Leading the Way in Creating Safe Outdoor Spaces

This summer, we are getting ready for another season of connection, growth, and adventure—and reflecting deeply on what it truly means to create spaces where youth can thrive.

At City Kids, our commitment to building safe, welcoming outdoor experiences is at the heart of everything we do. We know that when young people feel a true sense of belonging, they can focus on what matters most: discovering their strengths, building new skills, and forming lifelong bonds. Creating inclusive outdoor spaces is one of the many powerful ways we help youth achieve their own vision of success and sense of personal possibility.

Our innovative Exclusion Risk Management Framework has transformed how the outdoor education industry approaches inclusivity and belonging for youth of color, positioning City Kids as an industry leader in this critical work.

Industry Recognition & Impact

Since 2021, our framework has become core curriculum at the Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC), influencing outdoor organizations across the country. While national parks still face significant diversity challenges—with people of color comprising 42% of the U.S. population but only 23% of park visitors—City Kids provides proven solutions.

“Across the outdoor industry, there’s growing uncertainty and challenge around moving inclusion work forward in meaningful ways,” said Meena Fernald, Director of WY Programs. “At City Kids, we believe creating impactful outdoor experiences relies on mitigating the risk of both physical and emotional harm. We are committed to partnering with organizations that share our belief that the outdoors should be a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone. Through these partnerships, we can support each other in ensuring that youth have the freedom to grow, have fun, and truly thrive.”

Your Investment Creates Lasting Change

By supporting City Kids, you’re backing a proven model that:

• Creates affinity spaces where Brown and Black youth explore outdoors in a community that centers their experiences
• Equips staff with tools to respond effectively to exclusion risks
• Addresses the systemic barriers limiting diverse participation in outdoor spaces

With your partnership, we can continue expanding our impact, ensuring more youth feel seen, heard, and celebrated in the outdoors.

For more information about our Exclusion Risk Management Framework or partnership opportunities, contact us at development@citykidsdc.org.