Big City Mountaineers (BCM), a nonprofit provider of outdoor and backcountry experiences for youth from disinvested communities has released its 2022 youth programs and the adventure fundraising season, following a year that generated organizational transformation and a renewed sense of inspiration and focus.
BCM welcomes David Taus, as executive director to the organization. The executive director plays a critical role on the BCM staff in leading the organization through decision making, culture building and management, as well as inspiring, growing and driving the organization to fulfill its mission.
Taus joins BCM as a life-long youth mentor from the age of 14, to Boston high school science educator, camp counselor, youth program facilitator and outdoor educator/naturalist. In virtually all these roles, he has served students who come from traditionally marginalized communities. Taus transitioned into senior and executive roles in education and youth-focused nonprofit organizations, as a result, he understands the challenge of growing, supporting, and sustaining organizations like BCM.
“We are emerging from 2021 and entering 2022 in a place of organizational strength,” Taus said. “Our updated approach to programming will more effectively serve the youth who participate in BCM trips, and our reinvigorated development function experienced amazing success at the end of 2021 and is sure to do similar in the future. Overall, BCM is building a strong strategic and operational foundation that will enable meaningful work to continue well into the future.”
Additionally, BCM hired Bailey Denmark to become Director of Development Breaking down barriers between donors and the mission-driven work of nonprofits is one of the core foundations of Denmark’s work professionally and personally and her years of experience in nonprofit fundraising are helping steward the organization toward new possibilities.
Denmark Bailey is an experienced Director of Development with a demonstrated history of working in non-profit organization management. She comes to BCM armed with a long list of accomplishments including a recent master’s degree focused in environmental law from University of Denver – Sturm College of Law.
The past year at BCM was filled with adjustments, change and most importantly, perseverance. Many of the constraints that affected program planning and delivery throughout 2021 have given rise to creative, thoughtful improvements that will ensure BCM programs work more effectively for students.
The programmatic mission to support young people to develop transformative personal relationships with nature, while building community and strengthening life skills, has been reaffirmed and refreshed for the coming year.
After cancelling in-person programs in 2020 to protect the health of participants, the BCM team is proud to have delivered a season of 2021 programs featuring more challenging experiences outdoors that help youth build skills and connect with one another. The organization prepared to ensure all trips operated safely and followed evolving COVID-19 protocols, resulting in zero COVID cases throughout the season.
