Big City Mountaineers
Big City Mountaineers transforms the lives of under-served urban youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions that instill critical life skills. We partner with community-based youth organizations and caring adult volunteers who act as mentors in the field to help young people realize their potential. Our curriculum improves integrity, self- esteem, responsibility, decision-making abilities and communication skills in close to 1,000 youth annually. BCM has a proven track record of improving young peoples’ lives with:
In addition to adult mentors who donate a week of their lives to improve the future of the youth we serve, we also rely on the support of our Summit for Someone climbers. Without the dozens of courageous volunteers who sign up for Summit For Someone each year, BCM would cease to exist. Our SFS climbers take on two formidable commitments: mentally and physically preparing to climb one of North America’s most challenging peaks, and raising thousands of dollars. All to help improve the lives of kids they might never meet.
THE TEAM AT BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OUR COLLEAGUES IN THIS ENDEAVOR: OUR VOLUNTEERS, CLIMBERS AND DONORS. TOGETHER WE WILL CONTINUE IMPACTING LIVES AND DELIVERING TRANSFORMATIVE WILDERNESS MENTORING EXPERIENCES.
MISSION AND HISTORY
The mission of Big City Mountaineers is to instill critical life skills in under-served urban youth through transformative wilderness mentoring expeditions.
We combine elements of mentoring programs with an outdoor wilderness expedition designed specifically for under-resourced urban youth. The core BCM program is a weeklong expedition at the center of which is a five-day wilderness backpacking or canoe expedition in which adults and teens work together.
BCM Expeditions:
BCM HAS BEEN SERVING URBAN TEENS SINCE 1989. THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDER, JIM KERN, TO SERVE UNDER-RESOURCED TEENS, HAS GROWN MANYFOLD SINCE THE JIM TOOK THE FIRST TEEN ON A HIKING TRIP TO MONTANA 21 YEARS AGO.
Since its inception, BCM has worked to offer life-changing experiences for urban youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions led by caring adults. The original program design of single-gender, 5-adults-to-5-youth outings continues to be a unique aspect of our program.
MISSION
To instill critical life skills in under-served urban youth through transformative wilderness mentoring expeditions.
VISION
As the nation’s leading wilderness mentoring organization, we will transform the lives of thousands of under-served urban youth each year.
BCM CORE VALUES
Audio History project: In 2009 BCM undertook an exhaustive interview campaign. Tracing back our roots, we interviewed 20 people who were critical in today’s success. Interviewees included our founder, past board members, early supporters, Summit For Someone climbers, and of course volunteers. Visit our In their Words section to hear these stories.
