Seattle Inner City Outings (ICO) began as part of the Seattle Group of the Sierra Club in 1991, and has grown to become one of the most active ICO programs in the National Sierra Club. The first ICO group was established in 1971 as part of the San Francisco Bay Sierra Club Chapter. There are now approximately 50 groups across the country serving thousands of participants each year. Seattle ICO operates as an all-volunteer organization in partnership with a small group of selected partner schools/nonprofit agencies.

It serves several hundred of Seattle's inner-city youths each year, providing them with opportunities to go hiking, camping, canoeing, sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, backpacking, rafting, kayaking, and more. Currently, Seattle ICO's partner organizations include: Nathan Hale High School, Franklin High School, Madrona Elementary School, Bailey-Gatzert Elementary, Hamilton Middle School, Mercer Middle School, Tukwila Elementary School, Rainier Beach High School, Peace for the Streets by Kids for the Streets and an EYES Youth Leader team.

How Does Seattle ICO Select Volunteers?

Seattle ICO is an all-volunteer organization. Since its beginning Seattle ICO has experienced a steady and carefully planned increase in leaders, partner schools/agencies, and the number of youths it serves. Seattle ICO's continued growth depends on its ability to attract new revenue sources, new equipment, and most of all a select group of new volunteers who want to both lead outings AND participate in activities that help sustain the organization. Non-outing activities include auction item procurement, event planning, fundraising, equipment cleaning, steering committee participation, and more. Seattle ICO invites interested individuals to carefully review what Seattle ICO expects and needs from its volunteers before applying to become an ICO leader.

New Seattle ICO leaders will be expected to:

• participate in the September 12th & 13th, 2009 new leader training weekend ($45 fee)
• maintain current membership in the Sierra Club (membership rates vary-standard rate is $38)
• successfully pass required background checks (References, Excel Screening online)
• become certified in First Aid and CPR (within three months of completing training)
• become an active leader on one of ICO's established school/agency teams
• contribute to ICO's organizational development needs
• help Seattle ICO become an even stronger and more active program
• have fun and work together with other ICO leaders to serve Seattle's inner-city youth

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY AUGUST 14th, 2009!!

Seattle ICO 2009 Application:

2009 Seattle ICO New Leader Application (MS Word Document)