Celebrating 35 Years of BCM
Connections. Big City Mountaineers (BCM) National Program Director, Stacey Halvorsen, sees them everywhere. Connections between youth and the outdoors, between underserved communities and dedicated volunteers, between outdoor brands and passionate new adventurers.
And now, in celebration of BCM’s 35th anniversary – the connection between an open spot on a backpack trip in 1989 and a program that has served more than 12,000 youth is in the spotlight. The BCM anniversary celebration will include a storytelling series, a fundraiser, gear parties, and a summer celebration at Chautauqua Park in Boulder, CO, on September 21.
But, first, let’s revisit how it all began.
Early days at bcm
In 1989 avid backpacker, photographer, and writer Jim Kern (founder of the 1300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail) was heading to Montana for a backpack trip with his son, Drew, and a friend. When an extra plane ticket became available, Jim, hoping to share his love for the outdoors, invited a young man from the Miami-Dade foster care program to join them.
According to Drew, who is now a BCM board member, the young man was quiet and a bit anxious during the backpack trip, but it turned out he was a strong hiker. “During the trip, his confidence blossomed,” Drew said. “And when we got back to town, he opened up about how much he enjoyed it.”
The spark was lit and after that first trip, Kern family backpack trips frequently included kids from disadvantaged backgrounds who might not otherwise get the opportunity to adventure outdoors. Jim and his friends financed the excursions and, along with family members, volunteered their time to introduce the young people to the emotional, physical, and mental benefits of getting outside.
Outdoor Industry Offers Key Support
“The outdoor industry and its people have always supported and sustained BCM.” -Drew Kern
Seeded by the Kern family, Big City Mountaineers began to grow and in the early 1990s it was propelled by its first outdoor gear sponsor: JanSport. The outdoor equipment retailer donated backpacks for the BCM youth participants. The donor program is still going strong — JanSport was the first of many gear sponsors that have provided free top-of-the line equipment to BCM participants over the decades.
Next, recognizing the need for day-to-day management, Jim invited outdoorswoman Mary Kay Stoehr to succeed him as BCM’s president of the board of directors. Mary Kay, an avid backpacker and mountain biker, was also co-owner of Trails Illustrated, an outdoor mapping company later acquired by National Geographic. Under her leadership, BCM’s headquarters found a new home in Golden, Colorado.
Momentum continued to build. Backpacker Magazine ran free ads to help BCM recruit volunteers – and the response was overwhelming. BCM ended up with more volunteers than it could find placements for. Interest remains high–more than 5,000 volunteers have contributed to BCM’s mission over the years.
Programs That span the country
“We have the same program across the country but we embrace the regional differences.” -Stacey Halvorsen
While the support of an army of volunteers hasn’t changed in 35 years, some things have. BCM has grown from a family of altruistic backpackers in Florida, to an outdoor program based in Colorado, to a network of five wilderness-focused metropolitan regions across the country. The program serves youth in Birmingham, Alabama; Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; San Francisco Bay Area, California; and Seattle, Washington.
As National Program Director, Stacey sees the similarities and connections between the regional programs as a benefit. She says there are efficiencies to be had, but there are also opportunities to embrace regional differences so the programs serve youth in even more relevant ways. “We need to keep checking in on the needs of the local community,” she said.
Evidence of the evolution over time to meet community needs, a BCM season now includes a phased approach to accessing the outdoors. Participants start with a day hike followed by an overnight camping trip before embarking on a weeklong backpack or canoe trip.
35 years of growth outdoors
“The world has changed. We’ve changed. We work to keep supporting the community in ways they tell us they need.”-Stacey Halvorsen
Stacey has been BCM National Director since October 2024. In a celebration of 35 years, Stacey admits she’s “coming to the party after it’s underway.” Nevertheless, she says she’s inspired to be a part of BCM and to see the impact. “I have such respect for the evolution of this program,” she says.
Stacey grew up exploring the Colorado wilderness with family and friends and has enjoyed recent BCM excursions—a Minnesota paddle clinic and a Colorado day hike—with BCM participants. “I really feel that I get to know people when I’m outdoors with them. And, that’s our mission, to help youth connect and form meaningful relationships.”
Looking toward the future (perhaps the next 35 years!), Stacey prioritizes risk management across all BCM program locations, plus more curriculum, trainings, and orientations shared between regions. Additionally, she sees teen engagement as both a challenge and an opportunity. “It’s hard to get busy youth excited about an experience they’ve never had,” she said. “These are new opportunities for connections. We want to improve the quality of the experience. And we need to decide where to grow and where to plant more roots.” Check out our 35th anniversary celebration information page to learn more and get involved.
