2024 Retreat and Outdoor Leadership Training

January 8, 2025

For a short weekend in mid-November, seventeen of us had the glorious luxury of stepping out and being together in "The Real World"... A world of nature, adventure, humanity, love, learning, and joy.

In many ways, The Real World we experienced is exactly what Reno ICO is all about. The CONNECTIONS we are seeking in Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors are:

Connections with others
Connections with nature
Connections with ourselves

It is clear from our first day reflections and second day (ending) reflections that all three connections happened. These retreats are a powerful experience, generating an emotional and spiritual depth that is hard to understand without being there. We enter as strangers to one another and by the end we are hugging and making plans to get together. We get inspired to provide similar experiences in the outdoors for others. Reno ICO is planning to continue these retreats in 2025 and beyond so the magic can continue...

Here are some pictures that tell the story of the weekend:

We gathered between 4 & 6 pm at Claire Tappaan Lodge, and shared a dinner prepared by the lodge. Breaking bread together is a great way to get to know each other.	A key focus of the training and on building our group culture was on creating an inclusive environment. We engaged in numerous activities to build our own skills in this area. Guided group actions, games and other activities were used.

One of the tools we used for working on our own outdoor leadership style was the "Tribes Trail" as a means to transfer responsibility to the group, through inclusion, influence, and community.	The best part of the trip was spending time together outside learning & practicing our outdoor leadership skills. The weather was beautiful on Saturday!
We practiced trail talks, trail skills, trail games and leadership on a one mile snowshoe trip straight out of the lodge.	When we got to our destination, we learned how to safely assemble and light the ICO backpacking stoves. We heated water and had hot cocoa in our ICO mugs. Here's Sequoyah and Luz enjoying their hot drinks.

To see all of the pictures from the retreat, click here.

Key Outcomes from the Fall 2024 Reno ICO Retreat

Eight new ICO Volunteers completed the Sierra Club Outing Leader Training - This is the biggest requirement in becoming an ICO Trip Leader. Congratulations!
Eleven ICO Volunteers and Trip Leader completed the Sierra Club's Child Abuse Recognition, Reporting, and Prevention (CARP) Training. We did it together and learned a lot!
Everyone learned how to plan & execute a Reno ICO trip. Through a simulation, four trips were planned – An ICO trip approval form has already been submitted for one of these trips and is due to be approved. Several participants are now ready to lead their probationary trip - for others this is but a first step on a journey of joining ICO trips as a Volunteer, moving to Assistant Leader, to becoming a Trip Leader.
Our partner organizations were well represented at the retreat! Several participants are prepped to begin leading their own trips for their organization and all deepened their partnership with Reno ICO:
- Alberto and Roberto from the University of Nevada Dean’s Future Scholars Program are ready for snowshoeing and backpacking trips and are excited to plan another whitewater rafting trip.
- Steve and Alisa from Nevada Urban Indians Native Connections Program are excited to integrate ICO trips into their connections, mental health, and diabetes prevention strategies.
- Paul, the lead teacher of the Galena High School Outdoor Academy has already planned a May hike to the Donner Tunnels for his students.
Alisa was the recorder in a small group discussion.
As always happens at these retreats, participants got excited about getting engaged in ICO leadership. Here are some examples:
- Lizette, Luz, and Sequoyah created the Social Media Committee.
- Steve agreed to partner with John to share the load in managing gear.
- Shanna Mae stepped up to coordinate volunteers and since the retreat has found two more ICO volunteers to form the Volunteer Coordination Committee!

A Note of Gratitude

Appreciation and gratitude to Reno ICO veterans Shanna Mae, Krissy, Suzy, John, and D'Lisa for sharing their knowledge and passion over the weekend and for helping to make it a success. A huge thank you goes to Olivia Tanager, Toiyabe Chapter Director, who took time out of her crazy busy schedule to spend a few hours with us at Clare Tappaan and inspired us with her talk about local, statewide, and national conservation efforts in the Toiyabe Chapter and the Sierra Club. A big hug to our donors who make these free volunteer retreats possible. Huge gratitude to Andres, Marla, Luis, and Al who worked through all of our special requests and made our stay at Clare Tappaan Lodge so special!

Krissy leading us in a rousing game of "Big Booty."

To see a 30 second video of the joy and silliness of Big Booty, click here.