Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO)

Join us for a 6-mile out & back hike with approx 630 ft elevation gain that starts at the regional park in Clifton VA. The route has a few steep hills and rocky sections but no stream crossings. The pace will be 2.5 mph. We will stop at the turnaround point along the water for a snack. There are NO bathrooms at the trailhead or along the route.

Please arrive at the parking lot by 9:15 AM to sign in so we can begin hiking at 9:30 AM. Well behaved dogs on a short leash are welcome.

Bring: water, a snack, good hiking boots or shoes & poles, bug spray, sunblock, apppropriate clothing /layers / rain gear for the weather.

SCPRO appreciates a $2 cash donation to help with Club costs.

Join us after the hike at the nearby Paradise Winery, which has snacks and a food truck on the weekends, and allows your own food and water.

Come out and enjoy a summer day kayaking Mattawoman Creek State Natural Area near the town of Indian Head in scenic Charles County, Maryland. A tributary of the Potomac River, Mattawoman Creek is characterized by open marshes, with a large population of bald eagles, great blue herons, and ospreys, as well as a narrow creek deep within a dark overhanging forest teeming with wildlife. From Mattingly Park near Indian Head, we will paddle up stream on Mattawoman Creek until our turnaround point. Return along the same paddle route. Time and distance: about 6 miles and 3 hours on the water. For kayaking, please bring your kayak, paddles, life jacket, possible rain jacket, dry bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, two quarts of water, snacks, lunch, and safety whistle. Kayak rentals are available with nearby Atlantic Kayak. Cost: $49 for 3 hours single or $69 tandem. To reserve a kayak in advance, call Atlantic Kayak at 301-292-6455. Meet at 9:45 AM near Mattingly Park on Mattingly Avenue in the town of Indian Head, Maryland. We will be by the boat ramp. Indian Head is located 18 miles south of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) at the end of Indian Head Highway (Maryland Route 210).
Cancellation: any rain cancels event. Comment will be placed by 7/25/26, 9PM.
Leaders: Vicky Hsu 240-370-7011 and Pat Soriano.

Hands-on learn how to save life & limb, when mired in the wilderness of an urban disaster zone, travel or rural area far from hospital, or natural area miles from an access point, during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance arrival. Come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving skill and confidence, and 2-year SOLO certification. Counts as WFR Recertification, too. No prerequisites.

YOUR SPOT IS NOT RESERVED UNTIL YOU'VE COMPLETELY REGISTERED AT WWW.SOLOWFA.COM *Spaces are limited. REGISTER: www.solowfa.com or 434.326.4697

Can't make these dates? Check out more course locations and dates on our website.

WHO: Open to the general public, adults & teens with solid attention spans. Know your loved ones are safe wherever they are.

WHY: Whether you are in a disaster zone, traveling in a remote area far from medical care, or exploring the backcountry miles from the nearest access point, emergencies can happen without warning. Accidents, severe weather, and acts of terrorism can quickly create situations where professional emergency services are delayed, unavailable, or overwhelmed. In many cases, members of a group may not have the knowledge or skills needed to respond effectively, placing both the injured person and the entire group at greater risk.

Many recreational injuries are preventable, and improper treatment of trauma can turn a minor injury into a serious medical emergency. Yet few first aid programs address the realities of providing care when 911 is unavailable, delayed, or unable to respond.

This course combines classroom instruction and interactive discussion with practical, hands-on training and problem-solving exercises. Realistic scenarios and experiential learning activities make up approximately 50% of the class, providing participants with the confidence and skills needed to manage emergencies in challenging environments.
TIMING: This is a 2-day class, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am -7pm each day.

Fee: $295 (Earlybird)