Chapter Outings Leader Training
Leader Training is offered two times a year by the main chapter of the Sierra Club San Diego. The mission of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. The mission of the Outings Program is to share our passion of the outdoors with others and show them all the greatness that our outdoors has to offer through hiking, camping and backpacking. If this sounds like you, we welcome you to apply to become a Chapter Outings Leader (COL).
We offer three levels of leader certification based on where you plan to take groups. COL-U is designed for local frontcountry day hikes where emergency help is less than 2 hours away, requiring Basic First Aid and CPR. For broader adventures, COL-1 allows you to lead day hikes and car-camping trips in backcountry areas on terrain up to Easy Class 3, requiring Wilderness First Aid and CPR. If you want to take groups on overnight backpacking trips away from vehicles (leading for the Wilderness Basics Course), COL-2 provides that full leadership scope with Wilderness First Aid and CPR requirements.
If you have any questions after reviewing the information below, please contact Stefanie Maio via email at: sd.col.training@gmail.com or Kelly Conrad at ncg.col.training@gmail.com.
Chapter Outings Leader U or 1 Training
Dates: Spring – Saturday, April 11, 2026 - Cancelled due to Policy Changes | Fall 2026 – Saturday, September, 19, 2026
If you are interested in leading for the Sierra Club and becoming a Level 1 Chapter Outings Leader (lead hikes and car camps), here’s what you need to do:
- Have been on at least four Sierra Club outings.
- Be a Sierra Club member.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Attend the Level 1 Chapter Outing Leader training class.
- Complete the Sierra Club Equal Opportunity Policy Training and Respectful Leadership and Intervention Training online.
- Obtain a CPR and Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid certificate before proceeding to step six.
- Plan, publish and execute 2 provisional (aka evaluation) outings one year from the date of your training.
The COL U/1 Training sessions will be held in Spring and Fall each year. This is an in-person training covering practices, policies, group management, and publicity.
Applications accepted until September 5, 2026 for fall training. Applicants will be notified by September 12th.
Chapter Outings Leader 2 Training
Date: Spring – Thursday, April 9 (6:30-8:30 pm) AND Sat & Sun, April 25 & 26, 2026 - Cancelled due to Policy Changes | Fall 2026 – Thursday, September 17 (6:30-8:30 pm) AND Sat & Sun, October 3 & 4, 2026
To lead backpack trips for the Sierra Club or the Wilderness Basics Course, COL 2 training is required. Criteria:
- Be a COL 1 with all certifications current.
- Have led at least 4 COL 1 trips.
- Have graduated from the Wilderness Basics Course or equivalent.
- Attend the COL 2 Leader Training.
- Have a current CPR and Wilderness First Aid Certificate.
- Plan, publish and execute 1 provisonal (aka evaluation) backpack outing within 2 years.
This includes a pre-trip meeting and a weekend of learning advanced techniques during a weekend backpack outing.
Applications accepted until August 28, 2026. Applicants will be notified by September 4, 2026.
First Aid Certification
If you are looking to take or update your first aid certification, basic first aid and CPR courses are offered through a variety of places including the Red Cross, A-B-CPR and First Aid Training.
If you are looking to take Wilderness First Aid Course (CPR is a pre-requisite), there are many organizations that offer WFA. Both Kevin Opheim (619-300-4219) or Kit Fox Outfitters offer a discount for Sierra Club Leaders.
Please note: There must be a hands-on component to your initial first aid training.