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 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, Apr 22, 2026
Prerequisites
15 participants 9 chaperones
Registration opens Mar 4
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Snow 1 Field Trip

Seattle MAC Snow 1 Field Trip - Paradise

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The first snow skills field trip for MAC. Covering glacier travel basics - ice-ax self
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sat, Apr 25, 2026 - Sun, Apr 26, 2026
Prerequisites
7 participants 2 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Apr 23
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
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, Apr 29, 2026
Prerequisites
7 participants
Registration closes Apr 28
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, Apr 29, 2026
Prerequisites
29 participants
Registration opens Mar 4
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Mount Erie

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Practice our climbing and rope skills, with car camping
Sat, May 2, 2026 - Sun, May 3, 2026
No Prerequisites
3 participants on waitlist 1 instructor
Registration closes Apr 30
Tacoma Branch
Kevin DeFields
Qualified Youth Leader
Bailey Gatzert - Climbing

Bailey Gatzert - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Partner Program - Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
Bailey Gatzert Climbing
Sat, May 2, 2026
No Prerequisites
0 participants 5 instructors
Registration closes Apr 30
Seattle Branch
Lauren Glassbrenner
Qualified Youth Leader
Franklin Pierce HS - Hiking

Franklin Pierce HS - Hiking - Little Mashel Falls

Day Hiking Youth activity: Partner Program - Franklin Pierce HS
A Hiking adventure for Franklin Pierce HS students!
Difficulty: Easy
Sat, May 2, 2026
No Prerequisites
5 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Apr 30
Tacoma Branch
RyAnn Peverley
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, May 6, 2026
No Prerequisites
3 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes May 5
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

May 06, 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 MAC Multipitch Workshop Part 1

Seattle MAC Multipitch Workshop Part 1 - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Part 1 of a two part series of how to multipitch climb.
Sat, May 9, 2026
No Prerequisites
4 participants
Registration closes May 7
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, May 20, 2026
Prerequisites
29 participants
Registration opens Apr 1
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Multipitch Weekend

Seattle MAC Multipitch Weekend - Mazama

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Multi-pitch climbing in Leavenworth for students who have met prerequisites. Students not ready for multi-pitch
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Fri, May 22, 2026 - Mon, May 25, 2026
No Prerequisites
2 participants on waitlist 3 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes May 20
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Rainier/Ingraham Glacier

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
Sat, May 23, 2026 - Mon, May 25, 2026
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
9 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens May 21; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Bailey Gatzert - Climbing

Bailey Gatzert - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Partner Program - Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
Bailey Gatzert Climbing
Sat, May 23, 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, May 27, 2026
Prerequisites
7 participants
Registration closes May 26
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, May 27, 2026
Prerequisites
14 participants 7 chaperones
Registration opens Apr 1
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, May 27, 2026
Prerequisites
15 participants 9 chaperones
Registration opens Apr 1
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Jr. MAC Scramble

Seattle Jr. MAC Scramble - Mount St. Helens/Worm Flows

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
This will be a climb of Mt. St. Helens. We will either drive down on
Difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 4, Winter Scramble
Sat, May 30, 2026 - Sun, May 31, 2026
Prerequisites
6 participants 1 instructor 2 chaperones
Registration opens Mar 1; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Snow 2 Field Trip

Seattle MAC Snow 2 Field Trip - Mount Baker Recreation Area

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
This is the 2nd snow skills field trip covering more advanced glacier travel techniques including
Difficulty: Basic Glacier Climb
Sat, May 30, 2026 - Sun, May 31, 2026
Prerequisites
4 participants on waitlist 1 instructor 0 chaperones
Registration closes May 28
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, Jun 3, 2026
Prerequisites
29 participants
Registration opens May 6
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, Jun 3, 2026
No Prerequisites
5 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Jun 2
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

Jun 03, 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 MAC Intro to Trad Climbing Workshop

Seattle MAC Intro to Trad Climbing Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
This skills workshop will cover the basics of trad climbing - placing cams & nuts
Sat, Jun 6, 2026
No Prerequisites
17 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Jun 4
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Franklin Pierce HS - Hiking

Franklin Pierce HS - Hiking - Annette Lake

Day Hiking Youth activity: Partner Program - Franklin Pierce HS
A Hiking adventure for Franklin Pierce HS students!
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Sat, Jun 6, 2026
No Prerequisites
9 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Jun 4
Tacoma Branch
RyAnn Peverley
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike - Navaho Pass & Peak

Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike - Navaho Pass & Peak

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
We’ll enjoy early summer on the dry side of the Cascades on a long hike
Difficulty: *Varies*, Strenuous, Strenuous 3, Strenuous 5, Technical 2
Sun, Jun 7, 2026
Prerequisites
2 participants on waitlist 0 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 5
Seattle Branch
Seattle MAC Alpine Scramble

Seattle MAC Alpine Scramble - Mount Adams/South Spur

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Join MAC for a scramble of a peak or summit in the Cascades which includes
Difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 4
Fri, Jun 12, 2026 - Sun, Jun 14, 2026
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
10 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Jan 1; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Ana Maria Feito
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Scramble

TAC MAC Scramble - Mount Adams/South Spur

Scrambling Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Scrambling outing for MAC Tacoma students
Difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 4
Sat, Jun 13, 2026 - Sun, Jun 14, 2026
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
10 participants 1 instructor
Registration opens May 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Kevin DeFields
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Sloan Peak/Corkscrew Route

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
Fri, Jun 19, 2026 - Sat, Jun 20, 2026
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
10 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens May 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
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, Jun 24, 2026
Prerequisites
7 participants
Registration closes Jun 23
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, Jun 24, 2026
Prerequisites
14 participants 7 chaperones
Registration opens May 6
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader