Great Basin Institute

A nonprofit organization

1 donor

In 2010, Great Basin Institute expanded its environmental programming to include the brand new Great Basin Naturalists Environmental Science Camp in Galena Creek Park. This camp comprised ten weeks of theme-based activities that capitalized on the unique natural setting of Galena Creek. Themes included natural and cultural history topics that allowed children to experience the outdoors through hands-on games, hikes, guided activities, field trips, guest presenters and simple exploration and play. The natural setting itself played a leading role in enriching the camp experience by allowing participants to actively engage with their surroundings and by facilitating social learning through conversation and group activity.

For students throughout the nation, outdoor experiences can be elusive and unattainable, even for those who live in an area surrounded by open spaces. Yet, research indicates again and again that experiencing the outdoors has the potential to bring about a multitude of benefits for young people of all ages, as well as cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Outdoor education can positively affect physical and social development, emotional health and well-being for a lifetime. The long-term goal of our summer camp programming, as well as all our K-12 education, is to help cultivate a lifelong interest in the natural environment and outdoors, whether that be the Reno area or beyond. We believe our camp can help facilitate memorable experiences that have the potential to mold the next generation’s decisions and interests. 

In 2011, we made great strides in meeting this goal through a program called Scholarships for Discovery, generously funded by the Nell J. Redfield Foundation. Through this program we offered 80 full tuition scholarships to local low-income youth. As one scholarship parent wrote, “I have no complaints at all. As a matter of fact, I was thrilled and very, very grateful for the scholarships and the transportation that was provided for my children. In my financial situation I would have never been able to do this for my daughters without the grants provided for this high quality program. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In 2012, we will expand upon our successes with a program entitled Nature Education for Every Child. The goal is to provide funding for every 5th grader in Washoe County School District to attend a 1/2-day curriculum-based field trip in Galena Park, effectively eliminating the financial barriers to off-site education opportunities.

Help us to reach our goal by supporting our programs!

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Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Great Basin Institute

Tax id (EIN)

88-0431016

Categories

Environment

Address

16750 MT ROSE HWY
RENO, NV 89511