REDEFINETHE CLASSROOM.

2013 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

THE NEW NATURE OF LEARNING

Sierra NevadaJOURNEYS

SIERRANEVADAJOURNEYS.ORG | PHONE: 775-355-1688 | FAX: 775-329:-1689 | 190 EAST LIBERTY STREET, RENO

Science literacy is becoming increasingly important to prepare students for college and career readiness. Sierra Nevada Journeys’ programs build scholastic achievement through outdoor science learning activities, improve teachers’ ability to incorporate science in their classrooms, and increase parent participation in science learning. As a result, students improve science literacy and life-skills such as observation, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Sierra Nevada Journeys uses the unique outdoor classrooms of our region to deliver a robust science and collaborative problem solving education, promoting long-term student achievement. SNJ’s model uses outdoor education supported by in-school lessons and teacher professional development to maximize student inspiration and achievement across science, math, reading, and critical thinking. Since our start in 2006, we have served 40,000 students and 3,500 educators with mutually supporting residential outdoor science programs, field and school based programs, and teacher professional development.

When schools are closed over weekends and summers, SNJ delivers programs for a wide range of special needs and community development organizations in specially designed programs on our outdoor science campus.

Our mission is to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking

skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship.

2013 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Robert Petersen, ChairmanDavid Stockman, Treasurer

Richard Mueller, TrusteeCarol Whiteside, Trustee

Dave Gordon, TrusteeEugene Paslov, TrusteeTimothy Ortez, TrusteeMark Burrell, Trustee

Ward Hendon, TrusteeBrett Bruyere, TrusteeGail Pfrommer, Trustee

MISSION

OVERVIEW

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SCHOOL AND PROGRAM PARTNERS

Anderson ESA + Learning CenterA Bug in A Rug LearningAgnes Risley ESBlue KangarooBordewich Bray ESCarousel at the ContinuumCarson City SD GATECarson MSCaughlin ESCB WireCold Springs ESCoral Academy of ScienceCottonwood ESDayton ESDayton MSDesert Heights ESDeterding ESDiedrichsen ESDilworth STEM Academy MSDonner Springs ESDouble Diamond ESDrake ESDunn ESEast Valley ESEcho Loder ESElko County ESElmcrest ESEsther Bennett ESEthel Philips ESExcel Christian SchoolFremont ESGallagher ESGlenn Duncan ESGreenbrae ESHeadstartHigh Desert Montessori

Hillsdale ESIncline VillageIsador Cohen ESJanesville ESJesse Beck ESJesse Hall ESKate Smith ESKids KottageKohlerLearning Ladder Pre-SchoolLemelson STEM AcademyLemon Valley ESLenz ESLincoln Park ESLittle Tikes TooLoyalton HSMadison ESMariposa Language AcademyMark Twain ESMaxwell ESMelton ESMinden ESMoss ESMountain View ESNoah's ArkNortheast Regional Prof. Dev. Northwest Regional Prof. Dev.One World Children's AcademyPalmer ESPlumas CharterPublic School 7Puff in Stuff Child CareQuincy ESReno HSRio Linda Prep AcademyRita Cannan ESRoy Gomm ES

Robins Nest Sage RidgeSandy Miller ESSarah Winnemucca ESSepulveda ESSierra EnterpriseSierra Nevada Academy CharterSierra Nevada Job CorpsSilver Stage MSSmithridge STEM AcademySunshine PreschoolSparks MSSpring Creek ESSpring Creek HSSpring Creek MSSquaw Valley PrepSt. Albert’s ESSt. Mels ESSt. Teresa’s ESStead ESSweet Dreams AcademySwope MSThe Honors Academy of LiteratureTMCC/E.L. Cord Child Care CenterTowels ESUnder the Magic Pine TreeUNR, College of EducationUNR, Methods of Elem. ScienceUNR Service LearningVan Gorder ESVeterans STEM AcademyVillageVirginia City MSWashoe County GATE Program West Wendover ESWestergard ESWoodlake

