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Local Outings
Becoming a Leader
"Leading Outings is simply the most enjoyable and easiest form of
environmental activism there is. You get people out on the trail and the woods
and mountains and rivers do all the persuading. People have a great time and
there's no need to preach or cajole. Leading outings is a great way to recharge
and reconnect with what got you into the Sierra Club in the first place. I
highly recommend it!"
-- Local outings leader Rick Marshall, Camas, WA
As a local outing leader, you have the opportunity to share your local wild
areas with Sierra Club members and other community members - whether day hiking,
peak scrambling, birdwatching, or multi day trekking. Local outings also
introduce trip members to the Sierra Club - often laying the foundation for
future participation with the Sierra Club and their local conservation efforts.
If you want to get started leading shorter outings in your local area; if you
enjoy meeting like-minded people and sharing your regional knowledge, you could
make a great Local Outings leader.
Think you'd like to be a leader? Great!
What are my responsibilities as a Local Outings leader?
- Create a new trip or update a former trip.
- Screen participants to see if their skills and interests are a good fit for
your trip.
- Lead your outing.
- Follow up with the volunteer leadership after your outing.
What rewards will I receive as a Local Outings leader:
- Getting to spend time outdoors with like-minded people.
- The satisfaction of leading conversation on conservation and providing a
trip that helps others connect with natural wonders.
Steps to becoming a Local Outings leader:
- Go on some local hikes and get a recommendation from existing leader(s).
Check out your local outings
offerings.
- Be a current Sierra Club member and at least 18 years old.
- Complete the
Sierra Club Outings Leader Application.
- Complete a basic first aid class (or higher).
- Complete the Sierra Club Outing Leader Training 101 (and OLT 201 if you are
interested in overnight outings away from cars).
- Complete additional training as required by your Outings Chair.
- Be an assistant leader on a Local Outing.
- Provisionally lead a Local Outing under the guidance of an experienced
mentor leader and be certified to lead by your Outing Chair.
- Lead your very own outing!
Next Steps:
More questions? Contact
local.outings@sierraclub.org.