What's New at NOS! March 2025

March was a busy and exciting month for Nevada Outdoor School, filled with a variety of engaging and educational programs across Northern Nevada. From hands-on outdoor skills workshops to historical tours and conservation projects, our team connected with hundreds of participants, fostering a deeper appreciation for outdoor recreation, safety, and stewardship. Whether teaching archery basics, promoting responsible OHV use, or inspiring young naturalists in the classroom, we remained committed to providing meaningful learning experiences. We are grateful for the enthusiasm of our participants, the support of our community partners, and the opportunity to continue our mission of getting people outside to learn, explore, and grow. Read on to learn more about the exciting activities that made March a memorable month!

March 1st | Beginner Archery Workshop

On March 1st, Nevada Outdoor School hosted an archery event at the Humboldt County Shooting Park, where 21 participants had the opportunity to learn basic archery skills, safety, and etiquette. Participants demonstrated great respect and curiosity, asking thoughtful questions throughout the session. After covering fundamental skills and safety protocols, everyone had the chance to practice shooting, refine their stances, and improve their aim. This hands-on experience provided a fun and educational environment, reinforcing the importance of safe and responsible outdoor recreation. Nevada Outdoor School appreciates the enthusiasm of all participants and looks forward to future archery events that inspire confidence and skill development in the outdoors.

March 7th | Trails Through Time

On March 7th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted a historical walking tour in downtown Elko, providing 13 participants with a unique and enriching experience in ideal weather conditions. The tour included exclusive access to both the interiors and exteriors of several historic venues, where knowledgeable representatives shared the historical significance of each building, including local family stories and Elko’s deep-rooted heritage. Many participants noted that while they had taken Elko tours before, they had never been able to explore the inside of these buildings or hear from multiple expert speakers, making this event particularly special. Highlights of the tour included a rare visit to the basement and vault of the historic Henderson Bank building and an insider’s look at the craftsmanship of JM Capriola’s renowned leatherwork. Special guest speaker D’ette from the Northeastern Nevada Museum provided historical insights along the route and shared early Elko photographs, offering a striking "before and after" perspective on the town’s development. Participants enjoyed food provided by McAdoo’s and snacks from Sugar y Spice, adding to the experience. Each venue partner expressed enthusiasm for the event and interest in future collaborations. Nevada Outdoor School extends its appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this historical exploration a success.

March 12th-13th | ECSD Stem Fair

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.

March 14th | Luck of the Toss

On March 14th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the Luck of the Toss event, setting up two adult-sized cornhole sets and one child-sized set. Although only one community member attended, they brought an amazing attitude, playing cornhole in the snow for two hours. While we were prepared with leprechaun traps and treasure pots filled with candy for kids, none showed up. Despite the low turnout, we embraced the opportunity to spend time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and friendly competition—especially as AmeriCorps Member, Beau was soundly defeated multiple times by our enthusiastic guest!

March 19th | Ride Safe, Ride Smart Class 1

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!

March 21st | Cub Scout Conservation Project

On March 21st, 23 Cub Scouts and their parents joined Nevada Outdoor School for a hands-on conservation project. The Scouts learned about the importance of conservation and how they can take action to protect the environment. Through an engaging lesson, they explored ways to recycle and reduce waste before putting their knowledge into practice with a cleanup effort at Spring Creek’s Marina. Their enthusiasm for keeping our environment clean was inspiring, and we are proud to support the next generation of environmental stewards!

March 29th-30th | Logandale Junior Ranger Day

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.

March 30th | Wilderness Warrior

The Wilderness Warrior Skills Workshop was a great success, with 25 participants attending the event. Two families traveled from Elko to take part in the experience. AmeriCorps Member Beau led the workshop, teaching knife safety, and by the end of the event, there were no injuries. Participants had the opportunity to unleash their creativity as they crafted impressive spears and traps, making the workshop both educational and engaging.

March | Elko Nature in My World

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.

March | Winnemucca Nature in My World

In March, Nevada Outdoor School brought the Nature In My World program to classrooms in Winnemucca, though we had fewer lessons than usual this month. We worked with kindergarten, third, and fourth-grade students, with third grade being the most popular. In these lessons, students explored the fascinating world of animal adaptations, discovering how different species survive and thrive in their environments. Teachers continued to express their enthusiasm for the program, appreciating the engaging and educational experiences it provides for their students.

March | Elko Young Naturalists Club

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.

March | Winnemucca Nature Journaling

In March, Nevada Outdoor School brought the Nature Journaling program to Winnemucca classrooms, featuring the engaging Sound Map lesson. Teachers shared that this was one of their favorite lessons, and students absolutely loved it, requesting that we continue offering it in the future. The activity sparked plenty of laughter and fun while also helping students recognize the importance of sound in the natural world. Through this experience, they discovered how tuning out other senses can heighten their awareness of sound, deepening their connection to their surroundings.