Student Hierarchy

The hierarchy of students at CTY is also a hierarchy of age; more importantly, it is determined by the number of years a student has left, and the number of years s/he has been at CTY. The more experienced students, specifically those that are accustomed to tradition, often gain the most esteem and respect; however, newcomers that gain the "CTY spirit" are also beloved. All levels of the hierarchy of students have names.

Squirrel/Sperm

A squirrel is someone who is in their first year at CTY. Squirrels often come without any knowledge of tradition. The younger squirrels are usually more acceptive of CTY customs, and are often taken under the wing of an older student. However, some of the older squirrels who are used to non-CTY (and sometimes anti-difference) behaviors at their schools ignore tradition, or even try to ruin it for the returners.

Squirrels who like the site usually return; those who don't either switch sites or fail to come back. Some squirrels only came to CTY to take a single course, like Math Sequence or a science course, for the purpose of excelling in or skipping courses at school.

The term "squirrel" is predominantly used at Lancaster, whereas at Carlisle, the term sperm is used with the same meaning. Pre-1990, the term "rookie" was used as well.

Flying Squirrel

A flying squirrel is a squirrel who is new to a site, but has done CTY before. Flying squirrels usually have some incling regarding traditions; however, each site and session varies in their annual activities. Flying squirrels are most vulnerable at Lancaster and Carlisle, two of the most tradition-heavy sites.

Site Hopper

A site hopper is someone who rarely stays at the same site more than once.

Nomore/Nevermore

At most sites, a nevermore is someone who has reached the age of 16, and thus is not eligible for another year at CTY.

At Lancaster and Carlisle, a nevermore is someone who cannot return due to other reasons. Lancaster and Carlisle switch around the general definitions of nevermore and nomore.

Some people use the terms nevermore and nomore interchangebly.