What we’re about
SCPRO is a special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter that organizes hikes and other events for the general public on behalf of the Sierra Club's Washington, DC chapter and the close-in groups of the Maryland and Virginia Chapters. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. We welcome all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history.
Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Events Calendar
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Post Thanksgiving Fall Hike: 6 miles Blockhouse Point, MDPennyfield Lock of C&O Canal, Potomac, MD
Hike about 6 miles along the trails where the sites of a Union Army encampment and blockhouse that guarded the C&O Canal used to be (Unfortunately rebels burned the blockhouse in 1864), enjoying nice views over the Potomac river.
This is a loop: We will start from Pennyfield Conservation Area Boat Ramp, slowly ascending to the bluffs to see the fine views over the river after the leaves have fallen off, then walk back to Pennyfield lock.
## Details
Notes:
- Please note, you must sign up at by 8:00 PM the day before the hike.
Message the leader via Meetup if your plans change on the morning of the hike.
- Please do not show up unregistered.As for all Sierra Club outings, participants are required to sign a waiver/acknowledgment of risks. We are starting a new procedure to do that online, so follow the instructions below:
To participate in this event, you must:
1: Read the liability waiver (officially, the Sierra Club Participation Agreement) http://bit.ly/3Qd4F1B
2: Tap ATTEND at the bottom of this event,
3: YOU MUST type "I accept" (the liability waiver) when prompted, & your first and last name, your contact cell number, and an emergency contact number
Example: I accept, Fran LeBouleix (301) 346-0645Meet: 9:45 am at Pennyfield Conservation Area Boat Ramp, for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Bring:
- Sturdy shoes: Good footwear and some agility will be needed on some rough, steep paths around the bluffs.
- Hiking poles as needed.
- Enough liquid to stay hydrated.
- Gear adapted to the forecast (rain, snow?!).
- Food: We'll stop for snacks/lunch at one of the overlooks.Rain will cancel the Outing, which will then be postponed to Sunday Nov. 31st, weather permitting.
There is no fee for this event, but participants are encouraged to make a donation ($2 or so) to cover website, first aid training, and other program costs.
You can contribute NOW via Paypal: https://bit.ly/46jTw5Y, or in cash on the day of the event, or at any timeIf you don’t have a PayPal account, do this:
Tap Sign Up and follow the prompts to sign up, then log in to your account.
Go to Send, enter [email protected] as the Recipient, enter the amount you want to send, use Family and Friends as the payment type, enter your payment method (PayPal balance, bank account, or credit card), review the details, and click Send Payment.There is no fee to send money domestically to friends and family from your PayPal balance or bank account.
- ONLINE (self-paced) Wilderness First Aid available ALL DAYS NOW until Nov 30thLink visible for attendees
In your own home, at your own leisure (anytime -- not just the date of this event): now you can learn a ton in the online portion of Disaster + Travel + Wilderness First Aid! COURSE TOPICS VIDEOS are almost exactly as MEDIC SOLO always presents them with the latest on disaster and wilderness medical science. Intermixed at several points we guide you to practice various skills.
Choose one of two ways to learn:
a) Take the self-guided course (no certification) $99.
b) Take the self-guided online course and attend a skills scenarios workshop (one day on-line) and get certified $249 (Early Bird).
Register here: https://solowfa.com/register-online-SOLO-disaster-wilderness-first-aid-course.html
In order to get certified, you will start watching our highly-rated, self-paced videos one month prior to your Skills Scenarios Workshop date and:- Practice skills at home before your Workshop date, send us photographs and our Instructors will provide you with kudos and constructive ideas.
- Pass the multiple-choice quiz and test is what verifies that you're ready for your workshop day with an instructor.
- Attend your online Skills Scenarios Workshop full day with a live instructor and a live human patient. Use a unique software which nearly replicates the in-person learning experience.
- Gain as much to more hands-on learning experience as compared to an in-person course.
- Instructors give individual live feedback to students while you perform hands-on skills in your own home.
- Graduates receive the internationally-renowned SOLO 2-year WFA Certification.
