Taking Skills on the Road

Each summer, a select group of experienced high school JETs (Job Experience Trainees) take their City Kids training to the next level. Through intensive expeditions with partners like Wilderness Adventures, NOLS, and North Carolina Outward Bound School, years of preparation come to life—at no cost to families, thanks to our community’s generosity.

This summer, seven enthusiastic JETs rose to the challenge. Joseph and Adrian ventured into Alaska’s vast wilderness; four others tackled expeditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains; and Lily headed west to the Moab Desert, ready to step into a leadership role far from home.

From JET to Global Explorer

City Kids alum Liliana (Class of 2018) is a perfect example of how far these experiences can reach. After her first NOLS expedition as a JET, she’s continued to pursue adventure and leadership around the world. This summer, she joined a NOLS alumni trip to Croatia—proof that the confidence and love of the outdoors nurtured at City Kids carries forward for life.

Leadership Beyond the Comfort Zone

JETs arrive with a strong foundation, but these expeditions push them further. Without City Kids staff or familiar faces, they rely on their training, resilience, and adaptability. Over weeks—not days—they lead diverse teams, navigate unfamiliar terrain, and step fully into the role of leader among peers from across the country.

Alaska to the Grand: Preparing for the Climb of a Lifetime

Adrian had faced tough terrain before, but Alaska’s Denali State Park with Wilderness Adventures presented a whole new challenge. Over two weeks, he whitewater rafted the Matanuska River, sea kayaked through Prince William Sound, and built new bonds with a team he had just met. Joseph, on a NOLS expedition, tackled equally rugged conditions—pushing his physical limits and sharpening his leadership in remote backcountry.

Both JETs said their Alaska experiences were pivotal in preparing them to climb the Grand Teton with City Kids later that summer. Facing freezing temperatures and unpredictable conditions in Alaska gave them the grit, confidence, and mental edge they needed to reach the summit.

Desert Lessons: Lily’s Independent Adventure

Lily brought years of City Kids experience to Utah’s red rock country, but this expedition pushed her further. On her Wilderness Adventures trip, she put her rafting, canyoneering, and backpacking skills to the test—while stepping into a new group and building connections from scratch.

“My trip broadened my horizons by letting me meet new people and cultures during activities,” she shared. More than a test of outdoor skills, it was a chance to discover her ability to lead, adapt, and thrive beyond familiar ground.

The experience left her with new friendships, a more open mind, and a deeper sense of mindfulness that continues to shape her approach to challenges.

Every time you support City Kids, you’re investing in a journey—one that begins with first hikes and campouts, and leads to leadership on mountaintops around the world. These partner expeditions mark a major milestone: when youth apply everything they’ve learned, independently and with confidence.

Thanks to your support, they return not only with new stories, but with the skills, perspective, and leadership to guide others. You’re helping build the next generation of outdoor leaders—and it all starts with showing up, year after year.

Thank you for believing in their potential.