National Outings Training Trip: Day Hikes & History at Sierra Club's Oldest Lodge, Tahoe National Forest
Sierra Club Outings Trip | Training Event, Lodge
Highlights
- Hike iconic Western Sierra trails
- Learn history of Donner Summit Valley
- Develop skills & self-confidence in outings leadership
Includes
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Active leadership skill development w/ trained leaders
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Transportation from and to Reno airport
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Your individual Leadership Development Plan
Overview
Welcome
The National Outings Training Trip is designed for to train new Sierra Club National Outings leaders in the trip planning and leadership skills necessary to lead safe, happy and inspiring Sierra Club Outings. Each trainee will plan, design and submit their own National Outing in the months prior to the five-day field section.
This year’s trip promises to be an adventure full of experiential learning and beautiful scenery in the Sierra Nevada. This website will provide you with all of the information needed to give you a clear picture of what the trip is all about, who should apply, what to expect, plus lots more. In applying for this trip, you will be putting yourself in the company of an elite group of volunteer leaders offering some of the best outings in the world. There’s a lot of information here. Please read it in detail to assess whether or not this trip is right for you
Welcome
The National Outings Training Trip is designed for to train new Sierra Club National Outings leaders in the trip planning and leadership skills necessary to lead safe, happy and inspiring Sierra Club Outings. Each trainee will plan, design and submit their own National Outing in the months prior to the five-day field section.
This year’s trip promises to be an adventure full of experiential learning and beautiful scenery in the Sierra Nevada. This website will provide you with all of the information needed to give you a clear picture of what the trip is all about, who should apply, what to expect, plus lots more. In applying for this trip, you will be putting yourself in the company of an elite group of volunteer leaders offering some of the best outings in the world. There’s a lot of information here. Please read it in detail to assess whether or not this trip is right for you.
Requirements to Participate
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Interest and ability to lead a National Outing at least once every other year but ideally once a year.
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Register for this training, fill out return National Outings Leadership application (that will be emailed to you upon registering), participate in 1-2 interviews and be accepted to the training.
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Prior attendance on a National Outing is strongly recommended. Prior multi-day group outings experience, especially outings that include participant involvement in a central kitchen, may also be acceptable.
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Successful completion of the pre-trip homework requires regular use of a computer to access the Outings Extranet and communicate with the mentor in a timely fashion. The homework phase of the training takes between 40-60 hours of time during the spring and early summer, planning, designing and submitting your own "mock" National Outing. Homework will be conducted by email and phone and evaluated by a volunteer mentor.
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An ability to hike 5-8 miles/day at altitudes ranging from 7,000-10,000.
Goal of Training Trip
This training trip is designed to teach the leadership and technical skills you will need to propose, plan, and conduct a National Outing with the field section concentrating on practical field skills. The skills you learn during this trip will apply equally for the different types of National and International Outings that you may choose to lead: backpack, lodge, basecamp, water trips, or multi-sport trips.
During the training, trainees will:
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Design and submit (using the National Outings Trip Submission System) an engaging and fiscally realistic outing that furthers the conservation mission of the Sierra Club.
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Write an engaging brochure that will effectively sell the trip.
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Plan an appetizing and accommodating menu.
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Conduct pre-trip interviews with mock sign-ups and accept appropriate participants for the outing.
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Participate fully in the field section of the training, both as a participant and leader-of-the-day.
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Demonstrate safety awareness, sound judgment and decision-making as part of the leader-of-the-day team.
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Demonstrate professional communication skills and maintaining professional working relationships with other trip leader and with the other participants.
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Demonstrate the ability to manage all logistical aspects of a trip. This includes managing campsite selection, kitchen setup and supervising cook crew, food storage, Leave No Trace, route finding, hazard assessment and group energy level assessment, etc.
About National & International Outings
With over 100 years of wilderness travel experience, and as a part of the largest grassroots conservation organization in the country, Sierra Club Outings offers over 350 trips annually to unique destinations around the world. We aim to provide a variety of quality outdoor adventures for people of all ages. Our offerings include a variety of outdoor adventures in the U.S., Canada, and abroad, including backpacking, base camping, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, rafting, sailing, skiing, snowshoeing, day hiking, service trips, lodge trips, and family vacations; generally 5–10 days in length; international trips may last up to three weeks. National Outings services about 4,000 participants per year. The 350 trips per year are led by approximately 500 volunteer leaders supported by small team of staff in the Outings Department at the Club’s headquarters in San Francisco. Trips are priced for the program to operate on a long-term, break-even basis.
