GCI Outdoor Continues Partnership, Grows Support for Big City Mountaineers

April 18, 2018

Camp furniture brand GCI sends gear to help establish Big City Mountaineers’ first-ever permanent outdoor adventure base

Higganum, CT (April 18, 2018) – GCI Outdoor, creator of portable, durable outdoor recreation equipment, is once again partnering with Big City Mountaineers to provide transformational outdoor experiences for underprivileged youth. 

For 2018, GCI Outdoor (GCI) will step up their commitment with Big City Mountaineers (BCM), supplying a variety of chairs and cook stations to be used at BCM’s recently acquired Boundary Waters Basecamp property in Tower, Minnesota. BCM is in the middle of a multi-year campaign to construct their first-ever permanent campground and outdoor adventure base on the 120-acre property that will introduce students to the inspirational Northwoods environment. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to GCI for their support of our work. The chairs and equipment that we will receive will go directly to the comfort and enjoyment of our campers and volunteers participating in our Boundary Waters Program,” said Bryan Martin, executive director of Big City Mountaineers. “Over the next three years, we will be building a modern camp on the property which is tailor-made for the youth we serve. Phase one begins this year!”

Over the past 27 years, BCM has served more than 8,000 kids, conducted nearly 750 expeditions, organized more than 5,000 volunteers, led more than 90 overnight camps and provided nearly 40,000 nights under the stars for underprivileged youth. GCI is excited to get involved in helping move forward this experience.

“Youth are the future and helping to give them the opportunity to establish a bond with the outdoors is something we are more than happy to do,” said Jeffrey Polke, co-president of GCI Outdoor. “We are so excited to contribute to such an amazing organization and we are looking forward to seeing this new campground come alive.” 

GCI is sending a variety of products including SitBacker canoe seats for comfortable paddling, Slim-Fold Cook Station outdoor kitchens for meal prep and serving, Everywhere Chairs for nights around the campfire and Backpack Event Chairs for more remote applications.

About GCI Outdoor
Lifelong friends Dan Grace and Jeff Polke founded GCI Outdoor in 1996. Over the last two decades, they have become one of the outdoor industry’s leading innovators of outdoor recreational gear with products that include chairs, camp tables, stadium seats, canoe seats and more. Offering high-quality gear to outdoor lovers of all kinds, GCI Outdoor products can be found at over 3,000 stores worldwide and online at www.gcioutdoor.com.

About Big City Mountaineers
Since 1990, Big City Mountaineers has worked to provide transformational outdoor experiences for youth in need. BCM’s programming helps under-resourced youth overcome challenges they may be experiencing back home while supporting a deeper connection between youth and the great outdoors. Over the past 27 years, they have served over 8,000 kids, conducted nearly 750 expeditions, organized over 5,000 volunteers, led over 90 overnight camps, and provided nearly 40,000 nights under the stars for kids that would not have had the opportunity without BCM. Their expeditions and camps are designed, structured, and framed to support and develop the character of their students. Currently, they are serving Boston, Denver, Miami, Minneapolis, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle. In 2017 BCM will lead 60 week long expeditions. They will engage 800 students in transformational wilderness experiences and will partner with 25 youth development agencies nationally.