GCI Outdoor Supports Big City Mountaineers

GCI to provide gear, help underprivileged youth experience the great outdoors

Higganum, CT (May 24, 2017) – GCI Outdoor, the creator of portable, durable outdoor recreation equipment, is partnering with Big City Mountaineers to provide transformational outdoor experiences for underprivileged youth.

GCI Outdoor (GCI) and Big City Mountaineers (BCM) will work together to help provide underprivileged youth with the gear needed to enjoy new and fulfilling experiences in the outdoors. By introducing kids to the outdoors, BCM hopes to create the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts who will embrace a healthy lifestyle.

“We are very grateful for GCI’s support of our camps and expeditions this year. Their financial support is invaluable to us and their Everywhere Chair will be a great addition for keeping the kids clean and comfortable during our lessons and presentations,” said Bryan Martin, executive director of Big City Mountaineers. “With the help and support of companies like GCI, we are able to continue our mission of getting kids into the outdoors.”

Over the past 27 years, BCM has served more than 8,000 kids, conducted nearly 750 expeditions, organized more than 5,000 volunteers, led more than 90 overnight camps and provided nearly 40,000 nights under the stars for underprivileged youth. GCI is excited to get involved in helping move forward this experience.

“Youth are the future and helping to give them the opportunity to establish a bond with the outdoors is something we are more than happy to do,” said Jeffrey Polke, co-president of GCI Outdoor. “We are so excited to contribute the Everywhere Chair to such an amazing organization and we are looking forward to hearing how this summer’s expeditions go.”

About GCI Outdoor

Lifelong friends Dan Grace and Jeff Polke founded GCI Outdoor in 1996. Over the last two decades, they have become one of the outdoor industry’s leading innovators of outdoor recreational gear with products that include chairs, camp tables, stadium seats, canoe seats and more. Offering high-quality gear to outdoor lovers of all kinds, GCI Outdoor products can be found at over 3,000 stores worldwide and online at www.gcioutdoor.com.

About Big City Mountaineers
Since 1990, Big City Mountaineers has worked to provide transformational outdoor experiences for youth in need. BCM’s programming helps under-resourced youth overcome challenges they may be experiencing back home while supporting a deeper connection between youth and the great outdoors. Over the past 27 years, they have served over 8,000 kids, conducted nearly 750 expeditions, organized over 5,000 volunteers, led over 90 overnight camps, and provided nearly 40,000 nights under the stars for kids that would not have had the opportunity without BCM. Their expeditions and camps are designed, structured, and framed to support and develop the character of their students. Currently, they are serving Boston, Denver, Miami, Minneapolis, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle. In 2017 BCM will lead 60 week long expeditions. They will engage 800 students in transformational wilderness experiences and will partner with 25 youth development agencies nationally.