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:

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
Dragana Lassiter
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
Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip

Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip - Middle Sister

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Advanced backcountry skiing in the wilderness that involves using climbing skins to go uphill and
Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
Thu, Jun 18, 2026 - Sun, Jun 21, 2026
Prerequisites
6 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Apr 1; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
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 Alpine Climb

Seattle MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Baker/Easton Glacier

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
An Alpine Climb lead by volunteers and/or staff for MAC! This trip has prerequisites. See
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Glacier Climb, M3G Expert Glacier Ski, Basic Experience Climb
Tue, Jun 23, 2026 - Wed, Jun 24, 2026
No Prerequisites
9 participants 2 instructors
Registration opens Apr 1; Instructor registration open now
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, 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
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, Jun 24, 2026
Prerequisites
15 participants 9 chaperones
Registration opens May 6
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Leavenworth

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Practice our climbing and rope skills, with car camping
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 - Fri, Jun 26, 2026
No Prerequisites
10 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens May 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
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, Jul 1, 2026
No Prerequisites
10 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Jun 30
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

Jul 01, 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
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Stuart/West Ridge

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Axel's leadership climb. This will be a small, experienced group.
Difficulty: Intermediate Rock Climb
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 - Fri, Jul 3, 2026
No Prerequisites
2 participants
Registration opens Jul 2
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Seattle MAC Summer Trip!

Seattle MAC Summer Trip! - Squamish

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Each year, MAC goes on a 10-day long car camping, rock/alpine/glacier climbing, hiking, backpacking, and
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Mon, Jul 6, 2026 - Wed, Jul 15, 2026
No Prerequisites
37 participants 19 instructors
Registration closes Jul 4
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Ingalls Peak/South Ridge

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Basic Rock Climb, Strenuous 2, Technical 2
Mon, Jul 6, 2026 - Tue, Jul 7, 2026
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
3 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Jun 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
RyAnn Peverley
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, Jul 8, 2026
Prerequisites
14 participants 7 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 7
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Forbidden Peak/West Ridge

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
This is an advanced climb that will only be open to a small group. Sarah
Difficulty: Intermediate Rock Climb
Wed, Jul 8, 2026 - Thu, Jul 9, 2026
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
3 participants
Registration opens Jul 6
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
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, Jul 8, 2026
Prerequisites
15 participants 9 chaperones
Registration opens Jun 3
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Squamish

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Squamish

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Week long camping trip to Squamish BC. Multiple daily opportunities, such as rock climbing, hiking,
Sun, Jul 12, 2026 - Sun, Jul 19, 2026
No Prerequisites
7 participants 3 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 10
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Seattle Pathfinders Summer Trip!

Seattle Pathfinders Summer Trip! - Squamish

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join the Pathfinders (and Nomads) on a 4 day trip to somewhere in the PNW!
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 - Mon, Jul 20, 2026
Prerequisites
21 participants 9 instructors 17 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 15
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Alpine Scramble

Seattle MAC Alpine Scramble - Del Campo Peak

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Join MAC for a scramble to a Smoot's 100 peak which might include travel on
Difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 5
Sun, Jul 19, 2026
No Prerequisites
4 participants on waitlist 1 instructor 0 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 17
Seattle Branch
Ana Maria Feito
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Summer Trip!

Seattle Junior MAC Summer Trip! - Squamish

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Join the Jr. MACers (and Explorers) on a 5 day trip to somewhere in the
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Mon, Jul 20, 2026 - Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Prerequisites
22 participants 9 instructors 18 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 18
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Summer Trip!

Seattle Explorers Summer Trip! - Squamish

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join the Explorers (and Jr. MACers) on a 5 day trip to somewhere in the
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Mon, Jul 20, 2026 - Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Prerequisites
26 participants 8 instructors 17 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 18
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike - Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm

Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike - Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
A summer conditioning hike. Assume a 2.0-2.2 MPH moving pace for this hike to better
Difficulty: Strenuous, Very Strenuous
Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Prerequisites
2 participants on waitlist 0 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 23
Seattle Branch
Ana Maria Feito
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Thompson/West Ridge

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Intermediate Rock Climb
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 - Sun, Aug 2, 2026
No Prerequisites
4 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Jun 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
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, Aug 5, 2026
No Prerequisites
8 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Aug 4
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt