I am proud to have been selected as Branch Chair for the 2011-12 term. Not only do I want our branch to be active but I want it to serve the needs of the members we already have. These are the strategies that I will think will be able to make our branch relevant to Kitsap Branch members, as well as the Mountaineers Club as a whole.

1. Create a comfortable 'home' for our branch activities. We will get a new heating system into the cabin so that when courses are held there, we will not freeze. We will use our financial resources to re-energize the interior of the cabin by making it more pleasing to the eye, and more functional while preserving its significant historical heritage.

Create a greater sense of community by developing a social committee headed by the vice-chair. Social activities can be almost anything people enjoy doing together. Seeing movies, taking walks, playing golf, beach-combing, going out to new restaurants, or organizing potluck dinners are just a few ideas.

Understand that volunteering is important for our club to provide reasonably priced courses, as well as finding a way to pay back to other members for what has been a way to access new skills and adventures in a knowledgeable and safe manner.

Develop a greater sense of who we are and where we are. The Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas are unique areas that we should be the stewards of. Sharing our adventures and challenges from the waterways to the high summits is important so we can understand why it's so important to protect and cherish them.

Alpine Scrambling.  Non-technical mountaineering on  snow and rock.  $150.

Basic Mountaineering. Learning how to be a in a group engaged in technical climbing.  $275.

Intermediate Mountaineering. Learning to lead and organize technical mountaineering trips and outings.  $275.

Navigation. Map, compass, and GPS use in practical settings.  Classroom and field.  $50 participants in other course; $100 non-course participants.

Mountaineering-Oriented First Aid. First aid and group rescue in the backcountry.  $50 in other course; $100 non-course participants.

Snowshoe Lite. Snowshoeing on easy terrain.  Intro to equipment, gear, and travel techniques.  Free.

Introduction to Hiking. Preparing to hike on trail, front and backcountry outings.  No overnights.  Easy to strenuous based on distance and elevation.  Free for members; $25 for non-members.

Introduction to Backpacking. Preparing to join trips on trail; backcountry outings. 1 night to 2 weeks. Easy to strenuous based on distance and elevation.  Free for members; $50 for non-members.

Salmon Safari. Education and conservation at Kitsap Cabin.  Price varies with options.

HARK. Hiking and Recreation for Kids.  Various active indoor and outdoor activities supported by our positive role models.  Free.

Outdoor Photography. How to compose and present outdoor photographs.  Trips provided to apply skills.  $50 members; $100 non-members.

Trail Running. Activity to encourage conditioning and physical challenge.  Plus running on the trails is great fun.  No instruction.  Free.

Youth Theater Camp and Forest Theater. Learning acting and production in a unique outdoor theater.  Courses available for children and adults.  Cost varies.

The Mission of the Mountaineers is to be the premier Northwest outdoor recreation club, dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and protection of natural places. The Mountainers encourage anyone wishing to join or who has questions to contact us via this web site.

You can download a copy of our bylaws.