Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inner City Outings?

ICO is a community outreach program of the Sierra Club aimed at helping children discover how beautiful wild lands are and how to enjoy these places without harming them. The Sierra Club San Francisco Bay chapter established the first ICO group in 1971. Today, a dedicated core of volunteers in about 50 cities nationwide works with local social service agencies and schools to provide wilderness experiences for children and youths who otherwise might not have them.

Is Sacramento ICO part of the local Sierra Club chapter?

Yes, we are part of the Mother Lode Chapter, which covers 24 counties in northern and central California .

What kind of outings do you do?

Our outings have included hikes, camping, nature walks, outdoor- or nature-related festivals, snowshoeing, snowplay, river rafting, outdoor service projects and backpacking. The goal is to introduce children to the natural world, give them some exercise and sneak in a little education about nature and the environment.

Who are your volunteers?

They are a diverse group with a common love of the outdoors. Many have backgrounds in recreational, outdoor and environmental education skills. It is not difficult to become a volunteer. Because we are working with children, we do screen our volunteers. To learn more about volunteering, go to our Volunteer Information page. We also have opportunities for people who might want to help, but can’t go on outings.

Who are your leaders?

Our trip leaders undergo training and are certified in first aid. To learn more about being a leader, go to our Leader Resources page.

How do you find children for your outings?

We work with several local agencies that serve children. They choose the children and at least one adult from the agency goes on each outing. Our agencies include St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children, Roberts Family Development Center, Breakthrough Sacramento and Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.

We also have a partner agency, Today’s Youth Matter.

If you are with an agency that might be interested in having us take your children on outings, please contact us.

How do I contact you with more questions?

Send us an e-mail (below) or call 485-5635. Or come to one of our monthly meetings (see Schedule).