Bryan Martin
Executive Director, Big City Mountaineers
TBD
Steering Committee Member
The Basics
Company Name: Big City Mountaineers
Location: Golden, CO
Founded: 1989
Full-Time Employees: 10
Products: Non-profit organization providing free-fully outfitted and professionally led – backpacking trips, paddling expeditions, and camps for under-resourced youth. Our mission is to instill critical life skills in under-resourced youth through transformative wilderness mentoring experiences.
Social: Instagram Facebook Twitter
Claim to Fame: Since 1989, BCM has provided over 10,000 students with over 45,000 inspirational nights under the stars.
The Culture
The best thing about working here is:
Our passion for youth. We give kids the place and space and support to connect with nature, heal, and develop the tools or inter-personal skills to overcome challenges they may be facing back home.
When we’re not working, we’re:
Outside! Our staff are full of passionate outdoorists. We hike, bike, run, climb, and paddle when we have the chance.
What we’re reading:
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
What we’re listening to:
BE Culture Radio
If they made a movie about our workplace, it would be called:
“When worlds collide and collaborate: IN A FUN WAY” or “Get out and stay out!”
Inclusion in the outdoors matters because:
We know that nature and experiences in nature have tangible benefits to human existence. Increasingly, research is showing that experiences in nature reduce stress, improve our physical health, lead to better education outcomes, and build civic mindedness. Unfortunately, we also know that not every young person has the same opportunity to enjoy the outdoors nor are able to take in all the benefits of being connected to nature in an equitable way. The BCM model removes material and social barriers to participation. We understand that many of our students don't see themselves in popular representations of outdoor culture so we provide a community of peers to have these experiences with. We also strive to increase their understanding of how natural spaces are connected to their lives back home, and can serve as a resource for greater personal wellbeing and happiness. Our expeditions provide a safe and supportive environment for youth to develop teamwork, an increased sense of self, understanding of their place in the world, a passion for lifelong learning, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Five years down the line, it’s our hope that:
Our organization is not just a “nice to have” but a deeply rooted institution in the communities where we operate. We want our youth agency partners to sincerely value the services and benefits we bring to a collaboration. We want our trips and camps to be impactful on our students in ways that are relevant to them and tangible for the community to see.