December 8th | Volunteering at the VFW
On December 8th, Nevada Outdoor School's AmeriCorps outdoor educators volunteered at the VFW's 2nd Annual Charity Community Family Event, which saw remarkable growth from approximately 45 participants in its inaugural year to over 150 attendees this year. The festive event featured photos with Santa, train rides, a s’mores station, take-home cookie-making kits, and games with prizes, creating a joyful family experience. Volunteers included Challenge Academy cadets, and the celebration was enhanced by a performance from the high school choir, showcasing a strong sense of community and holiday spirit.
December 9th | Project Santa
Nevada Outdoor School successfully contributed to Project Santa one December 9th, dedicating three days to organizing and wrapping presents for over 430 children. On the first day, the team efficiently organized a significant number of gifts, allowing wrapping to begin the following day. By the end of their volunteer time, most of the presents were wrapped, and the workshop was transformed from a space filled with scattered toys to one with neatly stacked piles of wrapped gifts.
December 14th | Pioneer Christmas
On Saturday the 15th, Nevada Outdoor School joined the California Trail Interpretive Center for a festive Pioneer Christmas event that welcomed around 400 participants. The building was filled with fun activity stations, including snowflake making, clay ornament crafting, and sewing. Santa and Mrs. Claus delighted the children with a special story time, while a band performed with Pioneer-style instruments, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere. Guests enjoyed hot chocolate, apple cider, and s’mores at a cozy station by a warm open fire pit. To complete the experience, all staff and volunteers donned Pioneer-style outfits, fully embracing the Pioneer Christmas spirit.
December 16th | Frosty Yurt Hike
On December 16th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the Frosty Yurt Hike in Water Canyon, with five participants, including one child. Despite snowy and cold weather that prevented the group from reaching the yurt that is installed each winter, the hike was a success. All participants and members enjoyed the experience, making it a memorable outing even with the weather challenges.
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December 23rd | Frosty Face-Off
On December 23rd, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a family-friendly event at Elko City Park with about 30 attendees, including members of the United Cerebral Palsy community who had a fantastic time. The excellent weather set the stage for six "Frosty-themed" play stations, offering activities like hot cocoa, snowman crafts, chalk snowman drawing, frosty snowball throwing, a winter-themed NOX the FOX scavenger hunt, and reading mats with Christmas books. Parents and children played and created together, making it a memorable holiday experience for all.
December | Young Naturalist Club
Nevada Outdoor School had a successful month of December with its Young Naturalists programming. Despite moving indoors for one session due to weather, the lessons and activities remained a highlight of the week. Staff enjoyed planning and teaching the sessions, fostering connections with the children who regularly participate. Lessons included learning about animal tracks, skins, and skulls, as well as exploring how different animals have specialized teeth based on their diets. Looking ahead, Nevada Outdoor School is excited to expand the Young Naturalists program with the addition of Snow School.
December | Nature Journaling
December was an exciting month for nature journaling at Nevada Outdoor School, as we visited six schools across Pershing and Humboldt counties to deliver 20 engaging classes. Our reptile-themed lesson captivated K-4 students in Winnemucca and K-8 students in rural Humboldt County, providing hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world. Students learned how to observe and record nature as budding scientists, focusing on avoiding assumptions and fostering curiosity. Teachers expressed gratitude for our efforts, with one saying, “I’m so glad you come out.” Through nature journaling, we’ve deepened students’ connections to their environment while fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and respect for nature. This ongoing program continues to inspire a love for outdoor learning in Northern Nevada’s youth.
December | Elko NIMW
Nevada Outdoor School recently scheduled last-minute NIMW lessons, which included teaching their first pre-K lesson at Grammar #2. This was an exciting experience for everyone involved, as they entered the classroom unsure of what to expect. Upon arrival, the AmeriCorps members quickly realized the lesson needed to be adapted and shortened to engage the young learners. They incorporated singing and dancing, creating a lively and enjoyable session for the pre-K class. The teacher was so pleased with the experience that another lesson has already been scheduled. Additionally, Nevada Outdoor School conducted two lessons for the Ruby Valley homeschool group, teaching 17 students about artifacts and "The Incredible Journey.
December | Winnemucca NIMW
In December, Nevada Outdoor School brought the wonders of the water cycle to life for 42 second-grade students at Lovelock Elementary. Through an engaging role-play activity, students became water molecules, exploring the unpredictable paths water can take as it moves through the cycle. This interactive lesson helped students conceptualize the water cycle as a dynamic and variable process, deepening their understanding of water’s states and movements. By fostering critical thinking and environmental stewardship, this lesson made a lasting impact, connecting students to the natural world and their role within it.
On December 8th, Nevada Outdoor School's AmeriCorps outdoor educators volunteered at the VFW's 2nd Annual Charity Community Family Event, which saw remarkable growth from approximately 45 participants in its inaugural year to over 150 attendees this year. The festive event featured photos with Santa, train rides, a s’mores station, take-home cookie-making kits, and games with prizes, creating a joyful family experience. Volunteers included Challenge Academy cadets, and the celebration was enhanced by a performance from the high school choir, showcasing a strong sense of community and holiday spirit.
