Fiscal Year 2025 | Quarter 4
July | Nature in the Park
What better way to start the morning than with a fun and engaging lesson at the park? This month, our young learners explored topics like dinosaurs, ants, camouflage, and Nevada State Symbols. During our Nevada State Symbols lesson, students even created Christmas ornaments that will be proudly displayed on the Capitol Christmas Tree later this year! The Elko office had the pleasure of teaching nearly 130 students, ranging in age from 2 to 10, throughout the month of July. It’s been a joyful, nature-filled summer, and we’re so grateful for the families and kids who joined us!
July 28 - 31 | Elko Explorers Day Camp
From July 28th to 31st, Nevada Outdoor School hosted our Elko Explorers Day Camp at Mountain View Park, welcoming an average of 22 to 25 enthusiastic students each day. Campers enjoyed a new theme and storybook daily—Dino Day, Wacky Wednesday, Under the Sea, and Superhero Day—each filled with engaging, themed activities that sparked creativity and curiosity. Wacky Wednesday brought extra smiles as kids showed off their wild outfits and silly hairstyles! With perfect weather and a popsicle treat before pickup each afternoon, it was a memorable week of learning and laughter in the outdoors.
July 25 | Early Bird Hike
On July 25th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted an Early Bird Expedition in beautiful Water Canyon, just outside Winnemucca. Five participants joined us for a peaceful morning hike under lovely weather conditions. The group enjoyed a scenic trek to the yurt, where a surprise treat of doughnuts was a hit with everyone. It was a refreshing and enjoyable outing, filled with great company, good views, and a sweet reward at the top.
July 19 | Battle Mountain Self Reliance Fair
Nevada Outdoor School participated in the Battle Mountain Self-Reliance Fair on July 19th, where staff engaged with around 60 community members. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about survival techniques, including how to make snares and traps using a variety of materials—not just wire—demonstrating creative options for self-reliance in the backcountry. NOS also shared important Leave No Trace principles, helping participants understand how to minimize their impact while exploring and surviving in the outdoors.
July 18 | CTIC Pioneer Survival Camp 1
CTIC Camp 1 on July 18 was packed with hands-on frontier fun for 14 campers! Participants explored traditional fire-starting methods and learned how pioneers built fires without modern tools. Orienteering was a hit, with kids using compasses to navigate like true trailblazers. Campers also got up close with animal pelts, discovering how fur-bearing animals played a crucial role in pioneer survival. Archery gave everyone a taste of frontier hunting skills, and the Trail Chores Relay Race brought lots of laughs and teamwork as kids hauled water, washed laundry, and raced to pack up our wagon.
July 14-17 | Winnemucca Adventure Camp
Twelve kids participated in Winnemucca Adventure Camp from July 14–17, with 11 staying overnight for the full camp experience. Throughout the week, campers took part in a variety of activities including geocaching, creek play, splash pad fun, crafts, and a meaningful community service project. They practiced navigation skills, explored their creativity, and learned the importance of giving back. A highlight of the week was the geocaching adventure, which sparked excitement and teamwork, while time spent at the creek and splash pad provided a fun way to cool off. Campers also made a positive impact by contributing to a local beautification project, helping improve shared community spaces with their time and effort.
July 7-10 | Elko Adventure Camp
From July 7–10, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the first Elko Adventure Camp of the season, bringing together 12 adventurous campers, 10 of whom stayed overnight, for a week of exploration and fun. Despite some strong winds that challenged the group’s camping experience, the kids showed incredible bravery and resilience. True to the spirit of adventure, a few eager explorers even found themselves stuck in the mud, requiring a helping hand from Outdoor Educator Bayley. Campers had a blast creating paracord bracelets and keychains, with many crafting multiple keepsakes. Evenings around the campfire were filled with laughter, vegan marshmallows, and rounds of the classic game telephone. A highlight of the week was geocaching; so much so that the group chose to keep hunting for caches rather than make their own.
July 2 | Spring Creek Day Camp
On July 1st, Nevada Outdoor School brought the fun to the Spring Creek Marina for a Hawaiian-themed day camp. Twelve energetic campers joined in for a day packed with water games, colorful crafts, and hands-on learning about Leave No Trace principles. The camp ran smoothly with few to no issues, and every participant shared that they had a great time. It was a fantastic day of outdoor fun, learning, and laughter by the water!
Fiscal Year 2025 | Quarter 3
June | Nature in the Park
June marked a strong start to Nevada Outdoor School’s Nature in the Park (NITP) program! Designed for young explorers ages 4–7, this summer series blends outdoor learning with engaging stories and hands-on discovery. So far, participants have dug into archaeology, stomped through time with dinosaurs, and hopped into the fascinating world of amphibians. During the first week alone, nearly 100 children in Elko and Winnemucca joined the fun, building curiosity and connection with the natural world right in their local parks.
June 28-29 | Elko Family Camp
On June 28–29, Nevada Outdoor School hosted Elko Family Camp, bringing together four families for a weekend full of learning, laughter, and connection. With 11 enthusiastic participants, the group was fully engaged in all the camp activities. The highlight of the weekend was the lively campfire program, where everyone joined in on skits, sang the Milk Song together, and enjoyed s’mores while sharing stories and laughter. Campers spent their time bonding through arts and crafts, playing games, exploring the campground, and trying new things. The positive energy was contagious—everyone was in great spirits, eager to learn and explore. It was a joyful and memorable experience for all!
