Outing Leader Resources

This page contains resources and guides for certified Santa Lucia Chapter Outing Leaders. Please reach out to sierraclub8@gmail.com if you have further questions. 

November 2025 Santa Lucia Chapter Outing Leader Training (OLT) participant resources: 

• 2025 Santa Lucia Chapter Sierra Club - Outing Leader Training Packet

• CPR/First Aid/AED powerpoint slides - from Saturday 11/15/25

• Sierra Club Outing Leader Training presentation slides - from Sunday 11/16/25

• Google Folder with all the Nov 2025 OLT resources + "Packable Outing Reference Cards"

• More resources including the various forms can be found below 

Resources for existing Outing Leaders:

All Outing Leaders are required to submit an Outing Trip Plan & Safety Management Plan to the Outing Chair by the corresponding DUE DATE (see below). Chair approval is REQUIRED before moving forward with posting your outing on Meetup

Outings are posted on the Chapter's Meetup every 2 months (by the 1st of Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov). The following deadlines give the Chair time to review outings and our communications team time to promote your outings in our Chapter Newsletter.

Outing planning & submitting deadlines: 

• Hikes in January or February, should be submitted to the Outing Chair by December 10. 

• Hikes in March or April, should be submitted to the Outing Chair by February 1.

• Hikes in May or June, should be submitted to the Outing Chair by April 1.

• Hikes in July or August, should be submitted to the Outing Chair by June 1. 

• Hikes in September or October, should be submitted to the Outing Chair by August 1.

• Hikes in November or December, should be submitted to the Outing Chair by October 1.

If you can’t make the deadline, exceptions can be made on a limited basis. If you want to lead an outing and miss a submission deadline, reach out to the Outing Chair.

Forms to plan your Outing:

• Chapter Outing Trip Plan (OTP) Form:

  • PDF version - Download here

  • Word version - Download here

• Safety Management Plan (SMP) Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LIvt897aF2QsC10xv-afH-gKqwK-bua6/edit 

  • Example Safety Management Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U22Me08saVqVwQc4a18tytLADNvt5pCr/edit

Forms to print & bring on your Outing: 

• Sign-in sheet: https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/2023-03/Sign-Up%20Sheet%202-2020.pdf

• Participant Agreement Liability form (print enough for all attendees): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p8enBBvX9IhDBQz3RkOPjp5l2EMamivw/view 

  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fp7MwKeq5qru2zFaPAZEXdzFR7QG7i86/view

• Medical Form - Required for all attendees on backcountry trips (print enough for all attendees): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jIYmMhhnPp5pVw6HvaVz-IG6hP8NThUc/view?usp=drive_link 

  • An outing is considered "Backcountry" when professional and state-regulated Emergency Medical Services (i.e. EMS) or facilities are one hour or more away.

  • Medical Form FAQs: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rzJpoSqPd-vn5hLOIuAv7hWyfAvfytVX/view 

• Patient Report Forms (aka SOAP note) (print a couple to have on hand): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JU4dlDhV91EBd0-kWGQf36-q2Fe4RhDC/view

• Other Local Outings Level forms - Including Trailhead Talk and Emergency Response "Packable Outing Reference Cards": https://community.sierraclub.org/section/org-wide-resources/legal-resources/contract-form-warehouse/contracts-permits-invoices-ics-shuttles-venues-etc/forms-waivers/

Incident Response Forms:

• Incident Report online form: https://sierraclub.tfaforms.net/304 

• Near Miss online form: https://sierraclub.tfaforms.net/303

Other things to bring on your Outing: 

• Prep and pack your first aid kit.
• Along with The 10 essentials! -- more info in this Classic Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course Presentation of the Ten essentials  
  1. Map of the area
  2. Compass/GPS device
  3. Flashlight/headlamp
  4. Sunglasses & Sunscreen
  5. Extra Food & Water
  6. Extra Clothing
  7. Matches
  8. Fire Starter
  9. Knife
  10. First Aid Kit
• “Packable Outing Reference Cards” (i.e. pocket size printouts):
  • Critical Incident Contact Information Card
  • Emergency Response Card
  • Trailhead Talk Card
• Sierra Club membership brochures
• Save important contact info: Life-threatening incidents/emergencies/fatalities that require rescue or evacuation: Call 911 FIRST and then immediately report by telephone to 1-888-OUTINGS (888-688-4647). Then notify the Santa Lucia Outing Chair and other Chapter leaders.

How to become a SLO Sierra Club Outing Leader

For the entire 2025 Santa Lucia Chapter Sierra Club - Outing Leader Training Packet - click here

The following steps must be completed prior to becoming a certified Santa Lucia Chapter Outing Leader:

1. Complete First Aid/CPR/AED Certification.* Renew when certification expires (typically 2 yrs after training). 

2. Complete Sierra Club Outing Leader Training.* Re-take the OLT every 4 years, or sooner if required. 

3. Become a Sierra Club Member, if not already: sc.org/JoinSL  

4. Make a Sierra Club Campfire account: campfire.sierraclub.org/campfire/LeaderNewUser

5. Review your Outing Leader Training materials. 

6. Shadow/Sweep 3 local Sierra Club hikes. 

7. Get Outing Chair approval to lead a Provisional Hike. 

8. Lead a Provisional Hike, shadowed by a current Outing Leader.

* Certain outings require additional training: overnights, unaccompanied minors, backcountry, international, backpacking, water-based trips, and other outings. Basically, if it’s not a hike/walk, contact the Outing Committee Chair in advance. 

More resources can be found on the Campfire Outing pages: 

community.sierraclub.org/section/outings/chapter-outings 

https://community.sierraclub.org/page/outings-safety-liability-forms