06: Transforming Today’s Youth with Bryan Martin and Big City Mountaineers

“There’s competition between outdoor companies in the industry. ͞But at the end of the day there is an incredible culture of collegiality and respect for everyone and their work.” – Bryan Martin

The outdoor community has been very fortunate to have Bryan Martin working as a non-profit professional for the last 15 years. He cut his teeth with organizations like The Nature Conservancy, the Colorado Mountain Club and the Land Trust Alliance and now heads up Big City Mountaineers (BCM).

Bryan learned to love the outdoors as a kid on his grandparent’s farm in northern PA. The experiences he had there gave him a sense of freedom and independence, eventually leading him to build confidence and leadership skills. Through BCM, he can now pass these character building experiences onto others.

Bryan has been leading BCM as the Executive Director for over two years. As one of the most revered non-profits in the outdoor community, BCM boasts a track record for transforming the lives of underserved youth. Since 1990, BCM has operated under the strong belief that meaningful experiences in the outdoors have the ability to change a life and create a deeper connection to the outdoors through experiential learning.

As a bonus, Verde client and BCM partner Ibex is giving away a prize package for one lucky listener! Upgrade your base layers with the ultimate cozy Woolie 1 top and bottom, plus a Knit Logo Beanie.

Enter the BCM Ibex Giveaway here! Bulletpoints: For 26 years BCM has focused on providing critical life skills to unserved youth through transformative wilderness mentoring experiences BCM currently serves Boston, Denver, Miami, Minneapolis, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle Curriculum is built in partnership with the youth agencies, like I Have a Dream Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club, to ensure kids are getting what they need BCM uses the 40 Developmental Assets Youth Development Survey to identify progress and change within the youth on both internal and external assets which are an indicator of success later in life – 90% of BCM youth show positive results after completing an expedition BCM inspires youth in the wilderness to give them the confidence to take on challenges that happen at home and in their communities Get involved in BCM by completing a Summit for Someone, sponsoring a kid or an expedition, volunteering and/or becoming a mentor, throwing an event for BCM, or as a brand you can donate technical equipment and apparel to be used on trips Links:

WIN the prize package from Ibex: https://verdebrandcomm.leadpages.co/ibex-bcm-giveaway/

Big City Mountaineers: http://www.bigcitymountaineers.org/

Summit for Someone: www.bigcitymountaineers.org/summit-for-someone/

Ibex: www.ibex.com

Skip Yowell: http://www.bigcitymountaineers.org/about/mission-and-history/skip-yowell/

40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents: http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18

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