Big City Mountaineers

Help a young person in Colorado discover: "I can do more than I thought."

Young people need connection, belonging, and access to nature now more than ever. For many young people in Denver, cost, transportation, equipment, and a lack of welcoming opportunities can keep meaningful outdoor experiences out of reach.

Big City Mountaineers creates a way in. As the outdoor specialist within a broader youth development ecosystem, we partner with trusted youth-serving organizations to provide free, fully outfitted, professionally led outdoor programs for young people who face barriers to outdoor access.

Access is the vehicle. Youth development is the purpose. BCM facilitates transformative outdoor experiences that strengthen social-emotional wellbeing, deepen connection to nature, and foster positive youth development.

On a BCM program, a young person may hike a trail, paddle a lake, sleep beneath the stars, or step into leadership for the first time. Young people bring their own strengths, knowledge, and experiences. Skilled instructors, caring mentors, and community partners create a supportive setting where they can draw on those strengths, try hard things, build teamwork, and discover their own capabilities.

After meeting a challenge on the trail, one participant put it simply: "I didn't think I could do it, but I did." Another shared, "BCM was a place where I could just breathe."

Every mile hiked and every night outside builds toward what young people carry home: confidence, connection, and a growing relationship with nature. In BCM's 2025 evaluation, young people who completed expeditions scored higher than peers who had not participated in BCM programming:

* 36% higher self-efficacy

* 36% higher sense of belonging

* 28% higher self-esteem

Nationwide, 383 young people across five metropolitan areas - including Denver and Colorado Springs - have participated in BCM programs in 2026, joining a community of more than 10,000 young people served since 1989.

For more than 35 years, BCM has combined outdoor expertise, intentional programming, and trusted community partnerships. Our youth agency partners bring established relationships, continuity, and community knowledge before, during, and after each program. Together, we help confidence, connection, resilience, and leadership travel from the trail into young people's homes, schools, and communities.

Your gift creates access and opportunity that lasts.

Every BCM experience is free to participating young people. Your donation helps provide skilled instructors, caring mentors, transportation, food, safety systems, and essential outdoor gear.

* $85 helps make a day trip possible

* $415 helps provide an overnight experience

* $725 helps provide a three-day expedition

* $1,250 helps provide a five- to seven-day expedition

Whatever amount you choose, your gift helps a young person feel welcomed, supported, and ready to discover what they can do.

Your Colorado Gives donation helps BCM prepare the next season of Denver programs and bring more young people onto the trail.

Every young person deserves access to the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that help them grow and connect. Give today and help a young person carry confidence, connection, and a lasting relationship with nature far beyond the trail.