Calendar

Green Tigers to Tilden Park

The Jr. College group Green Tigers are going on a hike in Tilden Park. We will be introducing a new group of ESL students into our lively group. 

Madison Park Academy Hike at Coyote Hills Regional Park

The Outdoor Adventure Club from Madison Park Academy (an Oakland public school) will visit Coyotoe Hills Regional Parks to hike on Red Tail ridge above the Bay and the salt marshes.  In the afternoon we will walk through the marshes and do some bird watching.

Frick Middle School Hiking Club Briones Day Hike

Frick Impact Academy, an Oakland Unified School District public middle school, has an established hiking club that has gone on a number of ICO-supported day hikes over the last year.  For the coming year, it plans to take a number of hikes.  Posted separately are several all-day Saturday hikes that it has planned from late January through late February.

In addition to its all-day hikes, the hiking club has planned several afternoon hikes on Wednesdays in late January and early February. These hikes are possible because Wednesday is an early-release day for OUSD students, and students are out of school at 1:30 pm.  With hiking destinations set in nearby Regional Parks and other open-space areas, these hikes have been very successsful introductions to the outdoors and the hiking experience for Frick students. Wednesday afternoon hikes have been tentatively scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, January 22, 2020, to Inspiration Point in Tilden Park, located in the Berkeley hills.
  Wednesday, January 29, to Redwood Regional Park, located in the Oakland hills.
  Wednesday, February 5, 2020, to Briones Regional Park, located near Lafayette in the East Bay hills
  Wednesday, February 26, 2020, to Lake Chabot Regional Park, located in the East Bay hills east of San Leandro.

Frick Middle School Hiking Club Pt. Reyes Day Hike

Frick Middle School is an Oakland Public School.  Its' hiking club has been on a number of ICO-supported hikes in the last year, and is planning a number of hikes for the remainder of the school year. 

Among the hikes, on Saturday, February 1, 2020, the club will hike from the mountains to the sea at Point Reyes National Seashore.  Transportation will be by ICO volunteer and Frick teacher drivers.

Frick Middle School Hiking Club Day Hike to Mt. Tamalpais

Frick Middle School is an Oakland Public School.  Its' hiking club has been on a number of ICO-supported hikes in the last year, and is planning a number of hikes for the remainder of the school year. 

Among the hikes, on Saturday, January 25, 2020, the club will hike to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais.  Transportation will be by ICO volunteer and Frick teacher drivers. 

Frick Middle School Hiking Club Inspiration Point Day Hike

Frick Impact Academy, an Oakland Unified School District public middle school, has an established hiking club that has gone on a number of ICO-supported day hikes over the last year.  For the coming year, it plans to take a number of hikes.  Posted separately are several all-day Saturday hikes that it has planned from late January through late February.

In addition to its all-day hikes, the hiking club has planned several afternoon hikes on Wednesdays in late January and early February. These hikes are possible because Wednesday is an early-release day for OUSD students, and students are out of school at 1:30 pm.  With hiking destinations set in nearby Regional Parks and other open-space areas, these hikes have been very successsful introductions to the outdoors and the hiking experience for Frick students. Wednesday afternoon hikes have been tentatively scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, January 22, 2020, to Inspiration Point in Tilden Park, located in the Berkeley hills.
  Wednesday, January 29, to Redwood Regional Park, located in the Oakland hills.
  Wednesday, February 5, 2020, to Briones Regional Park, located near Lafayette in the East Bay hills
  Wednesday, February 26, 2020, to Lake Chabot Regional Park, located in the East Bay hills east of San Leandro.

Big Sur Trip - Oakland High School

This Trip will take 12 students from Oakland High School's Enviornmental Science Academy to the Big Sur wilderness. On this trip, we will have leaders guide students on hiking trails, view the sunset through keyhole rock, and see the stars. We will be playing games, building community, and getting in touch with our surroundings.

Oakland High Advnture Club-Black Diamond Mines Day Hike

The Oakland High School Adventure Club, which has been on a number of ICO-supported hikes in the last two years, has planned an all-day hike on Sunday, January 12, at Black Diamond Mines, an East Bay Regional Park located in the wide-open spaces south of Antioch.  The area had a number of active coal mine in the early years of the 20th century, and the hiking route will go through historic sites as well as beautiful hills and valleys.  Transportation will be by ICO volunteer and teacher automobiles. 

Green Tigers hike in Marin Headlands

Our goal for this trip is to make it a trip everyone can do. You can hike as little or as much as you would like. You will see lovely areas of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) whatever you decide.

We will travel to Marin County to explore the Marin Headlands at the northern end of the GGNRA. We will meet at Café Dejena in Oakland (MLK at 40th St., MacArthur BART) to jump into our carpools. Then we will drive ~35 min. to our first stop, which will be just north of the Golden Gate bridge. We will take a short hike down towards Kirby Cove (~1 hour round trip) to take in the amazing views of the wild Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. A shorter alternative will be to take the walk to Battery Spencer where you can take iconic photos of the Golden Gate bridge and watch the shipping traffic.

Then we will hop back into the cars and drive about 15 minutes north to the Tennessee Valley Trailhead. There we will take an easy 3 mile out-and-back hike to the beach. A shorter option is to walk out to a nearby lagoon – or you can just stay in the picnic area! After the walk we will have lunch.

Madison Park Academy Hike Across Golden Gate Bridge

Join the Outdoor Adventure Club of Madison Park Academy for our "urban hike".  We will hike from the Presidio across the Golden Gate Bridge and then up to the Marin Headlands.  This is a seasoned group of high school hikers who welcome all volunteers with open arms.  

Tamiscal High School Mt. Tamalpais Day Hike

Up the Matt Davis trail from Stinson Beach, then off-trail to to O'Rourke's Benchfor lunch, back to Matt Davis and then on to Pantoll. Back to Stinson via the Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trails.

Green Tigers Hike to Redwood Regional Park

Green Tigers and ICO are taking our second hike in Redwood Regional Park, EBRPD. After carpooling to our destination, we will hike 4-5 miles heading out on the Stream Trail. 

Madison Park Academy Day Hike at Lake Lagunitas/Lake Bon Tempe, Marin Watershed

Join the Outdoor Adventure Club of Madison Park Academy for a day hike through the forests of the Marin Watershed on the northwest slope of Mt. Tamalpais.  This is one of the more beautiful hikes in this part of the Bay Area and our group fo high schoolers are very excited.  To voluteer on this trip you MUST have gone through the process of becoming an OUSD-approved volunteer.  Procedures for doing this can be found in the Forms and Policies section of the web site.  

Green Tigers hike at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park

Day hike with Green Tigers Club to Tilden Park. We will do a loop hike starting from Inspiration Point and have lunch along the way.

Oakland HS Adventure Club Redwood Park Day Hike

The Oakland High School Adventure Club resumed its activities with a day-hike in Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills.

ICO Fall Picnic

Join ICO volunteers, family, agency leaders and future volunteers for a bbq/picnic in Tilden Park.

Who: EVERYBODY! Leaders, volunteers, families and agency leads and teachers.  If you have a friend who might be interested in joining, bring them along!  

When: Sunday Oct. 27th at 12:00 - 2:30

Where: Tilden Regional Park, Meadows Picnic Area, Berkeley, CA (on Lone Oak Road & Central Park Ave, not far from the merry go round. Drive - park map link below). 

What: We'll have the traditional BBQ with ICO provide BBQ salmon and veggie burgers, and drinks. Please bring hors d'oeuvres, chips & dip, salad or dessert, or whatever else you come up with) to share!

Please sign up on the What to Bring menu so we get some of everything. 

Park Map: https://www.ebparks.org/images/Assets/files/parks/tilden/Tilden-map-2250w64.gif; 

Tilden Regional Park Meadows Picnic Area on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/yg15a9UACXg1YM7Z7

37.905351, -122.261941

Please let us know if you plan to join us!

Please RSVP to the EVITE or contact Linda De Young to be added to the EVITE invite.

Linda De Young

Lindadeyo (at) aol.com

Frick Middle School Hiking Club

The Frick Middle School, an OUSD public school, hiking club will go on an all-day, fairly strenuous, hike to the summit of Mt. Diablo, on Saturday, October 26, departing from the Frick campus at 9:00 am, returning by 4:00 pm.  There are various routes to the summit of Mt. Diablo; the Club has in mind one that is rewardingly challenging but not overwhelming.  Views from Mt. Diablo and the trail to it are astounding.  The Frick students/hikers are a great group, lead by and equally great group of teachers. 

Montalvin Elementary Angel Island Hike

Join this group of 3-5 grade Outdoor Explorers as we travel by ferry from Tiburon to Angel Island for a day hike. We will hike to the summit of Mount Livermore, have lunch and head down to the beach before returning. Please contact trip leader if you are able to join us.

Madison Park Academy Outdoor Adventure Club Angel Island Trip

This will be the first outing for the Outdoor Adventure Club at Madison Park Academy for the 2019/2020 school year.  We will hike to the top of Mt. Livermore on Angel Island for spectacular views of the Bay and then hang out at the beach before returning home.

Frick Middle School Hiking Club

The Frick cademy, an OUSD middle school, Hiking Club will have its first hike for the new school year on Wednesday, October 2.   Wednesdays are early release days for Frick students, and hikers and volunteers will gather at 1:30 pm to depart for a hike in Sibley Regional Volcanic Peserve, located in the Oakland hills.  Sibley features hiking routes through volcanic formations along ridges with commanding views of both the San Francisco Bay and the hills to the east including Mt.Diablo.
Hikers will return to the Frick campus by 5:30 pm
For more information, please contact trip leader Andy Young at ayoung0452@sbcglobal.net.

Camp Phoenix Overnight

Camp Phoenix is an incredible organization, and we are taking their CIT's and oldest campers for a bonding camping trip! S'mores included :) 

EOBA Day Hike, Presidio, San Francisco

East Oakland Boxing Association runs a summer program.  On July 10, EOBA will be camping out in the Presidio, in San Francisco.  ICO will support a day-hike in the Prfesidio on that day.  It should involve 15--20 youth, plus EOBA staff.  Lots of great hiking destinations in the Presidio.  ICO volunteers will need to go directly to the Presidio campground, but there will be need to provide transportation from there, so ICO volunteers will not need automobiles. 

EOBA hike--Inspiration Point, Tilden Park

The East Oakland Boxing Association, EOBA, has an after-school and summer program for youth from elementary through high school grades.

ICO has a long-standing partnership with the organization, and has conducted a number of hikes with their youth.

OnWednesday, June 26, a group of elementary-school students from their summer program will take a hike from Inspiration Point to Wildcat Peak in Tilden Park.  The trail follows a high ridgeline with great views and soaring raptors.  The students have always been energetic and enthusiastic.  We have always had a great time.

Oakland High Newcomers Yosemite Camping

Oakland High Newcomers, mainly from Central America, about 15 older students, plan to camp at the entrance to Yosemite National Park for two nights to explore the park.  The group is very interested.  The trip should be a wonderful experience both them and the ICO volunteers. 

Camping Trip to Big Basin State Park with ARISE

Taking high schools students from ARISE Academy in Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland to Big Basin State Park for two nights of camping and hiking.

Camp Phoenix — Del Valle Lake

We'll be going with Camp Phoenix to Del Valle Lake — hiking and beach time, with a great group of kids!

Day Hike in Chabot Park

Harbor House will be taking approximately 10, 4th and 5th grads students from Franklin Elementary School in Oakland to Chabot Park in the East Bay for a picnic lunch, hike in the redwood trees, and environmental discussion and activities.  We will drive from Franklin School when the students get out at 1:20 pm.

Frick Middle School day-hike to Redwood Park

The Frick Middle School Hiking club will take its final hike of this school year on Tuesday afternoon, May 28, 2019, departing from the Frick campus at 1:30 pm, to hike in Redwood Regional Park, a short distance away in the Oakland hills, returning to Frick by 5:30 pm.  The group is lively and enthusiastic about getting into our nearby open space.  Our first two ICO supported hikes were great fun for all, students, teachers, and ICO volunteers. 

OIHS to Anthony Chabot, Puma Point

We'll be introducing the joys of backpacking and camping to a group of 25 excited 9th-12th graders!  Our students at Oakland International H.S. are all recent immigrants from around the globe who will bring their own fantastic life experiences and our school's lovely sense of community to the trip.  This trip is the 3rd of 3 frontcountry backpacking trips dedicated to teaching this group about backpacking & camping. Students will also be working in groups to cook a meal for the whole group based on a menu of their own design. We'll be taking public transit to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. We'll be hiking a few miles in the park, camping at Puma Point, enjoying the view of the lake, cooking, BBQing, and playing some teambuilding games.  

ICO implicit bias / micro aggression training

As part of our ongoing volunteer training, Youth Outside will join us for a 2-hour workshop on Implicit Bias and Micro Aggression. As ICO volunteers we work with diverse groups of youth and adults, with backgrounds and cultures unfamiliar to us. The goal of the training is help us recognize how our words and actions may be seen as inclusive or divisive within these diverse communities, to help us identify unrecognized personal biases, and how we might move beyond them. 

A description of implicit bias and microaggression and taken from https://socialworkce.uconn.edu/understanding-implicit-bias-and-microaggressions/can be found below. 

 “We all have biases and prejudices which are hidden assumptions and stereotypes that exist on an unconscious level. These unconscious biases are often related to one of many social identity groups (e.g., race, gender, social class). These biases influence how we respond to and interact with all individuals, but particularly those from different cultures, religious groups, or race and ethnicities; those whom we perceive as “other.” Often what gets the most attention are overt behaviors that reveal our prejudices and demonstrate discrimination. What is frequently overlooked or not discussed are the unconscious biases that get reflected in the form of microaggressions. Microaggressions occur as the result of implicit bias and can be interpreted as commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental insults, whether unintentional or intentional, that demean or insult others. Implicit bias is learned through the process of socialization, the same system that confers power and privilege on individuals according to their social identity group.

The goal of this seminar is to help us reflect on their own unconscious biases and become aware of microaggressions that are a part of our everyday lives. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and managing unconscious biases and microaggressions and understanding how they affect interpersonal relationships.”

OIHS to Point Reyes, Coast Camp

We'll be introducing the joys of backpacking and camping to a group of 25 excited 9th-12th graders!  Our students at Oakland International H.S. are all recent immigrants from around the globe who will bring their own fantastic life experiences and our school's lovely sense of community to the trip.  This trip is the 2nd of 3 frontcountry backpacking trips dedicated to teaching this group about backpacking & camping. Students will also be working in groups to cook a meal for the whole group based on a menu of their own design. We'll be taking a chartered bus to Point Reyes. We'll be hiking a couple of miles in the park, enjoying the beauty of the beach, learning how to build a beach bonfire, cooking, BBQing, and playing some teambuilding games.  

Madison Park Academy Tour and Hike at Black Diamond Mines

The Outdoor Adventure Club at Madison Park Academy will be doing there last outing of the school year at Black Diamon Mines near Antioch.  The outing will include a tour of the old mine portal with information about the mining operations that used to exist on Mt. Diablo.  The mine tour will be followed by a hike through the Diablo foothills including a stop at the old cemetary nearby the former townsites in this beautiful and not often visited part of the East Bay Regional Park system.  To participate in this outing you will need to be cleared as a volunteer with Oakland Unified.  Information about what is required is included on the ICO web site and will involve getting a TB test and LiveScan fingerprinting.  Contact Michael Fischer, mjf1155@gmail.com or 925-212-9653 for more information.

EOBA day-hike to Redwood Park

The East Oakland Boxing Association, EOBA, has an after-school and summer program for youth from elementary through high school grades.

ICO has a long-standing partnership with the organization, and has conducted a number of hikes with their youth.

On Saturday, May 18, we will take a hike in Redwood Regional Park,in the Oakland Hills, in part as a preparation for a back-packing trip that they are planning for the summer.  The hike winds though oak forests, along a ridgeline, and drops into a streambed lined with redwood treess.  The students have always been energetic and enthusiastic.  We have always had a great time. 

Tamiscal High School Mt. Tamalpais Day Hike

Mountain Home to Larkspur point-to-point.

OIHS to Gillespie Youth Camp, Tilden Regional Park

We'll be introducing the joys of backpacking and camping to a group of 25 excited 9th-12th graders!  Our students at Oakland International H.S. are all recent immigrants from around the globe who will bring their own fantastic life experiences and our school's lovely sense of community to the trip.  This trip is the 1st of 3 frontcountry backpacking trips dedicated to teaching this group about backpacking & camping. Students will also be working in groups to cook a meal for the whole group based on a menu of their own design. We'll be taking public transit to Tilden Regional Park. On this first overnight, we'll be hiking a few miles in Tilden, cooking and BBQing, and playing some teambuilding games.  

OIHS to Redwood Regional, Redwood Bowl Picnic Area

This is the first day hike for a group of 25 excited 9th-12th graders! Our students at Oakland International H.S. are all recent immigrants from around the globe who will bring their own fantastic life experiences and our school's lovely sense of community to the trip. We’ll be hiking a few miles into the park, to Redwood Bowl Picnic Area. There, we’ll be making/eating lunch together, teaching camp cooking safety rules for the first time, and enjoying some teambuilding activities.

Day Hike in Tilden with Camp Phoenix

Camp Phoenix will have a day hike outing in Tilden Park, possibly with an animal farm stop. A great hike, great kids, great games!

