City Kids Wilderness Project

?January Employee Spotlight ? We are thrilled to feature Melanie Holland-Orr, our new Director of Strategy & Operations! Since joining the team in fall of 2024, Melanie has brought her expertise and passion for youth development and operational excellence to the forefront of our work. Melanie has spent her career in youth and community-focused nonprofits, with expertise in improving social-emotional outcomes for youth, strengthening data-driven programs, and enhancing organizational efficiency. She strongly believes in the impact of out-of-school-time programs that provide another layer of care and support for youth beyond the resources schools can offer. “Programs like ours provide more caring adults who believe in youth and want them to succeed...The biggest takeaway from my career so far has been the importance of youth development. City Kids sees kids as whole people and helps them grow as individuals.” Read our full spotlight on Melanie here https://lnkd.in/e-_zQVdF

?? Breaking Barriers on the Slopes ?? City Kids Wilderness Project is thrilled to kick off Snow Club 2025! From January through March, youth from Washington, D.C., will embark on transformative trips to Whitetail Ski Resort where they’ll learn skiing and snowboarding while exploring career opportunities in the resort industry. Thanks to our incredible partners, Vail Resorts’ Epic for Everyone Youth Access Program and the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, this program ensures equitable access to winter sports—creating a space where confidence grows and horizons broaden. We’re proud to help DC youth feel empowered in the outdoors and beyond. ????? ?? Interested in learning more? Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/e5VQTQYx #SnowClub #WinterAdventures #InclusionInTheOutdoors #EpicPromise #YouthEmpowerment

City Kids Wilderness Project is hiring for our summer seasonal positions based in beautiful Jackson, Wyoming!!! If you or anyone you know might be interested, please email us at [email protected] This is a tremendous opportunity to be a part of a mission-driven, cohort-based youth development organization, serving DC youth from sixth grade through high school and beyond. In this continuous learning environment, each team member can make a big impact in their area of work. City Kids provides experiential education, outdoor adventure, and career & college preparation opportunities to help youth learn, grow, and build the skills they need to set goals and work towards their dreams. You can learn more about City Kids on our website: https://lnkd.in/eVUyCD3 Open summer seasonal positions include : Trip Leader & Counselor (starting rate: $600/week) Lead Staff (starting rate: $700/week) High School Program Instructor (starting rate: $600/week) Camp Cook (starting rate: $600/week) Lead Cook (starting rate: $700/week) Operations Manager (starting rate: $775/week) Behavior Support Specialist (starting rate: $700/week) More information, including position descriptions & application links can be found on the website page linked in this post! Please let me know if you have any questions !

At City Kids, we connect DC youth with mentors and the transformative power of nature—helping them build confidence, and overcome challenges like isolation, screen-driven stress, and unequal access to opportunities. ?? In honor of Giving Tuesday, every dollar donated to City Kids will be matched 2:1, up to $50,000, through MIDNIGHT on 12.03.24. Together, we can unlock an amazing $150,000 to spark connection, strengthen community, and empower youth to create change in their lives and for those around them. ??100% of City Kids youth graduate high school, equipped to shape their futures and make a difference in their communities. You can triple your impact by giving today! https://lnkd.in/e9emCZpp https://lnkd.in/eRZbFqR9

We can't wait for you to check out our?2023-2024 Annual Report: A Year of Connection! In a time when social and community ties are tremulous?for youth, we have worked to re-center joy and genuine connection in their lives. This Annual Report shares the story of what is possible when youth are given opportunities for enrichment and challenge in an environment that embraces playfulness, fun, and community. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find inside: ? Impact highlights & powerful stats ?? Updates on our strategic plan ?? Alumni spotlight ?? Our favorite photos and so much more! https://lnkd.in/eDGmcquE

? We're excited to celebrate our ongoing collaboration with Inward Bound Mindfulness (iBme) in offering City Kids alumni a unique chance to pause, reconnect, and step into the new year with intention! This year’s Mindfulness Retreat is 100% free for CK alums aged 18-32. ?? Location: Floyd, VA ?? Dates: Dec 28 - Jan 1, 2024 ?? Who: City Kids Alumni (for free!) or any young adults aged 18-32 This retreat offers a unique opportunity to step back from everyday life and dive into an immersive mindfulness experience designed for young adults. Over five days, participants can explore guided meditation, mindful movement, small group activities, and spend time in nature. We encourage our alumni community to embrace this transformative experience or share it with someone who would benefit from this journey. ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/e8ErZHyz

Last week, the City Kids team embarked on an incredible journey during our fall staff retreat—where adventure, growth, and connection intertwined to prepare us for a rewarding season of programming! As we welcomed new team members and united our DC and Wyoming-based staff, we came together to honor the power of play and the magic created through community and outdoor experiences. Our focus? To ignite joy, foster authentic connections, and celebrate the sense of belonging that comes from being part of this extraordinary community. A few highlights from our adventure-packed week: ???♀? In true City Kids fashion, we kicked off the week with camp-style games and a fun round of mini-golf at Potomac Yards. Afterwards, we took a reflective walk along the Tidal Basin, where we set our community agreements for the year ahead. ?? We were fortunate to partner with Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School for team building exercises, including low ropes activities that strengthened trust, camaraderie, and resilience within our team. ?? Our team dove into valuable trainings focused on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Co-Regulation, and Creating Trauma-Informed Spaces for youth. These sessions are key to deepening our understanding of how to best support the youth we serve. ?? We closed the retreat by grounding ourselves in our core values—particularly joy—harnessing each team member's unique strengths to create that special group fizz that powers everything we do at City Kids. Stay tuned for more insights and tips on how to bring #groupfizz to increase joy and connection in the workplace! As we gear up for an exciting fall season of programs, we carry forward the lessons and bonds built during the retreat, energized and ready to continue our mission. Here’s to another season of creating magic through outdoor experiences, community, and joy! ? #TeamBuilding #OutdoorAdventure #Community #TraumaInformed #SocialEmotionalLearning #StaffRetreat #FallPrograms

We’re excited to announce the release of our limited-edition City Kids t-shirts and hoodies, available now through October 11! With every purchase, you’re directly supporting our DC youth as they embark on fall adventures—biking along the Anacostia Riverwalk, paddling the Potomac, and backpacking in Shenandoah. ?????? Grab your gear today and help fuel City Kids' adventures! ?? https://lnkd.in/e8KP3nJN #GearForGood #SupportYouth #OutdoorAdventure #ShopForACause

Three City Kids take part in the iconic Grand Climb!??? ? Despite challenges, they achieved remarkable heights, celebrated a birthday atop the summit of the #GrandTeton, and forged unbreakable bonds. Read about their journey and the resilience, joy, and teamwork at the heart of the City Kids experience.

?? ?Exciting Opportunity at City Kids! Join our team as the?Director of Programs, DC! City Kids builds resilience and broadens horizons for DC youth through engaging, inclusive wilderness and urban programs. We are on the lookout for a dynamic, mission-centered leader to spearhead our youth development and outdoor programming. This role is perfect for a strategic leader with a strong background in wilderness/outdoor program management. What We're Looking For: ?? 8+ years in wilderness/outdoor program management. ?? Strong background in youth development, strategic program design, and risk management. ?? Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. ?? Collaborative and creative leadership approach. Apply by July 22, 2024, by sending your cover letter and resume to?[email protected]?with "Director of Programs – DC" in the subject line. #JobOpportunity #YouthDevelopment #OutdoorPrograms?