Explorers - SPRING

Please read this description in its entirety before registering.

Note: Explorers membership is $200 in total for the Spring Season. Participants may register here and pay in full, or may contact beckyn@mountaineers.org to set up a quarterly payment plan. 

We offer financial assistance! To apply for financial assistance click here.

The Explorers Spring Sea Kayak Course provides youth ages 8-11 an opportunity to learn about backpacking and get out to enjoy the beautiful mountains and river valleys that surround us. The goal is to understand what backpacking is, how to get out in a fun, successful way, how to learn to assess risk, as well as the importance of working as a group.

Explorer members will spend three months  working on their skills and getting out together to learn how to backpack. We will get together once a month to practice skills learned in monthly meetings. These months include:

APR: We will learn the basics to backpacking, which include the different types of gear that is needed and how to trip plan. Our  weekend trip will be  at Squaxin Park where we will access gear, fitness level, and practice packing techniques. 

MAY: We will focus on map reading, basic backcountry first aid and rescue, and backpacking techniques to make your experience more successful and fun. Our weekend trip will be held at the Lower South Fork of the Skokomish River.

JUN: We will go over all of the learned skills and practice, practice, practice. Our weekend trip will be a FUN weekend backpacking along the North Quinault River and enjoying a beautiful backpacking together to celebrate graduating the Explorers Backpacking programming!

** Due to the nature and complexity of Backpacking Education, each participant will need to participate and successfully complete the skills required to participate in the backpack to Lake Quinault  **

Explorers will be supported by Mountaineers staff, but parents are encouraged to actively participate and possibly even lead some trips if they feel ready. 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. This program will focus on skill-building for both youth and adults, and on building an outdoor community.

*Note that while  parents/guardians are encouraged to be active participants in the club, there is plenty of flexibility so that youth can participate in a trip even if a parent/guardian can't make it.

Explorers is a club and requires a time commitment and program fee of $200 (which can be paid in installments). In return, members gain a community of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy spending time learning skills together. As families grow through our programs, lifelong friendships are built. 

Note: Youth ages 8-11  register as participants, and therefore pay the registration and program fee. Parents should become a Qualified Youth Leader and then register for the Explorer program as a  Chaperone (there is no fee for this).