Sierra Nevada Journeys Joins The Alternative Field Study Group to Support Students During Distance Learning

Sierra Nevada Journeys partnered with Great Basin Institute, Great Basin Outdoor School and Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation create free virtual STEM lessons that support students and teachers with distance learning.

The Alternative Field Study Committee (AFSC) is a group of environmental organizations local to the Reno, Nevada metropolitan-area, who are committed to supporting environmental education opportunities for K-12th grade students. This committee has banded together to create programs that are catered to meet the unique new educational constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources are free, and designed with teachers in mind, to support both their distance and in-classroom learners with little-to-no amendments needed. Programs follow Next Generation Science and Common Core standards. Though these programs are designed for teachers and students in the public school system, they are also great resources for homeschool families, private school teachers, and youth-education programs. Each program comes with three resources: a pre-lesson component (educational video, PowerPoint, story, or activity that orients the learner to the concepts), the lesson itself, and a post-lesson component (which serves as a homework assignment or cool-down activity to wrap-up student learning and assist in measuring student comprehension).

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Elementary lessons include:
Animal Adaptations
Reptiles of Nevada
Out of this World – Lunar Phases
Snow Science
Metamorphosis
Hydrology
Birds and Their Adaptations
The Flow of Energy Through an Ecosystem
Leaves and Photosynthesis

Sierra Nevada Journeys Raises $5.5 Million and Purchases Grizzly Creek Ranch

Sierra Nevada Journeys announces the purchase of the 515-acre camp, Grizzly Creek Ranch, securing a permanent home for inspiring and serving youth in this region. For the past 12 years, Sierra Nevada Journeys, an outdoor science education nonprofit, has been helping more than 190,000 youth explore nature through science and fuel their own special connections with the natural world. Most of the students that participate in Sierra Nevada Journeys’ programs come from high-need communities across Northern Nevada and Northern California.

“We are deeply grateful to our donors, program partners, volunteers and employees for investing in our mission and the youth we serve,” says Eaton Dunkelberger, CEO Sierra Nevada Journeys. “We raised $5.57 million with the generous support of our dedicated 56 donors.” 

“Through all the ups and downs of 2020, we have stayed focused on our mission by helping to meet the extraordinary needs of our community, teachers and students. This year, Sierra Nevada Journeys was able to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic and still deliver support and respite to those who needed it most. For example, 50 percent of the participants at Family Camp this past fall were scholarship families who were at risk of experiencing more isolation than other families during COVID. We actively worked with community partners like the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and Amplify Life to provide families with safe outdoor activities that build support, confidence and new skills to bounce back from life’s challenges,” added Dunkelberger.

Grizzly Creek Ranch has a unique ecosystem creating the ideal setting for using the outdoors as the classroom. Located on Big Grizzly Creek, the watershed, including a ¾-acre pond and its surrounding vegetation, is home to more than 100 bird species. “We chose to support Sierra Nevada Journeys’ endeavor to purchase the camp as they will preserve Grizzly Creek Ranch for its best and highest use. Using the exceptional land and water resources at Grizzly Creek Ranch as their outdoor classroom, they will be providing youth, especially those from disadvantaged communities, the opportunity to become the next generation of environmental scientists and land stewards,” says Lynn Campbell, North Central Area Representative, Sierra Nevada Conservancy (Ret.).

 To learn more about the purchase of Grizzly Creek Ranch go to sierranevadajourneys.org/aha.

Thank you to our donors who supported Sierra Nevada Journeys and the purchase of Grizzly Creek Ranch.

About Grizzly Creek Ranch

In addition to the 515 acres of land, there are 26 buildings at camp with a lodge, 16 cabins, four yurts, an administration building, two outdoor amphitheaters and an outdoor pool. Located 50 minutes north of Reno and 2 hours east of Sacramento, in Plumas National Forest, its facilities are modern and can accommodate 240 campers.

