Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors

 
Hug High Snowshoe Trip Group Shot

Reno’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) program brings young people to the mountains they look at every day, but may have never visited! 

ICO promotes individual growth through group activities, environmental and outdoor skills education, and leadership development for youth and young adults.   We partner with schools, community groups and mission-driven organizations to provide safe and enjoyable outdoor adventures and experiences and to create a local youth-centered outdoor and environmental community. We are focusing on providing targeted equitable access to the natural world so that all young people in our community appreciate and care about our natural environment.

We provide the equipment, leaders and fun! 

ICO Reno leads snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, camping, and rock climbing trips for youth and families from Northern Nevada. 

Become a Reno ICO Volunteer!

A guide and two youth about to jump off of a rock into the river
ICO is  a 100% Volunteer Organization .  Whether you are an adult volunteer or a youth participant, be prepared for FUN, DIVERSITY, and ENGAGEMENT with a goal of improving lives, feeding our passions and saving the world. 
 
Please visit Volunteers and Trip Leaders to learn more about our volunteer roles and how you can make a difference for young people and our environment.
 
For further information about volunteering for ICO, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Shanna Mae Slight at shannamae.slight@gmail.com
 

Get a Great Sense of Reno ICO by Reading our Annual Reports

At the end of each year, we take stock of what we have done, relive the trips we took and compile our statistics!  All of this is included in our annual reports. If you are new to ICO, scanning these annual reports is a quick way to learn all about it.

Read the Reno ICO 2024 Annual Report
Read the Reno ICO 2023 Annual Report

Partner with Reno ICO - Outdoors for All!

Inspiring Connections Outdoors is all about breaking down barriers to get youth and adults out into the wilderness.  Going snowshoeing and backpacking requires specialized clothing and equipment - we provide everything: From snowshoes and backpacks to raingear, boots, and even socks.  Our clothing and equipment storeroom has over 1,300 items and we can support up to 35 participants at any one time!  
 
Group shot
Now that we have completely filled our storeroom, the only costs that ICO has are for outdoor leadership training and supporting our trips.   On average, Reno ICO spends about $750 per day for backpacking, snowshoeing, hiking, and rafting trips for 10-25 participants. These trip expenses primarily include transportation and food. Participants attend trips for no cost, or minimal expenses.
 
We are seeking donors to help with these costs. To make a donation, simply click here or on the red Donate Here button to the right to make a tax deductible donation. If you are interested in joining our Outdoors for All Legacy Donors, making tax deductible annual donations of cash or appreciated stock, please contact Reno ICO Chair, Rob Schamberg at 202-412-0698 or robschamberg@gmail.com.
 
We are also seeking corporate partners to provide monetary grants, donations of new clothing and equipment, and sponsorships. Join Sierra Nevada Journeys as a Reno ICO Sponsor! To discuss these opportunities for your company, please contact Reno ICO Chair, Rob Schamberg, at robschamberg@gmail.com
 
Read the Reno ICO 2024 Annual Report!
 

Reno ICO News

Wilderness First Aid Course Scheduled for May 9-10th in Reno

February 15, 2026
This $400 course costs just $50 for ICO Trip Leaders, and aspiring leaders who will lead two trips by August 2027. Reno ICO is grateful to our partner Nevada Urban Indians (NVUI) who is funding a 16-hour Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Class on the...

Basic First Aid Class and CPR Classes For ICO Trip Leaders

February 15, 2026
  All Reno ICO Trip Leaders are required to complete a basic first aid class. Each trip leader must be trained and recertified every two years to continue as a trip leader.  ICO whitewater guides or those taking a wilderness first aid...