About Medical Forms 2026
Here are Guidelines associated with Policy, courtesy of National. See our 2026 Addendum on Angeles Chapter's Leadership Reference Book.
Document Archiving
Policy is here. Briefly: Once the trip is over, you’ll do one of these things:
- The easy way, by using the Registration Option when you set up your trip in Campfire Events and select Medical Forms Required. The Forms are stored in the system. Voilà! (You can upload any scanned forms, too.); or
- Scan the waiver and medical forms, then email them to program.safety@sierraclub.org with the subject line “Post-Outings Documents” [Chapter/Section and Outing Name] and then shred the documents; or
- Scan and upload the documents into your outing in Campfire Events and then shred the documents; or
- Mail the paper documents to the Sierra Club, 2101 Webster St., Ste 1300, Oakland, CA 94612
Questions? Need help? Ask your Outings Chair, or LTC Admins or Safety and Outings Management .
A few handy links from Forms page
- See this Decision Tree working with SMPs and Medical Forms (see bottom of page)
- See this Angeles Chapter Frontcountry-Backcountry Chart
- See our 2026 Addendum to the Leader's Reference Book
- See Campfire Events Training using online medical forms
WTC leaders!! Information about your forms - see your staff guide and ask outings chairs. ICO: ask your ICO leaders.
About the Participation Agreement
NEW! Sign-in Sheet/Waiver, dated January 2026 (PDF). All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a "Participant Agreement/Waiver" (liability waiver). Must be a current form. Feel free to download and share the waiver text and the medical form with your participants prior to the trip so they can see what they will sign in advance. Basic Agreement 2026 is with the 2026 Sign-in/Waiver.
Excerpts From an FAQ
What is the Participation Agreement? Our Participation Agreement is a legal document governing many aspects of a person’s participation in a Sierra Club activity. Among other things, participants acknowledge and take responsibility for the risks of participating, and promise not to hold the organizer responsible for injuries.
Why does Sierra Club use a Participation Agreement? The Participation Agreement serves several purposes, and rolls together several forms that used to require multiple signatures. It includes, for example, an assumption of risk, liability waiver, medical consent, and photo permission (optional). While no document can prevent a lawsuit, our Participation Agreement can help protect Sierra Club, including its staff and volunteer leaders.
Why can’t the Participation Agreement be shorter? In response to repeated requests from staff and volunteers, we have folded into this agreement three other forms that used to be separate. Combining three forms into one makes it longer, but cuts down on overall paperwork. The Participation Agreement that the Board adopted in 2019 and now updated to 2026 also reflects changes in the law.
Why is publicity permission included in the form? Publicity permission is always optional. In past years, a separate photo/video release was widely used in tandem with a waiver form, to permit photos and videos of the participants to be used. Combining the two forms addresses longstanding requests to simplify the paperwork. People who don’t want to give permission can simply make a note near their signature (for example, by writing “No Publicity”). Staff and volunteer leaders who learn that someone has not given permission must not use photos or videos of them, or quote them, in any Sierra Club materials (including but not limited to newsletters, web pages, social media, et cetera).
Are Participation Agreements mandatory? Sierra Club requires Participation Agreements for many types of activities. {National} Program Safety staff are responsible for deciding which outings, activities, and events require them. Please assume that you do need to use Participation Agreements, unless you confirm otherwise. If in doubt, ask entity leadership, Chapter Safety Chair or email program.safety@sierraclub.org. It’s better to have a signed Participation Agreement and not need it, than to not have it and wish that you did.
Who must sign the form? Everyone. Anyone who does not sign the Participation Agreement cannot participate. Angeles Chapter recommends that leaders include a link to the text of the form in their write-ups/advertisements so that new participates know ahead of the trip.
Minors. In California, a parent or legal guardian must sign for anyone under the age of 18. A few states have other age thresholds. 2026 Safety Policy bookmark here and below in Minors section.
Activities that Require a Participation Agreement
We’ve provided a list below of activities that generally do and do not require Participation Agreements. We will update this list as we gain experience with the new form. You can also contact our Safety Chair and/or email program.safety@sierraclub.org for further guidance, or to request an exception.
Activities that almost always require Participation Agreements (subject to change):
Day hikes - Sierra Club Outings
Transporting people via private/chartered bus, boat, aircraft, or other vehicle
Walk-a-thons, 5k runs, and the like
Fundraising activities with incorporated outings and activities
Guided activities
Overnight events or activities
Activities involving unaccompanied youth and minors {ICO mainly}
Large and complex group events and activities
Courses that include outdoor activities
If Sierra Club is partnering with other organization(s) on an event and want to use a single form rather separate forms for each organization, please contact Chapter Safety Chair and/or email program.safety@sierraclub.org for assistance.
Activities that Do NOT Require a Participation Agreement
Your entity leadership, Safety Chair or other appropriate person should review the activity and approve the decision not to use Participation Agreements. When in doubt, use the Participation Agreement, or email program.safety@sierraclub.org for guidance.
Regular Sierra Club Meetings
Table or booth at a venue such as a famers market or fair
Events open to the public like a rally or parade
Activities led by another responsible organization where we are attending as supporters but not hosting or leading any specific activities
Informal meetings or classes of adults indoors in a building that is available for public use, accessible to emergency services (e.g., is not in a remote location, and can be reached quickly by Emergency Medical Services), and is connected to communications networks (e.g., has a working phone and/or internet connection).
More languages are available for these forms on the Participation Agreement Campfire Community page.
Questions? See Management for contacts.
Trip Planning: Decision Tree and Forms
Confused about whether your trip is Front or Backcountry? What forms do you need? Medical Forms and Safety Plans?
- LTC requires that All Provisional Leader candidates complete an SMP prior to the trip and share it with their Outings Chair and co-leader.
- Medical forms will depend on whether the trip is backcountry or ICO or other prorgams.
- All outings must have signed participant agreements / Sign-in Sheet/Waiver,
And here is a that Decision Tree showing forms requirements. Ask your Outings Chair, LTC / OMC for help if needed. Also a link: Decision Tree working with SMPs and Medical Forms
