Complete list of requirements for ICO Certified Leaders
To become an ICO Certified Leader, an individual must have passed and be current on the requirements listed below.
Note that local ICO groups are permitted to set requirements that are higher than the national requirements. For National Requirements, click here.
The second column in the table refers to the National ICO Certified Leader requirements on that page. NYC ICO has requirements that are in addition to those set by National. These include items j (the National standard is one outing) and l, m, and n (these are recommended, but not required in the National standard).
Some requirements need to be renewed. The currency and renewal requirements columns specify the national Sierra Club ICO and NYC ICO currency and renewal period for each requirement.
SC
Currency/Renewal
Item
Req
Requirement
SC
NYC
Level 1 Outings Leaders Requirements
a
1
Be a current SierraClub member
Currently
Currently
b
2
Be at least 18 years of age
Currently
Currently
c
9, 11, 12
Have read and signed the Volunteer Application and Code of Ethics and been cleared with two references
Once
Once
d
3
Have curernt first aid certification equivalent to or higher than American Red Cross Basic (fulfilling item m below qualifies)
Must be current
e
4
Read and understand the Sierra Club’s ICO OLT 101 online course material; or have taken the Sierra Club’s online OLT 101 course, satisfactorily answered the questions, and read the additional material that applies to leading youth groups in the ICO OLT 101 course
4 years
4 years
f
5
Have outing participant skills appropriate for the activities of the trip towards the advanced end of the scale
Once
Once
g
10
Pass the ICO criminal background check
4 years
4 years
h
10
Pass the ICO DMV check (if driver)
4 years
4 years
i
13
Complete annual Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention (CARP) training module
Every year
Every year
j
6
Assist on at least two ICO outings
Once
Once
k
7
Provisionally Lead at least one outing and receive a positive evaluation by the Mentor Leader [Provisionally Lead means to lead the trip with a fully qualified Certified Leader]
Once; repeat
if have not led an outing in 4 years
Once; repeat if have not led an outing in 4 years
l
14
Have passed Wilderness First Aid or better given by SOLO or an equivalent certifing organization
Recommended
2 years
m
14
Complete Red Cross or better CPR training (if leading water trips)
Recommended
Every year
n
14
Complete ICO Outings Leader Training - Basic (ICO OLT 101) or its equivalent
Every 4 years
Every 2 years
o
8
Be designated by the NYC ICO Chair as a Certified Leader
Once
Once
Level 2 Outings Leader Requirements
p
1
Complete the Sierra Club's Outing Leader Training 201 (OLT 201) Workshop or comparable training from local outings Entity
Once
Once
q
2
Provisionally Lead at least one overnight outing away from cars and receive a positive evaluation bya Level 2 Certified Mentor Leader
Repeat if have not lead an outing in 4 years
Repeat if have not lead an outing in 4 years
A Certified Leader will have passed items a through l, n, and o above. If leading a water trip, the Certified Leader must have a current CPR certification or another ICO volunteer in the party must have a current CPR certification (item m above) and be so identified to the group.
Conditional Certification for Level 1 shall be granted under the following circumstances.
The person shall have passed and be current in all national requirements for certification, i.e., a through k above.
The person shall have completed either the Wilderness First Aid course or the Leadership Training Weekend given by NYC ICO or another ICO group as required by NYC ICO (items l and n).
The person shall be designated by the NYC ICO Chair as a Conditional Leader.
There is no conditional status for Level 2.
Conditional Certification is temporary and the Conditional leader is expected to make up the missing certification requirement at the earliest practical time and, in any case, at the time when NYC ICO next makes available the missing training. All recertification requirements shown in the NYC ICO Renewal column will also apply.
A leader with a Conditional Certification will be permitted to lead NYC ICO trips under the following conditions:
Trips led by a Conditionally Certified Leader who does not have Wilderness First Aid training and that does not include anyone with Wilderness First Aid training shall be designed to permit timely access to necessary medical care in case of an emergency.
In all other matters, a Conditional Leader shall be regarded in NYC ICO on an equal footing with all other Certified Leaders.
NYC Inner City Outings Certified Leader Requirements
