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:

Seattle Explorers Rappelling and Anchor Cleaning Workshop

Seattle Explorers Rappelling and Anchor Cleaning Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
A chance for Explorers families to come in to the Mountaineers to practice rappelling and
Thu, Mar 20, 2025
Prerequisites
1 participant on waitlist 4 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 18
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Climbing

Seattle Explorers Climbing - Vantage (Frenchman Coulee)

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Join us for a day of climbing at a local crag!
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Fri, Mar 21, 2025 - Sun, Mar 23, 2025
Prerequisites
9 participants 3 chaperones
Registration opens Feb 3
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Glacier Fundamentals Workshop

Seattle MAC Glacier Fundamentals Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Skill building workshop at the Program Center to practice the fundamental skills of glacier climbing
Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Prerequisites
3 participants on waitlist 2 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Mar 13
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
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, Mar 26, 2025
Prerequisites
6 participants
Registration closes Mar 24
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, Mar 26, 2025
Prerequisites
18 participants 10 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 24
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Climbing Trip

Seattle MAC Climbing Trip - Mount Erie

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
A single-day or overnight cragging trip. This trip has prerequisites. See leaders notes for details.
Fri, Mar 28, 2025 - Sun, Mar 30, 2025
No Prerequisites
5 participants 2 instructors 4 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 12
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers Mountaineers Lodge Weekend

Seattle Explorers Mountaineers Lodge Weekend - Baker Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Explorers
Explorers stay at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges for a weekend of snowy adventure.
Fri, Mar 28, 2025 - Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants 0 instructors 5 chaperones
Registration opens Jan 1; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Junior MAC Mountaineers Lodge Weekend

Seattle Junior MAC Mountaineers Lodge Weekend - Baker Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
Jr. MACers stay at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges for a weekend of snowy
Fri, Mar 28, 2025 - Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants 0 instructors 5 chaperones
Registration opens Jan 1; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Mountaineers Lodge Weekend

Seattle Pathfinders Mountaineers Lodge Weekend - Baker Lodge

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Pathfinders stay at one of the rustic Mountaineers Lodges for a weekend of snowy adventure.
Fri, Mar 28, 2025 - Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants 0 instructors 3 chaperones
Registration opens Jan 1; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip

TAC MAC Climbing/Camping Trip - Vantage (Frenchman Coulee)

Climbing Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Practice our climbing and rope skills, with car camping
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Mar 29, 2025 - Sun, Mar 30, 2025
No Prerequisites
11 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Mar 27
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
Climbing Skills Series | Top Rope Setup

Climbing Skills Series | Top Rope Setup - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Youth Clubs Parent Skills Series
Part 5 of 6. Clubs parents will be learning and practicing anchor cleaning.
Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Prerequisites
0 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Mar 28
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
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, Apr 2, 2025
No Prerequisites
15 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Apr 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

Apr 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
Seattle Pathfinders Camping & Climbing Trip

Seattle Pathfinders Camping & Climbing Trip - Vantage (Frenchman Coulee)

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a weekend of car camping and climbing!
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Fri, Apr 4, 2025 - Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Prerequisites
10 participants on waitlist 1 instructor 5 chaperones on waitlist
Registration closes Apr 15
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers - Winter Camping Trip!  GROUP A - Paradise Area

Seattle Explorers - Winter Camping Trip! GROUP A - Paradise Area

Backpacking Youth activity: Explorers
This is a snow backpacking trip close to Paradise parking lot (Mount Rainier National Park).
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sat, Apr 5, 2025 - Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Prerequisites
6 participants 3 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 3
Seattle Branch
Dragana Lassiter
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Crevasse Rescue Workshop

Seattle MAC Crevasse Rescue Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Skill building day at the Program Center to learn crevasse rescue techniques including the "drop-C"
Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants on waitlist 1 instructor 0 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 4
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Climbing

Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Climbing - Exit 38

Youth Youth activity
Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Prerequisites
11 participants 0 leaders
Registration opens Feb 23
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Climbing Trip

Seattle MAC Climbing Trip - Smith Rock

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
A single-day or overnight cragging trip. This trip has prerequisites. See leaders notes for details.
Difficulty: Moderate
Fri, Apr 11, 2025 - Tue, Apr 15, 2025
No Prerequisites
4 participants on waitlist 3 instructors 1 chaperone
Registration closes Apr 9
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Climbing Skills | Culminating Skills Practice

Climbing Skills | Culminating Skills Practice - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Youth Clubs Parent Skills Series
Part 6 of 6. Clubs parents will be practicing all of the skills they have
Sun, Apr 13, 2025
Prerequisites
2 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Apr 11
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
TAC MAC Scramble

TAC MAC Scramble - Mount Washington (Olympics)

Scrambling Field trip: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
Snow scramble and possible backcountry ski
Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3, Basic Alpine Climb, Intermediate Ice Climb
Sun, Apr 13, 2025
No Prerequisites
8 participants 3 instructors
Registration closes Apr 11
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader
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, Apr 16, 2025
Prerequisites
8 participants 6 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 14
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, Apr 16, 2025
Prerequisites
6 participants 6 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 14
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Climbing

Seattle Explorers & Jr. MAC Climbing - Smith Rock

Youth Youth activity
Difficulty: Moderate
Thu, Apr 17, 2025 - Sun, Apr 20, 2025
Prerequisites
18 participants 1 leader
Registration opens Dec 2
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Snow 1 Field Trip

Seattle MAC Snow 1 Field Trip - Stevens Pass Ski Area

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The first snow skills field trip for MAC. Covering glacier travel basics - ice-ax self
Sat, Apr 19, 2025
Prerequisites
3 participants 1 instructor 4 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 17
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Pathfinders Climbing

Seattle Pathfinders Climbing - Exit 38

Youth Youth activity: Pathfinders
Join us for a day of climbing at a local crag!
Sun, Apr 20, 2025
Prerequisites
6 participants 0 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration opens Mar 1; Instructor registration open now
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, Apr 23, 2025
Prerequisites
6 participants
Registration closes Apr 21
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Explorers | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop

Seattle Explorers | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Avalanche Safety Lecture: Explorers
This is a skills workshop for Explorers interested in learning to lead climb and belay.
Wed, Apr 23, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants 5 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 21
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle Jr. MAC | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop

Seattle Jr. MAC | Lead Climbing Skills Workshop - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC
This is a skills workshop for Jr. MACers interested in learning to lead climb and
Wed, Apr 23, 2025
Prerequisites
4 participants on waitlist 2 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 21
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
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, Apr 24, 2025
Prerequisites
16 participants 9 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 22
Seattle Branch
Trenton Bick
Qualified Youth Leader
Seattle MAC Snow 1 Field Trip

Seattle MAC Snow 1 Field Trip - Paradise

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The first snow skills field trip for MAC. Covering glacier travel basics - ice-ax self
Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
Sat, Apr 26, 2025 - Sun, Apr 27, 2025
Prerequisites
5 participants 1 instructor 4 chaperones
Registration closes Apr 24
Seattle Branch
Hank Stein
Qualified Youth Leader