Summer Mountaineers
Marquette Mountaineers: Summer Youth Programs 2026
Hands-On Outdoor Skills for Ages 6–12
Marquette Mountaineers invites young explorers to build confidence and curiosity through our immersive summer programs. Our curriculum combines real-world wilderness knowledge with the joy of discovery, creating an environment where children gain practical skills and lifelong memories.
Our Programs
Wilderness Skills - Building the foundation for any outdoor adventurer.
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Curriculum: Fire safety, primitive shelter building, orienteering, Leave No Trace principles and more!
Nature Discovery - Exploring the science of the Great Lakes region.
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Curriculum: Local flora and fauna identification, aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, fundamental ecosystem dynamics and more! Thanks to the NMU Biology Department and the Northern Museum of Zoology for donating specimens for the program!
Nature’s Canvas - Get creative with outdoor art.
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Curriculum: Sunlight prints (cyanotypes), clay leaf trinket bowls, river watercolor, landscape drawing, nature poetry and more!
2026 Schedule & Price
Program Price: $250 (Includes four 4-hour sessions)
|
Program |
Age Group |
Day |
Time |
Dates |
|
Wilderness Skills |
6–8 year olds |
Wednesdays |
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
July: 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29 |
|
9–12 year olds |
Thursdays |
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
July: 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30 |
|
|
Nature Discovery |
6–8 year olds |
Wednesdays |
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
August: 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26 |
|
9–12 year olds |
Thursdays |
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
August: 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27 |
|
|
Nature’s Canvas |
6–8 year olds |
Tuesdays |
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
July: 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28 |
|
9–12 year olds |
Tuesdays |
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
August: 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25 |
Preparation Guide
To ensure your Mountaineer has a safe and successful experience, please follow our gear guidelines:
What to Bring:
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Comfortable backpack
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Reusable water bottle
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Sunglasses & hat
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Sunscreen
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Healthy snacks
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Closed-toe shoes (or sturdy sandals with a secure heel strap)
What Not to Bring:
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Cell phones
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Tablets
Toggle the calendar bar below to select which month/program you’d like to sign up for!