Katy Snyder
As summer comes to an end, many of us are focused on how to enjoy the last of the sunshine while staying socially distant. At The Mountaineers, we're gearing up for a new season of youth programming to keep our young members outside and engaged! Registration opens this month. Don't miss your chance to sign your kids up for a year of learning and exploration.
Our youth clubs function year-round to foster outdoor skills development, host trips, and create community. Throughout the year, you will have the chance to see your kids put snowshoes on for the first time, learn how to place climbing protection at the local crag, or hike to a stunning alpine lake. Each club cultivates skills in outdoor activities appropriate for their age range, allowing children to explore the natural world and to grow their confidence and abilities.
To comply with COVID-19 protocols, this year we divided each group into smaller pods to keep group size down (fun fact: did you know that a group of juvenile alligators is called a pod?).
See below for information on each club and to sign up for new member meetings. These meetings will be held virtually via Zoom. If you're not in the Seattle area, take a look at our youth clubs in Olympia and Tacoma.
PATHFINDERS and NOMADS
AGES 6-9
Our Pathfinders and Nomads programs provide youth ages 6-7 and 8-9 (respectively) and their parents/guardians with the opportunity to get outside at least once a month. Pathfinders and Nomads are designed to expose youth to a variety of outdoor activities and have fun! Participants will have the chance to climb, hike, paddle, camp, and more. The group will be supported by Mountaineers staff, but parents will be expected to play an active role in planning and even leading some trips.
SEATTLE NEW MEMBER MEETING
Tuesday, September 8
6-8pm
EXPLORERS and JUNIOR MAC
AGES 10-13
Explorers and Junior MAC are year-round outdoor adventure programs for youth ages 10-11 and 12-13 (respectively) and their parents. These programs are designed for those who are looking for a community of like-minded families to build outdoor skills together. They will also prepare youth to be successful in our teen program, Mountaineers Adventure Club. Members commit to meeting monthly and going on at least one outdoor adventure a month. The cohorts will be supported by Mountaineers staff, but parents will be expected to play an active role in planning and even leading some trips. Staff will provide opportunities for parents to advance their own outdoor skills, as well as learn key skills for leading kids safely in the outdoors.
SEATTLE NEW MEMBER MEETING
Wednesday, September 23
6:30-8:30pm
MOUNTAINEERS ADVENTURE CLUB
AGES 14-18
The Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) is a year-round outdoor adventure program for youth ages 14-18, offering monthly meetings to plan outings and learn skills. MAC Members must be 14 years old by January of the year that they join.
The youth members plan all of their own outings with guidance from adult advisers. From single-day to week-long trips, activities include rock climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, car and snow-cave camping, cross-country skiing, and mountaineering. While attendance at everything isn't required, the more meetings and outings you attend the more rewarding the program will be!
SEATTLE NEW MEMBER MEETING
Wednesday, September 16
LOOKING FOR YOUTH CLUBS IN TACOMA OR OLYMPIA?
Our Tacoma and Olympia branches also host youth clubs to get kids across the Puget Sound region outdoors and exploring. Learn more about these clubs and register for a program near you:
TACOMA YOUTH PROGRAMS
Explorers (Ages 7-13)
Mountaineers Adventure Program (MAC) (Ages 14-18)
OLYMPIA YOUTH PROGRAMS
Explorers (Ages 10-13)
