Sierra Club Foundation - SACRAMENTO ICO

SACRAMENTO INSPIRING CONNECTIONS OUTDOORS (SACRAMENTO ICO), fiscally sponsored by the Sierra Club Foundation, is a local all-volunteer organization that provides free all-inclusive outdoor adventures for underserved youths and young adults in Sacramento.  Our mission is to introduce nature and the outdoors to young people who may lack the resources or knowledge to get there on their own and give them an opportunity to feel comfortable outside and experience outdoor recreation.  

ICO (formerly Inner City Outings) is a national program of the Sierra Club, with 45 chapters nationwide. Sacramento ICO does not receive any regular funding from the Sierra Club and is responsible for all program fundraising, and 100% of funds go directly to program expenses.

We work with local agencies and schools to organize trips to natural areas and outdoor activities that are fun, educational, world-expanding - and completely free to participants!  All planning, purchases, logistics, and leadership are done by ICO volunteers, in coordination with agency/school staff, and ICO provides everything free of charge, including food, transportation, and anything needed for fun in the outdoors like backpacks, jackets, water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, sleds, etc.

We resumed our outings in 2022, and in 2023 we did fifteen outings with approx. 220 youths and young adults that included a wide range of activities - from simple nature outings at Putah Creek in Davis, and a trip to a pumpkin patch for younger participants; to more exciting outings that included a weekend stay at a coastal hostel, camping at Lassen Volcanic National Park, trips to the beach at Point Reyes National Seashore, sea kayaking in Tomales Bay, whitewater rafting on the South Fork American River, and even skiing at Lake Tahoe.  As always, all ICO trips were completely free for everyone.

Our outings offer our participants the chance to discover the wonders of the natural world and outdoor recreation in a safe and guided way.  On most trips, it is the first time for most of our participants to see snow, the ocean, or the mountains; or to go sledding, hiking, camping, or even on a trip to a pumpkin patch (much less backpacking, kayaking or whitewater rafting!).