S E R V E D I N 2 0 1 3

4-H Adopt a Special KidAlgerian Youth Leadership (UNR’s Northern NV International Center) Amplify Life's Camp LotsafunAutism Center for ExcellenceCamp SunshineCapital Adoptive Families AllianceCarson Water Sub-Conservancy DistrictEnvirolution's Three Spheres AcademyFeather River College Outdoor LeadershipFeather River College Outdoor Recreation Feather River College SIFEFirst Baptist ChurchFoster Youth Educational SummitGirl Scouts of S. RenoGold Mountain HOAGREENevadaHmong Women's Heritage AssociationHomestead FabricsMuscular Dystrophy AssociationN. Nevada Football AssociationNevada Diabetes' Camp KaiserNevada Outdoor SchoolNevadaworksNorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of HearingNorthwest Regional Prof. DevelopmentOff Track EscapePlumas County Crisis CenterPlumas County Halloween Safe Trick-or-TreatQuincy Crazy QuiltersRotary Eighth Grade LeadershipRotary Youth Leadership AwardsSacramento Native American Health CenterScrapbook ParadiseSisters of Nia, Inc.Snow King & QueenSoroptimists ClubSparks Christian FellowshipSummer Search BLPTahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS)Team-Up After School The California Endowment's “All our Sons and Brothers”Truckee Meadows QuiltersUC Davis Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Nevada Reno Softball teamWAY UP SYLPWomen in Science and Engineering (WiSE)

SCHOOLS COMMUNITY GROUPS

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Dear Friends,

Today, the world is changing at an incredible pace, and our youth need to remain adaptable for success in tomorrow’s economy. At Sierra Nevada Journeys, we work closely with schools to provide the science literacy and problem solving skills our students need to be career and college ready.

Earlier this year we worked with Shanda, a 5th grader whose entire class has low-income parents and guardians. When Shanda arrived at The Nature Conservancy’s McCarran Ranch, she said “I don’t like going outside”. By the end of the field day, she was leading her friends knee-deep into the river, netting bugs to test the health of the watershed. Students like Shanda inspire us to continually raise the bar of excellence in outdoor education.

Bob Petersen and I are excited to share this impact report with you. In 2013, we served over 8,000 students across northern California and Nevada, with over 55% of them from low-income families. We also undertook groundbreaking work aligning our curriculum to best practices of science education and state education standards.

In 2013, across our student programs, we measured 88-92% increases in student achievement on Science Standards based on pre- and post- assessments. These impacts stem from partnering deeply with schools and teachers to ensure our outdoor science education programs meet their needs and goals.

With our partners’ and donors’ support, SNJ passed some very exciting milestones in 2013. We expanded the Whole School Model for elementary schools in an integrated, multi-year approach to building critical thinking skills through outdoor science. Through multiple points of contact with these students, we are able to gain an unprecedented look into the impact our programs have on the lives of the children, teachers, and parents we work with. In 2014 we intend to thoughtfully increase the number of Whole Schools while maintaining our focus on innovative science teaching practices that impact these young students in incredible ways.

Bob and I want to take this opportunity to thank our partners and supporters for helping us create opportunities for children to experience and learn in the outdoors, and invite our future supporters to join us in changing students’ lives.

Thank you for all your support in 2013!

Eaton Dunkelberger, SNJ CEO Bob Petersen, SNJ Board Chairman 2013

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“On average, teachers strive

for 80% engagement 90%

of the time. SNJ pulls 100%

engagement 100% of the time.

-3rd grade teacher

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PROGRAM OVERVIEWSNJ offers overnight, outdoor learning experiences for 5th and 6th grade elementary students at the Grizzly Creek Ranch campus located near Portola, CA in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Outdoor Overnight Learning programs use the outdoors to focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and reinforce State Science Standards. Courses are conducted by credentialed teachers and natural science instructors. Students receive full days and evenings of hands-on, engaging instruction during which they observe the environment and surroundings, collect and analyze samples, and work collaboratively to problem solve. SNJ provides camp-style lodging and meals and is accredited by the American Camp Association.

In 2013, The Outdoor Overnight Learning program provided over 2,544 students from 31 elementary schools in Nevada and California with rich educational experiences. 88% of students attending the Outdoor Overnight Learning program demonstrated improved understanding of science standards based on pre and post-testing.

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SIDE The Learning Outside and Inside program combines a 4-hour outdoor science experience during which students examine

and gather evidence with 4.5 hours of indoor science study that enhances student’s problem solving skills. Programs are designed for state science education standards. While participating in “Learning Outside” children work individually and in small groups to collect samples, analyze, and record observations in their science notebooks. “Learning Inside” provides a classroom environment to introduce, explore, and discuss science topics and summarize the student’s field experience. Both outside and inside learning curriculum is designed to elicit students’ high level curiosity, engagement, and enthusiasm for science.

In 2013, 3,715 students and 96 classrooms from 30 schools participated in the “Learning Outside and Inside” program. Over 90% of students attending programs across 3rd, 4th and 5th grade units demonstrated improved understanding of Science Standards based on pre and post-testing.

