5 Ways City Kids Summer Camp Stands Out
City Kids provides DC youth with a transformative six-year journey marked by lasting friendships, personal growth, and invaluable life skills gained through wilderness exploration and experiential learning at Broken Arrow Ranch in Wyoming. Grounded in a robust youth development curriculum and with a commitment to accessibility, City Kids’ impact extends far beyond the summer months, shaping resilient and empowered youth.
1. Small, Long Term Cohort Model
City Kids has a unique, long-term peer cohort model in which 20-25 participants grow with the same group from 6th to 12th grade. Life-long friendships are developed by living and traveling together in the outdoors. Cohorts bond while developing the social skills needed to work together, resolve conflicts, and support each other during challenging moments. From trekking through the wilderness to navigating friendships, every aspect of the journey is undertaken together, cultivating a deep sense of belonging.
“Campers go through different challenges and achievements with the same group of kids they started with. At the end of their journey, you hear them talk about the relationships they built. Kids who started off fighting in their first years become the best of friends. When it comes time to reflect, they tell stories about helping each other and piggyback off each other,” said Montae Franklin, City Kids Alum and Camp Director.
2. Magical Location
From the Teton Mountain Range to Yellowstone National Park, City Kids’ summer camp offers unique locations for adventure and self-discovery. Participants have the opportunity to venture beyond Washington, DC to explore the wilderness of Wyoming through backpacking, whitewater kayaking, and even climbing the Grand Teton. In the embrace of Broken Arrow Ranch, amid the peaks and endless star-filled skies, campers find a new home away from home.
3. Strengths-Based Curriculum
City Kids has a robust and intentional evidence-based curriculum grounded in the foundation of Youth Development principles and Social Emotional Learning, providing a roadmap to personal growth and empowerment. The City Kids model emphasizes place-based learning, peacemaking, outdoor living skills, transferable life skills, social justice, and college and career exploration.
“City Kids gave me a place to find out what type of person I want to be and helped me find myself while going through hard times, taught me to have honor and not to give up on my goals even when things get hard and how to face my fears and overcome them. The skills City Kids helped me to learn are going to help me grow into a man that makes the impossible possible and to keep going no matter how hard it gets.” said Don’Zeal, a high school participant.
4. BIPOC Affinity Space
City Kids is committed to cultivating an affinity space for BIPOC youth. Affinity spaces are a means of cultivating community and belonging, especially for those who hold identities that have historically been marginalized and excluded. Operating across predominantly White industries, City Kids is an affinity space for BIPOC youth to explore outdoor spaces and experience residential summer camp in a community that centers, celebrates, and uplifts BIPOC stories, voices, and experiences.
5. Commitment to Accessibility
City Kids is deeply committed to making outdoor spaces and recreation more accessible. By eliminating barriers such as costly gear, permits, and travel expenses, City Kids creates life-changing experiences that are inaccessible for most youth today. Unlike most camps that come with a price tag, City Kids offers its summer camp and all programming completely free of charge, made possible by generous donors and partners. The average cost to fund one City Kids participant is around $16,000 annually.
If you believe in our mission, check out the three ways you can support City Kids Summer Camp below:
- Donate today!
- Save the Date! Do More 24 is a day of giving for community-focused nonprofits in the DMV. On Wednesday, May 15, City Kids will be asking for support to help raise the funds needed for this year’s summer camp.
- Purchase gear from our Wish List. We are in high need of socks, rain jackets, and water bottles!
