ICO stands for Inspiring Connections Outdoors. We aim to inspire new connections between people and the outdoors, among individuals, and between different communities.
The Sierra Club ICO group partners with community agencies to take kids and adults with limited access to the outdoors on half-day, full-day, or (occasionally) overnight outings to local and regional parks. This might be participants’ first wilderness or outdoor recreation experience; their first one in a long time; or their first time getting the chance to develop new leadership skills in the outdoors.
Do you work for or with an agency that has participants who may benefit from an outing with ICO? Are you interested in volunteering with us? Contact mnico@northstar.sierraclub.org.
Volunteer with ICO
Do you love being outside and working with people? Are you looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity, a fun way to explore the parks around the Twin Cities metro, or new skills in outdoor leadership? If your answer is yes, you might consider joining ICO as a volunteer or lead on future outings! .
MN ICO is entirely led by volunteers. We rely on a dedicated, enthusiastic, and well-trained group of volunteers to create an unforgettable experience for participants and agency staff.
How to Volunteer with ICO
MN ICO has four groups of of volunteers: Outings Leaders, who fall into three groups: Guest, Assistant, and Primary; and Executive and Administrative volunteers, who help build our capacity. Please see below for the requirements and responsibilities associated with each volunteer role.
If you’re interested in joining us, or want more information, start by emailing mnico@northstar.sierraclub.org.
Outings Leaders
Tier 1: Guest Leaders
This is how you start! Those new to MN ICO can try us out by coming on an outing, before committing to the next steps. See if working with ICO is right for you! Guests must agree to abide by the MN ICO Code of Ethics and be willing to help out as needed. Volunteers may only be a guest on two outings before they are asked to initiate the paperwork to be a secondary leader. Email mnico@northstar.sierraclub.org to express your interest in attending an outing as a guest and learn about upcoming opportunities.
Tier 2: Assistant Leaders
Volunteers who have decided that MN ICO is a good fit, who are interested in developing their outdoor leadership skills and responsibilities, and who are approved by ICO leadership, take on the role of Assistant Leader. Each outing might include 1-3 Assistant Leaders.This role includes helping with the logistics and planning of an outing, interacting with and talking to participants actively throughout the outing, and a willingness to take on primary leader duties within their level of comfort.
Assistant Leaders must be current Sierra Club members(for insurance reasons) and have current First Aid and CPR certifications. They also undergo a background check.
Qualifications/Requirements:
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Complete a Minnesota Inspiring Connections Outdoors (MN ICO) Leader Application prior to your first outing as an Assistant Leader.
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Sign the MN ICO Code of Ethics and the Sierra Club Outing Committee Volunteer Agreement prior to your first outing.
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Be a current Sierra Club member within six months after first outing.
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Complete First Aid certification within six months after your first outing.
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Complete CPR certification with six months after your first outing.
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Pass the Department of Motor Vehicles and criminal background reviews within six months after your first outing (the Sierra Club will send you a form to complete these))
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Attend at least three outings a year
Tier 3: Primary Leaders
Primary Leaders are ultimately responsible for the planning, logistics, and execution of the outing. They work with the agency partner to determine a date, times, location, and activities for the outing; recruit additional Assistant or Guest Leaders as needed; determine a safety plan for the outing; and are responsible for making sure that all needed gear and food is present for the outing, including a first aid kit (this might include delegating some items to Assistant Leaders, such as requesting that someone else bring firewood, snacks, extra jackets, etc.) During the outing, they have primary responsibility for ensuring that things stay on schedule, and that both ICO volunteers and agency participants are comfortable, safe, and having a good time.
Primary Leaders should have attended at least three ICO outings as an Assistant Leader, be approved by ICO leadership, and be comfortable leading groups outdoors. They must stay current on Sierra Club membership, training, and First Aid.
Qualifications/Requirements:
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Complete at least three trips as an Assistant Leader
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Maintain Sierra Club membership
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Attend a leadership training provided by MN ICO(unless granted an exception due to other professional experience or outside training)
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Maintain current information (name, address, phone, email, etc.) on Volunteer Application.
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Maintain up-to-date First Aid and CPR certification
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Lead a minimum of two outings per year as a Certified Primary Leader.
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Attend an additional two outings per year as either a Certified Primary Leader or as a Secondary Leader.
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Be flexible to meet or maintain other requirements as they become necessary.
Click here for an application. Applications should be emailed as PDFs or scanned images to mnico@northstar.sierraclub.org.
More Information on ICO:
Partner agencies are responsible for recruiting participants and sending one or more agency staff or youth chaperones on the outing, while MN ICO supplies outing leadership, equipment and gear, and transportation and food as needed. ICO trip leaders work with agency staff to plan outings that meet their participants’ needs and interests, from selecting a location, to planning activities, to making safety plans. Agency partners include Neighborhood House, Boys Totem Town and CommonBond Communities.
Previous MN ICO activities have included hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, bouldering, canoeing, snow-shoeing, sledding, environmental education activities and games, making nature art, making food together, practicing outdoor skills, geocaching, campfires, and more. We’ve led outings for agencies at locations that include Minnehaha Falls, Fort Snelling State Park, Afton State Park, Interstate State Park, Wind in the Pines Nature Park, Louisville Swamp, Mississippi River trails in the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and many more.