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 5-8: Climate Recon: Grizzly Habitat 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.
March 3-5: Military Veterans on Ice: Keene Valley, NY
Please join us for an adventurous weekend of ice climbing and lively conversation with some of our esteemed US 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. Space is limited. There is a suggested donation of $250.
March 5-11: 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 a previous year's ice climb here.
March 24-26: Outing Leadership Training: Townsend, TN
Are you a service member or veteran interested in leading others on outdoor adventures big or small? Then this training is for you! Over the course of the weekend, participants will learn trip planning, risk and emergency management, recruitment and pre-trip screening, leadership and decision making skills, and group development. Sessions will be conducted as a large group inside as well as in smaller groups hiking on the local trails.
Participants will receive training for both OLT 101 and 201 Sierra Club certifications:
- OLT 101 - Basic training that all leaders need to complete every 4 years to remain current.
- OLT 201 - Advanced training that all leaders who lead overnight outings away from cars need to complete once (unless they haven't led in the last 4 years).
No prior outdoor or outings leadership experience necessary. Lodging and meals included.
March 26-31: River Leaders: Military & Veteran Raft Guide School: Bryson City, NC
April 1-2 Wilderness First Aid (optional)
April 2-7: River Leaders: Military & Veteran Raft Guide School
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 (NOC) 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.
*Both guide school courses will have an optional two-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification component on April 1-2. 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.
Apply for March 26-31.
Apply for April 2-7.
April 27 - May 3: Owyhee River Rafting: Boise, ID
This 6-day Owyhee River rafting trip is a guide favorite and an avid paddler’s dream trip though Southeastern Oregon’s Grand Canyon, combining sheer, plunging cliffs of dark amber, gold, ruby red and pearl with fun Class III rapids and excellent wildlife viewing. Due to a short window of raftable flows on the Owyhee, this Owyhee Canyonlands adventure is typically only available as an early-season rafting escape in April and May when water levels are at their peak.
May 7-14: Military and 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.
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.
May 19-21: Memorial Day Chattooga River Run: Mountain Rest, SC
This three day outing will include one day of kayak/canoe instruction and two days whitewater rafting sections III and IV of the wild and scenic Chattooga River.
June 4-10: California Whitewater Guide School: Lotus, CA
This Summer, 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.' California Whitewater Guide School is taught by professional river rafting guides.
If you do well in California 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 20-23: Gorges of the Lower Salmon River Rafting: Lewiston, ID
The Lower Salmon River is home to some of Idaho’s most famous whitewater rapids, gorges and viewscapes. This stretch of river is perfect for first-time rafters as well as seasoned thrill-seekers.
July 26-30: Climate Recon: Yellowstone Ecosystem and Fly Fishing Workshop: Yellowstone National Park
(© Aaron Schmidt | Black-Schmidt Photography)
This seminar will provide a balance between classroom, dry-land instruction, and time spent on Yellowstone water. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem provides access to some of the most spectacular wild trout waters in America. Our goal is that by the end of this seminar you will have the skills and confidence to pursue wild trout in these wild places on your own.
Application coming soon.
TBD: Land We Defend: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, AK
(Photo credit: Julia Marshall)
Last summer, in partnership with Vet Voice Foundation and Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Military Outdoors traveled with a group of eight veterans to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Over the course of two weeks, they canoed 100+ river miles from the Brooks Range to the Beaufort Sea. Look out for another Arctic adventure in 2017! For more information on the campaign to save this last truly wild frontier, check out We Are the Arctic.
September 1-4 & 9-12: Green River Rafting through the Gates of Lodore: Vernal, UT
For the fifth 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 either 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.
Application coming soon.
November 3-5: Navajo Sweat Lodge Ceremony: Bears Ears National Monument and the Navajo Nation, UT
(Photo credit: Donna McAleer)
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 2015-16, we had the honor of being invited to participate in this cultural exchange on the Navajo Nation with First Nations-veterans.
For more information and to apply, click here.