Volunteer with Youth Programs

Thinking about getting involved in Youth Programs? Fantastic! The Mountaineers run a variety of programs designed to foster a love of the outdoors. We are always looking for volunteers who are excited about sharing their skills and being mentors. Find out about types of programs, volunteer requirements, and current opportunities!

 

Programs where we need your help

Partner Programs 

The Mountaineers offers a variety of custom partner programs, called Mountain Workshops, for  youth serving organizations. Mountain Workshops are single or multi-day experiences designed in collaboration with partner organizations to meet the educational goals of their group. Programs happen mid-week, on weekends, and in the evenings, and need volunteers to help belay, teach basic first aid, navigation, outdoor cooking, and much more. It's easy, fun, low-commitment, and very rewarding. 

 Summer Camp

Mountaineers summer campers ages 6–12 spend their days climbing, swimming, learning outdoor curriculum, completing stewardship projects, and exploring the great PNW. Volunteers are invited to belay campers every Friday morning from 9:30am–12:00pm. It's a fun, easy way to connect with campers and give back to The Mountaineers community.

  year-round Youth Clubs

Join youth ages 6–13 outside all year long in the full array of outdoor activities offered by The Mountaineers. Get involved by helping belay at a skills workshop, or teach backpacking basics, navigation, or how to cook a favorite camping meal at a monthly meeting for our families.   

Hoping to help out with our Teen Club? Head on over to the Seattle Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) page to learn more. 

Ready to jump in? Click on an activity, choose register an instructor on the right side, and sign up for the activity. If you have any questions contact the event lead listed.

 

Upcoming Activities:

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Leavenworth

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Leavenworth

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Practice our climbing and rope skills, with car camping
Difficulty: *Varies*, Crag Rock Climb, Strenuous 3, Technical 2
Thu, Jun 26, 2025 - Fri, Jun 27, 2025
No Prerequisites
11 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Jun 24
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Intro to Trad Climbing Workshop

Seattle MAC Intro to Trad Climbing Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
This skills workshop will cover the basics of trad climbing - placing cams & nuts
Thu, Jun 26, 2025
No Prerequisites
16 participants 2 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 25
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Climb Night

Seattle Pathfinders Climb Night - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Youth Programs open the climbing wall to students and families.
Wed, Jul 2, 2025
Prerequisites
19 participants 11 chaperones
Registration closes Jun 30
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Skills Night

TAC MAC Skills Night - Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
MAC Meeting and Skills Practice
Wed, Jul 2, 2025
No Prerequisites
15 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Jul 1
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC- General Meeting

The MAC cohort meets on the first Wednesday of the month. We'll learn new skills, discuss upcoming trips, and plan activities

Jul 02, 2025
07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman B, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Glacier Peak/Disappointment Peak Cleaver

Youth Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Alpine climb for Tacoma MAC Students
Difficulty: Basic Glacier Climb
Thu, Jul 3, 2025 - Sat, Jul 5, 2025
No Prerequisites
9 participants 1 instructor
Registration opens Jun 1; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Kevin DeFields
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Buckner/North Face

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Mount Buckner/North Face

Youth Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Karter's leadership climb. This climb will be very strenuous and will include technical ice and
Difficulty: Intermediate Ice Climb
Mon, Jul 7, 2025 - Wed, Jul 9, 2025
No Prerequisites
3 participants
Registration opens Jul 1
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Summer Trip!

Seattle MAC Summer Trip! - Squamish

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Each year, MAC goes on a 10-day long car camping, rock/alpine/glacier climbing, hiking, backpacking, and
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Mon, Jul 7, 2025 - Wed, Jul 16, 2025
No Prerequisites
23 participants 18 instructors 8 chaperones
Registration closes Jul 5
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Youth Trip

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Weeklong Trip. Destination either Bend, OR or Squamish BC. TBD
Sun, Jul 13, 2025 - Sun, Jul 20, 2025
No Prerequisites
19 participants 4 instructors
Registration closes Jul 11
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Hike - Blanca Lake

Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Hike - Blanca Lake

Youth Youth activity
Embark on an unforgettable journey to one of the most awe-inspiring lakes in the area!
Difficulty: Strenuous
Sat, Aug 2, 2025
Prerequisites
8 participants
Registration closes Jul 29
Seattle Branch
Zuzana Regan
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Skills Night

TAC MAC Skills Night - Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
MAC Meeting and Skills Practice
Wed, Aug 6, 2025
No Prerequisites
15 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Aug 5
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC- End of Year Potluck

The MAC cohort meets on the first Wednesday of the month. We'll learn new skills, discuss upcoming trips, and plan activities

Aug 06, 2025
06:00 PM to 08:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Basement: North Bay, Basement: Overhanging Wall, Basement: South Bay, Basement: Vertical Wall, South Plaza: Boulder, South Plaza: Boulder Field, South Plaza: Center Green, South Plaza: Climbing Wall East Side, South Plaza: Climbing Wall West Side
Seattle MAC Alpine Climb