June 28th | NGM Bike Rodeo in Winnemucca
On June 28th, Nevada Outdoor School attended the Nevada Gold Mines Bike Rodeo in Winnemucca. Approximately 40 people attended the event, where NOS shared Ride Safe Ride Smart principles and helped educate families on the importance of bike safety. A helmet giveaway drawing added excitement, while both kids and parents gained a deeper understanding of why wearing helmets is essential—especially in Northern Nevada, where there is no Level 3 trauma center equipped to treat serious head injuries.
June 27th | NGM Bike Rodeo in Elko
On June 27th Nevada Outdoor School attended the Bike Rodeo at Adobe Middle School to promote bike safety for kids where we met with approximately 146 people. We had an RS2 booth and had a bike course model that the kids could play with while also learning some bike safety points and real life scenarios that could happen when out riding bikes or OHV’s, and how we can avoid or solve the situation. This event was hosted by Nevada Gold Mines and they provided free bike inspections, a bike course, helmet fittings, safety coaching and riding tips as well as free ice cream and face painting.
June 16th-20th | Summer Camp Training
Summer Camp Training at Nevada Outdoor School was filled with hands-on learning and meaningful connections. A highlight of the week was a special visit from Jorge and his team at Renown Children’s Hospital, who led a “Stop the Bleed” training, equipping our AmeriCorps members with important emergency response skills. In addition, all participating AmeriCorps members became certified as Level 1 Leave No Trace Trainers, empowering them to lead LNT Awareness Workshops throughout the summer and within our communities. The training also offered plenty of time for team building and familiarization with the equipment and resources used during our summer camp programs, ensuring everyone is ready for a safe and successful season.
June 8th | Fire & Ice Charity Golf Scramble
On June 8th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the Fire & Ice Charity Golf Scramble, and it was a day to remember! With 25 teams participating—the most we've ever had—the event was a huge success. After being rained out last month, we were thrilled to see so many teams return for our rescheduled date. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible sponsors who helped make this event possible. Cooler Sponsors included American Legion, Gene & Chrissy Hunt, US Bank, Core Title Group, and Les Schwab. Firearm Sponsors were Ramcon, 5th Gear Powersports, and BF Guns & Gear. Prize Sponsors included Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Dayton Valley Golf Club, and Duncan Golf Management. Team Sponsors were Bawcom Realty, Florida Canyon, and AIT Technologies, and our Silver Sponsor was Orla Mining. We also extend our gratitude to Ogi on the Green for catering a delicious lunch and to the Spring Creek Golf Course for hosting and helping us reschedule the tournament. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event—your contributions help make outdoor education in Nevada possible!
June 7th | Cave Lake Reopening
On June 7th, Nevada Outdoor School had the pleasure of attending the Cave Lake reopening celebration, where we connected with approximately 100 attendees. We engaged in conversations about potential future programs and collaborative events with community members and partners. Our Leave No Trace Trash Timeline activity was a crowd favorite, drawing interest and sparking discussion. We also led a Leave No Trace hike along the scenic Steptoe Creek Trail with three enthusiastic participants. The day concluded with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially marking the long-awaited reopening of Cave Lake.
June 6th | Gravely Fjord Field Trip
Nevada Outdoor School recently had the unique opportunity to explore a permit-only section of the California Trail, offering a rare glimpse into areas many don’t typically get to see. Traveling caravan-style, we journeyed along historic routes, tracing the paths once taken by wagon wheels and early travelers on foot. One particularly memorable moment was the chance to use dowsing rods at an unmarked graveyard, adding a layer of reflection and connection to the past. Lunch was generously provided, giving participants time to rest and reflect on the significance of the day. This special experience deepened our appreciation for the rich history woven into the landscape of the California Trail.
May Nature in My World
In May, Nevada Outdoor School wrapped up another exciting round of Nature in My World lessons. The majority of programs this month focused on the Watershed lesson for second graders, reaching 12 classes across three different schools. In addition, a few fourth grade classes participated in the engaging CSI: Creature Survival Investigation lesson. During this activity, students put their observation and deduction skills to the test, matching hides, tracks, and skulls while learning about how an animal’s teeth relate to its diet and survival.
May 23rd | Scavenger Hunt Hike
Nevada Outdoor School was thrilled to host a successful Scavenger Hunt Hike on May 23rd! This fun-filled event welcomed many families who were new to NOS programs, creating a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and share the joy of outdoor exploration.
Participants of all ages enjoyed the chance to experience something new as they explored the beautiful grounds of the California Trail Interpretive Center. The relaxed, go-at-your-own-pace format allowed families to take their time, enjoy the fresh air, and make lasting memories together. A total of 33 enthusiastic explorers joined in, each excited to find hidden tokens scattered throughout the area. Their efforts were rewarded with awesome prizes at the finish line, making for a rewarding and engaging outdoor adventure. Nevada Outdoor School is grateful to everyone who participated and looks forward to more outdoor fun in the future!