The Mountaineers
When members like you give to support scholarships, you are saying that finances should not be a barrier to connecting with the natural world. The outdoors is for everyone, and scholarships can help lower one barrier to finding joy and belonging outside.
We’re excited to share that a pool of donors has invited our community to join a $10,000 matching challenge for Giving Tuesday, which means that your donation today or tomorrow will have double the impact! We need to raise $30,000 this week to support access and belonging in our outdoor community and your gift of any size will help.
In 2023, Mountaineers at all seven branches were awarded scholarships to access courses, memberships, and youth programs. One of them was Lindsay.
Lindsay and Jackson's story
Lindsay is an only parent to her son, Jackson*, and thought that he would flourish with the opportunity to go on a Mountaineers summer camp trip. “Jackson is on the autism spectrum, and he loves the outdoors, nature, animals, and camping/survival skills building,” she told us. “He becomes the most himself in these settings, and I want to provide him as many opportunities as possible to have those experiences.”
Lindsay applied for a donor-funded scholarship for a three-day camp adventure near Mt. Rainier. “We wouldn't have access to this kind of experience without scholarship funding, so I just asked.”
“Jackson’s trip to Mt. Rainier was the first time doing something overnight like that without a parent. He was so proud of himself, and he had a wonderful time. It was really good for both of us,” Lindsay shared. “There are so many areas of life that are challenging for him, and it's a huge confidence boost to have the camping experience with The Mountaineers where he could build on his skills and interests, and have a ton of fun exploring and meeting new people. The staff and volunteers really watched out for him. It was a powerful and positive experience.
Lindsay works with people living with mental illnesses and believes that everyone should have the chance to experience the outdoors. “I take every opportunity I can to get folks outside, even if it's sitting in a car looking out over budd inlet; or watching the salmon run at Tumwater Falls; or going for a walk around Capitol Lake. It shifts people's mood, perspective and makes a positive impact on mental health and recovery. Everyone should have a chance to experience the outdoors.”
Your donation today will help families like Lindsay and her son Jackson access Mountaineers programming. The gift of a scholarship helps people take their first steps into a new activity, and can serve as the foundation for a lifelong love of our natural world.
Will you support the Mountaineers Access Program with a donation today?
*Name changed for privacy.
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.