SNJ’s Teacher Development expands science education by training teachers to incorporate hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) lessons into their curricula. Lessons are aligned with State Standards and are designed to improve student learning in a range of STEM topics. Teacher Development sessions range from one hour to multi-day training experiences during which educators actively participate in classroom lessons that enhance their content knowledge and comfort with lesson delivery. Teachers can earn state recognized continuing education units or graduate study credits for the University system in California, Nevada, and Utah.

In 2013, 496 teachers participated in SNJ’s Teacher Development program impacting an estimated 10,810 students. Over 95% found that the training enhanced their knowledge and comfort level with incorporating science in the classroom and 97% indicated they planned to incorporate what they had learned into their classroom lessons.TE

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We recognize the importance of accessibility of our programs for all youth. In 2013, through support from generous donors, over 55% of our students served were from low-income families on Free and Reduced meal programs.

Over the summer and weekends, we hosted over 4,761 children from community development partners to increase outdoor program accessibility. Partners range from special needs organizations like Camp Lotsafun for youth with physical and development disabilities, to Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards for rising high school leaders, to The California Endowment’s “All our Sons and Brothers” camp for teens of color.

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In 2013, Sierra Nevada Journeys continued to expand programs and revenue growth. Total revenue increased by 10% to $1,829,139. Expenses grew 8% over 2012 to $1,781,591; funding increased

primarily with the addition of staffing to keep pace with rapid program growth.

At year end, our audited financials reported total net assets of $201,500.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Admin Expenses (7%)

Fundraising Expenses (6%)

Program Expenses (87%)

Program Expenses (87%)

Admin Expenses (7%)

Fundraising Expenses (6%)

Fundraising (45%)

Outdoor Science Camps (51%)

Learning Outside & Inside (4%)

We would like to extend our special thanks to the Sierra Health Foundation for their leadership in making the Grizzly Creek Ranch campus available to our region’s youth.

REVENUE EXPENSES

Fundraising

Outdoor Science Campus

Learning Outside & Inside

Teacher Development

Fundraising

Outdoor Science Campus

Learning Outside & Inside

Teacher Development

Program Expenses (87%)

Admin Expenses (7%)

Fundraising Expenses (6%)

Program Expenses (87%)

Admin Expenses (7%)

Fundraising Expenses (6%)

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SPECIAL THANKSThe following individuals and organizations have donated over $20,000 to Sierra Nevada Journeys.

The California EndowmentNevada Division of State ParksBureau of Land Management

Helen Close FoundationNevada Department of Education

Truckee River Fund

American Forest Foundation/ Project Learning Tree

Sacramento Valley ConservancyEnvironmental Protection Agency

North American Association of Environmental Education

Stillwater Foundation

NV EnergyRichard and Claire Mueller

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection

Nevada Division of ForestryUnion Pacific

Adam YarnesAlma Ibarra

Amanda EnglishAnastasia Taylor

Ashley KimAusten Schianvone

Bayley RootBrian Taylor

Christopher LaneClinton AllenColby Elliot

Daniel WissarDavid Broomfield

Daylon GoingsEaton Dunkelberger

You guys make science jump out of the textbook! -5th grade student

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Eric GaraventaEvan LealFayth Ross

Jacob SwisherJake Martinez

Jami FinchJamie Garaventa

Jason BillingsJennifer Robinson

John ScalleyJulie BielewiczKenneth WileyKirsten Martin

Kristen FenstermacherLauren Cronan

Lauren Nicole GrinLaurie Graham

Laurie GrayLinda FanningLisa FredriksonMarilynn CebeMary Johnson

Matthew LennonMegan MerendaMichael CasaleMichael ElliottMichael Hall

Michael RogersMichael Rylee Jr.

Monique Silva-Crossman

Ned BewigNicholas NelsonNicholas Schulz

Nicole BlaisSean Hill

Shaun FinchStephen Chavez

Steve LealTheresa Ruswick

Tyler BellTyler Bergstrand

Tyler ValadezYoun Han

OUR FANTASTIC 2013 STAFF

I loved playing by the river, finding macro-invertebrates, learning how much oxygen is in the river and pond, and seeing animal prints, feathers, and scat. I can’t wait to go back again!

Effective and innovative in reaching students and creating a fun, powerful learning experience.

SNJ is an excellent program to increase scientific thinking and guide students to become observers.

The students loved the experience…they felt like true scientists. The field trip was exceptional.

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This was my first time in the woods and I loved it! I loved seeing all the different kinds of tress when we were hiking. Grizzly Creek Ranch is breathtaking!

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