Amalija Kopac
With the recent release of our annual impact report, we're celebrating all that donors and volunteers made possible through The Mountaineers in 2022.
The model of volunteer-led outdoor education at The Mountaineers is imbued with a sense of purpose that cultivates friendships, mentorships, and lifelong learning opportunities. We approach our outdoor pursuits with more than a “one and done” attitude; we build a culture that fosters collaboration between students and teachers and care for the natural world. And as our community grows out of authentic relationships, consistent values crop up across all activities: safety, respect, communication, and the joy of being outside together.
Some of my closest friends are people I’ve met through The Mountaineers, especially through the community of volunteers caring for Baker Lodge. After more than a decade of envisioning ways to create a more welcoming learning environment, we
were finally able to make improvements to the Baker Lodge teaching room. Through the dedication of our volunteers, we’ve elevated the overall guest experience and created additional space to serve more students. It is amazing how just one upgrade can transform the entire building and better support a productive learning experience.
Baker Lodge is not the only location to benefit from investments in 2022. We also initiated projects in Kitsap and Tacoma as well as Meany and Stevens Lodge. The increased focus on our outdoor centers made possible by the Board and our financial supporters provides easier access to the mountains and snow, minimizes the impact of repeated travel for multi-day courses, and builds bonds of friendship as people share meals and chat around the fireplace.
More and more people are seeking connection in and with nature, and I’m proud of the ways The Mountaineers continues to be a trusted leader in this space. Guidebooks educate, inspire, and lead us to nature. Physical spaces bond our community to the land and each other. And volunteers teach, organize, cook, budget, and bring it all together so that anyone who wants to learn outdoor skills has that opportunity with The Mountaineers.
2022 Impact: Lead Innovation in Outdoor Education
- New eLearning Sets Benchmark for Outdoor Leadership Training. New Foundations of Leadership and Foundations of Instruction eLearning courses launched in summer 2022. They help turn outdoor enthusiasts into educators through topics like risk mitigation, learning facilitation, and fostering an inclusive environment.
- Branches Innovate to Invest in Outdoor Education.
A 2022 pilot program allowed members to support new opportunities in their branches. Everett, Foothills, and
Olympia explored new ways to invest in the outdoor experience. - Packrafting: Mountaineers Champion the Newest Paddle Sport. Volunteers launched a new committee and course, opening up novel ways to experience our natural world.
2022 titles Extend Our Reach
Mountaineers Books published ten new where-to and how-to guides in 2022, covering territory from Alaska to Great Britain. The Packraft Handbook by Luc Mehl is the first comprehensive guide to the sport and was honored with the Banff Mountain Book Award for best guidebook and the National Outdoor Book Award for outdoor adventure guidebooks. Adventure Ready by Katie Gerber and Heather Anderson helps hikers inspired by Thirst and Mud, Rocks, Blazes prepare for their own long-trail journeys. Finally, Hut to Hut USA by Sam Demas and Laurel Bradley is the first guide to sixteen hut systems around the United States, from the White Mountains to the San Juans. These books exemplify Mountaineers leadership in outdoor education.
The Mountaineers® is a 501(c)(3) organization supported through earned revenue and elevated through charitable contributions. Our staff work to support our seven branches (Bellingham, Everett, Foothills, Kitsap, Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma), three lodges (Baker, Meany, and Stevens), and our Kitsap Forest Theater. Tax ID: 27-3009280. 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