Nevada Outdoor School successfully contributed to Project Santa one December 9th, dedicating three days to organizing and wrapping presents for over 430 children. On the first day, the team efficiently organized a significant number of gifts, allowing wrapping to begin the following day. By the end of their volunteer time, most of the presents were wrapped, and the workshop was transformed from a space filled with scattered toys to one with neatly stacked piles of wrapped gifts.
December 14th | Pioneer Christmas
On Saturday the 15th, Nevada Outdoor School joined the California Trail Interpretive Center for a festive Pioneer Christmas event that welcomed around 400 participants. The building was filled with fun activity stations, including snowflake making, clay ornament crafting, and sewing. Santa and Mrs. Claus delighted the children with a special story time, while a band performed with Pioneer-style instruments, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere. Guests enjoyed hot chocolate, apple cider, and s’mores at a cozy station by a warm open fire pit. To complete the experience, all staff and volunteers donned Pioneer-style outfits, fully embracing the Pioneer Christmas spirit.
December 16th | Frosty Yurt Hike
On December 16th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the Frosty Yurt Hike in Water Canyon, with five participants, including one child. Despite snowy and cold weather that prevented the group from reaching the yurt that is installed each winter, the hike was a success. All participants and members enjoyed the experience, making it a memorable outing even with the weather challenges.
December 21st | Holiday Sweater Snowshoe Hike
On December 21st, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a holiday sweater snowshoe hike at the Talbot Trails in Lamoille with six participants. Despite the lack of snow, attendees had the chance to try on snowshoes and enjoy the perfect hiking weather. Along the trail, the group discovered a geocache duck, where they participated in the tradition of exchanging coins. After the hike, participants were treated to hot chocolate and s'mores. The event led to the discovery of a new s'mores song, which will be a fun addition to future s'mores activities and summer camps.
On December 21st, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a holiday sweater snowshoe hike at the Talbot Trails in Lamoille with six participants. Despite the lack of snow, attendees had the chance to try on snowshoes and enjoy the perfect hiking weather. Along the trail, the group discovered a geocache duck, where they participated in the tradition of exchanging coins. After the hike, participants were treated to hot chocolate and s'mores. The event led to the discovery of a new s'mores song, which will be a fun addition to future s'mores activities and summer camps.
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December 23rd | Frosty Face-Off
On December 23rd, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a family-friendly event at Elko City Park with about 30 attendees, including members of the United Cerebral Palsy community who had a fantastic time. The excellent weather set the stage for six "Frosty-themed" play stations, offering activities like hot cocoa, snowman crafts, chalk snowman drawing, frosty snowball throwing, a winter-themed NOX the FOX scavenger hunt, and reading mats with Christmas books. Parents and children played and created together, making it a memorable holiday experience for all.
December | Young Naturalist Club
Nevada Outdoor School had a successful month of December with its Young Naturalists programming. Despite moving indoors for one session due to weather, the lessons and activities remained a highlight of the week. Staff enjoyed planning and teaching the sessions, fostering connections with the children who regularly participate. Lessons included learning about animal tracks, skins, and skulls, as well as exploring how different animals have specialized teeth based on their diets. Looking ahead, Nevada Outdoor School is excited to expand the Young Naturalists program with the addition of Snow School.
December | Nature Journaling
December was an exciting month for nature journaling at Nevada Outdoor School, as we visited six schools across Pershing and Humboldt counties to deliver 20 engaging classes. Our reptile-themed lesson captivated K-4 students in Winnemucca and K-8 students in rural Humboldt County, providing hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world. Students learned how to observe and record nature as budding scientists, focusing on avoiding assumptions and fostering curiosity. Teachers expressed gratitude for our efforts, with one saying, “I’m so glad you come out.” Through nature journaling, we’ve deepened students’ connections to their environment while fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and respect for nature. This ongoing program continues to inspire a love for outdoor learning in Northern Nevada’s youth.
Nevada Outdoor School recently scheduled last-minute NIMW lessons, which included teaching their first pre-K lesson at Grammar #2. This was an exciting experience for everyone involved, as they entered the classroom unsure of what to expect. Upon arrival, the AmeriCorps members quickly realized the lesson needed to be adapted and shortened to engage the young learners. They incorporated singing and dancing, creating a lively and enjoyable session for the pre-K class. The teacher was so pleased with the experience that another lesson has already been scheduled. Additionally, Nevada Outdoor School conducted two lessons for the Ruby Valley homeschool group, teaching 17 students about artifacts and "The Incredible Journey.
December | Winnemucca NIMW
In December, Nevada Outdoor School brought the wonders of the water cycle to life for 42 second-grade students at Lovelock Elementary. Through an engaging role-play activity, students became water molecules, exploring the unpredictable paths water can take as it moves through the cycle. This interactive lesson helped students conceptualize the water cycle as a dynamic and variable process, deepening their understanding of water’s states and movements. By fostering critical thinking and environmental stewardship, this lesson made a lasting impact, connecting students to the natural world and their role within it.
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