The Ideal of Being a National Outings Leader: A free trip to exotic places around the world! The chance to explore a remote, pristine, inspiring spot in the wilderness. The chance to be idolized by hordes of devoted fellow-hikers! The opportunity to follow John Muir’s example and inspire someone to make huge strides in protecting the natural world. At cocktail parties, you get to say “Yes, I’m a leader for the world’s oldest, largest and most effective environmental organization: The Sierra Club.”
The Reality of being a National Outings Leader: Actually, these ideals can be the reality. However, in our case, the adage “there’s no free ride” is especially true. Becoming a volunteer leader for Sierra Club Outings takes loads of lead time, commitment, and training. For over one hundred years, we’ve been offering wilderness trips, led by dedicated volunteers, to educate people about the need for protection of natural resources, and we’ve developed procedures to ensure our trips are safe and successful. We’re dependent on these volunteers, who are organized into subcommittees, which are responsible for all offerings in their geographic area or their type of trip. For example, there are subcommittees for California backpacking, for the Southwest, for Alaska, and for Water trips in the West. There are 18 different committees in all, and many have their own set of special qualifications or requirements for leadership and for approval of proposed outings. While undeniably a lot of work, you’ll find the rewards far exceed your efforts. Our training trip will take you through the process step by step, and give you lots of hands-on experiences and case studies to improve your skills and help you gain confidence.
Upon successful completion, there are additional measures to ensure you’re not thrown into a sink-or-swim situation. You may become a trainee or assistant on a trip and work with an experienced leader who’ll mentor you and provide answers to your questions about setting up a successful, enjoyable, safe, AND inspirational outing.
Curriculum
We will cover the following curricula:
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Working with the office staff and volunteer leadership
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Trip Planning
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Safety Management
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Participant Screening
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Interpersonal Leadership Skills
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Group Management
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Decision Making and Problem Solving
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Wilderness Emergency Management
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Nutrition and Food Planning
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Conservation through Outings
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Cultural History of the area we are travelling in
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Natural History of the area we are travelling in
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Equipment and Clothing Selection
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Kitchen Setup, Use & Safety
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Health and Sanitation & Hygiene
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Campsite Selection
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Common Medical Problems and Prevention
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Basic Camping Skills
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Lightening Safety and Preparedness
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Leave No Trace
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Water Purification & How-To
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Weather and Weather Prediction
Itinerary
Home School
Once you have been accepted onto the trip (after registering for the training, submitting an application emailed to you and participating in 1-2 interviews), you should begin to complete the homework assignments. There is considerable work to be done prior to the outing, so be sure not to leave it for the last minute. 80% of the work is in the planning and preparation and 20% is in the actual field time. The homework phase of the training takes between 40-60 hours of time during the spring and early summer with deadlines specifically planned to meet volunteer/staff leadership and Sierra magazine schedules. The training will begin in the same way you will plan your future National outing:
- Due January 1: Self-evaluation and Key Components of the Trip
You will work with your Home School Mentor to decide on the overarching trip plan you are considering. Your Home School Mentor will "approve" your outing in the same way that your National Outings Subcommittee Chair would. You will take a self-evaluation to rate your current skills that are needed to be a National Outings leader. - Due February 1: Trip Copy and Brochure
You will now have the chance to write the online trip brochure (same format as this one) for your trip. Your homework mentor will work with you to refine your drafts. - Due March 1: Trip Submission
Now you will organize and plan out the actual costs of your trip in addition to writing your 30-60 word trip copy (for the Sierra magazine). You will submit this information using our online trip submission system and receive your trip budget with feedback from your mentor. - Due April 1: Food Planning
Planning healthy and exciting meals for your mock trip is the most challenging step for most new leaders. You will have the chance to work with your homework mentor to develop and refine your menu, recipe document and shopping list. - Due May 1: Participant Screening
During this final homework step, you will welcome and screen at least two mock trip participants for your trip and decide whether to accept them or not. - Due June 1: Leader of the Day (LOD) Conversation and Planning
Spend time with your LOD partner to discuss how you two will work together on the field trip, draft a Safety Management Plan for our field trip and plan, buy, pack and bring to the trip the food your one LOD day. Upon training completion you will be reimbursed for the food costs in the same way that trip leaders are.
