Sycamore Island holds a lottery for its waitlist in even-numbered years. Applications for the 2026 lottery  will open in January 2026. Check the website then for information about the application process.

As you consider membership in the Sycamore Island Club, it is important to understand that this is a club of involved volunteers who share an interest in the outdoors and activities on the Potomac River and who appreciate the rustic nature of the club. The operation of the club, maintenance of Sycamore Island, and upkeep of the clubhouse, are all carried out by members’ volunteering their time and energy. All are expected to contribute to the club's maintenance and operation. (Those who want to join a club with staff or modern conveniences should consider other clubs in the area.)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The club accepts applications every second year through a lottery. If you are selected by lottery, you will be placed on a waiting list for membership. The lottery period is announced on the club’s website.  

The Sycamore 2026 waitlist lottery will accept applications in January 2026.  Check the website then for information about applications.  

To enter the lottery

• Complete the online questionnaire.

• Fill out a second application and submit it to the Membership Secretary at the address listed on the form. 

• Include the name of a sponsoring club member on the form and ask the sponsor to sign the form. 

• Mail, hand deliver, or email the form as an attached PDF to the Membership Secretary during the application period. 

The Membership Secretary will not "hold" an application submitted from any other date. If the applications collected are greater than the membership vacancies for that year, the applications will be entered into the lottery on a date in the Spring determined by the Membership Secretary.

You will be notified promptly about the lottery results. Successful applicants will also be told their position on the club waiting list and be required to

• pay a one-time, non-refundable waiting list initiation fee, due within 30 days of notification. 

• provide at least four hours of service to the club each calendar year to retain your spot on the waiting list. Applicants who do not pay the fee or who do not meet service or participation requirement will be removed from the waiting list and the next applicant, as determined earlier by lot, will be added. 

• pay a waiting list annual fee each subsequent year until becoming a member. 
  
  The club’s monthly newsletter, The Sycamore Islander, is emailed to all members, including those on the waiting list. 

While on the waiting list, you can participate in club meetings, work fests and special events, and may also purchase a waiting list pass. The pass entitles the holder, immediate family and up to four guests to use the island on weekdays May through October (excluding national holidays), and seven days a week November through April. You must have attended a club orientation to purchase a waiting list pass. (As you work with and meet regular members, you may form friendships with members who can bring you as guests on weekends.)
Before being admitted to the club as full members, waiting list applicants must become “qualified applicants” by 

• attending a club orientation;

• procuring two letters of recommendation from existing members who are not immediate family members or the member who sponsored their application. 

While on the waiting list, you are encouraged to attend club activities and to get to know existing members who can sponsor your application. This is the responsibility of wait list applicants, not of the club. No special opportunities to seek sponsors are made available when applicants are being considered as  qualified.  Once on the waitlist, you must also provide service for at least four hours per year.  Attending monthly meetings can count for up to two hours.

Waiting list applicants who do not become qualified applicants by the time they are offered membership will be removed from the list, as will qualified applicants who are offered membership but decline the offer. A qualified applicant living out of the DC metro area when membership is offered may begin club membership as an inactive member. 

All new members will pay an initiation fee and pro-rata dues for the year of admission.