Tamiscal High School Pt. Reyes Wildflower Extravaganza

Pierce Point Ranch to Tomales Point & back

Montalvin Elementary Day HIke

Eighteen students ages 9-11 explored Tilden Park along with two teachers and two ICO Volunteers. We started out visiting the animals and Environmental Education Center before hiking along the Packrat Trail to Jewel Lake. After exploring the ecology and wildlife, we set out along the Wildcat Gorge Trail, stopping for lunch at Blue Gum Picnic Area and ending at Lake Anza.

Volunteer hike in Briones EBRP

Join fellow ICO volunteers in an exploration of Briones Regional Park. We will explore the lagoons and nature area and check out one of the backpacking camps for a total of about 6 miles. https://www.ebparks.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=24155

Hike starts at 9 AM, I am guessing we will be done by noon. Bring a lunch! 

We will meet at the parking area at the end of Briones Rd, just off Alhambra Valley Rd. (near the Park office - this is on the north end of the park). 

BART to Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Center and grab a ride with those who are driving. Just let me know you need a shuttle! 

If you are new to ICO, or interested in becoming a volunteer, please join us!

Day Hike to Sibley with NOCCS

We are doing a short day hike with elementary school students from North Oakland Community Charter School in north Oakland to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. During this trip we will explore rock formations  and hike to a picnic lunch. 

Frick Middle School Lafayette Reservoir Day Hike

Frick Midddle School is an OUSD school located on 82nd Ave near Foothill Blvd. Its hiking club is very enthusiastic about outdoor adventures.   Wednesday is an early release day for students, and we will gatjher at 1:30 pm to drive to Lafayette Resovoir, near Lafayette, to hike around the resevoir and return  by 5:00 pm

Beach camping at Sonoma Coast SP with Madison Park Academy

ICO and Madison Park Academy's Adventure Club are teaming up for some beachside camping and exploration! We'll enjoy the oceanfront wonders of Sonoma Coast State Park's secluded coves, scenic overviews (maybe we'll see migrating whales), tidal pools, and the wildflowers in bloom at Duncan's Landing.The group will camp for two nights and learn some of the basics of camp set-up, food preparation in addition to exploring the beautiful Sonoma County coastline.

Gateway Middle School Pt. Reyes Backpack

Gateway Middle School's Wilderness Club continues its outdoor adventures this year with their inaugural backpck trip. These young folks, along with solid suppoort from a dedicated & dynamic teacher, plus a few great parent volunteers, will spend a night and two days in the beautfiul Pt. Reyes National Seashore. SF ICO will be there to assist & co-lead. Contact Michael Cadigan for further information.

Gateway Middle School Hike Steep Ravine

Hike the Steep Ravine Trail near Stintson Beach

Madison Park Academy Snow Trip to Hutchinson Lodge

The Outdoor Adventure Club of Madison Park Academy will be venturing into the mountains to enjoy the last of the snow season.  We will overnight at the Sierra Club's Hutchinson Lodge where we will do sledding and snow shoeing.  In order to participate in this trip you must be a certified volunteer with OUSD.  If you are not a certified volunteer with OUSD, contact Michael Fischer for information on how to complete your certification.

China Camp with Camp Phoenix

Car camping with Camp Phoenix's 7th graders at China Camp. We will work with the park rangers on trail maintenance, go on hikes and explore beautiful China Camp State Park! 

Tamiscal HS Mt. Diablo Day Hike

From Mitchell Canyon trailhead to Deer Flat to Eagle Peak and back to trailhead.

Frick Impact Academy Hiking Club Inspiration Pt Hike

Frick Impact Academy is an Oakland Unified School District middle school located in East Oakland.  This trip is an initial ICO supported trip for a newly formed hiking club at Frick.  The trip is scheduled for a Wednesday afternoon because on that day students are released at 1:30 pm, allowing time for a reasonable hike to a nearby location with a return to Frick by 5:00 pm.  Inspiration Point, in Tilden Park, is a great destination, within about a 30 inute drive from Frick, and a parking/trailhead to a well-established trail that winds along an East Bay ridgeline with spectacular views in all directions. 

The Frick club has drawn good student interest, and is well-supported by several teachers.  Their expectation is to plan monthly outings for the rest of the school year, for now on Wednesday afternoons, but eventually for all-day hikes on Saturdays.

This is a great group to voluteer with, with the possibility of developing a long-term relation.  Note, however, that volunteers for trips with this group must go through the ICO/OUSD approval process that is set forth in the Forms/Policy section of the ICO private site, under a section "Volunteering for USD"  The procedure is not difficult, but does require obtaining a Live-Scan fingerprint/background report and a recent TB test.  ICO will pay the costs of meeting these requirements.