ICO’S MISSION STATEMENT
The Los Angeles Inspiring Connections Outdoors (Angeles Chapter) serves as a bridge that enables underserved youth, disabled individuals, and others to visit and develop an appreciation for our natural environment. We work with schools, community groups, and other agencies to create safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences for persons who might not otherwise have them. ICO outings promote individual growth through group activities and environmental and outdoor skills education.
WHAT WE DO
- Part of a National Organization. Angeles ICO is one of 50 regional organizations with the Sierra Club ICO organization
- Volunteer Training: Trip Leaders receive safety, first aid, and Sierra Club certified outings leader training and must pass a background check
- Introduction to nature. Most of the children on ICO outings have never been to local mountains. Many who go on beach trips have never seen the ocean before. They are thrilled to see deer, coyotes, lizards, turtles, and birds. They learn how Native Americans survived on indigenous flora and fauna.
- Education about wilderness environments. ICO leaders coordinate with teachers so that during hikes we can reinforce what students have been studying. We observe and talk about flora, fauna, habitats, erosion, the interconnections between species, and man’s impact on the environment.
- Imagination and creativity. By walking along narrow trails in an entirely unfamiliar environment, children see the world in new ways. After hikes teachers encourage students to write and draw about their experiences. Many letters and offbeat haikus have blossomed from the trips.
- Health. Children and parents are physically challenged by strenuous uphill hikes and it increases their appreciation for a healthy lifestyle.
- Self-esteem. Crossing streams, hopping boulder to boulder, completing long walks, the young people accomplish things they never thought they could.
- Fun! ICO leaders try to give the young people time to just have fun, explore, and soak in nature, such as playing around at the rock pool at Malibu Creek State Park, wading in creeks in the San Gabriels, or splashing in the ocean.
In 2024, ICO hosted 84 outings for 2,277 youths and 489 parents and teachers! ICO works with different agencies, primarily Title 1 schools and 97% of all donations go to cover outings expenses including buses, vans, camping fees and admission for various outdoor activities. As with the Water Committee, ICO is all volunteer. During outings, students learn about water conservation, climate concerns, invasive plants and the restoration of native habitat.
A “Title I school” is a school that receives federal funding under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to support students from low-income families and help them meet challenging state academic standards. These funds are allocated to schools with a high percentage of low-income students and are used to supplement the regular education program, providing additional resources and programs to improve academic achievement.
Will we see cuts to those funding programs from the current administration as they dismantle the Department of Education? Only time will tell.
Dorothy Gutierrez is a long time Sierra Club member, Outings leader, ICO leader and a member of the Water Committee