Chicago Inner City Outings is part of National Inner City Outings (ICO), an outreach program of the Sierra Club.

We are an all volunteer group of people who want to share their love and respect for the outdoors with young people.  We work with local social service agencies and schools to provide wilderness experiences for people who otherwise might not have them.

If you can remember your first night under the stars away from city lights, the first fish you caught or just the simple joy of racing down the Indiana Dunes to splash in the Lake you know how important what we offer is.

With us youth discover the beauty of natural areas around Chicago and how to enjoy these places without harming them. They learn valuable survival skills and develop the ability to face challenges outside their urban environments. Interpersonal skills and self-esteem grow as a natural result of teamwork and an active relationship with the outdoors.

"The best field trip ever" is a typical comment we get. after our trips   or

"The woods are pretty cool really" from someone who had been scared to come on our trip.

In a world where 'Nature Deficit Disorder ' is being recognized more and more we work to remove the barriers between children and nature.

ICO does its own fundraising to provide these activities at little or no cost to the participants. We operate frugally so we can give a child a fun and life changing experience for $10. Can you help pay for a child... or two?

Thanks for your support,

(Chicago ICO funding is administered by the Sierra Club Foundation. Donations should be made to TSCF/Chicago ICO )