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 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 21, 2025
Prerequisites
3 participants 3 chaperones
Registration closes May 19
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Multipitch Skills Workshop

Seattle MAC Multipitch Skills Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
This workshop is designed for returning MAC students who might be leading multi-pitches. Full day
Sat, May 24, 2025
No Prerequisites
4 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes May 23
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Bailey Gatzert - Climbing

Bailey Gatzert - Climbing - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountain Workshop - Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
Bailey Gatzert Climbing
Sat, May 24, 2025
No Prerequisites
0 participants 9 instructors
Registration closes May 22
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, May 28, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants
Registration closes May 27
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Climbing

Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Climbing - Leavenworth

Youth Youth activity
Difficulty: *Varies*, Crag Rock Climb, Strenuous 3, Technical 2
Fri, May 30, 2025 - Sun, Jun 1, 2025
Prerequisites
8 participants on waitlist 1 leader
Registration closes May 28
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Alpine Climb

Seattle MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Shuksan/Sulphide Glacier

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
An Alpine Climb lead by volunteers and/or staff for MAC! This trip has prerequisites. See
Difficulty: Basic Glacier Climb, Strenuous 3, Technical 2
Sat, May 31, 2025 - Sun, Jun 1, 2025
No Prerequisites
5 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes May 29
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
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 4, 2025
No Prerequisites
13 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Jun 3
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader

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 04, 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
Seattle MAC Multipitch Weekend

Seattle MAC Multipitch Weekend - Leavenworth

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Multi-pitch climbing in Leavenworth for students who have met prerequisites. Students not ready for multi-pitch
Difficulty: *Varies*, Crag Rock Climb, Strenuous 3, Technical 2
Fri, Jun 6, 2025 - Sun, Jun 8, 2025
No Prerequisites
1 participant 5 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 4
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Following and Cleaning on Trad Routes Workshop

Seattle MAC Following and Cleaning on Trad Routes Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
This skills workshop will cover following/cleaning on trad routes - cleaning cams & nuts for
Sat, Jun 7, 2025
Prerequisites
7 participants 2 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Jun 5
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Little Tahoma/East Shoulder

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Little Tahoma/East Shoulder

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Strenuous 3, Technical 3, Basic Glacier Climb
Sat, Jun 7, 2025 - Sun, Jun 8, 2025
No Prerequisites
9 participants 1 instructor
Registration opens May 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
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
Thu, Jun 12, 2025
No Prerequisites
11 participants 1 instructor 1 chaperone
Registration closes Jun 10
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Backpack

Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Backpack - Thunder Creek

Youth Youth activity
Difficulty: Easy
Fri, Jun 13, 2025 - Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Prerequisites
11 participants
Registration opens May 1
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike

Seattle MAC Conditioning Hike - Granite Creek Trail

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
A conditioning hike to help prepare and train for backpack trips, longer backpack trips, glacier
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Jun 14, 2025
Prerequisites
11 participants 0 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Jun 12
Seattle Branch
Matt Davey
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 18, 2025
Prerequisites
4 participants 5 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 16
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, Jun 18, 2025
Prerequisites
4 participants 4 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 16
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Rainier/Disappointment Cleaver

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Rainier/Disappointment Cleaver

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Basic Glacier Climb, Strenuous 5, Technical 5
Fri, Jun 20, 2025 - Sat, Jun 21, 2025
No Prerequisites
9 participants 1 instructor
Registration opens May 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
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
Fri, Jun 20, 2025
No Prerequisites
14 participants 2 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 19
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Alpine Climb

Seattle MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Baker/Coleman 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, M2G Advanced Glacier Ski, Basic Experience Climb
Sat, Jun 21, 2025 - Sun, Jun 22, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Jun 19
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Stevens Lodge Day - Stevens Lodge

Stevens Lodge Day - Stevens Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Stevens Lodge Overnight Camp - Water Week 1
Drop-off and first day of camp at Stevens Lodge.
Mon, Jun 23, 2025
No Prerequisites
20 participants 7 instructors
Seattle Branch
Leslie Gobel
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.
Tue, Jun 24, 2025
Prerequisites
19 participants 11 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 22
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Stevens Lodge Day - Skykomish River (South Fork): Beckler River to Baring

Stevens Lodge Day - Skykomish River (South Fork): Beckler River to Baring

Youth Youth activity: Stevens Lodge Overnight Camp - Water Week 1
Campers head out for a day of rafting with Outdoor Adventure Center in Index, Washington.
Tue, Jun 24, 2025
No Prerequisites
20 participants 7 instructors
Seattle Branch
Leslie Gobel
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Climbing Trip

Seattle MAC Climbing Trip - Mazama

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Schools out Mazama overnight cragging trip. We will be camping and climbing in the Mazama
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Tue, Jun 24, 2025 - Fri, Jun 27, 2025
No Prerequisites
2 participants 3 instructors 0 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 17
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 25, 2025
Prerequisites
6 participants
Registration closes Jun 24
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Stevens Lodge Day - Lake Valhalla

Stevens Lodge Day - Lake Valhalla

Youth Youth activity: Stevens Lodge Overnight Camp - Water Week 1
Campers go hiking to Lake Valhalla at Stevens Pass.
Wed, Jun 25, 2025
No Prerequisites
20 participants 7 instructors
Seattle Branch
Leslie Gobel
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Leavenworth

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Leavenworth

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Practice our climbing and rope skills, with car camping
Difficulty: *Varies*, Crag Rock Climb, Strenuous 3, Technical 2
Thu, Jun 26, 2025 - Fri, Jun 27, 2025
No Prerequisites
10 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Jun 24
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
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
Thu, Jun 26, 2025
No Prerequisites
16 participants 2 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 25
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Stevens Lodge Day - Lake Wenatchee South Park Area

Stevens Lodge Day - Lake Wenatchee South Park Area

Youth Youth activity: Stevens Lodge Overnight Camp - Water Week 1
Campers spend the day swimming in the sun at Lake Wenatchee.
Thu, Jun 26, 2025
No Prerequisites
20 participants 7 instructors
Seattle Branch
Leslie Gobel
Qualified Youth Leader
Stevens Lodge Day - Stevens Lodge

Stevens Lodge Day - Stevens Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Stevens Lodge Overnight Camp - Water Week 1
Pick-up and last day of camp at Stevens Lodge.
Fri, Jun 27, 2025
No Prerequisites
20 participants 7 instructors
Registration closes Jun 29
Seattle Branch
Leslie Gobel
Qualified Youth Leader
Stevens Lodge Day - Stevens Lodge

Stevens Lodge Day - Stevens Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Stevens Lodge Overnight Camp - Water Week 2
Drop-off and first day of camp at Stevens Lodge.
Mon, Jun 30, 2025
No Prerequisites
18 participants 7 instructors
Seattle Branch
Leslie Gobel
Qualified Youth Leader