Seattle MAC Alpine Climb - Eldorado Peak/Inspiration Glacier

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
An Alpine Climb lead by volunteers and/or staff for MAC! This trip has prerequisites. See
Difficulty: Basic Glacier Climb, Strenuous 3, Technical 2
Sat, Aug 9, 2025 - Sun, Aug 10, 2025
No Prerequisites
6 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Aug 7
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Alpine Climb

TAC MAC Alpine Climb - Goode Mountain/Northeast Buttress

Youth Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
This will be an extremely strenuous climb and only open to a handful of very
Difficulty: Intermediate Rock Climb
Mon, Aug 11, 2025 - Wed, Aug 13, 2025
No Prerequisites
3 participants
Registration opens Aug 1
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Summer Party

Seattle Junior MAC Summer Party - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Join all of the club members for an end of summer celebration!
Wed, Aug 13, 2025
Prerequisites
15 participants 8 chaperones
Registration closes Aug 11
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Summer Party

Seattle Explorers Summer Party - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join all of the club members for an end of summer celebration!
Wed, Aug 13, 2025
Prerequisites
9 participants 8 chaperones
Registration closes Aug 11
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC- New Member Info Seminar

The MAC cohort meets on the first Wednesday of the month. We'll learn new skills, discuss upcoming trips, and plan activities

Sep 03, 2025
06:00 PM to 08:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman A, Goodman B, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls
Seattle MAC Student Leadership Team Meeting

Seattle MAC Student Leadership Team Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The elected MAC student leadership team meets monthly on the last or 2nd to last
Wed, Sep 24, 2025
Prerequisites
11 participants
Registration opens Aug 25
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC- General Meeting

The MAC cohort meets on the first Wednesday of the month. We'll learn new skills, discuss upcoming trips, and plan activities

Oct 01, 2025
07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman B, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls

Seattle Volunteer with Youth Orientation Dinner

A time for parents and volunteers to learn about the youth programs and how to volunteer/become involved.

Oct 02, 2025
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman A, Goodman B
Seattle MAC Climbing 101 Workshop

Seattle MAC Climbing 101 Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
These workshops cover the foundational skills of all climbing - basic knots, top rope belaying,
Sat, Oct 4, 2025
Prerequisites
13 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Aug 25; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC Workshop - Climbing 101

Intro to climbing and belay on top rope

Oct 04, 2025
09:00 AM to 02:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls, South Plaza: Boulder, South Plaza: Boulder Field, South Plaza: Center Green, South Plaza: Climbing Wall East Side, South Plaza: Climbing Wall West Side

Seattle MAC Skills Night - Climbing 101

An evening to review and practice skills learned from Climbing 101 workshop

Oct 09, 2025
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls, South Plaza: Boulder, South Plaza: Boulder Field, South Plaza: Center Green, South Plaza: Climbing Wall East Side, South Plaza: Climbing Wall West Side
Seattle MAC Anchors and Cleaning Routes Workshop

Seattle MAC Anchors and Cleaning Routes Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
How do you safely anchor a rope at the top of a climb? When you
Sun, Oct 12, 2025
Prerequisites
13 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Aug 25; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC Workshop - Anchors & Cleaning

A workshop to learn how to build anchors, how they work, and how to clean them off a fixed anchor. Students will learn how to clean and lower.

Oct 12, 2025
09:00 AM to 02:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Basement: Friction Slabs, Basement: North Bay, Basement: Overhanging Wall, Basement: South Bay, Basement: Vertical Wall, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls, South Plaza: Boulder, South Plaza: Boulder Field, South Plaza: Center Green, South Plaza: Climbing Wall East Side, South Plaza: Climbing Wall West Side
Seattle Explorers Meeting

Seattle Explorers Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Explorers meet once a month at the Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm
Wed, Oct 15, 2025
Prerequisites
15 participants 8 chaperones
Registration opens Aug 30
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Meeting

Seattle Junior MAC Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Jr. MAC meet once a month at the Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm
Wed, Oct 15, 2025
Prerequisites
15 participants 8 chaperones
Registration opens Aug 30
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Student Leadership Team Meeting

Seattle MAC Student Leadership Team Meeting - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The elected MAC student leadership team meets monthly on the last or 2nd to last
Wed, Oct 22, 2025
Prerequisites
11 participants
Registration opens Aug 25
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Climb Night

Seattle Pathfinders Climb Night - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Youth Programs open the climbing wall to students and families.
Thu, Oct 23, 2025
Prerequisites
29 participants
Registration opens Oct 1
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC- General Meeting

The MAC cohort meets on the first Wednesday of the month. We'll learn new skills, discuss upcoming trips, and plan activities

Nov 05, 2025
07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Goodman B, Goodman C, Goodman C: Ice Walls, Goodman C: Rock Walls