 Grizzly Creek Ranch was originally built in 2003 by Sierra Health Foundation — a private philanthropy investing in partnerships and programs that improve health and quality of life — as a camp for youth with disabilities. In 2010, Sierra Health Foundation partnered with Sierra Nevada Journeys to launch experiential education at Grizzly Creek Ranch. For the past 10 years, Sierra Nevada Journeys has been operating Grizzly Creek Ranch, bringing fifth and sixth graders to camp for outdoor school, and hosting a variety of community partners for leadership and youth development programs.

Five Helpful Tips to Navigate Distance Learning

Whether your child is on distance learning or a hybrid model, we have some helpful tips to make the school days run smoother for you and your family. This 5:25-minute video uses some of the best practices found in Sierra Nevada Journeys’ programs such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and taking small nature breaks outdoors.

We’d like to hear from you. Share with us your tips for supporting your student during distance learning.

Sarah Brown Wessling is a National Board Certified Teacher, 2010 National Teacher of the Year, and mother of three who teaches high school English Language Arts in Johnston, Iowa.

Source: Prezi in the Classroom

Summer Camp Music Playlists on Spotify

Patrick, an Instructor at Sierra Nevada Journeys has created a Spotify playlist of his favorite camp dance songs to get you moving this summer.

Link to Camp Dance Playlist

Summer Camp is one of his favorite times of the year; you’ll find Patrick playing Capture the Flag or hanging out at the pool during his free time. One thing he misses about Summer Camp is the legendary dance jams. This playlist is guaranteed to get you on your feet and moving and grooving with your family and friends.

Here is a link to the playlist on Spotify for you to enjoy with the people you love: Sierra Nevada Journeys Camp Dance Playlist. You’ll five more than 50 songs and 3.5 hours of music.

He has also created a playlist of favorite songs to listen to while you hang out and chill. Whether you are sitting by the pool, going on a walk, or just having a relaxing Sunday at home, this playlist is perfect to just sit back and enjoy. Here is the link to the playlist on Spotify: Sierra Nevada Journeys Hangout Playlist.

More than 30 songs and 2 hours of music have been hand-picked by Patrick for your listening.

Link to Summer Camp Vibe Playlist

Grow Outside is a Toolkit on Social Emotional Learning Best Practices for Outdoor Schools Across the U.S.

For nearly two years, Sierra Nevada Journeys’ education leaders, Jen Kopnicky and Sean Hill, have been collaborating with a dozen of the top outdoor education nonprofits from around the country. Together, they have developed a framework and tools for identifying, communicating, teaching and leading Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through outdoor education. 

The result of the collaboration is the launch of Grow Outside: A Social Emotional Learning Toolkit for Residential Environmental Learning Centers. This website is the result of a two-year-long partnership of residential environmental learning centers, convened by NatureBridge and Sierra Nevada Journeys, to develop common language and tools for the field of environmental education. The need for the skills strengthened by social and emotional learning — empathy, respect for differences, communication skills — has been even more pronounced. “We hope the Toolkit will help outdoor schools across the country identify, grow and communicate those core social emotional indicators that are embedded in our program design, delivery and outdoor context, so that we position ourselves as a support system for SEL to our schools and districts.  These days, growing kids takes many villages!” said Hill. You can access the toolkit here. 

The Impact of COVID-19 on Outdoor Schools

As the team entered their final stages of preparing Grow-Outside.org, COVID-19 has overtaken everyone’s lives. Many outdoor schools have been severely impacted, and unfortunately, programs cannot happen as they normally would with kids traveling by bus, staying in cabins and working on teambuilding. School district budget cuts, travel restrictions and social distancing have halted outdoor residential programs, like at Sierra Nevada Journeys, across the US.  

However, the SEL lessons are now more important than ever before. Students need to continue building connections with each other and with nature.

What This Means for Teachers and Students in Northern Nevada and California.

Each year 3,500 students from Northern Nevada and California typically attend Overnight Outdoor Learning. Additionally, more than 100 teachers attend an annual workshop at Grizzly Creek Ranch where we “teach the teacher” on SEL and outdoor science. Nationally, roughly two million youth spend multiple days sleeping away from home, sharing meals with classmates, and learning in outdoor settings like Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Grizzly Creek Ranch — the ideal outdoor setting for supporting student growth in SEL. However, with social distancing, school budget cuts and travel restrictions, outdoor schools are now at a standstill.

