2016 Golden Pinecone Awards

On Nov. 1, 2016, Sierra Nevada Journeys was awarded nonprofit organization of the year during the Golden Pinecone Awards hosted by GREENevada. Dave Stockman, one of our long-time trustees and financial partners, welcomed Eaton Dunkelberger, our CEO, to the stage. It was an exciting moment for the organization as we are about to celebrate our 10-year anniversary in 2017. We are also expected to serve our 100,000th student next year.

Below was our nomination:

Sierra Nevada Journeys (SNJ) is a 501(c)(3) organization that uses the unique outdoor classrooms of the region to deliver robust outdoor science and collaborative problem solving education to promote long-term student achievement. They accomplish this through the Whole School Model, an outdoor education program that ensures the teachable moments inherent in outdoor education are extended both across the school year and through a student's elementary grade progression. SNJ's Whole School Model uses outdoor science education supported by in-school lessons and teacher professional development to maximize student inspiration and achievement across science, technology, engineering, math, reading, and collaborative problem solving.

Since their start in 2006, they have served over 75,000 students and 4,500 educators with residential outdoor science programs, field and school based programs and teacher professional development. SNJ has more than doubled the students they have served over the past 3 years; SNJ now serves 2/3rds of elementary school in Northern NV with outdoor science programs; and SNJ will serve over 50 schools with Family Science Nights in the coming school year.

Thank you to our staff, trustees, volunteers and financial partners. Thank you to our community of teachers, parents and students. We couldn't have done this without you.

Congratulations to all the other Golden Pinecone winners! We are honored to be surrounded by such dedicated and talented individuals and organizations.

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History of the Golden Pinecone

The Golden Pinecone Ball was started by Tod Bedrosian, Bob Fulkerson, Glenn Miller and Bob Loux in 1988 to bring the environmental community together as friends and initially to get the community excited about stopping the dump of nuclear waste. It was nicknamed the "conservation casual drab event" and the pinecone awards were handmade out of plywood, an ironic twist on formal award ceremonies to honor the environmental accomplishments of the past year.

The Golden Pinecone Awards and Ball is a legacy event run for more than 25 years by Environmental Leadership, Nevada EcoNET and more recently greenUP! In 2016, GREENevada took ownership for the vent as part of its environmental leadership mission. GREENevada has a strong reach throughout the environmental community and wanted to continue this important tradition of recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations for their achievements toward improving and sustaining the environment.

QARE Award Recipients

Last Friday, the Sierra Nevada Journeys team celebrated a successful year of serving youth from Northern Nevada and Northern California through outdoor science programming. We played a few rounds of bowling with our family and friends at the Grand Sierra Resort. We can't say we're as good at bowling as we are science, but we sure tried!

When we celebrate our successes, we remind ourselves each year about our core values which we call "QARE."

1. We are committed to outstanding quality (Q)

   1. We strive to improve through rigorous evaluations of our actions

   2. We flexibly embrace change that makes our programs and operations better

   3. We celebrate actions that demonstrate our commitment to excellence

2. We are accountable (A)

   1. We do what we say we’ll do for each other and for our stakeholders

   2. At all levels of our team, we set, commit to, and reach specific goals

3. We respect each other and ourselves (R)

   1. We foster a respectful work environment by using supportive actions and words to positively impact our teammates and ensuring our co-workers do the same

   2. We work to understand the goals and challenges of our team, participants and donors, and integrate these considerations into our actions

   3. We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and skills adds value to our organization

4. We provide unforgettable experiences (E)

   1. We keep participants’ safety, education and experience at the forefront of our actions

   2. We recognize the uniqueness of our experience for our participants, and show up each day ready to deliver

We are happy to announce the four individuals who we thought best represented each value in 2016.

Q - Debbie Fairbanks, our Housekeeping Manager, represents the core value of Quality. She is always working to make our campus as clean and pleasant as possible, she accepts change with a smile on her face and she is a positive role model for all staff and clients.
(not pictured)

Olive Poulsen receives the 2016 Accountability Award.

