Applications for the 2026-2027 Ranger Class are now OPEN!
Step 1: Complete an interest form here!
The first step of applying is completing an interest form. Once you’ve completed the interest form & provided some basic information about yourself and your interested 6th grade child (or children), you will begin receiving consistent communications about the multi-step application and selection process which consist of youth and parent involvement. We only accept applications from youth in the 6th grade. If your child is not in the 6th grade for the 2026-2027 school year, they are not eligible to apply this year.
Questions about your child’s eligibility or need assistance with the interest form? Contact us at:
Email: recruitment@citykidsdc.org
Phone: (202) 525-4930
Mail: City Kids Wilderness Project, 2437 15th St NW, Washington DC 20009
Step 2: Attend a virtual information session.
Join us at one of many virtual information sessions where members of our youth recruitment team will share information about what it means to be a part of the City Kids community, how our program is designed, and a thorough review of the multi-step application process.
Step 3: Complete an application.
Once a caregiver has attended a virtual information session, our team will send a personalized link to complete a simplified version of our full enrollment application consisting of emergency contacts, medical information, etc. Completion of an application is required before your child is eligible to attend trips and events as an applicant.
Step 4: Attend applicant trips and events
There are two mandatory orientation events in the spring of 2026, in addition to multiple optional but encouraged applicant trips and events. These trips and events provide applicants and their families opportunities to get to know the City Kids Wilderness Project community and help our staff select youth who will be officially accepted into the six-year program. City Kids may ask for an additional interview or recommendation from your school.
Applicant Day Trips – TBD
Optional trip for applicants. Must pre-register through your City Kids Trip Dashboard.
Date: January 2027 – March 2027
Time: TBD
Applicant Family Fun Day
Mandatory orientation event for parents & applicants.
Date: March 13, 2027
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Location: 2437 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Applicant Overnight Camping Trip
Mandatory camping trip for all applicants. All applicants must attend one of the trips listed below (attend only one):
City Kids Soar n’ Snooze Applicant Session 1: April 10-11, 2027
City Kids Soar n’ Snooze Applicant Session 2: April 24-25, 2027
Step 5: Find out if your child is invited to join City Kids! Thanks for participating in our applicant season. We enjoy meeting so many great youth and families. As City Kids is designed as a long-term cohort model program, we ultimately are only able to select twenty-four (24) youth to join us for the full six-year journey. Our final selections will be made by late May 2027.
What are we looking for in applicants?
- Excited to travel and OK being away from home
- Enjoy the outdoors or are willing to learn
- Like to try new things & challenge themselves
- Like to meet new friends
- Ready to commit to a 6 year program
- Willing and able to follow the City Kids honor code
- Meet City Kids cognitive and physical ability criteria
- Qualifying for free & reduced lunch is prioritized
Nondiscrimination Policy
The City Kids Wilderness Project admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students in the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, and other school-administered programs.
Gender Inclusion Practices
City Kids welcomes youth of all genders! You can learn more about our gender inclusion practices here. Please contact meena@citykidsdc.org with any questions.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
The health and well-being of our participants and staff are top priorities. The wilderness environments City Kids programs live in and travel through are remote, dynamic, and physically and emotionally challenging.
To determine if City Kids program is a good match for your child’s abilities, City Kids has a list of essential eligibility criteria to help applicants and families identify the basic and fundamental elements of participation required to participate. Please read through the following list of City Kids Essential Eligibility Criteria and contact us if you have questions about accommodations.
Bullying Prevention Policy
A key responsibility of City Kids is to provide services in a respectful and positive environment. Acts of bullying, harassment and intimidation are an attack on core City Kids values. To facilitate our mission, we have established a bullying prevention policy. Please read the policy here, and contact us if you have questions.