Big City Mountaineers (BCM) reported it launched the BCM Leaders Program to “answer the question of ‘what’s next’ for the young people who participate in BCM’s programming.”
The program allows BCM alums to “advance their leadership skills, enhance their outdoor technical skills and gives them connections and access to build a career in the outdoor industry. As part of the program, leaders will participate in career exploration days with outdoor industry leaders, attend skill-building workshops, join specific backcountry expeditions, and support other BCM programs as peer leaders.”
“We intend for this program to serve as a scalable model that will help young people develop the necessary skills and social capital to deepen their personal connection with nature, enhance their own leadership and social-emotional capacities, and eventually pursue careers in the outdoors,” said David Taus, BCM executive director.
Participating alums receive a scholarship and gear package and join other BCM expeditions as peer leaders documenting their experiences via photos, video and writing this summer to share the content publicly. The program is open to alum sixteen and older and open to 16 participants. This year’s program is being piloted in BCM’s California and Colorado regions, with nationwide expansion in 2024 to include up to 40 kids.
For more information, go here.
