"Remember the fun we had here

And all that you can do;

Remember the friends we made here

And that the Earth depends on you."

~from StorySongs presentation

Students at spring Tahoe science camps wrote:

The best thing about Great Basin Outdoor School is I got to learn new science and make new friends. . .you get to learn more about nature . . . learning new games and using teamwork to win.

The most important thing I learned is: how to protect the watershed . . . to respect nature . . . not to waste water. . . learning ways to keep Lake Tahoe clean. . . teamwork.

The most interesting thing I learned about myself is: I like the outdoors . . . I love the woods . . . I love hiking . . . I like astronomy . . . you can play stuff outside instead of inside . . . I am important.

Summer Fun at Adventure Day Camp!

Hurry for limited openings the last three weeks of June and the last three weeks of July for 6-12-year-olds. We'll be at the River School Farm in Reno near Mayberry Park doing nature-based activities and crafts, hiking, and learning fascinating science topics from guest presenters.

See details and register here!

Earn recertification hours at Tahoe learning standards-based activities linking all subjects to nature and our watershed. Your school-age children can join us for nature activities too.

9 AM at Spooner Lake and afternoon on the shore of Tahoe at Camp Galilee until 4

Save your spot now right here

Tadpole Hunt at Rancho San Rafael June 14

Let's enjoy the interpretive trail and have fun catching and releasing some tadpoles! We'll meet near the ball field and Basque monument at 10:00. Prepare with sunscreen, water, snacks, etc., and we'll have an easy family hike for all ages until noon. 

Register here and please consider donating to keep our hikes going.

Click here for a video from FreeSchool showing a frog's life cycle.

Summer hike sneak preview: We'll go to Tahoe Meadows July 12 and to Spooner Lake August 9 with our friends from Gear Hut. Please remember to donate your used mountain sportswear and gear for them to sell to benefit Great Basin Outdoor School programs for kids.

S T E A M =

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math

Can you suggest any wonderful guest presenters to support our Adventure Day Camp STEAM learning activities with 45-minute presentations for 6-12-year-olds? Maybe it's YOU!

Please let Kit know.

Day camp is filling and some sessions have waiting lists, but we have plenty of openings for adults who want to add to the fun. Pictured below are Mark Vollmer and Jim Eaglesmith of StorySongs sharing their unique combination of geology, photography, music, and more.

Teach With Us This Fall

September and October could not be more beautiful on the shore of Lake Tahoe and at Galena Creek, Spooner Lake and the River School Farm, and we're hiring for this fun and varied season. If you're great with kids and love the outdoors, we provide paid training and good work experience. Please think, recommend, and share with colleagues who would be a good fit.

See and share more on our website now.

Snapshot Day is an annual citizen science event testing and documenting the health of our Truckee River watershed. Fourth and fifth graders learned to use water quality tests, did Project WET activities, and wrote water haikus last month.

Dip netting for aquatic macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality is always a highlight at Snapshot Day and our life science outings. Thanks to the Truckee River Fund for support and to board member Jerry Wager for sharing science expertise.

Plan Now for Next School Year

Work with Executive Director Emily on the perfect trip for your students for next school year. Plan ahead to get school bus ordered and parent cabin leaders background checked in time. Reserve now for fall and winter overnight and day science trips. Schools get "first dibs" on "their week" for the following year and build traditions.

Start your new school year with a science day trip to Galena Creek or Spooner Lake and focus on life science including dip netting for aquatic invertebrates.

Introduce your students to snowshoeing and snow science in January or February.

Activities support

Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science.

Slime Party Sneak Preview

Mark your calendars now for a fun new treat--a Slime Party next month July 19. We've been invited to partner with the local Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for this family-oriented FUNdraiser. We'll share details and registration link in next month's newsletter.

Thanks for caring and sharing so more kids can have life-changing outdoor experiences.

or mail checks to:

Great Basin Outdoor School, 1000 Bible Way #53, Reno, NV 89502.

Happy Camping this Summer!

Please see Smokey Bear's fire safety tips here and be super-careful with your campfires. Don't even think about leaving any coals when you go to bed or leave your campsite. Your firepit must be cool enough to touch comfortably.

Please share these opportunities.

Forward to colleagues who care about kids and our Earth.

See more on our website and our Facebook page.

GREAT BASIN OUTDOOR SCHOOL

1000 Bible Way #53 - Reno, NV 89502

775-324-0936

Emily Baldwin, Executive Director

Kit Huntington, Day Camp Director

Derik Knak, Development Coordinator

Sue Jacox, Board President