A - Olive Poulsen, Residential Outdoor Science Instructor, represents the core value of Accountability. We can always rely on Olive to meet our mission as well as the needs of her students. She will be coming back next season to lead our newest camp session "Counselor-in-Training" (CIT) as the CIT Director.

Greggor Manning receives the 2016 Respect Award.

R - Greggor Manning, Sous Chef, represents the core value of Respect. He respects his co-workers, and listens to their questions and concerns and provides solutions when able. He understands that teamwork is essential. His family life and past experience in the food industry is invaluable.

Lourdes Calzada receives the 2016 Unique Experiences Award.

E - Lourdes Calzada, Part-Time Educator, represents the core value of Unique Experiences. Lourdes has a positive attitude and a smile that brightens up the room. She provides unforgettable experiences to not only her students, but to our SNJ staff through the newly adopted culture committee.

Thank you to our entire team for a wonderful year! We couldn't achieve our mission without your hard work and dedication.

Sierra Nevada Journeys Sends 46 Low-Income Youth to Summer Camp

Sierra Nevada Journeys is pleased to announce that they were able to send 46 low-income youth to SNJ Summer Camp at Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola, CA.

Youth from local organizations Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada and Reno Housing
Authority were given full scholarships to attend camp. Additionally, youth who qualify for Free
and Reduced Lunch were given partial scholarships to cover half the costs of camp.

Sierra Nevada Journeys received funding for this effort from the Helen Close Foundation,
individual donors during Nevada’s Big Give and throughout the year, as well as from a matching grant from Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Board of Trustees.

“This year was a mixture of new and returning youth to camp at Grizzly Creek Ranch,” said Oscar Aguilar, the youth coordinator at Reno Housing Authority. “The van ride back to Reno is always the best, because this is the moment when you find out how much fun they had. They enjoyed the camp fire skits they came up with and positive energy and motivation they received from the staff at camp.”

“We are so grateful to the generous donors who made it possible for these children to
experience the camaraderie and outdoor fun of camp, which for many of the youth is a life-changing experience,” said Karen Senger, development director at Sierra Nevada Journeys.

Summer camp is one of the many programs that Sierra Nevada Journeys offers local youth. They also have hands-on, science-based programs that occur within elementary schools in Northern Nevada and Northern California. Programs include Classrooms Unleashed, Overnight Outdoor Learning and Family Science Nights.

When individuals donate to Sierra Nevada Journeys, they will be providing programming
scholarships for our community’s low-income youth. 

Sierra Nevada Journeys Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement

Sierra Nevada Journeys has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Occurring this year on Nov. 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

Sierra Nevada Journeys pledges to provide 400 elementary students science education through their Classrooms Unleashed program. Classrooms Unleashed is a hands-on science program offered to Northern Nevada and Northern California school districts. The program includes three in-class lessons taught by credentialed teachers from Sierra Nevada Journeys and an exploration field trip to a local nature area.

Dr. Philip Sadler, a professor of science education at Harvard University said, “Most people who turn out to be scientists, or engineers, or mathematicians, originally got interested in elementary school; somewhere between grades K through 6.” By presenting science to young and eager students, Sierra Nevada Journeys hopes to build the next generation of leaders, scientists and stewards.

“Sierra Nevada Journeys has set a #GivingTuesday fundraising goal of $10,000 to help provide 400 elementary students with fun, engaging science-based education,” said Karen Senger, director of development for Sierra Nevada Journeys. “We’ve set the bar high to impact many youth and are calling on the community to help us reach the goal.”

Those who are interested in joining Sierra Nevada Journeys’ #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.sierranevadajourneys.org/snj-ambassador.

Sierra Nevada Journeys' Director of Development Awarded the CFRE Designation

Karen Senger, CFRE, Sierra Nevada Journeys director of development.

CFRE International has named Melissa M. Davis (Carson Tahoe Health Foundation), Joan Griswold (Food Bank of Northern Nevada), and Karen Senger (Sierra Nevada Journeys) as a Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFRE). These ladies join over 5,500 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated fundraising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.

“The CFRE credential was created to identify for the public and employers those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and commitment to perform fundraising duties in an effective and ethical manner,” states Jim Caldarola, CFRE, Past Chair of CFRE International. “As the certification is a voluntary achievement, the CFRE credential demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of the individual, the fundraising profession, and, the donors who are served”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. In order to maintain certification status certificants must demonstrate on-going fundraising employment and fundraising results, and continue with their professional education. Employers and donors who work with CFRE’s know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills.

CFRE International is an independent organization dedicated to the certification of fundraising executives by setting standards in philanthropic practice. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by a small professional staff, CFRE International consistently meets the highest standards for certification excellence and is itself accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies.

As the premier global credential for career fundraisers, the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is endorsed and supported by the world’s leading professional and philanthropic associations, including:

• Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)

• Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC)

• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

• Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE)

• Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC)

• Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

• Brazilian Fundraisers Association (ABCR)

• Canadian Association of Gift Planners—Association canadienne des professionnels en dons planifies (CAGP-ACPDP)

• Council for Resource Development (CRD)

• Educate Plus

• European Fundraising Association (EFA)

• Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA)

• Fundraising Institute New Zealand (FINZ)

• The Giving Institute

• International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC)

• Japan Fundraising Association (JFRA)

• Kenya Association of Fundraising Professionals (KAFP)

• National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)

• New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP)

• North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO)

• Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (PPP)

• United Way Worldwide (UWW)

CFRE International congratulates Melissa M. Davis, Joan Griswold, and our very own Director of Development, Karen Senger, for achieving the CFRE designation.

Build more science time in and out of the classroom

On our hikes together, my curious 5-year-old son collects rocks and brings them home to organize in various jars by color and shape. As educators and outdoor enthusiasts, my wife and I encourage his geologic exploration.

“Tapping into natural curiosity like my son’s is what makes science the perfect tool to engage children in critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning.”

Science has taken a back seat in recent years in the elementary classroom to the “core” subjects: math and English. An unintended consequence of the “No Child Left Behind” Act of 2001, which sought to build more accountability in public schools, was the increased focus on student testing in math and English, shifting classroom instructional time away from the sciences, social studies, and even the arts and physical education. A recent Vital Signs report shows less than 1.7 hours per week of science is taught in elementary classrooms in Nevada.

In Northern Nevada, with the recent arrival of the big tech companies like Switch and Tesla, it is critical to focus on preparing our youth now for the tremendous growth in knowledge-based careers. Clearly, there is need to increase access to high-quality, impactful educational opportunities for youth in our community.

Here’s the good news: Science and engineering are the perfect vehicles to teach interdisciplinary lessons, so we can have strong science education in the classroom without taking time away from the core subjects. Additionally, in 2014 the Nevada Department of Education adopted a new set of academic standards for science edducation. This adoption was based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a set of K-12 benchmarks for science education in the classroom. The standards have been adopted in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Locally, Sierra Nevada Journeys has been taking a lead on designing and delivering student programming and teacher training grounded in the NGSS.

If you have children in your life or teachers in your family, you may have heard of Sierra Nevada Journeys, a local nonprofit founded in 2006 on a simple premise: to build the next generation of citizens, scientists and stewards through hands-on science education. We’ve created unique educational programming to help teachers build more science time in and out of the classroom. We have an excellent team of credentialed teachers that design and deliver fun, high-impact elementary programs that take place in the classroom, on overnight trips to our Grizzly Creek Ranch campus, and on one-day field trips to local natural areas. Armed with our mission to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship, Sierra Nevada Journeys programming affects more than 15,000 Nevada students and 400 teachers annually.

Whether it’s rocks, or beavers, or bugs, or earthquakes, science offers so many ways to engage the curiosity of young people. Why not take advantage of that to increase the quality of all of our children’s educational experience?

Sean Hill is the director of education for Sierra Nevada Journeys.

Why Students Love the Daugherty Science Internship at Sierra Nevada Journeys

“I think every intern should have an internship like this.”

— George Kerr, University of Nevada Intern Supervisor

"The Daugherty Science Internship program is an outstanding program and an excellent way to improve your teaching skills in a variety of settings," said Sean Hill, the director of education at Sierra Nevada Journeys. "It increases your familiarity and comfort teaching and planning with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), is a great way to network within the informal education community, as well as with teachers and principals in Washoe County School District (among other local districts), and is an overall fun experience."

The Daugherty Science Internship (DSI) program is supported by a partnership between Sierra Nevada Journeys, University of Nevada, Reno Colleges of Education and Science, and the Sandra A. Daugherty Foundation. The goal of this program is to increase science teaching experience in Elementary Education.

Here are some of the main features of the DSI program:

• Stipend interns will participate in a blended student teaching experience which includes seven weeks at a traditional school placement and seven weeks teaching science with Sierra Nevada Journeys, all to take place during students' teaching semester.

• Interns observe and teach 20+ NGSS-based Elementary science lessons and outdoor field science programs to a wide range of students across 1st-6th grades under the direct supervision of Sierra Nevada Journeys director of education and College of Education mentors.

• The DSI includes two weeks of training on science instruction with Sierra Nevada Journeys, including working with and observing University of Nevada, Reno College of Science researchers to experience cutting-edge, hands-on STEM research.

Rachel Jo, one of our outstanding interns from Spring 2016, spoke with us about how she heard about this experience and what it taught her.

"I first learned about the SNJ internship when Sean came to speak to my science methods course at the University of Nevada, Reno," said Jo. "I loved his presentation and the lesson he gave on watersheds. It was great to see the learning cycle in action and I was excited to see an organization with a mission that was near and dear to my own passions, educating students about science and protecting the environment."

With plans to go into Secondary Education, Jo hesitated about applying for the internship. "I initially did not jump at the opportunity to apply because I was worried it was more geared toward students preparing to teach Elementary Education, and I plan to go into Secondary. I was lucky enough though to talk to a fellow student at the university who had completed the internship the year before. He himself was Secondary and had nothing but great things to say about his experience. He encouraged me to apply and I did."

Jo started her internship this past Spring and one of her tasks was to shadow a few of the the Sierra Nevada Journeys instructors as they taught in a classroom setting. "I was given focused observation sheets to complete that allowed me to really reflect on important skills any teacher at any level should have," said Jo. "I was able to learn a lot about teaching science, the learning cycle, questioning strategies, and different behavior management techniques. Watching different instructors teach a specific lesson was very helpful in seeing how these instructors made the lesson their own. This allowed me to try out new techniques when I started teaching the lessons and learned about what worked for me as a teacher, something that is more limited in a traditional student teaching placement."

Overall, Jo was able to gain valuable experience in science education, behavior management, working with diverse students and families, and was able to grow as a teacher. She is excited to take her learnings into her very own classroom someday.

If interested in applying for this internship for Fall 2016 or Spring 2017, please email Sean Hill at sean@sierranevadajourneys.org.

Retired Aerospace Engineer Volunteers for SNJ

“Science and math are critical to the future of this country and the planet.”

— Marlys Pryor

When volunteering for Sierra Nevada Journeys, you become an integral part of our mission:

Deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship.

Our volunteers are looking for a way to make a difference in the world, share their love of science and the great outdoors. This is what brought Marlys Pryor to Sierra Nevada Journeys after relocating to Reno, NV in 2015.

Marlys is a retired aerospace engineer from Indianapolis, IN who worked for Rolls-Royce Aircraft Engines, Douglas Aircraft Company and General Electric Aircraft Engine Business Group, to name a few. She has her Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from New York University and her Master of Science in Business Management from the University of LaVerne.

She met Eaton Dunkelberger, CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys, at a Soroptimist meeting soon after moving to Reno. They got to talking. All who have had the pleasure of talking to Eaton about Sierra Nevada Journeys and our mission become involved in some manner. As Marlys puts it, “I met Eaton and the rest (volunteering) is history.” She attends and lends her knowledge during our Family Science Nights at local elementary schools.

Volunteering takes time, dedication and a strong passion for an organization’s mission. When asked why Marlys volunteers for Sierra Nevada Journeys, she said “I am a staunch advocate of exposing young people to the sciences, whether it be relating to the outdoors or outer space. Science and math are critical to the future of this country and the planet.” We couldn’t agree more.

