The mission of the Nashville Inner City Outings (ICO) is to provide opportunities for people with limited access to the outdoors, especially youth, to safely explore, enjoy and protect the natural world. This program seeks to provide urban youth and adults with positive outdoor experiences. 

The goals of ICO are to actively engage people who might not otherwise have access to the outdoors, promote appreciation for and protection of the natural environment through outdoor adventures and environmental education and to create opportunities through outdoor experiences for personal growth, skills and leadership development and fostering respect of self, others and the environment.

The Nashville ICO leaders work in cooperation with community agencies or schools that want to provide outings for their members, but who do not have the resources needed to do so. Agency staff  work closely with ICO leaders to make the outings successful experiences.

Our programs are made possible by its volunteers who give generously of their time and skills to participate in training, receive first aid education, and lead outings. Financial support from foundations and individuals is always needed and appreciated.

The first Inner City Outings took place in 1971 in San Francisco. Since then, this Sierra Club program has spread all across the country, helping youth, who normally wouldn’t have the chance, explore and appreciate the great outdoors. However, we cannot do it without people who love to share their enthusiasm for kids, teaching, and having fun.

For more information about volunteer opportunities or information about sponsoring an outing, please contact Craig Jervis, cmjervis@comcast.net or Joy Mayfield, joy.mayfield@comcast.net.