Sierra Nevada Journeys Takes the Classroom Outdoors and Youth to Nature

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...What happens when students who may have never seen a river, a deer or the Sierra's are given the chance to learn outside the four walls of a classroom?In this episode, I sit down with Sean Hill, CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys, and Advancement Officer Corrie Calderon to talk about the life-changing power of outdoor education.Sierra Nevada Journeys is approaching 20 years of service and now reaches more than 30,000 youth annually through programs in Sacramento, Reno and at its Sierra Nevada outdoor education camp. Their mission is rooted in helping young people connect with nature, strengthen science literacy and build confidence through direct experience in the outdoors.Sean and Corrie share the memorable origin story behind the organization, sparked by a student at Lake Tahoe who asked, “Are there sharks in that ocean?” That moment revealed a larger truth: many children living close to extraordinary natural resources have never had the chance to experience them.We talk about their Classrooms Unleashed program, how they partner with schools and community organizations, and why they see outdoor learning as both an educational and equity issue. We also discuss Sierra Nevada Journeys’ funding model and the significance of protecting approximately 1,500 acres of Sierra Nevada land for future generations.Corrie shares a powerful story of a student who arrived on a field trip disengaged and resistant, only to leave transformed after encountering wildlife and discovering joy in the experience. Sean also shares the story of a former fifth-grade camper whose experience with Sierra Nevada Journeys may have helped shape her future academic path.This is a conversation about access, curiosity, stewardship and the very real impact that one experience in nature can have on a child’s life.Learn more at https://www.sierranevadajourneys.org/Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome to Sierra Nevada Journeys 01:20 The origin story and the Lake Tahoe “ocean” moment 05:45 Making science accessible through outdoor learning 08:15 Programs, Classrooms Unleashed and camp experiences 11:35 School and community partnerships 16:20 Funding model and annual budget 18:40 Acquiring and protecting 1,500 acres 24:05 The blank check question: scholarships, staffing and future vision 27:20 Greatest need: access, transportation and affordability 30:00 Student success stories and long-term impact 39:35 Beyond the Mission with Sean Hill 44:15 How to support Sierra Nevada JourneysThank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story!  We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/  And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.