How to Support STEM Education and Sierra Nevada Journeys During COVID-19?

1. Hire our educators for day programs at your school. Classrooms Unleashed, grade-level STEM lessons, are available via a combination of live webinars, videos and online lessons.

2. Encourage your school, PFA or community organization to host a Virtual Family STEM Night. For schools, this virtual event is a great way to get families engaged. Also, it can replace in-person events that may have been impacted by gathering restrictions.

3. Consider donating to STEM education and Sierra Nevada Journeys to deliver these valuable programs through online, webinars and virtual events.

Social Emotional Learning. What Is It and Why Is It Important?

If you have a school-age child, you may have heard about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through your school or their teachers as the term has gained popularity in formal education. Additionally, it has been an integral component of learning at residential environmental education centers (outdoor schools) like Sierra Nevada Journeys outdoor program at Grizzly Creek Ranch.

Our Overnight Outdoor Learning program has been an extension of regular classroom programs with schools. Held at the beautiful Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola, California, Overnight Outdoor Learning is designed for fifth- and sixth-grade students and includes STEM, teambuilding, and SEL components. When students attend the 3-to-5-day program, we use the outdoors as their classroom and they learn using experiential, hands-on approaches. They are encouraged to use critical thinking by asking questions, making observations and conducting investigations.

One of the key components of Overnight Outdoor Learning is SEL defined as,

“The process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”

- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Why is SEL important?

SEL provides a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.

Research shows that SEL not only improves achievement by an average of 11 percentile points, but it also increases prosocial behaviors (such as kindness, sharing and empathy), improves student attitudes toward school, and reduces depression and stress among students (Durlak et al., 2011).

During the coronavirus pandemic, many youth may be experiencing stress and anxiety. They may feel disconnected from others due to quarantine and schools being closed. The need for SEL is rising due to these circumstances.

Ask your school about SEL programs that they may offer. Since 2012, Washoe County School District has been using SEL strategies as a way to increase graduation rates.

Through Washoe County School District’s Parent University, you’ll find regularly scheduled SEL courses to help parents engage in SEL practices, such as College and Career Success and Building Resiliency in Children.

Sacramento City Unified School District’s SEL at home is a great place for parents to learn SEL principles that they can do with their children. They include:

1.      Focus on strengths.
2.      Follow up with a consequence for misbehavior.
3.      Ask children how they feel.
4.      Find ways to stay calm when angry.
5.      Avoid humiliation or mocking your child.
6.      Be willing to apologize.
7.      Give children choices and respect their wishes.
8.      Ask questions that help children solve problems on their own.
9.      Encourage sharing and helping

Learn more about Sierra Nevada Journeys’ education model and STEM programs that incorporate SEL principles.

"This or That" Summer Camp Game

“This or That” game asks you to choose between two related options. It’s that simple! The downloadable graphic can get you started and uses items unique to Grizzly Creek Ranch and Sierra Nevada Journeys Summer Camp.

The game is a fun icebreaker or at family gatherings; it works with any group size and doesn’t require any special equipment or preparation other than your creative thinking skills. “This or That” can be played at camp, in the car on a road trip or any time you feel like taking a mental break and having a few laughs.

Share which ones you choose from the graphic below by adding your comments at the bottom of this story. Or, list which questions we should add to the game.

If you’re looking for other question ideas, visit IceBreakerIdeas.com to find an online version. It compares your response with thousands of other people who have already answered the question.

Download “This or That” Graphic

Take a Tour of Grizzly Creek Ranch (Video)

If you've never been to Grizzly Creek Ranch, then take a look at this video to get a first-hand tour. Our past summer campers are familiar with all the great things to do at camp and this fall, you too can experience Grizzly Creek Ranch through Family Camps. We look forward to Summer Camp 2021.

