The Big Climb: USA invites young adult leaders aged 18-25 to join us for a 4-day, 3 night, hiking, camping and leadership development trip across the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. The expedition visits multiple campsites and peaks including: Slide Mountain, Table, Peekamoose, Lone, and Rocky high peaks.
The experience will include:
- Basic survival skills training
- Intro to campcraft skills and expedition group-based practices
- Leadership development and mentoring (E.g. Leader of the Day, Navigator, Food Leader, Individual Coaching...)
- Hiking etiquette
Expedition participants will also learn how to:
- Pitch tarps and build fires
- Cook meals and purify water
- Read topographic maps and navigate with compass
Some of the successful participants of the Big Climb: USA may be invited to join the Summer 2025 Kilimanjaro Expedition.
Does the idea of pushing yourself to new opportunities appeal to you? Do you have what it takes to lead others and push yourself to growth? Would you like to help others while learning yourself too? Join us for this fantastic expedition.
There are no costs for the participants; Boots, clothes, and all other gear will be provided to the climbers.
Deadline to apply is March 7, 2025 @ 11:59 pm. After review of your application, you may be invited to the The Big Climb: USA Selection Day in late March.
All climb participants will learn to step out of their comfort zones with courage, perseverance, and leadership. Through team-building and camp skills, you will build confidence and self-esteem by navigating environmental and physical challenges, as well as awareness through personal reflection. The activities will help you build self-reliance, community, and trust.
May 29
Morning: NYC meet up, travel to Catskills, host Briefing Meeting
Afternoon: Lunch, 4-hour hike to Slide Mountain
Evening: Return to camp: Personal Time, Dinner + Prep, Debrief/Activities
May 30
Morning: Stretch, Breakfast + Morning activities
Day: 7-hour hike to Table and Peekamoose (Lunch at noon)
Evening: Return to camp: Personal Time, Dinner + Prep, Debrief/Activities
May 31
Morning: Stretch, Breakfast + Morning activities
Afternoon: 7-hour hike to Lone and Rocky (Lunch at noon)
Evening: Return to camp: Personal Time, Dinner + Prep, Debrief/Activities
June 1
Morning: Stretch, Breakfast + Morning activities, 3-hour hike
Afternoon: Lunch, Camp pack-up, Closing Ceremony
Early Evening: Back in NYC
- Young Adult leaders ages 18-25
- Must exemplify leadership and demonstrated a drive to support your local communities
- Must be able to withstand rough terrain, steep hikes, and carry a 20-30 lb backpack
- Both physically and mentally strong
Deadline to apply is March 7, 2025. After review of your application, you may be invited to the The Big Climb: USA Selection Day will be in mid-may in Central Park, NYC.
The Founder of The Big Climb, Tim Challen was shot and injured during an armed robbery in Nairobi, Kenya. He subsequently founded non-profit Kilimanjaro Initiative (KI) to assist youth from disenfranchised communities in Kenya and Tanzania. The flagship initiative of KI is the annual climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, 5895m.
Since 2006, he has led over 650 climbers to the summit of Africa, to raise awareness on social issues affecting our communities.
In 2021, KI was folded into the Big Climb, embracing a global movement of young adult climbers working together for diverse causes. Tim Challen was ordained into the Explorer’s Club, joining the world’s greatest explorers.
In 2022, the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, the Big Climb expanded to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, bringing together youth and partners and supporting local communities at the foot of Mount Everest.
In 2023, The Big Climb: USA launches with an inaugural expedition into the New York Catskills
KI USA exists to promote self empowerment in New York City-area youth leaders between the ages of 18 and 25. We’re building a network of youth leaders who demonstrate hard work, perseverance, global sensitivity and positive attitudes to reach new heights personally, professionally and within their communities.
In 2013, building on the success of the global Kilimanjaro Initiative (KI), we launched Kilimanjaro Initiative USA (KI USA) to promote self empowerment in young leaders in the underserved communities of NYC.
Inspired by the impact that the organization has had on dozens of young people, promising US young adult leaders first joined the KI global climb on Mount Kilimanjaro in January, 2013. Since then, over 20 NY young adult leaders have flown across the globe to participate in an intensive three week program with East African colleagues to make the climb.
