Since the first Sierra Club outing in 1901, countless number of participants have been introduced to the joys of our natural world, and the need to preserve and protect it. Sierra Club outings are a great way to learn about the environment while enjoying the great outdoors! For over 100 years Sierra Club Outings have been an integral part of the Club's activities.

Every year, approximately 180 outings are led by volunteer leaders from the Illinois Chapter's 15 regional groups. The range of outings is as diverse as our volunteers' interests. You can choose from day hikes, camping, bicycling, canoeing, bird-watching, photography, winter cross-country skiing, community service trips and forays into the remaining natural areas of inner cities. At any time, you can register for any of more than 60 currently scheduled Illinois outings. Outings are open to all members and non-members alike.

Normally no fees are charged for outings except for incidental expenses such as park entry fees, consumable food and supplies used on the outing, concessionaire expenses for services such as transportation or packing, and lodging. Occasionally special outings are used as fundraisers.

If you want to attend an outing, use the links below to find an outing of interest. Once you become a Sierra Club member, you'll automatically receive your group and chapter newsletters that also include current outing announcements.

Find Outings with Selected Chapters and Illinois Groups:

All Illinois Outings

Illinois Group Sponsored Outings:

Inner City Outings (ICO):

Surrounding States Group Outings:

International, National and Inner City Outings:
In addition to the outings sponsored by the groups and chapters shown above, every year Sierra Club volunteers lead more than 20,000 outings in all fifty states, more than 1,000 Inner City Outings (ICO), and over 350 national and international outings.

Outing Group Size and Registrations:
Leaders often limit the size of trips to ensure a quality experience for everyone. Outings are very popular and trips often fill fast. Call the leader well in advance — several days ahead for a one day trip, two weeks plus for an overnight trip, several months ahead for a distance trip. The outing description may specify a deadline for registration. Failure to make an early reservation might result in the premature cancellation of an outing due to perceived lack of interest in the outing.

Cancellations:
If you must cancel your reservation for an outing, please contact the trip leader immediately! There is probably a waiting list. Deposits, when required, are often not refundable. The best chance of getting even a partial refund is through early notice of cancellation.

Outing Restrictions:
Most trips are open to beginners unless stated otherwise. Depending on the type of trip, there may be some participant restrictions such as previous outings experience, physical condition and minimum age requirements. Participants must also follow the Rules of Acceptable Conduct on Outings on any Illinois Sierra Club sponsored outing.

In order to participate on one of the Sierra Club's outings, adults will need to sign a liability waiver. Minors must also present the Sierra Club's parental permission form in order to participate. The outings leader may also decline participants if in the sole opinion of the leader the requirements of the outings are incompatible with the participant. If you would like to read and download a copy of the forms prior to the outing, select the appropriate form below:

Forms for Adults:
Download: Adult Individual Waiver (English)

Forms for Minors Participating in Outings:

Accompanied Minors

A parent or legal guardian must sign the liability waiver on the minor's behalf. The Individual Liability Waiver and ICO Permission to Participate forms have a place for the parent or legal guardian's signature. Download: Minor Medical Waiver Form (English Version) (Spanish Version)
Unaccompanied Minors
If the parent or legal guardian does not accompany the minor on the outing, the leader must also obtain a signed Minor Release Form from the parent or legal guardian. This form gives authority to a designated adult (e.g., the Outings Leader) to arrange medical care for an unaccompanied minor in the event of an emergency. Download: Minor Release Form (English)

What to Leave at Home:
Pets, audio equipment, firearms and illegal substances are not permitted on all Sierra Club outings.

What to Bring With:
You can download suggested equipment checklists for the following types of outings:

PDF: Backpacking Base Camping Bicycling Canoeing Kayaking
HTML: Backpacking Base Camping Bicycling Canoeing Kayaking

Transportation Policy:
All outings begin at a designated start point such as a trailhead. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling to and from the starting locations and assumes no liability for them. Leaders cannot take an active role in making arrangements for participants' transportation. The leader will supply directions to the starting location, but carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel. Riders customarily share expenses with drivers. The contribution share varies with the vehicle, number of riders, road condition, etc.

Weather:
It pays to know changing weather conditions in order to dress appropriately for each outing.

Check the weather forecast before heading outdoors:

AccuWeather ~ Weather Channel ~ Canadian Weather ~ Lunar Phase

Many outings will not be cancelled because of inclement weather ~ the weather is part of the outdoor experience. If you have registered for an outing, confirm the trip status with the leader in case of inclement weather. Don't just fail to show as people may be waiting on your arrival!

Volunteer Outings Leaders:
Certified Sierra Club outings leaders provide the organizational structure needed to offer a variety of safe outdoor adventures in the Midwest. As intended by Sierra Club founder, John Muir, outings groups provide low-cost environmental experiences that will hopefully make participants better appreciate the value in preserving the natural resources that make up a richer world in which to recreate, work and live.

All certified volunteer outings leaders must meet minimum standards in order to organize and run an outing. The leaders are in charge of both pre-trip planning and decisions during the outing itself. The leaders depend upon the cooperation of all participants in making the outing run smoothly and creating an enjoyable, safe event.

After you've participated in several Sierra Club outings and have become familiar with some of the locations and routes, you may feel eager to share your enjoyment of the outdoors with others by becoming a certified Sierra Club Outings Leader. Outdoor leadership is a challenging and rewarding experience. Interested? Contact your Group Outings Chair or the Chapter Outings Chair, outings@illinois.sierraclub.org.

Safe, happy and inspired

Last updated: 11/25/2005; BPauls: