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Discover. Experience. Connect.

GIVE

Discover. Experience. Connect.

GIVE

EDUCATION

Meet Your Backyard (MYB)

To foster stewardship of the outdoors, Get Outdoors Nevada seeks to create environmental literacy. This is an individual's understanding, skills, and motivation to make responsible decisions that considers his or her relationships with natural systems, communities, and future generations.

We strive to provide student learners with:

  • An increased understanding of the unique aspects of Nevada's outdoor landscapes.
  • Engaging, exciting programs that enrich children’s lives by providing experiential learning opportunities.
  • Sound scientific information that inspires a lifelong respect for the outdoors.
  • Skills for critical thinking and strategic problem solving.

In creating our programs, we have been committed to ensuring they are sustainable. Therefore, we’ve grown our programs incrementally, allowing us to support community needs while ensuring long-term viability of out numerous initiatives.

Water in the DesertField Trip

Mojave Yucca

Meet Your Mojave (MYM)

Meet Your Mojave (MYM) is an interpretive curriculum that increases knowledge about habitats and natural resources.

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Beetle

MYM Outdoor Classrooms

MYM Outdoor Classroom programs and field trips help youth discover and experience nature.

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Outdoor Classroom

MYM Micro Grants

MYM Micro Grants connect youth to the outdoors by providing field trip transportation grants to schools & community organizations.

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Kids - outdoor learning

MYM Recipients

Get Outdoors Nevada receives requests to deliver these programs to many organizations in the community!

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Kid curiousity

NGSS Program

Get Outdoors Nevada delivers Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) programs to help CCSD schools increase science proficiency through outdoor experiences.

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Get Outdoors Nevada - Schoolyard Habitat

Schoolyard Habitat

Restore Your Backyard (RYB) creates and protects the native habitats for local wildlife in urban locations.

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Mojave Max

Mojave Max

Get Outdoors Nevada partnered with the Desert Conservation Program to deliver the Mojave Max Education Program.

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Interns appreciate the outdoors

Internship Program

Get Outdoors Nevada offers Internships to introduce participants to outdoor work and careers.

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Meet Your Mojave! (MYM)

MYM is an interpretive curriculum that increases knowledge about natural resources. With a focus on habitats, land and water use, outdoor recreation, and other natural resources, this program addresses the value of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) education for youth through outdoor classroom education.

MYM Outdoor Classrooms

MYM Outdoor Classroom Program

This program address Nevada’s need for an outdoor science education program by providing a S.T.E.A.M. curriculum, transportation, program supplies, and logistic support to schools and community organizations.

Destinations include:

  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area
  • Desert National Wildlife Refuge
  • Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
  • Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
  • Clark County Wetlands Park
  • Other regional parks and trails

MYM Micro Grants

Micro Grants

Get Outdoors Nevada provides “micro grants” funds to support transportation to outdoor classroom learning experiences for at-risk youth and school groups to parks and public lands. Thank you NV Energy for sustained funding of this program!

GON Impact Since 2012

  • Directly connected 102,043 urban children to Nevada’s outdoor classrooms—parks and trails— through programming and field experiences.
  • Delivered 1449 education programs for youth.
  • Provided transportation funding for 411 youth group field trips.

MYM Qualifying Organizations

  • Clark County School District and Charter Schools
  • Community organizations
  • Fellow nonprofits

MYM Micro Grant Recipients & Participants

Addeliar Gulf / Eva Wolfe Elementary Schools
After School All Stars - Lifetime Adventures
Aldeane Ries ES
Allen Elementary School
American Prepatory Academy
Andre Agassi College Prep
Arbor View HS
Arturo Cambeiro ES
Bailey Middle School
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Blue Diamond ES
Boys and Girls Clubs - Desert Pines
Boys and Girls Clubs - Downtown
Boys and Girls Clubs - Engelstad
Boys and Girls Clubs - Gaughan
Boys and Girls Clubs - Kish
Boys and Girls Clubs - Lied
Brown MS
Camp Cartwheel
Children's Discovery Museum
Children's Heart Center
Clark County
Clark County Gang Prevention
Club Christ
Colorfully Candid Paradigm
CP Squires ES
CT Sewell ES
Dean Allen ES

Derfelt ES
Desert Pines High School
Desert Rose Adult High School
Detwiler ES
Doris Reed ES
East Career Technical Academy
Elanie Wynn Elementary School
Eldorado HS
Elise L. Wolff Elementary
Estes McDoniel ES
Explore Knowledge Academy
Families in Nature
Fay Galloway Elementary School
Frias Elementary School
Gene Ward Elementary
Gilbert Magnet School
Gordon McCaw ES
Goynes ES
Grant M. Bowler Elementary School
Green Our Planet (Gibson MS)
Harmon ES
Harry Reid Elementary School
Helen Herr ES
Helen Marie Smith ES
Helldorado Farm Days
Hummel ES
I Have A Dream Foundation
Jack Dailey Elementary School

Jay Jeffers Elementary School
Jim Bridger Middle School
Jr. Master Gardeners Program - UNCE
K.O. Knudson MS
Kit Carson International Academy
Las Vegas High School
Las Vegas HS PAL Program
Las Vegas HS PAL Program
Leaders in Training
Liberty High School
Mater Academy of Nevada
Moapa Valley High School
Mohave Accelerated Learning Center
Monaco Middle School
Mountain View Elementary School
Myrtle Tate ES (Communities in Schools)
Nate Mack Elementary School
National Park Service
Nevada Learning Academy
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth
Northwest Career and Technical Academy
NPS Centennial veterans group
Paul Culley Empowerment School
Pincrest Academy-Inspirada
Rainbow Dreams Academy
Robert Lake ES
Robert Lunt Elementary School
Robert Taylor ES

Ruby Duncan ES
Sandy Searles Miller Academy
Saville MS
Schofield MS
Shadow Ridge High School
Silverado High School
Sothern Nevada Water Authority
Southern Nevada Trails Day
Southern Paiute Cultural Exchange
Spring Valley HS
Tarkanian Middle School
The Embracing Project
Tom Williams ES
Triggs ES
Twin Lakes Elementary School
Ulis Newton ES
US Fish & Wildlife Service
US Forest Service
Ute Perkins ES
Walter Bracken STEAM Academy
West Career and Technical Academy
Whitney ES
Winchester Cultural Center
YMCA Centennial Hills
YMCA Durango Hills
YMCA Heinrich
YMCA Skyview

NGSS Program

Explore Your Backyard (EYB)

Next Generation Science Standard Program

Get Outdoors Nevada (GON) is pleased to offer Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS)-aligned science modules for K-5 during the school year!

Each module consists of three classroom programs and one associated field trip.  GON will send a trained science educator to your classroom to instruct all programs and lead the field trip.  GON will supply all staff, materials, as well as, coordinate bus transportation to your school. There is no cost for qualifying schools.

Each NGSS module is related to Life or Earth Sciences.  Activities are 3-Dimensional -  using Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, as well as Crosscutting Concepts to achieve a specific grade level performance expectation and engage various learning styles.

Modules are meant to be completed by an entire Elementary School grade level in approximately two weeks.

“This is a terrific opportunity to give students educational experiences that support topics we teach in class.”—Dean Allen ES Teacher 

According to the Education Week Quality Counts 2017 report card, Nevada schools are ranked worst in the nation – 50th out of 50. In Southern Nevada, only 58.6% of 5th graders are proficient in science.

Because of this, in 2017 Get Outdoors Nevada (GON) implemented Next Generation Science Standards STEAM Modules in the Clark County School District.  Developed with CCSD Science Teachers to meet new science standards, and lead by an GON Certified Interpretive Guide, each module is a dynamic unit of three classroom programs and a related field trip.  All supplies, materials, transportation, logistics, and staff for these science units are provided by Get Outdoors Nevada.

Grade Program Field Trip Product
K Birds and Nests Wetlands Park Bird Nest Model
1st Biomimicry Springs Preserve Animal Adaptation Model
2nd Seed Movement Lake Mead NRA Desert Seed Model
3rd Flood Control Plans Wetlands Park Flood Control Plan
4th Landforms and Erosion Lake Mead NRA Erosion Map
5th Food Webs Lake Mead NRA Habitat Specific Food Web

GON is improving student interest and attitudes about science, helping CCSD schools increase science proficiency, and encouraging personal responsibility towards our outdoor places. Program success and outcomes are measured through teacher evaluations tied to a professional logic model.

This is the only program in Southern Nevada that combines standards based classroom programs with real world experiences. Demand for the program greatly outstrips current resources. In 2018, 94 schools applied for programs, and GON is currently only able to provide programs to only 8 schools.  We thank Barrick for their recent grant in support of our 2018-2019 school year!

100% of surveyed teachers participating in GON programs feel that "Outdoor places help my students learn more effectively."

Schoolyard Habitat

Get Outdoors Nevada - Schoolyard HabitatBuilding upon the Schoolyard Habitat project guide designed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), our Restore Your Backyard program engages school children and community organizations to work together to rehabilitate natural spaces to their original ecological conditions. With assistance and tools provided by Get Outdoors Nevada’s education department, school grounds are transformed into beautiful Mojave Desert spaces that serve as outdoor classrooms and laboratories.

What is the Schoolyard Habitat Program?

