Inner City Outings

photo by Shirley Hickman

We resolve to continue giving underserved urban youth opportunities to explore, enjoy and help preserve wilderness areas through day hikes, car camps, snow trips, tide pooling excursions and service trips.

On ICO outings, elementary school children gaze in awe at deer jumping fences, examine animal tracks (including, ick! scat) and gather, enthralled, to watch a tiny frog hop in the mud. Middle school boys and girls plan and prepare outdoor meals, hike up wilderness trails and giggle late into the night in tents they've set up themselves. High school youngsters play in the snow for the first time and learn that they, with each others' help, can conquer steep mountains and ford rushing streams. All ages learn they can contribute to the preservation of the wilderness through small acts like not littering and bigger actions such as removing invasive plants. To learn more about us and to donate to ICO go to their website.