Itinerary
Day 1: Trainers will pick up participants at the Reno airport at 2:00 p.m. for a one-hour drive to Clair Tappaan Lodge. Orientation will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Day 2: We will start the week with a leisurely hike (3-mi. round trip, a 60’ elevation gain) to a favorite, Lake Flora, where we can swim surrounded by stunning granite outcrops and also have a grand view of Donner Lake and the Eastern Sierra. In the afternoon we’ll drive a few miles to Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and watch a film about the ill-fated emigrants in the Donner Party and explore the Center’s exhibits on the history of the area, from before the coming of European Americans through the advent of railroad travel and the national highway across Donner Pass
Home School
Once you have been accepted onto the trip (after registering for the training, submitting an application emailed to you and participating in 1-2 interviews), you should begin to complete the homework assignments. There is considerable work to be done prior to the outing, so be sure not to leave it for the last minute. 80% of the work is in the planning and preparation and 20% is in the actual field time. The homework phase of the training takes between 40-60 hours of time during the spring and early summer with deadlines specifically planned to meet volunteer/staff leadership and Sierra magazine schedules. The training will begin in the same way you will plan your future National outing:
- Due January 1: Self-evaluation and Key Components of the Trip
You will work with your Home School Mentor to decide on the overarching trip plan you are considering. Your Home School Mentor will "approve" your outing in the same way that your National Outings Subcommittee Chair would. You will take a self-evaluation to rate your current skills that are needed to be a National Outings leader. - Due February 1: Trip Copy and Brochure
You will now have the chance to write the online trip brochure (same format as this one) for your trip. Your homework mentor will work with you to refine your drafts. - Due March 1: Trip Submission
Now you will organize and plan out the actual costs of your trip in addition to writing your 30-60 word trip copy (for the Sierra magazine). You will submit this information using our online trip submission system and receive your trip budget with feedback from your mentor. - Due April 1: Food Planning
Planning healthy and exciting meals for your mock trip is the most challenging step for most new leaders. You will have the chance to work with your homework mentor to develop and refine your menu, recipe document and shopping list. - Due May 1: Participant Screening
During this final homework step, you will welcome and screen at least two mock trip participants for your trip and decide whether to accept them or not. - Due June 1: Leader of the Day (LOD) Conversation and Planning
Spend time with your LOD partner to discuss how you two will work together on the field trip, draft a Safety Management Plan for our field trip and plan, buy, pack and bring to the trip the food your one LOD day. Upon training completion you will be reimbursed for the food costs in the same way that trip leaders are.
Itinerary
Day 1: Trainers will pick up participants at the Reno airport at 2:00 p.m. for a one-hour drive to Clair Tappaan Lodge. Orientation will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Day 2: We will start the week with a leisurely hike (3-mi. round trip, a 60’ elevation gain) to a favorite, Lake Flora, where we can swim surrounded by stunning granite outcrops and also have a grand view of Donner Lake and the Eastern Sierra. In the afternoon we’ll drive a few miles to Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and watch a film about the ill-fated emigrants in the Donner Party and explore the Center’s exhibits on the history of the area, from before the coming of European Americans through the advent of railroad travel and the national highway across Donner Pass.
Day 3: We will hike to Hawk’s Peak (6.6-mi. round trip, 6,970-7,427’, a 757’ elevation gain) with a panoramic view of mountain peaks and valleys. After dinner, we’ll carpool to view nearby Indian petroglyphs (rock carvings) and the China Wall and walk into a railroad tunnel cut through granite by Chinese laborers, which made possible the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.
Day 4: Today we hike to Donner Peak (4-mi. round trip, 3.7-mi. round trip, 7,080-7,988’, a 908’ elevation gain) and continue a short distance to Roller Pass to see where emigrants in the 1840s used teams of oxen to haul their wagons with chains up an incredibly steep incline.
Day 5: We will hike to Castle Pass (5-mi. round trip, 7,000-7,900’, a 900’ elevation gain), and if time permits, continue to beautiful Round Valley, a crescent of ridges above the glacial valley, and visit Sierra Club’s Peter Grubb Hut, used for cross-country skiing.
