Parent and Guardian Information

How do I sign my child up for an ICO outing?

Youth are invited on an ICO outing by a representative of an agency that we work with, such as a school or community center.  Invitations are extended by a teacher or agency staff member. If your child has been on an ICO outing before, he or she may be invited directly by one of our Certified Leaders (this happens most often during the summer).  All youth participants on an outing are associated with one of our school or agency partners. You may not sign your child up through this website.

Permission Slip / Waiver Form

Outing information and the permission slip/waiver form are given to invited youth by the teacher or agency representative. The participant permission slip/waiver form for the outing must be in the hands of the ICO outing leader at the time of departure. Your child may not go on the outing if we do not have their signed waiver form at the time of departure. If you arrive at the departure site and discover you left the form at home, the outing leader may have a blank waiver form that may be filled out on the spot.

Please fill out the permission slip/waiver form as completely as possible. If you are bringing two or more siblings on an outing, each child must have his or her own form. One form per child. It is especially important that you provide a current phone number on the form plus an alternate phone number, so that we can contact you in the event of an emergency or late return.

Please complete the form in ink, not pencil. During the school year, we collect the waiver forms through agency staff or the teachers at our partner schools.

Cancellations

If your child has signed up for an outing, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible if something will prevent your child from participating in the outing. We understand that emergencies can arise at the last minute, but those who make a habit of last-minute cancellations or no-shows will not be invited on future outings.

Each outing permission slip/waiver form has a cover page with a list of gear that participants will need; a description of the outing; and the name, phone number, and email address of the outing leader. Cancellation notice should be made to the outing leader listed on the form.

Cost of outings

All outings offered by Harrisburg ICO are at no cost to the participants. We provide food and transportation for the participants on our outings. Special gear or equipment necessary for an outing such as backpacking, camping or padding a canoe is provided for each participant for the duration of the outing.

Citizenship

Your immigration status or that of your child is not important to Harrisburg ICO. Your contact information will not be shared.

What Gear Will I Need?

Some Harrisburg ICO outings require specific clothing and shoes. These items are always listed on the cover page that accompanies the waiver forms for the outing. Contact the teacher, agency representative or outing leader if your child does not have access to any items on that cover page.

Late Return Policy

It is not uncommon for Harrisburg ICO outings to run past the scheduled time of return. In the event that an outing is running late, leaders and/or participants will call to notify you of the new expected time of return.

Leader Qualifications & Child Safety

Sierra Club and Harrisburg ICO conduct reference checks and criminal background checks on all of its leaders and volunteers. There are always two or more Certified Leaders and volunteers on each outing. Our outings are group activities. Leaders and volunteers are not permitted to be alone with any participant. All Certified Leaders on ICO outings are mandated reporters. ICO Certified Leaders are required to take a course on Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention each year and have current First Aid training. The drivers of the vans used on outings by Harrisburg ICO are screened through Sierra Club and the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles.