Knoxville INSPIRING CONNECTIONS OUTDOORS

Welcome to the Knoxville Inspiring Connections Outdoors (formerly known as Inner City Outings)

Sierra Club Inspiring Connections Outdoors is a community outreach program that provides opportunities for urban youth and adults to explore, enjoy and protect the natural world.

• In 2023, Knoxville ICO led 21 outings for a total of 544 youth experiences and 55 adults and teachers experiences.

• Knoxville ICO works with 5 different partner agencies.

• Knoxville ICO is an all-volunteer organization and is responsible for all of its own fundraising. ICO Volunteers put in over 730 hours of service on outings.

• Knoxville ICO is one of 50+ Inspiring Connections Outdoors groups nationwide that are part of the Sierra Club’s national outreach program.

• Knoxville ICO’s volunteer trip leaders receive safety, First Aid, and Sierra Club certified Outings Leader training and must pass a background check.

Our Knoxville Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) Program of the Harvey Broome Group was proud to have been selected as the Three Rivers Market October 2018 Nourishing Change Program recipient. The Nourishing Change Program collects donations by asking customers if they want to contribute by rounding up their bill at the cash register to the nearest dollar. The “change” collected during October added up to nearly $7,000. These change donations help provide more than 50 outings for low-income youth over the next year. The Inspiring Connections Outdoors program allows youth to discover the beauty and learn about the importance of wild places for sustainability, to treasure them, and to enjoy these areas without harming them.

 The generous annual contibutions from the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club make many of these outings possible. The support of this amazing organization is greatly appreciated.