
Prerequisites
4 participants 0 instructors 4 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 23
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Interagency High School - Climbing

Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Partner Program - Interagency High School Climb
Come belay and support youth from Interagency High School during this six part challenge series!
Tue, Jan 27, 2026
No Prerequisites
0 participants 4 instructors
Seattle Branch
Lauren Glassbrenner
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Student Leadership Team Meeting

Seattle MAC Student Leadership Team Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The elected MAC student leadership team meets monthly on the last or 2nd to last
Wed, Jan 28, 2026
Prerequisites
7 participants
Registration closes Jan 27
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Meeting

Seattle Junior MAC Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Jr. MAC meet once a month at the Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm
Wed, Jan 28, 2026
Prerequisites
12 participants 6 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 28
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Meeting

Seattle Explorers Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Explorers meet once a month at the Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm
Wed, Jan 28, 2026
Prerequisites
11 participants 8 chaperones
Registration closes Jan 28
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Partner Program - Interagency High School Climb
Come belay and support youth from Interagency High School during this six part challenge series!
Thu, Jan 29, 2026
No Prerequisites
0 participants 4 instructors
Seattle Branch
Lauren Glassbrenner
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC- Basement Drytooling

We will be practicing dry tooling in the basement!

Jan 29, 2026
06:30 PM to 08:30 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Basement: North Bay, Basement: Overhanging Wall, Basement: South Bay, Basement: Vertical Wall
Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Snow Cave Building

Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Snow Cave Building - Paradise

Youth Youth activity
Build snow caves and practice winter camping!
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sat, Jan 31, 2026 - Sun, Feb 1, 2026
Prerequisites
14 participants 1 leader
Registration closes Jan 29
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader