Meet City Kids’ New Deputy Director!
We are happy to introduce you to Caroline Hamric, who joined the City Kids staff as our Deputy Director in September.
Q: Welcome to City Kids Caroline! Tell us about yourself and what you bring to City Kids.
A: Thank you! I’m so pleased to have joined the City Kids team. I’m a Virginia native and nonprofit lifer, having worked for local animal rights groups and international women’s rights organizations. My career started in nonprofit fundraising, then took a turn into grants management, operations, and organizational effectiveness work. I’m excited to bring my enthusiasm and diverse skill set to CKWP.
Q: What most inspires/excites you about City Kids’ work?
A: In addition to the overall mission of the organization, I’m inspired by City Kids’ commitment to equity and justice. Our focus on youth who are usually excluded from this kind of outdoor experiential learning makes me proud to be a part of City Kids!
Q: As a child, what role did the outdoors play in your life?
A: I have always felt most at peace in nature. I attended a wilderness camp outside of Richmond, Virginia for my entire childhood and even worked there once I was too old to be a camper. I had so many new experiences there, developed a love for hiking, camping and canoeing, and built lifelong friendships.
Q: What is your favorite thing you’ve done in your first month in your new role?
A: The fall kickoff event was a lot of fun! I enjoyed seeing the kids and their families greet our program managers and friends they hadn’t seen since camp. The excitement at starting a new year of adventure was palpable!
Q: What are you looking forward to working on at City Kids?
A: I’m looking forward to the prospect of making City Kids an even better place to work for our program leads. I hope we can build better systems that keep the focus on making the City Kids experience top-notch while easing the flow of communication with parents, volunteers and students.
Q: Which City Kids trip are you most excited to support or be part of?
A: I can hardly decide! I hope to get some backpacking in, as well as going horseback riding in November. And I haven’t gotten up on skis in many years, so Snow Club should be an adventure!
Q: What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?
A: I would love to go to the Azores. In addition to being a beautiful destination with a lot to see on the islands, it’s one of the few places to potentially see sperm whales, which I am in awe of!
Q: What’s one unique thing you want the City Kids community to know about you?
A: I’m a pizza aficionado! I am always game to compare notes on favorite pizza places, pizza types, and pizza toppings. I am even known by my nephews as The Pizzanator (my superhero alter-ego)!