The American River Parkway in Sacramento

I’ve always loved running as a way to stay active, but with the recent quarantine, more than ever, it’s been essential to my well-being.

My family is lucky to live a couple of miles from the American River Parkway. The Parkway includes more than 30 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, and many bike paths that stretch through 4,800-acres of natural resources in Sacramento County, California. It has more than a dozen access points including William B. Pond and River Bend Park which are two of our field day locations for Classrooms Unleashed.

Recently, we made it a point to drive to the river in the late afternoon or early evening each day. Sometimes we go for a walk as a family, exploring side trails and skipping rocks. Other days, we split up, so that our teenager can get some alone time, and I can get my run in while immersing myself into a podcast. I feel like I’m getting to know the river better — its plant and animal inhabitants and its visitors. Each spring, the redbud trees are in bloom, and the trails are lined with mugwort, vetch, and wild radish. It’s a beautiful place to visit and explore.

Is there a park or nature area where you live that you like to visit? If so, make a plan for an outing with your family this week. See how many different kinds of plants, trees, and wildlife you can find.

For maps and more detailed information about the Lower American River, visit the American River Parkway Foundation.

By Sarah Barnes, Sacramento Program Director

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Mugwort

About the Vegetation

California mugwort ‘Artemisia douglasiana’ is a western North American species of aromatic herb in the sunflower family. Native Americans used it as a medicinal plant to relieve joint pain and headaches and to treat abrasions and rashes.

Eastern redbud ‘Cercis canadensis’ is a large deciduous shrub or small tree that has a cluster of tiny magenta budges and rosy pink flowers in early spring.

Redbud

Vetch ‘Vivica’ is comprised of several species of plants in the pea family. Like other legumes, they add enriching nitrogen to the soil.

Wild radish ‘Raphanus sativus’ This exotic biennial (takes two years to complete its biological life cycle) of the Mustard Family is from southern Asia and can reach 3 feet in height and has a taproot somewhat like that of a radish with a distinctive radish odor and taste.

Vetch

Wild radish

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Photo Source: pixaby.com; vetch; mugwort; wild radish; and redbud.

Exploring Outdoors at Oxbow Nature Observation Area in Reno

There are many wonderful places to visit in the Reno/Sparks area where you can get outdoors and learn about nature. One of our favorite locations is the Oxbow Nature Observation Area, 3100 Dickerson Road, Reno, Nevada. Located just west of downtown Reno, Oxbow is one of our field sites for Classrooms Unleashed.

In a 1-hour visit, you’ll be able to see some amazing wildlife and enjoy the fresh air safely and at a distance from other guests. It is a 0.8-mile trail loop within 22-acres of nature study area. Also, it’s good for all skill levels and accessible year-round.

The park is open daily from 8 am until sundown; it is best to visit the park early in the day to avoid crowds. Please note there are no dogs allowed, and it is easy to access with plenty of on-site parking. As you start the trail, take note of the signs at the trailhead as they explain why the park is called Oxbow and some of the wildlife you might see.

Picnic area located at the end of the trail.

As you travel down the trail, you will quickly come to a fork in the road that gives you three options: left toward the main trail; right toward a nice observation of the oxbow — a U-shaped curve in the Truckee River; or up, which leads you to an observation deck. We recommend that you start with the trail leading “up” as it gives you a bird’s eye view of the park. Speaking of birds, Oxbow is a wonderful place to go for bird observation. This year alone, 76 different species of birds have been observed at the park, making it a great destination to be introduced to animal observation. You might also see a wide variety of squirrels, snakes, and even deer.

After the stop at the observation deck, you will pass by the Truckee River, a great place to make even more observations! The rest of the trail is linear and should be easy for you to navigate. You will know you have reached the end of the trail when you reach the picnic area (see photo), which is a great place to sit down, eat a snack, and enjoy the nature around you.

Take a moment at the picnic area to sit still for a moment and see what you can observe. On your way back to the parking area, make sure to stop by the small deck by the river as it boasts a beautiful and expansive view.