A Volunteer’s Perspective
Every Big City Mountaineers trip is made possible by more than maps and gear. They are also powered by people who give their time, energy, and heart. Our adult volunteers play a key role in creating safe, supportive spaces where young people who may have little to no experience in the backcountry can explore the outdoors.
In the following interview, we hear directly from one of our volunteers, Liz Berry, about her experience on an overnight camping trip and her perspective on how time in nature together benefits both the youth and the adults who join them.
What drives you to make time to volunteer on BCM trips? Why do you believe in it?
When I first learned about BCM in 2023, I was thrilled to discover an organization dedicated to something I wish I had experienced as a kid. I immediately knew I wanted to be involved. Helping young people feel comfortable in the outdoors and inspiring them to be responsible stewards of our planet feels like one of the most meaningful gifts we can give. Watching their eyes widen when they spot wildlife, filter their own water for the first time, or fall asleep under a sky full of stars is so incredibly rewarding. Every outdoor moment is an opportunity for them to connect with the beauty of our natural world and, in turn, to feel inspired to protect it.
Based on your experience, what sets BCM trips apart from other outdoor programs you’ve heard of or have personally been a part of?
What sets BCM apart from other outdoor programs is how intentionally it meets kids exactly where they are – without assumption, judgment, or pressure. For many participants, this is their first time hiking a mountain, sleeping in a tent, or figuring out how to pee in the woods. Those moments can be intimidating, but BCM creates an environment where new experiences feel safe, supported, and even fun. We start by building trust, showing them that they’re capable, and then gradually inviting them to push beyond what they thought possible. Watching that transformation is the most powerful part – seeing a quiet, hesitant participant light up with pride after pitching their own tent, or a nervous hiker beam at the summit, realizing they just climbed a mountain. By the end of the trip, they carry themselves differently. They’re more confident, more curious, and more connected – not just to the outdoors, but to themselves and their own strength. That’s the magic of BCM.
Can you share a moment when your group faced a challenge in the backcountry and worked through it together?
I’ll never forget the first day of my first BCM expedition with a group of five girls who all happened to be lacrosse teammates. It was the moment they first truly felt the weight of their packs – both literally and figuratively – and we had a solid hike ahead to reach our first campsite. The shock was real. As the miles wore on, backs ached, legs grew heavy, and the enthusiasm of the trailhead started to fade. I could see them questioning whether they’d made the right choice to be out there.
But then something shifted. They tapped into the team spirit they’d built on the field, rallying around one another with cheers, positive affirmations, and playful encouragement. One would start a chant, another would crack a joke, and soon the whole group was laughing and moving forward together. By the time we reached camp, they weren’t just relieved, they were proud. That moment reminded me how powerful community and mindset can be in transforming a challenge into a shared victory.
What are one or two of the most magical moments you’ve experienced on-trail with a BCM program?
One of the most magical moments I’ve experienced was on an overnight trip this summer. For many of the girls, it was their very first time camping, and they jumped right in – setting up tents, cooking on a camp stove, and settling into the experience with so much excitement. After the sun went down, we brought a star map into a wide open field and spent the evening identifying constellations under a sky full of stars – it was spectacular. The joy and wonder on their faces made it clear how much the experience meant to them. The next morning, they picked wildflower bouquets to bring home, and I knew in that moment this was an adventure they would carry with them forever.
Has your experience volunteering with BCM challenged your assumptions or changed the way you think?
Volunteering with BCM has taught me that no matter how experienced you think you are in the outdoors, there’s always something new to learn. The instructors are truly top tier, and every trip leaves me with a fresh skill or fun fact – whether it’s a clever tent setup hack, how to coax a campfire back to life, or that a dromedary bag gets its name from the camel known for storing water in its hump. But beyond the practical skills, BCM has shifted my perspective. It’s reminded me to approach the outdoors with curiosity and a sense of childlike wonder, to see it the way our youth participants do – full of mystery, beauty, and lessons. It’s also deepened my belief that no one is ever a true “expert” out here. We’re all learners, and our greatest role is to help young people respect, protect, and fall in love with the wild places that give us so much.
Hearing directly from our volunteers reminds us that these trips are about so much more than skills or trail routes. They’re about connections, relationships, growth, and shared experiences in nature.
Volunteers play an essential role in supporting youth through challenges, celebrating their achievements, and modeling the confidence, curiosity, and strength that outdoor experiences can inspire.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Big City Mountaineers, start here.