National Mentoring Summit Reflections
Shortly after beginning her role as BCM’s new Executive Director, Elizabeth Williams attended the National Mentoring Summit, convened by MENTOR, February 4-6, 2026 in Washington, DC. The summit brought together youth leaders, practitioners, researchers, funders, and civic partners from across the country to offer research-backed practices and explore key themes and ideas in this shared work.
In early February, I had the opportunity to present at the National Mentoring Summit, a gathering that brings together people across the youth development field who are asking big questions about how we support young people in meaningful ways. My session focused on defining core program elements, program fidelity, and adult support systems, but what stayed with me most was a reminder that high-quality youth development doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built intentionally, through thoughtful design and a deep commitment to young people’s experiences.
As Executive Director at Big City Mountaineers (BCM), I spend a lot of time thinking about what it means to create environments where youth can show up fully as themselves. BCM provides free, fully outfitted outdoor programs for youth from communities that have historically had limited access to outdoor opportunities. Our program is grounded in the belief that time in nature, combined with strong, positive relationships with adults and peers, can be transformative. Alongside our youth agency partners, our staff, instructors, and volunteers aren’t just leading trips; they’re helping create spaces where belonging, growth, and shared challenge is possible.
At the Summit, conversations often returned to the role of supportive adults in youth development. While BCM’s model is rooted in outdoor experiential learning rather than traditional one-to-one mentoring, we believe deeply in the power of positive adult relationships. Research across youth development and social-emotional learning consistently shows that structured programs with caring adult support lead to improvements in confidence, emotional regulation, and social connection. Young people who participate in high-quality programs are more likely to demonstrate resilience, stronger peer relationships, and increased engagement in school and community.
Outdoor experiential learning adds another powerful layer. Studies have shown that time in nature paired with intentional reflection can increase self-efficacy, teamwork skills, and a sense of belonging, outcomes that are central to BCM’s mission. When youth are invited into spaces where they can try something new, navigate uncertainty, and celebrate accomplishments alongside peers and supportive adults, they begin to see themselves differently.
Another key takeaway from presenting at the Summit was the importance of clarity: clarity about what we’re trying to achieve and how our programs support that vision. Quality programming isn’t just about logistics or risk management; it’s about aligning every element of the experience with the outcomes we hope young people will carry forward long after a trip ends.
BCM’s commitment to alignment shows up in how we train our leaders, how we listen to agency partners and youth feedback, and how we continue to evolve our programs to better meet the needs of the communities we serve. Whether we call it mentoring, outdoor education, or positive youth development, the heart of the work is the same: creating spaces where young people feel capable, connected, and inspired to grow.
Presenting at the National Mentoring Summit also reminded me that the real impact of youth development work often comes from the choices we make behind the scenes: how we design programs, how we listen to young people, and how we support the adults who help bring these experiences to life. At BCM, we strive to center positive youth development through the intention we bring to every detail, from creating spaces where youth feel a sense of belonging to ensuring that instructors and volunteers are prepared, supported, and valued. Quality isn’t an abstract idea; it’s something we build through thoughtful decisions that prioritize growth, safety, and meaningful connection.
When we invest in thoughtful, high-quality experiences and the adults who guide them, we don’t just change a moment in a young person’s life, we help shape how they see themselves, their community, and the possibilities ahead.