Fiscal Year 2025 | Quarter 3

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On April 25th, Nevada Outdoor School engaged 38 participants in a hands-on paracord bracelet-making activity. Attendees received a brief overview of the origins of paracord, including its original military use and structural components. They also learned about the wide variety of practical applications paracord offers in both everyday life and outdoor settings. As a group, participants followed step-by-step instructions to create a simple cobra pattern paracord bracelet. With a wide selection of cord and buckle colors available, everyone was able to personalize their bracelet to match their style. By the end of the activity, participants left with both a customized bracelet and the skills to make their own at home. 

On April 18th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a Sunshine Stroll that brought smiles despite the less-than-ideal weather. The event had a solid turnout, with participants in high spirits, chatting, and making new connections along the way. The cheerful atmosphere was enhanced by fun giveaways—ribbons and sunglasses were a hit with everyone! While the weather may have limited attendance, the stroll itself was a success, leaving participants happy to be outdoors and part of a well-executed event. 

From April 9th to April 12th, Nevada Outdoor School participated in the Clark County Fair in Logandale, partnering with UMC to provide free helmets and important safety education to both kids and adults. Ash and a team member represented NOS, engaging with over 200 individuals and distributing more than 60 helmets. The goal of this outreach was to raise awareness about the importance of wearing helmets while riding and to highlight the safety risks associated with not doing so. It was also a valuable opportunity to share the mission of Nevada Outdoor School and the work being done to promote outdoor education and safety across Northern Nevada. 

On April 2nd, Nevada Outdoor School partnered with the Nevada Department of Wildlife for a Wild Week adventure at the museum, engaging 12 enthusiastic kids in a fun-filled and educational experience centered around animal adaptations. Excitement was in the air as students explored the museum’s diverse animal displays, sparking curiosity from the very beginning. Each AmeriCorps member led a segment of the lesson, diving into specific animal adaptations and how they help creatures survive in their environments. The day kicked off with an introduction to adaptations—what they are, why they matter, and how animals use them to their advantage—setting the stage for eager learners to ask questions and seek more knowledge. A highlight of the experience was an interactive scavenger hunt through the animal exhibits, where kids discovered real-life examples of adaptations up close. The lesson wrapped up with an engaging activity on predator vs. prey, where students used their observations to determine how eye placement influences an animal’s role in the food chain. To bring the concept to life, students played a game of tag while wearing special prey-animal glasses that limited their vision to their peripherals, helping them better understand how prey animals see. Special attention was also given to the unique adaptations of axolotls, rounding out a day full of discovery, critical thinking, and fun. 

In March, Nevada Outdoor School wrapped up the final session of the Young Naturalists Club, exploring plant life cycles, worms, and the science behind rainbows. The kindergarten through second-grade sessions were well attended, with up to 16 children, while the third through fifth-grade sessions were smaller, averaging around six students. Each lesson combined a learning component with a hands-on play portion, allowing students to apply their new knowledge in an engaging and interactive way. Fortunately, Friday weather was mostly cooperative, allowing us to hold lessons outdoors at Peace Park in Elko. While a few sessions had to be shortened due to weather, we were still able to provide meaningful and fun learning experiences for our young naturalists. 

In March, Nevada Outdoor School brought the Nature In My World program to Elko County, delivering 16 lessons across six different schools. The Owl Pellet activity has been a huge hit among third-grade teachers, with most students excited to uncover and identify bones, while a few found the experience a bit too gross. First-grade lessons have also been very popular—not just with students and teachers, but also with our AmeriCorps Members, who count them among their favorites. Though the weather kept us indoors more than we would have liked, we are grateful for the flexibility to adapt our lessons for indoor learning when needed. 

On March 29th-30th, Nevada Outdoor School participated in Logandale Junior Ranger Day by hosting a Youth Helmet OHV Safety Booth at Logandale Trails. Our goal was to educate families on the importance of Ride Safe Ride Smart, emphasizing the necessity of wearing a helmet when operating any type of ATV or OHV. During the event, we successfully distributed approximately 40 helmets to children and engaged with 80-85 attendees. We also built valuable connections with the Logandale team, the Bureau of Land Management, and other organizations present, strengthening our network of outdoor safety advocates. 

On March 19th, Nevada Outdoor School held the first session of our Ride Safe, Ride Smart class, engaging students in active discussions about durable versus non-durable surfaces and the essentials of being prepared for outdoor excursions. Through an interactive game, participants navigated mock ATV and outdoor scenarios, reinforcing key safety principles. In partnership with Communities in Schools, we launched an after-school program dedicated to Ride Safe, Ride Smart education, working closely with four students. To encourage consistent participation, Communities in Schools is sponsoring a raffle—students who attend all sessions will be entered for a chance to win a free spot at summer camp! 

On March 12th-13th, Nevada Outdoor School participated in the ECSD STEM Fair, engaging with 614 eager attendees. Children were especially excited to explore the elk hide, learning about how elk feel, see, and interact with their environment. As soon as students from various schools across northern Nevada entered the building, they flocked to our booth, fascinated by the knowledge we had to share. Along with the kids, many parents and adults showed interest in our programs, asking how they could get their children involved in our workshops and summer camps. Nevada Outdoor School provided both children and adults with engaging and memorable learning experiences, deepening their appreciation for the wildlife in our local area.