Fiscal Year 2026 | Quarter 3

June 6 | Fire & Ice Charity Golf Scramble in Spring Creek

On June 6, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a successful SC Golf Tournament, welcoming 21 teams and a fantastic turnout of community members for a day of fun, fundraising, and outdoor recreation. Participants enjoyed beautiful weather, a welcome change from the previous year, and high spirits could be felt throughout the event. A highlight of the tournament was the introduction of a professional long-drive golfer fundraiser, which not only impressed attendees with incredible displays of skill but also proved to be a successful fundraising opportunity. Additional fundraising activities included a silent auction featuring several popular items, as well as raffles for four coolers, two firearms, and a cornhole set. Nevada Outdoor School extends its sincere gratitude to event sponsor Orla Mining for making the tournament possible, along with gun sponsors 5th Gear Powersports and Ramcon Construction; cooler sponsors American Legion, High Mountain Metal, and McEwen Mining; cornhole sponsor Main Electric Supply; and prize sponsors Gold Dust West, Sunridge Golf and Recreation, and Golf Management. Their support helped create a memorable event that brought the community together while supporting outdoor education opportunities across Nevada.

June 1-5 | Elko Explorers Camp 1

From June 1–5, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the first week of Elko Explorers Camp, providing campers with a fun-filled outdoor experience centered around a different theme each day. The variety of themes kept activities fresh and engaging while encouraging creativity, exploration, and active participation. Throughout the week, NOS staff built meaningful connections with campers by learning about their interests, personalities, and favorite camp activities. Through themed games, crafts, stories, and hands-on experiences, campers stayed engaged while developing new friendships and trying new activities. The camp fostered a welcoming and supportive environment where youth felt comfortable exploring, learning, and creating lasting memories alongside their peers.

May 30 | Volunteer Fair

On May 30, Nevada Outdoor School participated in a Volunteer Fair in Elko, where staff connected with more than 40 community members interested in giving back through volunteer service. Throughout the event, the team had meaningful conversations about NOS programs, opportunities to get involved, and the impact of AmeriCorps in communities across Nevada. A key goal of attending the fair was to recruit additional board members from the Elko area, and the event provided valuable opportunities to discuss local leadership and community engagement. Staff also shared the importance of outdoor experiences for Nevada youth, highlighting how time spent outdoors supports learning, confidence, and healthy development. These conversations led to several youth signing up for Nevada Outdoor School summer camps, making the event a successful opportunity to expand community connections and inspire more young people to get outside.

May 20 | Historical Walk through Winnemucca

On May 20, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a Historical Walk through Winnemucca that brought together 11 community members for an engaging morning of local history and exploration. Participants enjoyed a presentation and guided tour from the Humboldt Museum, which highlighted all 14 stops along the route and provided fascinating insights into the area's past. Throughout the walk, attendees were actively engaged, asking thoughtful questions and sharing in meaningful conversations. Guests were welcomed with music during check-in and had the opportunity to enjoy snacks before and after the event. Four children also took home a special souvenir—a photo with Nox. With beautiful weather and enthusiastic participation, the event was a wonderful success, and many attendees expressed excitement about attending future Nevada Outdoor School programs.

May 20 | Winnemucca Mental Health Walk

On May 20, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a Mental Health Walk at Lowry High School, bringing together students and community members for a meaningful event focused on wellness, connection, and awareness. The walk provided an opportunity to engage directly with a high school age group that is not often reached, allowing staff to connect with students in a supportive and positive environment. Throughout the event, Nevada Outdoor School promoted the Voyagers Camp, shared program information, and distributed merchandise to help increase visibility and interest in upcoming opportunities. The presence of additional vendors also helped strengthen community partnerships and expand outreach through shared exposure. Overall, the event helped build stronger connections with students, families, and community partners, while encouraging continued collaboration and participation in future Nevada Outdoor School programs

May 18-21 | Flagview Field Trips

From May 18–21, Nevada Outdoor School worked with back-to-back field trip groups at Flagview, delivering engaging 20-minute lessons to classes throughout the week. Students were introduced to the seven Leave No Trace principles and learned simple ways they can help protect and care for the outdoors. Through the interactive Artifact Thief game, participants explored outdoor ethics while practicing teamwork and problem-solving skills. NOS AmeriCorps members adapted each lesson to fit different age groups, ensuring students remained engaged, involved, and excited to learn. By connecting with a large number of students over the course of the week, Nevada Outdoor School helped create a positive, energetic learning environment that encouraged outdoor stewardship and responsible recreation.

May 15 | Terrarium Workshop

On May 15, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a Terrarium Workshop that brought together 18 participants for an evening of hands-on learning and creativity. During the workshop, participants learned about the different layers that make up a terrarium and why each layer plays an important role in maintaining a healthy, balanced environment. The group used Fittonia, also known as nerve plants, which quickly became a favorite because of their vibrant colors and unique leaf patterns. To personalize their terrariums, participants selected from a variety of resin animals and crystals to add their own creative touch to each jar. The workshop also included instruction on proper terrarium care, including how to maintain the water cycle and keep the miniature ecosystems healthy over time. Overall, the event provided a fun and educational opportunity for participants to connect with nature through creativity and hands-on exploration.

May 15 | Little Choices Big Impact

On May 15, Nevada Outdoor School participated in the Little Choices Big Impact event with an interactive booth focused on bugs and insects. Throughout the event, NOS staff engaged youth in conversations about different insects, sharing fun facts and encouraging curiosity about the natural world. Participants played educational games that kept them active, excited, and involved while learning about nature and outdoor science. Many of the kids asked thoughtful and enthusiastic questions about bugs, showing a strong interest in the environment around them. Overall, the event created a fun and engaging learning experience that combined outdoor education, hands-on activities, and meaningful community connection.

