Sierra Club Outings are crafted to be enjoyable experiences with the goal of encouraging participants to explore, enjoy and protect the environment in the areas where we live. Each outing will typically include a short conservation message.
Lead outings to engage your neighbors in outdoor exploration and build community!
Sierra Club outings require a trained outings leader, completed permission forms, and a plan.
Below are the steps to become an outings leader and further resources.
Becoming a Trained Outings Leader
Five Steps
Attend Upcoming Outings - If you haven’t been on a Sierra Club Outing or want to see how different leaders do it, see how they are handling the covid safety protocols, and get a feel for doing trailhead and concluding talks etc. Find an outing to attend near you on our Calendar Page.
Complete the ONLINE Outings Leader Training (OLT) 101 Course - You must be logged into Campfire Community to use this link)
Get your First Aid updated - through Red Cross or other organizations. In-person first aid trainings can alternate with online so if you did it in person previously you can do it online this time. Send your updated certification to your Outings Chair.
Attend an in-person skills session training workshop - Contact Maryland Chapter or Maryland Local Group representatives to find out when our next Outings Leader Training event may be, or for help connecting with an outings mentor who can hold a one-on-one skills session training in place of an Outings Leader Training.
Plan and lead two provisional outings - Showcase what you have learned from the OLT 101 Course and your in-person skills session through planning and conducting two provisional outings trips. An outings mentor can guide you in planning for these outings. Contact the outings chair of your Sierra Club MD Local Group to be connected with an outings mentor.
Attached here is the Outings Trainee Checklist with the steps noted above. Save a copy to track your progress!
Contact Chapter or Local Group If Interested
Contact the Maryland Chapter or any Sierra Club MD Local Group with questions on how to become a Sierra Club Outings leader in Maryland.
Resources for Leading an Outing
Forms for Outings
- Outings Plan blank form
- Safety Management Plan blank form
- Blank Sign-In Waiver (A Sign-In Waiver for your outing will be generated through Campfire Events)
Campfire Events
Campfire Events is a module within Campfire that allows leaders to create and post self-service registration forms for their events. Learn more about Campfire Events and the best practices for event creation using the following links:
- How to create an event in Campfire Events
- How to view, contact and manage who registered for your event in Campfire Events
- How to take attendance and/or collect waivers electronically in Campfire Events
- Print out the sign-in sheet waiver and bring it along to your in-person event!
- Comprehensive Summary Document- Campfire Event Tool for Marylanders
Outings Attendance
For in-person Outings and hybrid events especially it's great to print out the waiver form and attendance sheet beforehand and bring it along so people can sign in, add their car license number in the space provided, and mark anything missing without them having to write everything into the sign-in/waiver form. It saves a lot of time. You can also do it on your electronic device if you prefer, but it's nice to also have a hard copy just in case.
Within a week of each event's occurrence, record attendance within Campfire. Attendees can be added to our system and find other cool events to attend.
Further Resources
- Sierra Club Leaders Campfire Community support site Forms Page
- Review the Learner's Guide from the Sierra Club Volunteer Webpage
- Review the 10 Essentials and 5 Commandments of Wilderness First Aid Kits [source Mountaineers, NOLS]
- Review the Outdoors for all Theory of Change & Summary
- Review the Leave No Trace Principles
- Other certifications may be needed for certain types of outings, such as Wilderness First Aid (can be through www.solowfa.com) and other further skills training.
For Current Outings Chairs
At this link is a LEADERS Guide for MD Chapter Outings Chairs and Record Keepers to keep MD Outings Program certifications updated in the online “LEADERS” website.
Additional Opportunities
Several Sierra Club entities lead outings in Maryland. Below are the links to regional and statewide outings hosts around Maryland, D.C., and Virginia.
- Local Sierra Club Groups operate out of specific regions and counties within Maryland.
- Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a section of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club that holds outings around suburban Virginia, D.C., and Maryland.
- The Northeast Outing Subcommittee holds outings throughout the Northeastern U.S. Contact Herb Wolff (h.marion.wolff@gmail.com) or Sandra Raviv (sandraraviv@gmail.com) if you’re interested and would like more information.