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 Pathfinders Mountaineers Lodge Weekend

Seattle Pathfinders Mountaineers Lodge Weekend - Stevens Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Pathfinders stay at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges for a weekend of snowy adventure.
Mon, Feb 17, 2025 - Thu, Feb 20, 2025
Prerequisites
1 participant on waitlist 0 instructors 2 chaperones on waitlist
Registration closed Feb 4
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Cross Country Ski Overnight

Seattle MAC Cross Country Ski Overnight - Snow Bowl Hut, High Hut & The Yurt

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
An overnight cross country ski OR snowshoe trip in which participants will ski/snowshoe in with
Difficulty: Strenuous, G-XC 3 Intermediate Groomed, G-XC 4 Advanced Groomed
Wed, Feb 19, 2025 - Thu, Feb 20, 2025
Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors 0 chaperones
Registration closed Feb 18
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Break Camp - Magnuson Park In-Town Day

Break Camp - Magnuson Park In-Town Day - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mid-Winter Break Camp
A typical day at Seattle Mountaineers Camp.
Wed, Feb 19, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants 7 instructors
Registration closed Feb 10
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
Break Camp - Magnuson Park In-Town Day

Break Camp - Magnuson Park In-Town Day - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mid-Winter Break Camp
A typical day at Seattle Mountaineers Camp.
Fri, Feb 21, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants 7 instructors
Registration closed Feb 10
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Winter Scramble

Seattle MAC Winter Scramble - Norse Peak

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Join MAC for a scramble of a peak or summit in the Cascades which includes
Difficulty: Strenuous 3, Technical 2, Snow Scramble, Winter Scramble
Fri, Feb 21, 2025
No Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors
Seattle Branch
Andy Cahn
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing

Seattle Pathfinders Snowshoeing - Grace Lakes

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of snowshoeing!
Difficulty: Easy
Sat, Feb 22, 2025
Prerequisites
12 participants 6 chaperones
Registration closes Feb 21
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Snowshoe

Seattle Explorers Snowshoe - Kendall: Knobs, Lakes & Loops

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join us for a day of snowshoeing!
Difficulty: M1 Intremediate Ski, Strenuous
Sun, Feb 23, 2025
Prerequisites
9 participants 4 chaperones
Registration closes Feb 20
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
After-School Program Day - Pathfinders

After-School Program Day - Pathfinders - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: After-School - Pathfinders - Winter
A typical day of after-school programming for Pathfinders!
Tue, Feb 25, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants
Registration closes Feb 23
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
Interagency High School - Climbing

Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountain Workshop - Interagency High School
Come belay and support youth from Interagency High School during this six part challenge series!
Tue, Feb 25, 2025
No Prerequisites
0 participants 9 instructors
Registration closes Feb 24
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
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, Feb 26, 2025
Prerequisites
4 participants
Registration closes Feb 24
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
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, Feb 26, 2025
Prerequisites
4 participants on waitlist 4 chaperones
Registration closes Feb 24
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
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, Feb 26, 2025
Prerequisites
3 participants 3 chaperones
Registration closes Feb 24
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
After-School Program Day - Explorers

After-School Program Day - Explorers - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: After School - Explorers - Winter
A typical day of after-school programming for Explorers!
Thu, Feb 27, 2025
No Prerequisites
8 participants 4 instructors
Registration closes Feb 25
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC NIKO Course Field Day

Seattle MAC NIKO Course Field Day - Alpental Backcountry

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Field day for the NIKO Course students to apply the tools and concepts learned in
Sat, Mar 1, 2025
Prerequisites
0 participants
Registration closes Feb 27
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Trail Work Day

Seattle MAC Trail Work Day - Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Get your hands dirty while taking care of our trails! Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance will
Sat, Mar 1, 2025
No Prerequisites
6 participants
Registration closes Feb 27
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Climbing Skills Series | Rappelling

Climbing Skills Series | Rappelling - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Youth Clubs Parent Skills Series
Part 4 of 6. Clubs parents will be learning and practicing anchor building and rope
Sun, Mar 2, 2025
Prerequisites
4 participants on waitlist 3 instructors
Registration closes Feb 28
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip

Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Advanced backcountry skiing in the wilderness that involves using climbing skins to go uphill and
Sun, Mar 2, 2025
Prerequisites
7 participants 1 instructor 1 chaperone
Registration closes Feb 28
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Interagency High School - Climbing

Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountain Workshop - Interagency High School
Come belay and support youth from Interagency High School during this six part challenge series!
Tue, Mar 4, 2025
No Prerequisites
0 participants 9 instructors
Registration closes Mar 3
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
After-School Program Day - Pathfinders

After-School Program Day - Pathfinders - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: After-School - Pathfinders - Winter
A typical day of after-school programming for Pathfinders!
Tue, Mar 4, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants
Registration closes Mar 2
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
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, Mar 5, 2025
No Prerequisites
12 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Mar 4
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

Mar 05, 2025
07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman B, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls
After-School Program Day - Explorers

After-School Program Day - Explorers - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: After School - Explorers - Winter
A typical day of after-school programming for Explorers!
Thu, Mar 6, 2025
No Prerequisites
8 participants 4 instructors
Registration closes Mar 4
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Mountaineers Lodge Weekend

Seattle Junior MAC Mountaineers Lodge Weekend - Baker Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Jr. MACers stay at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges for a weekend of snowy
Fri, Mar 7, 2025 - Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Mar 5
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Mountaineers Lodge Weekend

Seattle Explorers Mountaineers Lodge Weekend - Baker Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Explorers stay at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges for a weekend of snowy adventure.
Fri, Mar 7, 2025 - Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Prerequisites
3 participants 0 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 5
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Overnight Snow Camping Trip

Seattle MAC Overnight Snow Camping Trip - Paradise

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
An overnight snow camp to practice our snow camping and winter layering skills!
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sat, Mar 8, 2025 - Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Prerequisites
0 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Mar 6
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Pierce County Parks - Climbing

Pierce County Parks - Climbing - Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center

Climbing Youth activity: Partner Program - Pierce County Parks
Climbing clinics for youth through Pierce County Parks
Sat, Mar 8, 2025
No Prerequisites
11 participants
Registration closes Mar 6
Tacoma Branch
RyAnn Peverley
Qualified Youth Leader
Interagency High School - Climbing

Interagency High School - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountain Workshop - Interagency High School
Come belay and support youth from Interagency High School during this six part challenge series!
Tue, Mar 11, 2025
No Prerequisites
0 participants 9 instructors
Registration closes Mar 10
Seattle Branch
Christine Kler
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Climbing Trip

Seattle MAC Climbing Trip - Tieton River: Royal Columns

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
An overnight cragging trip. This trip has prerequisites. See leaders notes for details.
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Fri, Mar 14, 2025 - Sun, Mar 16, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants 0 instructors 4 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 12
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Hike - Lord Hill Regional Park

Seattle Explorers Hike - Lord Hill Regional Park

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join us for a morning of urban foraging. We will learn how to ethically harvest
Difficulty: Easy, Easy
Sun, Mar 16, 2025
Prerequisites
3 participants 3 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 14
Seattle Branch
Dragana Lassiter
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Hike - Lord Hill Regional Park

Seattle Pathfinders Hike - Lord Hill Regional Park

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of hiking!
Difficulty: Easy, Easy
Sun, Mar 16, 2025
Prerequisites
7 participants on waitlist 2 chaperones on waitlist
Registration closes Mar 14
Seattle Branch
Dragana Lassiter
Qualified Youth Leader