Sierra Nevada Journeys is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency with the 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 believes that science and nature are for everyone, and our vision is to build a community of youth who are leaders, scientists, and stewards of the natural world.
To achieve this vision, we focus on building sustainable partnerships with schools and communities that serve the youth who have historically been and still are denied access to high-quality science education and outdoor learning experiences. We invite and listen to continuous voice from these partners, and the youth and families they serve, to inform how we design and deliver culturally relevant and inclusive programs. It is with this vision in mind that we pursue our mission, striving to become the equitable and inclusive organization that the youth of our communities deserve.
At the heart of all our programs is the desire to create top-tiered opportunities for all children to learn science and fall in love with the natural world regardless of their socioeconomic background or where they live. Since 2006, Sierra Nevada Journeys' educators and outdoor program instructors have provided over 200,000 students with hands-on STEM lessons, formative experiences in the outdoors, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) opportunities. Our programs place a strong emphasis on equity and also aim to enhance family and community engagement in the lives of students. Our purpose is to address the various educational and environmental needs of our region by helping students to:
Our mission is to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship.
Our vision is simple: We transform lives by building curiosity, confidence, and connections to nature, especially for students who are traditionally underserved.
Embarking on a journey to inspire young minds through immersive science education, Sierra Nevada Journeys is dedicated to providing impactful programs that extend beyond traditional classrooms. As we strive to cultivate a passion for learning and exploration, we rely on crucial financial support to sustain and expand our initiatives. Your contribution ensures that our innovative programs, such as "Classrooms Unleashed," "Overnight Outdoor Learning," "Family STEM Nights," and "Specialty Camps," continue to thrive, reaching students from diverse backgrounds.
Together, we can empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Join us in fostering a love for science and the outdoors by investing in the educational experiences that shape our planet's future leaders and stewards. Your generous funding enables us to make a lasting impact on the lives of students, creating a ripple effect of curiosity, discovery, and lifelong learning.
Classrooms Unleashed:
Combining in-class, grade-specific science lessons with an immersive outdoor field-study experience led by our experienced educators. During these excursions to local nature sites such as the American River and Deer Creek Hills, students step into the roles of ecologists, geologists, and watershed scientists. The program features six distinct units tailored to each grade, utilizing a hands-on, experiential, and outdoor education framework to foster critical thinking and learning. Funding helps offset the costs of programming for schools and teachers.
Overnight Outdoor Learning:
An extended adventure for fifth or sixth-grade students, delving into outdoor science at our 515-acre Outdoor Education Camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains (40 miles north of Lake Tahoe). While aligning with state and national standards, we go beyond integrating Social-Emotional Learning opportunities through our challenge course and team problem-solving experiences. Funding enables us to provide schools with a sliding scale of fees, ensuring participation regardless of financial constraints.
Family STEM Nights:
This innovative after-school program invites kindergarten through sixth-grade students, along with their parents/guardians and siblings, to engage in a dynamic two-hour Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) event hosted at school sites. Focused on fostering parent engagement, funding supports educator time and purchasing supplies for these interactive events.
Specialty Camps:
Hosted at our Camp during weekends and summers, these specially designed camp experiences offer unique opportunities. Fundraising efforts provide scholarships for our Summer and Family Camps, including initiatives like the Girls in STEM camp for middle-school-aged girls from title-one schools. Incorporating Sierra Nevada Journeys' STEM programming and Women in Technology volunteers, this camp offers a distinctive blend of team building and outdoor exploration over a weekend.
Sierra Nevada Journeys believes that science and nature are for everyone.
To achieve this vision, we focus on building sustainable partnerships with schools and communities that serve the youth who have historically and currently been denied access to high-quality science education and outdoor learning experiences.
We invite and listen to continuous voice from these partners, and the youth and families they serve, to inform how we design and deliver culturally relevant and inclusive programs.
We recruit a workforce that reflects our audience. We value our employees by fostering a culture where all backgrounds and perspectives of our staff are seen and heard, and by providing sustainable compensation, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
It is with this vision in mind that we pursue our mission, striving to become the equitable and inclusive organization that the youth of our communities deserve.
Organization name
Sierra Nevada Journeys
other names
SNJ
2006
Tax id (EIN)
01-0881587
Mission Category
Education
Operating Budget
$1,000,001-$5 million
Organization Need
Funding: Program, Volunteers
Demographics Served
Youth & Children, Low-income individuals/families, General population
Local Counties Served
Placer, Sacramento, Yolo
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
2515 Venture Oaks Way Suite 135Sacramento, CA, US
Placer, CA, US
Yolo, CA, US