Becoming a Leader

There are many opportunities across the country to lead outings to further the Sierra Club's environmental mission. Whether you are just getting started or you want to diversify the type of outings you lead, download the Prospective Leader Information Packet (PDF) to learn more about how outings are managed across the country:

• Inner City Outings
• Local Outings
• National Outings
• How To Get Involved

Inner City Outings (ICO)

Sierra Club Inner City Outings is a community outreach program that provides opportunities for urban youth and adults to explore, enjoy and protect the natural world.  There are over 48 ICO groups in cities across the country.  Visit the Sierra Club's ICO page to learn whether there is an ICO group in your neighborhood, what kinds of outings they lead, and who to contact to get involved.

Local Outings (LO)

Over 10,000 local outings are run for over 200,000 Club members across the country each year.  These outings range from evening park walks to weekend day-hikes and overnight backpacks. The best way to get involved is to get in touch with the local outings chair/training chair and attend the next local meeting. You can find your local chair contact information in your local Sierra Club newsletter (usually mailed to you) or you can visit the Sierra Club's Get Outdoors page (find your chapter and then visit the outings link). From there you will be able to learn about what outings your chapter, group or section leads and who to contact to get involved.

National Outings

There are over 350 National Outings led every year here in the United States and around the world. National Outings are managed by 18 different subcommittees, some by region and some by activity. National Outings is so named since these outings are centrally supported by staff in the San Francisco office. These are the outings listed in Sierra magazine. Visit the National Outings Get Outdoors page to familiarize yourself with the types of outings that are offered.

How To Get Involved

If you are interested in leading Inner City or Local Outings and are still not sure who to contact or interested in leading National Outings, please fill out the Prospective Leadership Application. This online application will be sent to the support staff at the Sierra Club who will forward it to the local chair who will follow up with you. Please be patient about this process as many of the volunteer leaders and chairs may be out leading trips!