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Blog - Latest News

PRESS RELEASE: City Kids Celebrates 25 Years

Media Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Katie Guerin, City Kids Wilderness Project

Friday, August 6, 2021 Phone: 803.730.8628   Email: katie@citykidsdc.org


City Kids Celebrates 25 Years of Transformational Outdoor Experiences for DC Youth

Since 1996, the Organization has Impacted +500 Youth Through DC and Wyoming Programming 

Jackson Hole, WY– City Kids Wilderness Project was founded in 1996 as a camp in Jackson Hole, WY for DC youth. Since that time, the organization has expanded services to a year-round, six-year program, which has impacted the lives of +500 youth participants over the last 25 years. The program is based around three core principles: long-term youth engagement, experiential education programming with a focus on overcoming challenges, goal setting, and future planning.

“City Kids has worked for decades now to provide access to the outdoors and remove the systemic barriers of cost, transportation, and representation that keep communities of color from recreational spaces,” said Sarah Cryder, Executive Director of City Kids.

City Kids participants experience hiking, biking, and paddling in DC-area parks including the Billy Goat Trail, the C&O Canal, and Shenandoah National Park. In Jackson Hole, WY youth attend summer camp at their “home away from home,” Broken Arrow Ranch, where they hike and camp in the Sawtooth and Teton mountain ranges, horseback ride, and kayaking in Yellowstone National Park.

City Kids also provides after-school support for middle school youth; career exploration and job training, community service opportunities and social justice workshops for high school youth; and a formal College Success & Alumni program to help graduating seniors successfully navigate the postsecondary transition. Of the youth who completed the program in the last six years:

  • 97% have graduated from high school (compared to the 68% DC graduation rate);

  • 92% enrolled in college or vocational training or the military directly after high school;

  • 90% report that they think about their purpose in life often;

  • 93% report they are eager to do well in school and other activities; and

  • 94% of families said, as a result of City Kids programming, children try again when experiencing failure.

City Kids pivoted their programming to an all-virtual experience at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, including canceling their summer camp in Jackson Hole for the first time since its founding. To remain connected to youth during this time, City Kids offered hundreds of recorded, group, and one on one virtual engagement opportunities for youth and families. In the spring of 2021, City Kids returned to in-person programming in DC and this summer, have returned to camp at Broken Arrow Ranch in Jackson.

“The impact of COVID-19 was significant for our youth and families, but we managed to stay connected to them through +400 virtual engagement opportunities,” said Cryder. “We are excited to be back in Jackson this summer, running camp, and are looking forward to using COVID protocols to safely maintain in-person programming when we return to DC this fall.”

###

August 17, 2021/by City Kids
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https://citykidsdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Web-Photo.png 400 400 City Kids https://citykidsdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CityKids3.png City Kids2021-08-17 16:37:562021-08-17 16:53:48PRESS RELEASE: City Kids Celebrates 25 Years

JOIN US

In Their Own Words

City Kids Wilderness Project Catalog of Philanthropy Fair Chance

Recent News

  • 2020 City Kids Annual ReportCity Kids Wilderness Project Annual Report 2020-2021November 8, 2021 - 1:44 pm
  • City Kids Wilderness Project Annual Report 2019September 3, 2020 - 7:18 am
  • City Kids Wilderness Project Annual Report 2018August 9, 2019 - 8:04 pm

Building Resiliency. Broadening Horizons. Ensuring Skills for Success.

Open
#DoMore24 is today! Any gift made in the next 24-hours will be matched up to $55,000! All donations will go towards our Pack Your Bags campaign which will fund the incredible outdoor experiences that CK youth will have this summer in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

#linkinbio
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To drive positive change in our community, City Kids is taking part in this year’s #DoMore24 on Wednesday, May 18th. Do More 24 is the largest annual 24-hour online fundraiser for community-focused nonprofits in the DMV.
Open
Pack your bags, City Kids! We’re going to Jackson. 

Please consider making a donation today to help City Kids raise the $150K needed to operate summer camp!

#linkinbio 
#packyourbags 
#ckcommitted
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Check out the wish list in our bio to purchase items from REI & Amazon! 

#ckcommitted
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Starting April 1st, we’re partnering with @soultrakoutdoors for this year’s Miles for Soul Campaign. Sign up today and help us reach 50,000 Miles by the end of the month. This movement campaign is intended to promote physical wellness all month long and help raise funding towards monthly environmental and recreation programming for communities of color. Whether you contribute 1-100 miles, every step counts. Join and team and help us reach our goal. DM if you want to join the City Kids team.
Open
We have so much exciting programming for you all this month including the kick-off of our BRAND NEW Rock Club! This after school activity is an exciting way to bring your bouldering skills to new heights and #TryNewThings! Rock Club will take place from 4 - 6 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Thursday, March 24th. Check your emails for more info and to RSVP!
Open
Happy Black History Month #CKFAM! While we all know that #everymonthisBlackhistorymonth, we also know it's important to pause and take time to CELEBRATE Black History & Black Joy! This year, we've asked some of our campers to share what celebrating Black History & Black Joy means to them! Many thanks to Marlie, Kennadi & Osaro for reflecting & sharing with our community! 

#ckfam #202to307 #blackhistory365 #celebrateblackjoy
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City Kids applications are open for new 6th grade campers!  City Kids is a program for 6th graders from DC who want to get outside, make new friends, and challenge themselves while exploring new places!  Visit our website for more information (link in bio). Spread the word!!
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Hey #ckfam! The time is here - we need chaperones for our summer 2022 flights to & from Wyoming!! Help us make 2022 the #bestsummerever by chaperoning our wonderful campers out to camp in Jackson or back home to DC! 

**important: you must be fully vaccinated to chaperone a flight with City Kids**

Please email meena@citykidsdc.org for more information!
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A huge shoutout to our partner @seatosummit. You guys rock and the gear just keeps showing up. Thanks so much! #gearup #ckcommitted

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City Kids Wilderness Project

202-525-4930
sarah@citykidsdc.org

City Kids Wilderness Project is a non-profit organization founded on the belief that providing enriching life experiences for DC children can enhance their lives, the lives of their families and the greater community.

Washington, DC

2437 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

13055 So. US Hwy 191
Jackson, WY 83001

Catalog for Philanthropy

© COPYRIGHT 2015-2021 CITY KIDS WILDERNESS PROJECT

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