I worked on the CITA program back in the 80s and we got some real work done but we were rural kids who already had a work ethic.
The first summer we put in two baseball diamons with cinderblock dugouts, fencing all around, bleachers, and restrooms. We also installed an irrigation system in the football field and paved the track around it. We also built a second story on top of the pressbox and replaced all the seats of the bleachers.
The real problem arose when they brought some city kids out and expected them to do something.
I also worked on these programs in the 70’s.
I had a CITA job way back. I showed up, worked, and held the job all summer. The other two showed up, did as little as possible, and acted stupid when asked to do work. They were canned in the second week.