Big City Mountaineers Announces Program Updates for 2022

January 6, 2022

BCM welcomes David Taus New Executive Director

Golden, Colo. (January 6, 2022) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Big City Mountaineers (BCM), a national nonprofit and leading provider of outdoor and backcountry experiences for youth from disinvested communities releases plans for both its 2022 youth programs and the adventure fundraising season, following a year that generated both organizational transformation and a renewed sense of inspiration and focus.

BCM welcomes David Taus, the new executive director to the organization. The executive director plays a critical role on the BCM staff, not only leading BCM through decision making, culture building, and management, but also inspiring, growing and driving the organization forward to fulfill its mission.

David joins BCM as a life-long youth mentor from the age of 14, to Boston high school science educator, camp counselor, youth program facilitator, and outdoor educator/naturalist. In virtually all these roles, he has served students who come from traditionally marginalized communities. David transitioned into senior and executive roles in education and youth-focused nonprofit organizations, as a result, he understands the challenge of growing, supporting, and sustaining organizations like BCM.

“We are thrilled to be stewarding Big City Mountaineers into an exciting new chapter of its existence,” said BCM Executive Director David Taus. “We are emerging from 2021 and entering 2022 in a place of organizational strength. Our updated approach to programming will more effectively serve the youth who participate in BCM trips, and our reinvigorated development function experienced amazing success at the end of 2021 and is sure to do similar in the future.  Overall, BCM is building a strong strategic and operational foundation that will enable meaningful work to continue well into the future.”

Additionally, BCM hired a new Director of Development, Bailey Denmark. Breaking down barriers between donors and the mission-driven work of nonprofits is one of the core foundations of Bailey’s work professionally and personally and her years of experience in nonprofit fundraising are helping steward the organization toward new possibilities.

Bailey is an experienced Director of Development with a demonstrated history of working in non-profit organization management. She comes to BCM armed with a long list of accomplishments including a recent masters degree focused in Environmental Law from University of Denver – Sturm College of Law.

The past year was filled with adjustments, change, and most importantly, perseverance. Many of the constraints that affected program planning and delivery throughout 2021 have given rise to creative, thoughtful improvements that will ensure BCM programs work more effectively for students than they ever have.

The programmatic mission to support young people to develop transformative personal relationships with nature, while building community and strengthening life skills, has been reaffirmed and refreshed for the coming year.

After cancelling in-person programs in 2020 to protect the health of participants, the BCM team is proud to have delivered  a season of 2021 programs featuring progressively more challenging experiences outdoors that help youth build skills and connect with one another. The organization also prepared heavily to ensure that all trips operated safely and followed evolving COVID-19 protocols, resulting in zero COVID cases throughout the season. Highlights include:

• BCM served 227 unique students in 2021
• 14,370 total youth hours spent on BCM programs
• 21 youth agency partners served nationwide
• 1,476 volunteer hours associated with youth programs

BCM would like to say thank you to the many individuals and groups whose time, talent, and resources continue to help to make its free, fully outfitted, and culturally responsive outdoor programs a reality. This includes volunteer board and national council members; a passionate, experienced team of instructors; program volunteers; youth agency and brand partners across the country; a community of dedicated adventure fundraisers; and an internal staff team.

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About Big City Mountaineers (BCM)

Big City Mountaineers is committed to providing transformative experiences through nature that strengthen life skills and build community for youth from disinvested communities. Working in partnership with community-based youth agencies, BCM identifies and breaks down material, social, and psychological barriers to outdoor access, helping program participants connect with themselves, their community, the natural world, and a deep sense of joy. BCM operates youth programs in six major metropolitan areas nationally: Denver, CO; San Francisco Bay Area, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN; and Boston, MA.

Media Contact:

Megan Aranow, Big City Mountaineers megan@bigcitymountaineers.org

Beth Cochran – bethcochran@whatsuppr.com 406.579.7909