Upcoming online Skills Scenario Workshop dates:
November 17th, 2024
January 25, 2025
March 1, 2025
May 3, 2025
May 31, 2025
and June 14 2025.Sneak peek at the course:
https://www.solowfa.com/online-sample.htmEmail us at [email protected] with questions.
- 21st Annual Commemoration of AntietamNeeds location
> RESERVATIONS: You must reserve (not only RSVP) for this event by emailing me directly ([email protected]), not Meetup message. Final details about the meeting time and place will be emailed to you a few days before the event. Dinner reservations require a deposit (see below). <
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Join us for our 21st Annual Commemoration of Antietam, one of the Civil War’s seminal battles. We will start with an afternoon hike that winds around Antietam National Battlefield, followed by an evening drive through the annual Memorial Illumination. This is a great way to learn about Civil War history. All are welcome, including kids and leashed dogs.
Some past commemorations: 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007.
THE HIKE
The hike is a moderately difficult 11 miles (2.5 blisters) over mixed surfaces (roads, farms, woods) and rolling hills on one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields. Shorter options are available. Highlights of the hike include Antietam National Cemetery, the Visitor Center, and Antietam Creek, as well as the Dunker Church, West Woods, the Cornfield, North Woods, East Woods, Mumma Farm, the Sunken Road, and Burnside Bridge (photo)—all infamous as sites of brutal fighting. Bring a bag lunch and water.THE ILLUMINATION
The Memorial Illumination commemorates this bloodiest single-day battle in American history with 23,000 candles representing that day's casualties. Our drive through the Illumination will be from about 6 to 7 PM. During the hike, you'll see the many volunteers preparing the candles, making the Illumination all the more moving and impressive.THE DINNER
After the Illumination, there will be an optional dinner (7:30) at Tapia’s on Main in Middletown. Dinner participation requires a $15/person, non-refundable deposit that goes toward your dinner cost (i.e., you get it back at dinner). Reservation spots will be provided to the first 15 that pay the deposit electronically (Paypal, Venmo, Zelle) to [email protected]. You should email me first to make sure there is room.SCPRO DONATION:
A voluntary $2.00 donation per event or a $5.00 annual donation is requested using PayPal. (If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can create one by clicking “Sign Up” on the PayPal page.) Send to [email protected] using “For friends and family” as payment type.You may join the Sierra Club by clicking "JOIN" on the website of the Virginia Chapter.
Mike
- 49th Annual New Year's Day Hike on C&O Canal Towpath (easy)Pinstripes, Washington, DC
Hikers (and non) will continue a long tradition (since 1975) by gathering in Georgetown on January 1 to kick off a new year of hiking! Come join old and new friends in ushering in the New Year, while working off some of the holiday cheer that's starting to show. Leashed pets are also welcome.
Photos of previous happy New Years: 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.
THE HIKE:
We’ll walk 5.1 miles along the C&O Canal Towpath to the Little Falls Pump Station, and back. You can walk at your own pace and turn around sooner (or later) if you want to do less (or more) than 10.1 miles. A handout (to download or print) for the hike is posted as a photo below.LEADERS:
Frank Wodarczyk, Paul Elliot, Gabriele Ludwig, & Mike Darzi.WHAT TO BRING:
Bring snacks or a bag lunch, and water. Dress warmly in layers and wear rain/snow gear or bring an umbrella if there is a chance of precipitation. Feel free to bring leftover holidays treats to share.WHEN & WHERE:
We’ll meet at 10 am on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, south of M Street. There is a small plaza in front of the Pinstripes Bistro (1064 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC) that is next to and above the C&O Canal. If there is no crowd there, start one. Note that street parking is conveniently free on New Year’s Day.LUNCH:
If you are so inclined, you may also join some of us for après-hike fare at Pinstripes Bistro (where we start and finish the hike) starting at 1:30-1:45 pm.SCPRO DONATION:
A voluntary $2.00 donation per event or a $5.00 annual donation is requested using PayPal. (If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can create one by clicking “Sign Up” on the PayPal page.) Send to [email protected] using “For friends and family” as payment type.You may join the Sierra Club by clicking "JOIN" on the website of the Virginia Chapter.
