I’ve led a group of students from an Orange County high school on a 5+ mile hike in Caspers Wilderness Park (all of the students had little to no hiking experience), then to the Nature Center at the park, and we even had enough energy left to swing from the monkey bars or on the swings at the playground within the park. By the time we boarded the bus, everyone seemed tired but happy (I know I was).

This activity was organized by the Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors, which serves as a bridge that helps underserved youth, disabled individuals, and others to visit and develop an appreciation for our natural environment. We work with schools, community groups, and other agencies to create safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences for persons who might not otherwise have them. ICO outings promote individual growth through group activities and environmental and outdoor skills education. And, yes, Angeles ICO includes BOTH Los Angeles and Orange Counties.I’m convinced that ICO leaders have even more fun than other Sierra Club leaders!

In January, as an ICO leader based in Orange County:

• I assisted visually impaired adults on a drizzly but fun hike in Griffith Park. Luckily, there were four leaders plus quite a few sighted guides, because we had a total of 40 hikers that rainy day!
• I scouted a point-to-point ICO hike from Chino Hills to the Redwood Grove in Carbon Canyon. I’ll do this one with high school students when the weather has settled down.
• And I look forward to assisting a group of high school students from Orange County on an outing on a 110’ wooden Tall Ship. I’ve been on such outings before with other school groups, and everyone has a great time helping raise the sails and climbing out on the bowsprit.

If these sound like things you would like to do, watch this video, and send me an email.