We lead day trips into nature for urban Youth
With ICO, kids from the city get active outdoors—away from TV, cell phones, and urban noise.
On ICO’s group outings, the youth bond with nature and its wonder.
They develop curiosity and creativity and reduce their stress.
They learn to practice “Leave No Trace Principles” and become friends of the earth.
We empower youth from communities with limited access to connect and reconnect to the outdoors—for the benefit of both.
Our goal is to create nature outings and wilderness experiences for Las Vegas kids who otherwise lack these opportunities
Las Vegas ICO is an all-volunteer, self-supporting outreach program of the Sierra Club [SEE NEWS BELOW]
In partnership with local service agencies, we lead day trips to engage with youth who have no or limited access to nature
The youths we serve are age seven to young adult
Agency staff join our volunteers on the fun and safe group outings—hiking, exploration, and service trips—at local parks and preserves
We acknowledge that these public lands are territorial homelands of
the Nuwu—the Southern Paiute—the Moapa Band of Paiutes and the Las Vegas Band of the Paiutes
“Nuwu – Southern Paiute | Nevada’s Indian Territory”
Las Vegas ICO outings integrate the outdoor ethics principles of Leave No Trace, respecting and sharing the lessons of original caretakers of the land we now call Southern Nevada. Like the indigenous people of this territory have done for generations, ICO locates our activities according to the seasons. In cooler months, our outings our range includes the birthplace of Las Vegas—The Springs Preserve plus Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. When it is too hot in Clark County, we move to the cool high elevations at Mt. Charleston area in the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
The Sierra Club’s ICO program helps create the next generation of environmental justice and social justice leaders. It’s done by building community and increasing exposure to outdoor recreation, advocacy, and leadership training.
ICO is part of the Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign to expand universal access to nature for children and youth.
Nationally ICO facilitates more than 900 outings with approximately 14,000 youth each year, helping participants to connect to and advocate for nature.
The Sierra Club Mission:
To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth;
To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources;
To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
OUR ICO LEADERS BELIEVE . . .
“Sharing the outdoors with young people empowers them to improve their physical and mental health.’
“Teaching kids to respect nature gives them a chance to fall in love with the outdoors and be the earth’s friend for life.”
“Challenging youth in nature can positively transform their self-image and celebrates their potential.”
“It is our job to get kids outdoors and into nature to share with them what is already theirs.”
What We've Achieved
Established links to youth and their families from under-served neighborhoods through partnerships with a dozen schools plus community centers organizations.
Conducted trained and re-training to maintain certified preparedness of hike leaders in best practices, safety and first-aid.