Applications for the 2024-2025 Ranger Class are now OPEN!

  • Complete an Application

    Applications for 2024-2025 are now OPEN! 

    The first step of applying is completing an interest form: LINK TO INTEREST FORM

    Once you’ve completed the interest form & provided some basic information about yourself and your interested 6th grade child (or children), we’ll send you a personalized link to the application.

    Questions about applications? Contact us.

    Email: taylore@citykidsdc.org
    Phone: 202-525-4930
    Mail: City Kids Wilderness Project, 2437 15th St NW, Washington DC 20009

  • Attend Applicant Trips and Orientation Events

    There are two mandatory orientation events in the spring 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.

    Mandatory orientation events are the Applicant Family Fun Day and one of two Applicant Overnight Camping trips.

    Applicant Day Trip – Indoor Rock Climbing

    Optional trip for applicants. Must pre-register through your City Kids Trip Dashboard.

    Date: January 26, 2025

    Time: 9am – 2pm

    Applicant Day Trip – National Air and Space Museum

    Optional trip for applicants. Must pre-register through your City Kids Trip Dashboard.

    Date: March 14, 2025

    Time: 8am – 3pm

    Applicant Family Fun Day

    Mandatory orientation event for parents & applicants.

    Date: March 22, 2025

    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 5-6, 2025
    City Kids Soar n’ Snooze Applicant Session 2: April 26-27, 2025

  • City Kids may ask for an additional interview or recommendation from your school.

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.