Dixie Havlak
With the recent release of our annual impact report, we're celebrating all that donors and volunteers made possible through The Mountaineers in 2023.
When I got involved with The Mountaineers Olympia Branch in 2002, outdoor programs for families didn’t exist. Recreating outdoors with kids can be challenging. The stakes feel higher and there aren’t many outdoor education opportunities available for young ones. As a parent, I remember having to put my outdoor activities on hold until my kids were old enough to enroll in adult programs. I’m so glad that families today can access Mountaineers programs that empower exploration of the outdoors together, responsibly and confidently.
I’m proud to have been involved in building family programs for parents and youth. Our curriculum breaks down barriers of entry and engages Mountaineers of all ages. Kids and families are supported through learning and trying new things and in turn, experienced volunteers get to share their joy of the outdoors with others. These programs not only cultivate the next generation of outdoor leaders and advocates, they provide older generations the opportunity to fall back in love with the natural world and find community among outdoor-minded folks.
In 2023, youth programs across The Mountaineers grew as strategic investments were made in staff to meet the growing demand for youth programming. Overnight lodge camps more than doubled in capacity, and a new lottery system for Seattle day camp increased the number of unique campers served by 20%. Here in Olympia, we saw summer camp enrollment thrive—serving 65 campers last fiscal year—and established a Jr. Mountaineers Adventure Club. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we were able to form new connections with youth-serving organizations, strengthen relationships with existing partners in our community, and increase the accessibility of our programs through scholarships so youth can participate in transformative learning regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
Investing in families is what keeps The Mountaineers vibrant. A handful of kids who began their Mountaineers journey in our
family programs are now volunteers for youth programs, a pathway we’re working to formalize as a new youth leadership program. This sustained engagement is proof that engaging a community of outdoor enthusiasts involves engaging Mountaineers at all ages, and I am grateful to be a part of programs that help Mountaineers of any age or experience level get outside.
2023 IMPACT: ENAGE A VIBRANT OUTDOOR COMMUNITY
- Equity & Inclusion Leader Toolkit Launches. Our Equity & Inclusion Leader Toolkit offers materials, resources, and exercises that Mountaineers leaders can use to incorporate equity, inclusion, and belonging into every phase of their course or activity, from planning to program implementation.
- New Course Promotes Emotional Safety Across Programs. Feeling emotionally safe to ask questions, share concerns, and show up as your full self is a key component
to successful trips. Our new Emotional Safety in the Outdoors eLearning course equips Mountaineers to create
emotionally safe programs where all people feel belonging. - Scholarships Reduce Barriers to Entry for All Activities. In 2023, $69,742 in donor-funded scholarships helped youth and adults access outdoor education and activities, including Summer Camp, After-School Programs, Wilderness First Aid, and courses such as Basic Alpine Climbing and Canyoning. Read about one participant’s experience.
2023 TITLES CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE OUTDOORS
Mountaineers guidebooks get readers of all skill levels outside. Series like Day Hiking and Urban Trails—both of which saw new releases in 2023—focus on single-day trips and transit-accessible hikes. Mountaineers Books also engages readers with outdoor literature, allowing every reader to see themselves in the natural world, whether planning an expedition or taking a journey vicariously. 2023 publications include Been Outside, a collection of nature writing by Black women and nonbinary writers, and Campfire Stories, Volume II, a collection of new writing about National Parks and long trails.
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.
