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.
April 7th - 11th | Level Up for Health
From April 7th to 11th, Nevada Outdoor School was proud to support Level Up for Health, a weeklong educational event at Flagview Intermediate School focused on promoting health and wellness. AmeriCorps members helped assemble binders and supply boxes for teachers and students to use throughout the week and assisted with daily classroom activities. NOS team members helped introduce themed lessons such as Mindful Monday and Tasty Tuesday, which focused on mental and physical wellness through interactive discussions and engaging activities. On Monday, NOS connected with around 50 students during class and reached 615 students during a lively lunchtime session featuring freeze tag and a hula hoop chain game. At the end-of-week carnival, the NOS booth welcomed 115 students, offering a hands-on activity alongside information about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved with Nevada Outdoor School.
April 9th - 12th |Clark County Fair
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.
April 13th | NV Humanities Sensory Walk
Kim and AmeriCorps member Breanne, in collaboration with Nevada Humanities, GBC Humanities, and Fil Corbitt—an independent contractor who leads sensory walks across the state—participated in a sensory walk-through Water Canyon in Winnemucca.
Throughout the hike, the group paused at several points to receive guidance from Fil or Katie from GBC Humanities. During each stop, participants were invited to sit in silence and activate their senses of sight, smell, or hearing. After 3–5 minutes of quiet reflection, the group came together to share what they observed.
To conclude the walk, there was a discussion on the benefits of using nature as a tool for practicing mindfulness, staying grounded, and managing stress. All participants reported feeling more calm, present, and aware by the end of the experience.
April 18th | Sunshine Stroll
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.
April 18th | Bunny Hop Trek
On April 18th, Nevada Outdoor School hosted the Bunny Hop Trek, a fun and festive outdoor event designed to get community members outside and give kids a chance to enjoy an egg hunt in nature. Held along the scenic trail near Campsite 3 in Water Canyon, the event featured hidden eggs near the bench at the top of the trail. With support from NOS AmeriCorps members Beau and Breanne, and volunteer Sofia, the event ran smoothly and brought plenty of smiles. Thanks to a surprise school day off in Winnemucca, attendance was higher than expected, with 54 participants. The kids especially loved the Easter baskets, and the event was a great success filled with laughter, exploration, and springtime joy.
April 25th | Paracord Bracelet Making
April Elko NIMW
In April 2025, the Elko office of Nevada Outdoor School reached over 300 students across 16 classrooms in six schools, bringing hands-on, standards-based outdoor education to communities throughout rural Nevada. This spring, the Elko team launched a worm farm right in the office, creating a fun and interactive way to teach Kindergarteners about composting and soil health; an experience made even more engaging by the students' excitement in meeting our wiggly worm friends. In third grade classrooms, the lesson Whooo’s in the Pellet: A Feathery Investigation has been a huge hit. Students examined real owl pellets to uncover what owls eat, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm with reactions ranging from “gross!” to “cool!” as they learned about food chains and the role of owls in the ecosystem. NOS also adapted its Watershed Field Trip into a one-hour outdoor learning experience for second graders. Now the most requested lesson of the year, this new format has been embraced with enthusiasm and flexibility by local educators, and we are grateful for their ongoing partnership
April Winnemucca NIMW
April Winnemucca NIMW
April was a busy and exciting month for our team at Nevada Outdoor School! We wrapped up all of our spring lessons in every community we serve, including a full schedule at NIMW in Winnemucca. We engaged 145 K–4th grade students across 8 classes with hands-on lessons featuring artifacts, flowers, worms, and animal adaptations. It was a fun-filled month of curiosity, exploration, and learning about the natural world!
April Winnemucca Nature Journaling
Our final nature journaling lesson of the year in Winnemucca wrapped up in April, and what a meaningful way to close out the season! Students explored the birds of Nevada, learning to observe and identify different species while practicing their drawing skills. Teachers shared their appreciation for the lessons, and the kids especially loved sketching birds in their journals. It was a bittersweet goodbye, but we're proud to have reached 245 students across 13 different classes. What a fantastic way to finish the year!
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