Fiscal Year 2026 | Quarter 4

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August’s Nature in the Park (NITP) programming in Winnemucca was an incredible success for the NOS team, bringing together youth from Pershing, Humboldt, and Lander counties for a summer filled with exploration, learning, and time outdoors. Despite the long, hot, and smoky days, nearly 200 youth participants joined NOS throughout the summer, spending more than 165 hours outside in nature. This summer’s lesson theme, “The Animal Kingdom,” gave participants the opportunity to explore animals of all shapes and sizes, from birds, snakes, and worms to larger-than-life elephants. Through storytelling, fun facts, outdoor games, nature reflection, and themed crafts, participants stayed engaged and excited to learn. NOS was especially grateful to see both familiar faces and many new participants joining the program, as well as the wonderful support from parents and caregivers who participated alongside their children. The strong turnout and positive feedback from families throughout Pershing and Lander counties demonstrated the continued importance of bringing accessible outdoor education opportunities to rural Nevada communities. 

The second annual Twilight Glowball Golf Scramble was a huge success, bringing together a full field of 18 teams and 72 participants for an evening of golf under the stars. This year marked an exciting milestone for the event, as it was the first time NOS had a waitlist due to the high level of interest and participation. Guests enjoyed a taco bar dinner, exciting raffle prizes—including coolers, hammocks, a pizza oven, and more—and a special appearance from a long-drive professional who showed off his skills and gave participants the chance to win a vacation. As the sun went down, golfers took to the course with glowing golf balls, creating a fun and unique experience that had participants sharing how much they enjoyed playing golf in the dark. Overall, the evening was a fantastic celebration of community, outdoor recreation, and support for Nevada Outdoor School’s mission.  

The August 8 Trap Shoot Tournament was a fantastic success, with participation growing significantly from just six participants last year to 29 youth participants this year. The tournament continues to strengthen NOS’s partnerships with the Orovada Trap Club, Chukar Chasers, and Nevada Mulies while introducing more young people and families to the sport. This year, participants traveled from communities as far away as Fallon, demonstrating the growing reach and interest in the event. With clear skies and beautiful weather, participants enjoyed a full day of friendly competition and outdoor recreation. The first-place winner took home a trap-shooting gun, adding an exciting element to the competition, while lunch was provided for participants and their families, creating a welcoming community atmosphere. It was a great day of learning, competition, and spending time outdoors together. 

Throughout July, Nevada Outdoor School's Elko office welcomed 89 participants to Nature in the Park, where young explorers discovered the fascinating world of flowers, butterflies, frogs, and birds through hands-on outdoor learning experiences. Alongside engaging nature lessons, AmeriCorps members continued building their leadership skills by learning effective strategies for managing larger groups of children, interpreting lesson plans, and confidently facilitating programs. While several AmeriCorps members were leading summer camps, Director of Training and Program Reporting Meghan stepped in to help facilitate Nature in the Park, ensuring participants continued to enjoy meaningful opportunities to connect with nature and increase their Time Spent Outdoors. 

Throughout July, Nevada Outdoor School's Winnemucca team welcomed 78 participants to Nature in the Park, continuing the summer's Animal Kingdom theme with engaging lessons about high desert rabbits, spiders, ants, and local bird species. Each week's theme inspired hands-on games, creative crafts, and outdoor exploration that encouraged curiosity and fostered a deeper appreciation for local wildlife. Participants collectively logged 78 hours of Time Spent Outdoors (TSO), reinforcing NOS's mission to inspire exploration of the natural world. AmeriCorps members played a key role in the program's success, building meaningful relationships with both new and returning participants while creating a welcoming, engaging environment at all three Nature in the Park locations. 

From July 27–31, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the Elko Explorers Day Camp, where 18 campers enjoyed a week filled with hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and meaningful connections. Throughout the week, campers discovered the fascinating world of insects by learning about bugs, ladybugs, and butterflies while participating in interactive activities, including a nature walk to search for ladybugs in the surrounding area. As the week came to a close, campers expressed their creativity by creating self-portraits, experienced the excitement of camping through engaging outdoor-inspired activities, and celebrated their accomplishments with fun water games. The camp provided opportunities for youth to build friendships, explore the natural world, and develop a greater appreciation for learning through outdoor experiences.  

NOS was proud to be a part of the recent 1st Annual Elko High Desert Trail Fest. This event was hosted by the Nevada Off Highway Association, 5th Gear Powersports and the Elko County Visitor Association. The event kicked off Thursday evening at 5th Gear in Elko for a Meet and Greet, where our RS2 roadshow booth promoted tips and tricks for safe and responsible OHV recreation. 

On Friday, NOS was able to provide support on the Harrison Pass trail ride, a 90-mile guided ride that climbed high into the rugged backbone of the Ruby Mountains—often called “Nevada’s Alps”—delivering a full-day experience along one of the most scenic high-elevation routes in the state.It was a great opportunity to connect with the OHV community, encourage responsible recreation, and enjoy one of Nevada's most scenic trail systems.

On July 18, Nevada Outdoor School participated in the Angel Lake Fishing Derby, partnering with CTIC to provide an engaging outdoor education station for attendees. More than 100 participants visited the event, where youth ages 4–15 and their families learned about Leave No Trace principles through interactive activities, including Trash Timeline and Durable Hopscotch. The event provided an opportunity for NOS to reconnect with community partners, engage with local families, and promote responsible outdoor recreation. With beautiful weather and a great turnout, the team enjoyed seeing many past NOS summer camp participants spending time outdoors with their families while enjoying a day of fishing and exploration. 

On July 15, Nevada Outdoor School partnered with the Humboldt County Library to host a Nature Journaling Hike, inviting community members to slow down, explore their surroundings, and connect with nature through observation and creativity. The hike welcomed a new group of participants to NOS programs and provided a beautiful setting for outdoor exploration. Throughout the experience, participants practiced making observations of plants, wildlife, and the landscape around them, recording their discoveries through notes and sketches in their nature journals. The program wrapped up with time for participants to decorate and personalize their journals, enjoy snacks, and connect with one another, creating a welcoming and engaging experience that celebrated both creativity and the natural world. 

From July 13–16, Nevada Outdoor School hosted its second Elko Adventure Camp, providing campers with a week full of outdoor exploration, learning, and unforgettable experiences. Campers cooled off at the Carlin Splash Pad, enjoyed snow cones together, and participated in hands-on activities focused on the water cycle, trout, and how water purifiers work. The group also embarked on a camping adventure in Lamoille, where unexpected rain changed their plans, but campers showed great flexibility and a positive attitude by making the most of the experience and spending the night at the office. Throughout the week, campers built confidence, strengthened friendships, and created lasting memories while embracing the challenges and excitement of outdoor adventure.