Marlys “definitely” recommends volunteering with Sierra Nevada Journeys to others because, “Children are the future. We need to impress upon them that if the planet is to continue supporting life in a sustainable manner, everyone has to care and exercise stewardship of our natural resources.”

Many thanks to Marlys and the countless hours she has put into the organization and the education of our youth.

Marlys Pryor (left) and Jennifer Robinson (right) at a Family Science Night at Caughlin Ranch Elementary School.

We are always looking for passionate volunteers for our Outdoor Field Studies and Family Science Nights. If interested, please contact Jennifer Robinson at jennifer@sierranevadajourneys.org.

If you're unable to volunteer your time, please consider making a donation to support SNJ programs.

SNJ Educator Attends 2016 NSTA Conference

SNJ Experiential Educator Michael Casale attends NSTA Conference in Nashville, TN.

“I look forward to attending future conferences at the national level and representing the mission of Sierra Nevada Journeys and its impact that we as an organization have in the community we live.”

For the first time in my teaching career, I stepped away from my local network and went national. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the 2016 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference in Nashville, TN to meet with and learn from teachers around the country. Participation included numerous engaging and informative workshops presented by teachers with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience from a variety of education sectors. Within each workshop, teachers described the successes and challenges they have been facing in their classrooms and other educational settings. 

To my surprise, science teachers from all educational environments (e.g., informal to formal), grades (e.g., pre-K to High School AP) and experience (e.g., first year teachers to instructional coaches) posed a question on common ground: "How do we enhance science education for students from all backgrounds and learning styles, while designing and implementing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curriculum that is three dimensionally aligned?" The workshops I attended emphasized current research and teaching strategies centered on the application of the 3-Dimensional framework – the foundation of the NGSS. Others built on each other. For example, I participated in a series of workshops that focused on analyzing and improving existing science units. Working in small groups, the goal was to revise the units to make them more 3-Dimensionally aligned. Each session built on the previous and the same group of teachers worked together throughout the five workshops. This type of continuous learning was a highlight for me. 

My NSTA Conference experience was a rewarding professional and personal learning opportunity. NSTA 2016 enabled me to expand my professional network and afforded me the chance to see a part of the country that I have never traveled to before. Nashville is a unique city that proudly celebrates its deep roots in American music history and culture. I look forward to attending future conferences at the national level and representing the mission of Sierra Nevada Journeys and its impact that we as an organization have in the community we live.

- Michael Casale, SNJ Experiential Educator

Sharing Her Roots: One Big’s Experience in Fostering a Little’s Love of Nature

Kristin and Lacee at SNJ's Open House at Grizzly Creek Ranch in the summer of 2013.

Lacee and I have been matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada (BBBSNN) for five years. We just celebrated our anniversary—or matchiversary, as we like to call it—on Feb. 8, 2016. We get together every couple of weeks and over the years have done a wide range of activities. Some of our favorites are game night at the library, crafty-type activities, window shopping at the mall, archery and going out for sushi. 

We learned about SNJ’s camp program during an open house at the Grizzly Creek Ranch Campus in the summer of 2013. Lacee and I had a great day at the open house. When we first arrived, we toured the camp and after the tour, we were allowed to wander and participate in camp activities. We climbed the Alpine Tower, did archery, worked a little in the garden, did science experiments, kayaked, and had lunch in the cafeteria. At the end of the day, Lacee was excited at the possibility of going to summer camp there. 

Attending the open house brought back many great memories for me of going to “Outdoor Ed” and summer camp when I was Lacee’s age. Based on Lacee’s enthusiasm, I wanted her to have similar experiences, make life-long memories, and learn about science, nature, and protecting the environment. I have loved nature and the outdoors since I was a little girl, and I hope to instill a little of that into her as her Big Sister and mentor. 

SNJ has been so very generous to Lacee and her family, providing partial scholarships for her in 2014 and 2015. She had a ball at camp in 2014 (her first year) and said she wanted to go back every year that she could. She went back in 2015, and is looking forward to 2016 as well.

Please consider donating to SNJ during Nevada's Big Give this year to help send other youth from BBBSNN to summer camp. It has been a life-changing experience for Lacee.

- Kristin Szabo, Big Sister and Mentor