We're so thankful for you

Your Help Makes the Difference

We are wrapping up another successful year sharing nature and STEM education with hundreds of local children in every season with your community support.

THANK YOU!

If you value connecting children with nature and helping them understand the science of our world, please continue your support to include more children in the new year.

THANKS for clicking here to share.

Or mail checks to our office at Great Basin Outdoor School,

1000 Bible Way #53, Reno, NV 89502.

Fall Color Family Hike at Thomas Creek Re-Cap

We love sharing local trails with families and never miss October at Thomas Creek for the colors. We turn STEM education to STEAM by adding "Art" to "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math" with kid-friendly aspen art as shown.

The kids also stopped by a table at the trailhead and had lots of questions for Paige from the Forest Service on the interesting artifacts she displayed such as rubber bear track replicas.

There's Snow on the Mountain!

Teachers & Homeschool Parents,

make sure your students stay active, safe, and learning about our Sierra snowpack this winter. Tahoe overnight winter ecology and snowshoe programs will be in late January and early February, and day Galena Creek snowshoe trips will run the rest of February.

Many science curriculum standards are supported during overnight multi-day programs and some during day snowshoe field trips. Click here to see examples.

These students are playing "Coyote & Rabbit", a predator/prey food chain game illustrating flow of energy and movement of matter.

To arrange the perfect trip for your group,

email Program Director Lauren,

complete our registration form here, and get your school bus reserved.

These dates are still available for booking:

Tahoe Winter Ecology & Snowshoe Overnights: Jan 25-27

Spooner Lake Day Snowshoe: Feb 8, 9, & 11

Galena Creek Day Snowshoe: Feb 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26

Tahoe Spring Overnight Science Camp: April 27-28

More Information & Registration Here

Day Snowshoe Trips

More Information & Registration Here

Love Winter & Kids?

Come teach with us! Follow up paid training at Tahoe with a chance to excite children about snow science, winter safety, winter ecology, and exploring our winter wonderland on snowshoes. Apply now! Send a cover letter, CV or resume, and the e-mail and phone number of three professional references to education@greatbasin-os.org.

Celebrating Sustainability Nov. 5 from 4-6 pm

We're also thankful for all efforts to promote sustainability for a greener, more eco-conscious world. The Golden Pinecone Sustainability Awards do just that by recognizing individuals, organizations, and businesses for their green practices. Great Basin Outdoor School was proud to be honored a few years ago, and now we salute this year's winners, especially our friends at Gear Hut.

Thanks to greenUP!, the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce, and Western Nevada College, you are invited to join us for a free happy hour celebration for award recipients on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 4-6 pm at the Chamber of Commerce, 4065 S. Virginia St., Ste. 100.

The event is free, but space is limited, so registration is encouraged at this link.

See press release including list of honorees here.

Family Hike at Galena Creek November 14

Bring the family from 10:00 to noon for an easy hike up Galena Creek and a cute Thanksgiving turkey craft for the kiddos.

Meet at the Galena Creek trailhead on Callahan Road with your water, snacks, and good walking shoes.

Enjoy a scenic riparian woodland hike.

Polite dogs on leashes are permitted.

End at Phillip & Annie Callahan Park with a playground for the kids.

Read the park's interesting history here.

Here's How Grandma Lived Green

Which practices will you try?

Resource Action for Green Living

During Adventure Day Camp our students volunteer collecting litter along the Truckee River each week. During Tahoe spring and fall science camps, students enjoy learning activities on sustainable living and feel proud to volunteer on projects to help keep Tahoe blue such as clearing drainage channels to reduce lake-clouding sediment from being washed into the lake.

Recycle Socks into Pumpkins

1. Cut a sock off at the heel mark.

2. Stuff the sock with pillow stuffing, leaving some space at the top.

3. Using about 3 arm’s-lengths of thin twine, twist the sock to close the top, then tie the gathered area shut with twine, leaving one end short, and the other end with the rest of the twine long.

4. Cut off the short end of the twine right to the edge of the fabric.

5. While pulling tight, loop the twine around the entire outside of the pumpkin bringing the twine back to the stem. You want a noticeable dent into the pumpkin from the twine.

6. Rotate the pumpkin slightly, then wrap again and twist, then wrap and twist two more times, taking care to space all 3 wrappings evenly when viewed from all sides.

7. Wind the remaining twine strands around the fabric at the top, until you achieve the stem length you desire, and secure stem with hot glue.

8. Detail the pumpkin by hot gluing real dried leaves onto each pumpkin, along with dried grapevine tendrils.

--Credit Funky Junk Interiors

Psychological Benefits of Green Spaces

A recent article from the American Psychiatric Association points to the health benefits of spending time outdoors in nature for reducing increased stressors faced by children and teens. A review published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing concluded that access to green space was associated with improved mental well-being and overall health. Additionally, the study found that access to green space promotes memory, supportive social groups, and self-discipline, moderates stress, and improves behaviors and symptoms of ADHD. Access to green spaces may be especially beneficial for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth.

Meet Your Planned Giving Goals

Make a Tax-Smart Impact Before December 31 with an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to our Endowment Fund.

As you plan your year-end charitable giving, you can support children, education, and the environment in northern Nevada while maximizing your tax benefits. If you are 70½ or older, an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows you to transfer funds directly from your IRA to a qualifying charity. A QCD is excluded from your taxable income and can satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year. Because custodians require processing time ahead of year-end deadlines, we recommend initiating your transfer well before December 31.

How to Direct Your QCD Gift

Simply instruct your IRA custodian or plan administrator to issue the distribution directly using the following information:

Field

Information for IRA Custodian

Payee / Legal Name

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada

Federal Tax ID (EIN)

88-0370179

Mailing Address

50 Washington Street, Suite 300, Reno, NV 89503

Check Memo / Designation

Great Basin Outdoor School Endowment Fund

Tip: Request that your custodian include your full name and mailing address with the check or transfer documentation so the Community Foundation can promptly send your tax acknowledgment.