Summit for Someone Spotlight: Schyler Drain

A number of years ago, Schyler Drain of Overland Park, Kan., and his friend Chris sat together dreaming about future adventures they might take on, reflecting on the powerful experiences each sought in the great outdoors. At that time, Schyler was not yet aware of Big City Mountaineers and its mission to enable youth to have similarly meaningful and empowering experiences in nature. Flash forward to summer 2019… both Schyler and Chris reached the summit of Mt. Rainier safely with their team of climbers and raised a collective $6000 for BCM youth along the way.

Over the past half a decade, Schyler has completed four total Summit for Someone challenges and made a notable difference by creating mentoring opportunities and wilderness access for under-resourced youth. He has reflected often on how the experiences he has with a Summit for Someone adventure parallel the challenges and highlights the youth participants on a BCM backcountry adventure feel. He told us, “I’m driven to the climbs that challenge me in new ways. In each of the SFS climbs, I’m looking for elements that expose me to things outside my skill set and comfort zone. Just as the SFS youth overcome challenges and experience growth on mentoring expeditions, SFS climbers do the same on these climbs.”

Schyler has long believed in the transformative power of the outdoors and he feels that some of his best days have been spent out in nature. “BCM is so cool because they provide that transformative outdoor experience to youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity.  Nature and wilderness have come to shape a large part of who I am today, and helping to share that is why I am a Summit for Someone climber.”

Thank you to Schyler and all past, present, and future SFS participants! Your energy and efforts have provided many perspective-changing moments under the stars for the youth that BCM serves.

See highlights from Schyler’s trip here.