YMCA and Sierra Club Military Outdoors (SCMO) are working together to improve the lives of veterans, service members, and their families through connections with the outdoors and to inspire members of the military and veteran community to become outspoken champions for environmental conservation and justice within their local communities.

SCMO Vision

SCMO envisions a world in which all veterans, service members, and military families have the opportunity to benefit from the healing powers of being outdoors. Our team was humbled to play a large part in the recent passage of two bipartisan acts aimed at breaking down barriers to accessing public lands for veterans: New York state’s Outdoor Rx Act, and working with the YMCA team, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act.

Join Us

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the YMCA and SCMO team are launching a virtual outings program for veterans, military service members, and their families. Virtual outings - part wilderness adventure, part community building - begin with a virtual group trailhead talk, are followed by an individual wilderness adventure, and conclude with a virtual group campfire. 

If you are a YMCA or SC staff member who’ll be leading this programming or a dedicated volunteer or community member interested in getting involved, this training is for you! Please visit here to learn more and to register for the first in a series of virtual training sessions led by the SCMO team that will help prepare you to serve as a virtual outings leader for veterans, service members, and military family members in your local community. 

Friday, Jan 22nd, 12-2pm EST

Review of Outdoor Adventure Education and Outdoor Military Veteran Programs

Bridging the Military – Civilian Divide

Thursday, Feb 4th, 12-2pm EST

Lead a Virtual Outing 

Tuesday, Feb 9th, 3-5pm EST

Design a Virtual Outing 

Links

Registration: https://forms.gle/65AKLzoKKTx2WwsKA

Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act: https://youtu.be/I54Dt7YatTw

Outdoor Rx Act: https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2020/02/Outdoors-Rx-Act