What's Coming Up

ICO Gear Drive

Boulder Valley ICO is running the July Gear Drive at REI. If you have gear in functioning condition that is just taking up space in your closet, please consider donating that gear to ICO. Here's how to donate

Volunteer’s Backpacking Trip in James Peak Wilderness – July 18-19

Boulder Valley ICO will lead an easy, overnight backpacking trip for ICO volunteers (including youth leaders) and their friends and family. Boulder Valley ICO will lend participants any needed gear.

Contact: Michael Le Desma at michael.ledesma@rmc.sierraclub.org or (303) 718-4589.

The Incredible Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Backpacking Adventure – July 24-27

Boulder Valley ICO will partner with the Sierra Club’s Water Sentinels program and Boulder Flycasters to offer a free, 4-day, 3-night backpacking and fly fishing outing in the spectacular Mt. Zirkel Wilderness from July 24th (Fri.) to 27th (Mon.). We will hike along the Continental Divide to Lake Elbert (and others in a series of alpine lakes). Boulder Valley ICO will lend participants any needed gear and will provide food and transportation for this outing. Youth participants should qualify for the federal free- or reduced lunch program at their school. Volunteers (who are willing to help drive) are needed to help with this outing.

Contact: Linda Muscatell at muscatellL@aol.com.

Water Sampling and Fly Fishing – August 21

Boulder Valley ICO will lead a free, half-day water sampling and fly fishing outing as part of our involvement with the Sierra Club’s Water Sentinels Program and partnership with Boulder Flycasters and the City of Boulder. The outing will begin with water sampling at a site along a nearby creek. We’ll then go fly fishing along Boulder Creek or at Sawhill Ponds. No water sampling or fly-fishing experience is necessary. We will also provide the gear needed for both activities. After fly fishing, we’ll go for pizza (which will also be free to participants and volunteers). Youth participants should qualify for the federal free- or reduced lunch program at their school.

Contact: Michael Le Desma at michael.ledesma@rmc.sierraclub.org or (303) 718-4589.

Beginner’s Backpacking to Diamond Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness – September 5-6

Boulder Valley ICO will lead a 2-day, 1 night backpacking trip to beautiful lakes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. There will be some time for fishing or just relaxing. This is a backpacking trip suitable for beginners. Boulder Valley ICO will lend participants any needed gear and will provide food and transportation for this outing. Youth participants should qualify for the federal free- or reduced lunch program at their school.

Contact: Michael Le Desma at michael.ledesma@rmc.sierraclub.org or (303) 718-4589.

Water Sampling and Fly Fishing – September 18

Boulder Valley ICO will lead a free, half-day water sampling and fly fishing outing as part of our involvement with the Sierra Club’s Water Sentinels Program and partnership with Boulder Flycasters and the City of Boulder. The outing will begin with water sampling at a site along a nearby creek. We’ll then go fly fishing along Boulder Creek or at Sawhill Ponds. No water sampling or fly-fishing experience is necessary. We will also provide the gear needed for both activities. After fly fishing, we’ll go for pizza (which will also be free to participants and volunteers). Youth participants should qualify for the federal free- or reduced lunch program at their school.

Contact: Michael Le Desma at michael.ledesma@rmc.sierraclub.org or (303) 718-4589.

Who We Are

The Boulder area now has its own Inner City Outings group! Inner City Outings (ICO) is a Sierra Club program that provides free nature outings to children (and adults) who would not otherwise have these opportunities. In Boulder, we take participants backpacking, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, camping, mountain biking, skiing, canoeing, etc. We also run a water sampling and fly fishing program in partnership with the Sierra Club’s Water Sentinels program and Trout Unlimited. And our Compass Youth Leadership program teaches more advanced outdoor leadership skills, critical thinking skills, the basics of environmental stewardship, and basic earth and life science to kids with leadership potential.

While there has been an ICO presence in Boulder for some time, it has largely been as a satellite to the ICO program in Denver. Now, in partnership with the Indian Peaks Group, Boulder Valley ICO will serve the Boulder County area as an independent entity, focusing on outings that place children in intimate contact with nature such that they will have an opportunity to build a lifelong understanding of and appreciation for wild places.

If you would like to volunteer with Boulder Valley ICO, contact Michael Le Desma at (303) 718-4589 or send email to boulderico@gmail.com. Volunteering with ICO is hugely rewarding and lots of fun. Also, if you have used gear that you would like to donate to our program, you can do so during July and August at the REI store in Boulder (on 28th St. between Arapahoe and Walnut).

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