Day 6: After breakfast trainers will meet one-on-one with participants as part of their personalized Leadership Development Plan. The trip will conclude back at the Reno airport.
Trip Format
During each day in the field, two trainees will be our "Leaders of the Day" (LOD). They will be responsible for all the aspects of their day: route planning, safety management, cook crew management, answering questions, scheduling lessons, and handling whatever situations that may arise. While the LODs are leading, the trainers will be merely members of the group. Each evening, the trainers will facilitate the evening debrief to include how the leaders did and the specifics of the day’s events. The days are long and full -- the trip is both physically and mentally demanding. Both trainer and trainee teaching sessions will continue while on the trail. You will receive ongoing verbal feedback by the trainers during the training and a written evaluation during your exit interview. The backcountry component is very intense and involves a cooperative atmosphere that emphasizes teachable moments, situational leadership, and heightened group dynamics.
After the Training
What the trainers will do: Upon successful completion of this training, the trainers will submit a "Training Trip and Trainee Summary" (based on everyone's Leadership Development Plans) to each of the 14 subcommittee chairs who manage the 350 outings each year. Specific subcommittee staffing decisions are made by the subcommittee chair, not the Home School Mentors or Field Trainers. This summary will include a description of the training, what your strengths and areas of growth are, what subcommittees you are interested in and what leadership role the trainers feel you are ready for (e.g. trainee, assistant, provisional leader, or needing more technical or leadership experience).
What you will do: You will receive a written Leadership Development Plan during your development plan meeting. This will highlight what you do well, what you need to work on, which subcommittees you might fit best in and what roles these might be (based on your interests). About one month after the training trip, you should contact the subcommittee chairs (allowing them time to receive and digest the Training Trip Summary) to express your interest in leading and determining your next step.
Your placements will be based on your specific skill set, training trip performance and your time availability. We will also do our best to take into consideration your desired geographic location and/or activity type.
Logistics
Getting There
The trip will start and end at the Reno International Airport. We will be providing transportation from/to the airport to Clair Tappaan Lodge.
Equipment and Food
Trainees will need to furnish their personal gear such as a sleeping bag and pillow, backpack to use for day hikes, personal clothing. A detailed packing list will be sent to all accepted and registered trainees in later correspondence. The Sierra Club furnishes all shared group gear, cookware, and cooking utensils; water purification means, a group first-aid kit, and food. Don’t forget to bring your creativity and sense of humor!
Getting There
The trip will start and end at the Reno International Airport. We will be providing transportation from/to the airport to Clair Tappaan Lodge.
Equipment and Food
Trainees will need to furnish their personal gear such as a sleeping bag and pillow, backpack to use for day hikes, personal clothing. A detailed packing list will be sent to all accepted and registered trainees in later correspondence. The Sierra Club furnishes all shared group gear, cookware, and cooking utensils; water purification means, a group first-aid kit, and food. Don’t forget to bring your creativity and sense of humor!
All food costs on the trip will be included in the training cost. Trainees will plan food for a base camp in homeschool but not implement the plan to learn food planning skills.
Trip Difficulty
You will be expected to hike 5-8 miles/day at altitudes of 7,000-10,000 feet.
A physical fitness regimen, beginning at least three months prior to the trip, is highly recommended. Your enjoyment of the field trip will depend on your enthusiasm, flexibility, preparedness, and physical conditioning.
Conservation
The field trainers will discuss the challenges facing the Sierra, specifically in the area surrounding Norden where land preservation, the ski industry and vacation housing development are a big concern. Further, while hiking we will be discussing and modeling Leave No Trace practices.
In 2014 America celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The Sierra Club, various other organizations with a wilderness focus, and the four federal wilderness management agencies are vigorously planning this celebration. The goal of the effort is to assure that a broader public knows about the concept and benefits of wilderness. Sierra Club Outings is a vital part of the celebrations for wilderness.
While the Act was far in the future when our outings program started, we were already promoting the principle behind it: to forever set aside from human developments certain special places, by civic agreement. This is the basic principle on which the Sierra Club was founded. The wilderness anniversary gives us an opportunity to highlight our organization’s leading role—in publicizing this principle, in passing the 1964 Act, and in achieving more designated wilderness since then.
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under permits from Tahoe National Forest.
Staff
Map
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners