Thanks to the generosity of our partners, volunteers, and supporters, Military Outdoors has lined up an incredible summer and fall with six different national trips designed to support our military and veteran community and their families. Learn more about each of the trips and apply below. If you have been selected, we will contact you as soon as possible before the trip. All trips are free to attend, although participants are responsible for travel costs and trip-specific gear such as boots, sleeping bags, etc. If you have any questions about any of the following trips, please contact Robert Vessels, Program Coordinator, at military.outdoors@sierraclub.org.
Military Outdoors will now be requiring a $50 refundable-deposit* upon registration in order to hold a participant's spot on the roster. This new policy is to ensure the maximum number of service members and veterans have an opportunity to participate in one of our outings. No-shows and late cancellations lead to empty roster slots; a problem we hope the deposit will mitigate. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
*Cancellation Policy: Deposits will be refunded if you cancel by contacting military.outdoors@sierraclub.org two weeks prior to the outing departure date. Cancellations within two weeks of the trip start date and no-shows will forfeit their deposit.
February 25-28: The Land We Defend: Canyonlands National Park, UT
Canyonlands National Park
Salt Creek - Lavender Canyon Loop
23.4 miles
4 days, 3 nights on the trail
Military Outdoors is looking for 10 motivated service members and veterans for a February trek into the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The goal of this outing is to highlight the restorative power of nature, and to demonstrate why we need to protect our wild places, in the context of the Regional Haze rule and its impact on Utah's national parks. Participants are invited to bring one guest (friend or family member; military service not required) along for the hike.
Renowned for its pinnacles and pictographs, the Needles District, in the park's extreme southeastern quadrant, is Canyonlands' most popular section. Our chosen route connects upper Salt Creek to Lavender Canyon via a cross-country route that climbs up steep slickrock from Big Pocket, and then crosses high benches near Cedar Mesa. Along the way, we'll pass a historic pioneer cabin, numerous Anasazi sites, some truly spectacular overlooks, and at least twenty sandstone arches. While no technical rock climbing is involved, this is an advanced route requiring fitness, scrambling ability, and solid navigation skills.
March 4-6: Military Veterans on Ice: Keene Valley, NY
Please join us for an adventurous weekend of ice climbing, snowshoeing, fly-fishing and lively conversation with some of our esteemed U.S. military veterans in beautiful Keene Valley, New York (5 hours from NYC).
Since 2006 Sierra Club's Military Outdoors programming has helped more than 50,000 service members, veterans, and their family members get outside. Reconnecting with nature facilitates better mental health, emotional resiliency, and social skills. Our service members, veterans, and their families are developing into a new generation of Sierra Club leaders who value outdoor experiences and support our mission to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Along with adventure, we will discuss how to get more veterans outside to experience the power of the great outdoors. No climbing experience is necessary. There is a suggested donation of $250. Click here for more information.
March 6-11: Hyalite Canyon Ice Climb: Bozeman, MT
(Photo Credit: Thomas Lee)
Spend four days ice climbing with other veterans in Hyalite Canyon, near Bozeman, MT. With world-class ice climbing cliffs less than a fifteen-minute walk from the parking area, this climbing course will maximize your time amidst the vertical. Climbing will take place on the flanks of the glacially carved Hyalite Canyon walls, situated on the northern fringe of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Montana Alpine Guides' experienced ice climbing guides customize all ice climbing instruction to each individual's climbing abilities and experience levels. Ice climbing technique is our focal point and you will be learning from the pros before putting the climbing lessons into action. Each day will be filled with continual feedback, instruction, and as much climbing as possible. Participants will walk away from this outing with a solid ice climbing foundation; including the safety, knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to enjoy the wild and wonderful sport of ice climbing.
Apply here.
You can read about last year's ice climb here.
March 6-9: Sierra Club High Mountain Ecology and Powder Skiing Workshop: Cooke City, MT
In partnership with Beartooth Powder Guides, powder skiing in the rugged and remote mountains that surround Cooke City will be our primary focus during the course. Traveling to the top of mountains under one's own physical power takes time and provides the perfect scenario for sharing and teaching our guests about avalanche safety, decision making, wildlife tracking, and high mountain ecology. Over the course of four days, participants will gain knowledge and experience for backcountry powder skiing/riding to include avalanche safety and rescue skills, uphill and downhill terrain management, decision making and trip planning.
For more details, including experience and equipment requirements, please click here.
Apply here.
March 20-26: Military & Veteran Raft Guide School, Wilderness First Aid (optional): Bryson City, NC
(Photo credit: Nantahala Outdoor Center)
This Spring, Military Outdoors will provide scholarships for veterans as well as those in the Guard and Reserve who are interested in pursuing possible seasonal employment as a raft guide. This fast-paced program will provide you with the skills necessary to work as a professional river rafting guide for commercial outfitters, summer camps, whitewater clubs, outdoor schools, and more. Nantahala Outdoor Center pioneered river guide school as a place to get training from top raft guides in the nation. In this whitewater guide class, you can learn to become a professional river guide at NOC's Nantahala River headquarters in western North Carolina.
Prior skills or outdoor experience are not a requirement.
The March 20-26 course will have an optional Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification component on March 19-20. This 16-hour course provides entry-level training for outdoor enthusiasts and those working in the outdoor industry who want to be better prepared for trips in the backcountry. The WFA course covers topics ranging from preparation and prevention to assessment and treatment. WFA certification is good for two years and a requirement for Military Outdoors Leaders. American Safety Health Institute CPR and AED certification lasts also two years.
This course also has the potential to create employment opportunities for graduates elsewhere in the Outdoor Industry and leadership positions within the Sierra Club.
Click here for more information and our online application.
April 3-8: Military & Veteran Raft Guide School: Bryson City, NC
(Photo credit: Nantahala Outdoor Center)
This Spring, Military Outdoors will provide scholarships for veterans as well as those in the Guard and Reserve who are interested in pursuing possible seasonal employment as a raft guide. This fast-paced program will provide you with the skills necessary to work as a professional river rafting guide for commercial outfitters, summer camps, whitewater clubs, outdoor schools, and more. Nantahala Outdoor Center pioneered river guide school as a place to get training from top raft guides in the nation. In this whitewater guide class, you can learn to become a professional river guide at NOC's Nantahala River headquarters in western North Carolina.
Prior skills or outdoor experience are not a requirement.
This course also has the potential to create employment opportunities for graduates elsewhere in the Outdoor Industry and leadership positions within the Sierra Club.
Click here for more information and our online application.
May 8-15: Military & Veteran Whitewater Guide School: Dinosaur National Monument, CO and UT
This Spring, Military Outdoors will provide scholarships for veterans as well as those in the Guard and Reserve who are interested in pursuing possible seasonal employment as a raft guide. O.A.R.S.' Dinosaur Whitewater Guide School is taught by professional river rafting guides.
The Green River is home to one of Military Outdoors' all-time favorite outings. Rippling red and brown sandstone contrasts with the deep green trees and grasses that grow along the river and up the canyon walls, creating the ultimate classroom. And of course, there is the river itself, first navigated by Major John Wesley Powell on his famous descent that led him through the Grand Canyon, the Green has been a legendary whitewater run. Big-wave rapids are exciting for experienced boaters, but not so formidable as to discourage first-time rafters. This guide school provides the setting for participants to be able to competently maneuver rafts in intermediate Class III whitewater.
If you do well in Dinosaur Whitewater Rafting Guide School, O.A.R.S. just might consider asking you to stay on as a guide. (They do give preferential consideration to their guide school graduates.) This course also has the potential to create employment opportunities for graduates elsewhere in the Outdoor Industry and leadership positions within the Sierra Club.
Click here for more information and our online application.
June 22-25: Backpacking and Fly Fishing for Veterans in the Birthplace of Rivers: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
(Photo credit: Philip Smith)
Located in West Virginia’s Cranberry Wilderness, the proposed Birthplace of Rivers National Monument is home to the state’s cleanest waterways, world-class trout fishing, and is one of the wildest spaces in the Eastern United States. This June, Military Outdoors will trek into the backcountry with a group of veterans to explore this rare and incredibly diverse landscapes through both backpacking and fly fishing. Join us for this rare opportunity to experience the wonder of this region that is under threat, and learn how you, as a service member of veteran, can play an active role in permanently protecting the Birthplace of Rivers.
June 28-July 10: Canning River Canoe to the Arctic Coast: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, AK
(Photo credit: Chlaus Lotscgett, Getty Images)
In partnership with Vet Voice Foundation and Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Military Outdoors will travel with a group of eight veterans to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We'll paddle about 90 miles of the Canning River.
The Canning is the largest river in the refuge and arguably the most beautiful. The scenery is varied and enchanting. The river flows for over 130 miles through mountains and foothills, to the coastal plain, and finally to the arctic coast.
Early July is a great time to paddle the Canning River. Days will be long and the weather likely warm (for the arctic) leaving us to watch the varied wildlife in peace. We should see grizzly bears, wolves, arctic and red fox, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, musk oxen, passerines, golden eagles, and an abundance of waterfowl. Fishing for grayling and arctic char can be good if the water levels are not too high. As we get towards the coast we can expect the temperatures to drop and the numbers of caribou to increase. Last July over 60,000 caribou aggregated on the Canning River delta for nearly a week.
July 17-22 or 23: Grand Canyon Rafting: Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch
(Photo credit: OARS)
In July, we're headed down the Grand Canyon with OARS in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service. This 87-mile section of the Colorado River is an excellent introduction to the Grand Canyon as the rapids progress from moderate to extra large and the cliffs and rock layers rise higher and higher. We see some of the most striking and vibrantly colored limestone cliffs as we pass Arizona's Marble Canyon. Our Gran Canyon adventure includes visits to Native American ruins, the fern-fringed spring of Vasey's Paradise, the cool recess of Redwall Cavern, ancient fossils and a swim in the turquoise blue Little Colorado. At the end of the week of floating, hiking and camping in the Grand Canyon's majesty, we arrive at the boat beach near Phantom Ranch, deep in the Granite Gorge. After a final night in the canyon, this Grand Canyon rafting trip concludes with a dramatic 9.7-mile hike up to the South Rim the following morning.
September 4-7 & 8-11: Green River Rafting through the Gates of Lodore: Vernal, UT
For the third consecutive year, we are excited to partner with O.A.R.S. and Don Hatch Expeditions to raft through the incredible Gates of Lodore section of the Green River. We will be offering two four-day river trips, one immediately following the other. Participants will need to arrive in Vernal, UT one day before the trip is scheduled to begin and should plan on departing one day after the scheduled end-date. Each outing can accommodate 16 participants total. Veterans, service members, National Guard, or Reservists can sign up as individuals. 9/11 First Responders are also welcome to register for the Sept. 8-11 outing. Participants are welcome to bring a partner (a spouse, friend, or relative over the age of 18 who does not need to be a veteran).
For more information on the rafting trip and logistics, click here.
Apply for Sept. 4-7 here.
Apply for Sept. 7-11 here.
September 23-25: The Land We Defend: Inyo National Forest, CA
Join us for a weekend backpacking in the Inyo National Forest. Located in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, the forest is picturesque and offers opportunity for outdoor adventure, relaxation, and everything in between. Likely activities include: hiking, photography, wildlife viewing, and star gazing. Those who are interested can learn more about our public lands and how we can help safeguard special natural places like the Inyo. We will also be showcasing our collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley and the Greater Good Science Center documenting the biological and emotional effects of spending time outdoors. This outing is open to service members and veterans.
November 4-7: Navajo Sweat Lodge Ceremony: The Navajo Nation & Cedar Mesa, UT
(Photo credit: Erin Johns)
This is Military Outdoors' most unique event. On Saturday, a spiritual leader from the Navajo Nation will lead veteran participants through a traditional warrior welcoming home ceremony in the beautiful Cedar Mesa region of southern Utah. Saturday evening and Sunday will be spent camping alongside the north bank of the San Juan River, exploring the surrounding redrocks and petroglyphs, all while bonding with fellow veterans. In 2015, we had the honor of being invited to participate in this cultural exchange on the Navajo Nation with First Nations-veterans.