News & Articles

City Kids Featured in the December 2011 Washingtonian

For a teenager who’s never left the District’s inner city, kayaking the Snake River might seem like something that happens only in the movies. But for 100 at-risk youth in the City Kids Wilderness Project, it’s just part of summer camp. Groups—made up of young people from age 11 to their early twenties—spend up to nine weeks at the nonprofit’s 62-acre ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they can backpack through Yellowstone National Park, hike the Grand Tetons, and go horseback riding.

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City Kids Campers featured in Ranger Rick July 2009

The camp offers lots of outdoor activities, including hiking and horseback riding. Horse-painting is one of the first art projects for new campers. It helps them get to know each other and become comfortable around the horses.

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The City Kids Wilderness Project Featured in the Jackson Hole Guide

Learning leadership, life lessons in the outdoors: Wilderness program helps D.C. student learn new skills and see new possibilities. by Marie Ewald, Jackson Hole Guide, August 7, 2002.

After thriving at the camp for two years, Hutton returned as part of the Junior Training Program, which gives him a leadership role. He often acts as a counselor to the campers and is now leading the backpacking trips he once dreaded, answering the campers’ questions along the way, he said.

He can relate to the campers and help them adjust to Jackson Hole. He’s been through what they’re experiencing, he said.

Heading to the Hoback River last Wednesday for an educational activity, camper Joshua Cameron said Hutton is a role model for him.

"He thinks before he acts," the camper said as he tossed a rock in the pond. He paused. "He’s got class."

You can visit the Jackson Hole Guide at www.jhguide.com

The City Kids Wilderness Project Featured in the Jackson Hole News

Molding Future Leaders by Carolyn Smith, Jackson Hole News, August 22, 2001.

Next year, the City Kids camp will graduate its first class of counselors. Campers who completed the leadership program this summer will be given a chance to return as paid staff.

Roman Williams attended the camp during its first year and is now a counselor in training. A tall and lanky 16-year old, Williams has been at camp all summer refining his wilderness activity skills.

"I think it's cool that I can teach other kids," Williams said. "When my teacher at school talks about Yellowstone National Park, I can raise my hand because I've been there before. I think that's neat."

Williams said he has a new sense of confidence and enjoys the activities that once scared him, such as climbing.

"When I'm climbing, my mind is free," Williams said. "I don't really think, I just go along with the feeling."

You can visit the Jackson Hole News at www.jacksonholenews.com www.jacksonholenews.com

The City Kids Wilderness Project Wins Praise from Senator Biden

The Congressional Record, Vol. 146 (No.97), p S7474, July 24, 2000, Washington, DC.

…And it is just as clear that one of the best ways to keep kids out of trouble is, simply, to give them something else to do.

Terrance Collier, a 13-year-old from Washington, DC, had something else to do this summer. In fact, he had a lot to do. Through a program called City Kids Wilderness Project, Terrance went to Wyoming where he camped, cooked, helped with cleaning up, paddled a canoe, went rafting, made new friends and, in the process, learned about nature, himself, teamwork and responsibility.

…City Kids Wilderness Project is one of the best possible examples of time and money well spent. And it is an example that should be followed.

Senator Biden's entire statement can be accessed at www.gpo.gov