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How It Works
The youth apply to our program on their own initiative. Next, they’re paired up in a group of 6 with kids their own age and 3 volunteer mentors. The group then spends one day on the weekend getting outside. They also spend one night during the week working on what’s going on inside with workshops on communication and life skills.
We provide these opportunities for growth at no charge. Zip. Zilch. And the best part? If the BYEP’er has perfect attendance they can keep the gear. It’s our hope too that they have a few tools to get outside now and have grown a bit in the process too.
The Results
Since we started in 2001 we’ve seen kids come through our program with some pretty tough stories. But these same kids have come back to us. They come back and volunteer to be mentors and reach out to kids that are in the same place they were a few years ago.
This is our definition of success…when kids come through our program, grow, and give back.
In Their Own Words
BYEP: Who are you?
RJ: RJ, Age 14, 9th Grade - Bozeman High School
What are your favorite memories from BYEP so far?
Definitely going up with the pros this past weekend at Big Sky. They showed me a bunch of new jumps I didn’t think I could do. They encouraged me and I hit my best jumps yet. Drew (pro skier & photographer) took some great pictures of me pulling my first “180 Method.” My nickname the rest of the day was “Method Man.”
Who is someone that you look up to and why?
My mentors Mike, Swiss, and Ben. They are always positive and fun. I can really relate to them well. Ben’s really sensible, Swiss is someone I can always talk to, and Michael is a ton of fun. I hope to be a mentor in the future like them.
What has been one of the biggest challenges in your life that your involvement in BYEP has helped you address/overcome?
Last year, me and my mom didn’t get along at all. BYEP taught me to control my anger better and have more patience.
Currently Listening to or Watching or Reading?
I just got an Insane Clown Posse CD that I like. I like Tupac as well. These days I’m listening to a lot of rap.
Favorite Thing to be Doing?
Snowboarding with BYEP. When I’m with BYEP, no one’s rushing me and I can enjoy riding without competing with everyone.
Where are you in 5 Years/What will you be doing?
I’d like to go to college – hopefully the University of Arizona. Then, I’d like to move back to Montana to be close to the mountains for shredding.
If you were explaining BYEP to other people (future: donors/kids/parents/mentors) what would you say/how would you explain it?
BYEP is awesome. It teaches you to respect yourself and learn more about who you are. I like the workshops because you learn a lot of stuff about how to live your life well. I would definitely tell other kids about BYEP because it helps a lot. I fight less and get in to less trouble since I’ve been in BYEP. I’ve made a lot of friends in BYEP programs – even some best friends.
The Nuts & Bolts
- 8 Winter (Snowboarding and Skiing) and 8 Summer (Rock Climbing, Whitewater Rafting, and Ropes Course) Programs
- The programs are Free
- 6 teenagers are paired with 3 trained/volunteer mentors for a 12 week long program
- One day during the weekend the group participates in an outdoor activity, one day during the week the group participates in a life skills workshop
Interested in Applying?
All you have to do is click on this sentence to apply by sending an email to Dave
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