Schoolyard Habitat provides a knowledgebase on fostering naturalized habitat areas that are created hands-on by students, for students. It is ecologically sound and integrates with overarching school curricula including, but not limited to, English, science, mathematics, history, geography, social studies, and art. Further, the interdisciplinary program is designed to cultivate a commitment to long-term environmental stewardship in students.

Typical projects created in Clark County include native Mojave Desert habitats that benefit migratory birds, pollinators such as the Monarch butterfly, and desert tortoises. In other areas of Nevada, the program sites can range from riparian to coniferous forest habitats.

It is Get Outdoors Nevada’s goal to increase the number of school and community participants statewide. Please contact Cheresa Taing, Program Coordinator at ctaing@getoutdoorsnevada.org or call (702) 997-3350 to learn more about bringing Restore Your Backyard and the Schoolyard Habitat program to your school.

Mojave Max

In partnership with the Clark County Desert Conservation Program, Springs Preserve, and the Clark County School District, Get Outdoors Nevada is proud to be a part of the Mojave Max team and deliver programming directly to schools so that everyone can learn how to keep the Mojave Desert safe!

Students explore Mojave Desert weather, Desert Tortoise biology, and the importance of conservation in each educational assembly or classroom Tortoise Talk. Ultimately, each of these topics gives them useful information they can each use to win the Mojave Max Emergence contest by guessing the date and time Mojave Max will emerge from his burrow for the first time each Spring.

For more information on which schools are participating and when, please contact Aaron Leifheit at aleifheit@getoutdoorsnevada.org or call (702) 997-3350.

Internship Program

Throughout the year, Get Outdoors Nevada high school and college students interested in their community and various science-related fields.  Several positions are often available and serve as an avenue for: improving communication and public speaking, professional networking, and resume building.

Working closely with our partners, we are also able to provide work experience and in-the-field training.  The Get Outdoors Nevada Internship program allows our next generation of stewards to find their best career fit!

For more information, please contact Shelly Kopinski, Education Program Manager at skopinski@getoutdoorsnevada.org or call (702) 997-3350.

Community Organizations/Fellow Non-Profits

Clark County School District and Charter Schools

  • West Tech Academy
  • Las Vegas HS
  • Elise Wolff ES
  • Myrtle Tate ES
  • Sandy Searles ES
  • Robert Lunt ES
  • Arbor View HS
  • Saville MS
  • Robert Lake ES
  • Derfelt ES
  • Doris Reed ES
  • Nevada Learning Academy
  • Schofield MS
  • Grant Bowler ES
  • Brown MS
  • Ruby Duncan ES
  • Dean Allen ES
  • Mater Academy of Nevada
  • Moapa Valley HS
  • East Career and Technical Academy
  • Frias ES
  • American Prep Academy
  • Kit Carson International Academy
  • Tarkanian MS
  • Tom Williams ES
  • Jack Dailey ES
  • Goynes ES
  • Jim Bridger MS
  • Harmon ES
  • Ute Perkins ES
  • Paul Culley Empowerment School
  • Bailey MS
  • Northwest Career and Technical Academy
  • Silverado HS
  • Jay Jeffers ES
  • Explore Knowledge Academy
  • Nate Mack ES
  • Desert Rose Adult HS
  • McMillan ES
  • Rainbow Dreams Academy
  • Twin Lakes ES
  • Shadow Ridge HS
  • Harry Reid ES
  • Elaine Wynn ES
  • Monaco MS
  • Mountain View ES
  • Sandy Miller Academy
  • Fay Galloway ES
  • Walter Bracken STEAM Academy

Community Organizations/Fellow Non-Profits

  • Green Our Planet
  • Southern Paiute Cultural Exchange
  • Southern Nevada Water Authority
  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters
  • Clark County Gang Prevention
  • Children’s Discovery Museum
  • The Embracing Project
  • Afterschool Allstars - Lifetime Adventures
  • YMCA - Bill & Lillie Heinrich
  • YMCA - Durango Hills Community Center
  • YMCA - Centennial Hills Community Center
  • YMCA - SkyView Multi-generational Center
  • Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of Southern Nevada - Desert Pines Clubhouse
  • BGC - Gaughan Clubhouse
  • BGC - Englestad Clubhouse
  • BGC - Lied Clubhouse
  • BGC - Downtown Clubhouse
  • BGC - James Clubhouse
  • BGC - Kish Clubhouse
  • Nevada Partnership of Homeless Youth
  • Helldorado Farm Days
  • Childhood Cancer Foundation - Camp Cartwheel
  • I Have a Dream Foundation (Core Academy)
  • Children’s Heart Center of NV
  • Southern Nevada Agency Partnership
  • Child Focus
  • Communities in Schools
  • University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
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