Boston, MA
- Hiking
- Camping
- Backpacking
Boston, MA
- Hiking
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Caneoing
Exploring New England’s Natural Spaces
Since 2019, BCM has offered a unique set of outdoor experiences for youth in New England. A backpacking trip or campout in the diverse landscape of New England is an awe-inspiring experience from which the memories last a lifetime. Tully Lake in Royalston, MA and Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH are a few of the amazing places in New England that BCM has visited.
Itineraries
Our programs gradually immerse youth participants into nature in a series of smooth transitions. First, we familiarize them with the basics of hiking by visiting trails in the greater Boston area. We then build on that foundation by introducing camping skills such as setting up a tent and cooking outside at frontcountry/car-camping locations. Then, we embark on our flagship weeklong backpacking expeditions in the backcountry. This comprehensive approach fosters self-confidence that remains well after the participants depart.
Day Hike Itinerary
Hike Prep
- Land acknowledgement introduction
- Positive learning agreement introduction
- Expedition flag introduction
- Youth roles introduction
- Phone free expectations
Activities and Lessons
- Games
- Backcountry skills: map reading basics
- Backcountry skills: traveling as a group
- Backcountry skills: essential gear & equipment
End of the Hike
- Personal reflection & journaling
- Roundtable reflection
- Gauge level of interest & ability to participate on the overnight
Frontcountry Overnight Itinerary
Overnight Prep
- Review youth roles and phone free expectations
- Outfit participants with necessary clothing and equipment
Activities and Lessons
- Goal setting
- Reflection roundtable
- Backcountry skills
- Minimizing our impact
- Tent site selection and setup
- Sleeping comfortably
- Cooking
- Backcountry bathrooms & hygiene
- Route selection & considerations
- Animal encounters
- Lost & alone
End of Overnight
- Final reflection
- Discuss expedition dates, location, and requirements
- Complete end of program feedback form
Weeklong Backcountry Expedition Itinerary
Expedition Prep
- Review youth roles, phone free expectations, and positive learning agreement
- Duffle shuffle: What to bring and what to leave behind
- Self-care in the backcountry: how folks are feeling and what they need from the group
- Backcountry skills:
- How to pack a pack
- Review lost & alone and backcountry hygiene lessons
Activities and Lessons
- Backcountry skills:
- Recognizing hotspots & treating blisters
- Treating water and staying hydrated
- Campsite boundaries
- Challenge day
- Create an expedition flag
- Daily reflection roundtables
- Celebration dinner
End of Expedition
- Assist with end of program gear clean up and organizing
- Learn about participant alumni opportunities
- Complete end of program feedback and survey
Meet Our Partners
We collaborate with community-based youth development agencies, recreation centers, and schools to identify young individuals who would benefit most from our program. By doing so, we ensure that our program reaches those who may not have had the opportunity to connect with camps and outdoor activities otherwise.
These partnerships are crucial in developing our curriculum, preparing students for their experience, and ensuring that the valuable lessons learned during our expeditions continue to positively impact the participants’ homes, schools, and communities.
Discover how we work with youth agencies.
Teen Empowerment - Somerville
Teen Empowerment believes in the power of youth to affect meaningful change in their communities. They employ youth as catalysts for positive transformation work to identify pressing issues and develop strategies to address them.
Groundwork Somerville
Groundwork Somerville focuses on sowing the seeds of a healthy community through youth empowerment, urban farming, equitable food access, and community engagement. GWS employs and empowers youth of color and youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. They work to ensure that every student in Somerville Public Schools has access to a school garden and is engaged in hands-on learning outside of the classroom.
CLJ Youth
CLJ Youth is a ministry within the Congregacion Leon de Juda focused on working with youth between 11-18 years old in 6th – 12th grade. Their mission is to contribute to the growth of the youth in their community and in their spiritual life. The CLJ team seeks to motivate youth within their community’s academic and personal formation through religious text and teachings as well as through mentorship from dedicated leaders in their church.