May 9 | Self Reliance Fair

On May 9, Nevada Outdoor School participated in the Self Reliance Fair in Battle Mountain, where the event brought out strong support and engagement from the local community. Throughout the day, the NOS booth connected with approximately 164 participants, providing opportunities to share outdoor education resources and upcoming summer programming. Using real outdoor gear and materials, NOS demonstrated the 10 Essentials and discussed the importance of preparedness and safety while recreating outdoors. Community members also learned about the upcoming Battle Mountain Day Camp and other Nevada Outdoor School summer camp opportunities. With beautiful weather and a welcoming atmosphere, the event created meaningful conversations and strengthened connections within the Battle Mountain community. Organizer Pam was especially supportive and took time to learn more about the 10 Essentials alongside participants.

May 8 | Adventure Buddies

May 7 | Outdoor Cooking Training

On May 7, Nevada Outdoor School team members from Elko traveled to Winnemucca for a SafeTalk training before gathering at the Winnemucca office for an evening of outdoor cooking and team building with Mel. Together, the group prepared lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and brownies while learning the fundamentals of Dutch oven cooking. Mel guided participants through important outdoor cooking skills, including how to light briquettes, determine the correct number to use, and safely manage cooking temperatures. While dinner cooked, the team played games that encouraged bonding and sparked ideas for future camp and program activities. The evening concluded with everyone sharing a meal together and working as a team to clean up before the Elko members returned home.

May 7 | Safetalk Training

On May 7, all four AmeriCorps members and the Director at Nevada Outdoor School participated in a SafeTalk training and received their SafeTalk Certification. The training brought together around 20 participants, creating meaningful conversations and encouraging strong community connection throughout the day. Presenters were well prepared and guided participants through a variety of real-life scenarios using both presentations and hands-on activities. Attendees also received helpful resources and merchandise to continue supporting mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts in their communities. Overall, the training was a valuable experience that strengthened communication, preparedness, and community support among participants.

May 6 | Battle Mountain Day

On May 6, Nevada Outdoor School visited Battle Mountain Elementary School to deliver three back-to-back lessons for third grade students. With sunny weather and light winds creating an ideal environment, all three sessions ran smoothly and remained on schedule throughout the day. Students were highly engaged, actively participating in lessons and responding positively to activities and instruction. Supportive teachers helped ensure efficient transitions between classes, contributing to a well-organized and productive experience. During the visit, students were also introduced to upcoming Nevada Outdoor School day camp opportunities in Battle Mountain, which sparked excitement for future outdoor learning experiences. Each session concluded with a group photo alongside NOX, creating a fun and memorable closing moment for both students and teachers. Overall, the day was a successful delivery of NIMW programming, marked by strong engagement, organization, and enthusiasm from the entire school community.

May 5 | Flagview Day

On May 5, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a high-energy field trip day at Flagview, keeping AmeriCorps members busy with back-to-back classes from start to finish. Throughout the day, the team connected with more than 250 students, engaging with a variety of groups through active outdoor learning experiences. One highlight of the event was the exercise station, which kept students moving, energized, and fully involved in the day’s activities. AmeriCorps members also joined in on the fun by playing soccer and volleyball with participants, creating interactive opportunities for students to stay active, build teamwork skills, and enjoy time outdoors. The day was filled with movement, laughter, and hands-on experiences that encouraged youth to connect with one another while increasing their Time Spent Outdoors.

April 26-28 Heroes Night Logandale

From April 26–28, Nevada Outdoor School participated in Heroes Night in Logandale, connecting with approximately 150 community members and strengthening outreach efforts in the area. Throughout the event, NOS staff engaged participants of all ages with interactive OHV safety games while sharing important information about the Ride Safe Ride Smart program and teaching the 10 Essentials for outdoor preparedness. In addition, team members assisted with distributing free helmets to community members, helping improve access to critical safety gear for local riders. The event sparked strong interest from families and youth, with many meaningful conversations centered around safe riding practices and the importance of OHV safety education.

April 18 | Champions of Nature with the Boy Scouts

On April 18th, Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) supported a group of Boy Scouts in earning their Champion of Nature Merit Badge through an engaging, hands-on learning experience. With 11 youth participants and 8 adults in attendance, the session focused on teaching Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics principles through interactive activities. Participants played games such as Artifact Thief and Trash Timeline, sparking discussions about human impact and decomposition rates—often surprising both youth and adults. The session concluded with a reflective drawing activity, where participants illustrated their favorite outdoor places and then reimagined them impacted by litter, reinforcing the importance of stewardship and caring for natural spaces.

April 18 | Winnemucca Party in the Park

On April 18, Nevada Outdoor School participated in the Party in the Park event in Winnemucca, hosting an engaging booth that connected with approximately 135 community members. AmeriCorps members shared information about upcoming programs, including summer camps and Nature in the Park, while also leading Leave No Trace games that encouraged hands-on learning. Through these interactions, members helped raise awareness about outdoor education opportunities and environmental stewardship. The event also provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships within the community. Overall, the day was a success, deepening connections and increasing visibility of Nevada Outdoor School’s programs and mission.

April 10 | Battle Mountain Nature in the Park

On April 10, Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) led a Nature Investigators session in Battle Mountain centered around the theme “I Wonder,” encouraging curiosity and exploration in the outdoors. Participants used Creature Cards to share ideas and observations, sparking creative thinking about the natural world around them. The group also incorporated “Go Find It” cards, adding an interactive element as students searched for specific items in their surroundings. Although attendance was small with three participants, the setting allowed for more individualized engagement and a relaxed learning environment. Despite slightly chilly weather, conditions remained comfortable, and the session provided a calm, engaging experience that fostered curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection with nature.