Agency Details:

The mission of Big City Mountaineers is "enhancing the lives of under-resourced urban teens through transformative outdoor experiences".

Description:
The program is a seven-day program, the focus of which is a five-day backpacking excursion in the beautiful mountains of California. BCM partners with existing youth development agencies, matching a Team Leader and adult volunteers with inner-city teens to create a 5-to-5 ratio of adults to teens on each trip. We wish to provide a backcountry experience for the teens guided by adult volunteers who desire to make a difference in the teens’ lives. Those who volunteer with us do so because they believe in the majesty of nature and its ability to impact a life. If this describes you, please volunteer to come out on a trip with us next summer.

Our California backpacking trips take place during July and August. We also have backpacking trips in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest and paddling trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

History:
Big City Mountaineers was founded in 1989 by James (Jim) A. Kern. Jim came from a background of extensive outdoor experience, as well as success in founding nonprofit organizations.

In 1989 Jim saw an ad in his local newspaper that read “Buy one [airline] ticket and get a child’s ticket for $1”. He invited his youngest son, another adult, and a young man from a low-income neighborhood in Miami to share a backpacking adventure in Montana. The trip was such a success that the idea of BCM was born.

Contact people:

Brie Brower, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email) Mark Godley, Executive Director

Address:

176 Juana Ave, 2nd Floor San Leandro, CA 94577 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bigcitymountaineers.org

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No

Last updated on December 4, 2009