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Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls – all girls – where, in a nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives – like strong values, a social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.
In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouting, they grow courageous and strong. “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place."
605 Washington Street
Reno, NV 89503-9902
(775) 322-0642 or Toll-Free (800) 222-5406
info@gssn.org
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. In Silver Springs and Stagecoach 4-H children are actively engaged in project work and service to community.
The local 4-H program is administered by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Lyon County office. 4-H is an educational program with a focus on character development.
“Having been a 4-H member, I am well aware how beneficial the 4-H program can be to the participants. In these times, when youths are searching for their place in society, the 4-H program can be a vehicle for these youths to channel their energies in a constructive manner.” said former member, John Waihee.
Volunteer 4-H Leaders work with children between 9 and 19 teaching them a variety of life skills. They fulfill the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s mission of “bringing the University to you,” the youth of Nevada.
Many people think of traditional 4-H projects when they talk about 4-H, projects like beef and swine, cooking and canning. 4-H is changing with the times and, in addition to traditional projects, there are 4-H projects from computers to break dancing and skateboarding and backpacking. The key to offering these projects is having a well-trained volunteer.
President George Bush said “A volunteer is a person who can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, but as citizens – citizens in the fullest sense: partners in civilization.”
The motto, “Learning by Doing” characterizes the program where “hands on” participation is the rule. 4-H members may hear about it, they may see it done, they may also read about it but, what makes 4-H stand above all others, is that 4-H members “do it.” In the Silver Stage Rocket project members learn about rockets, build them and launch them where the sky is the limit.
In 2005 4-H members worked at the Silver Springs Post Office to eliminate unsightly weeds. In April 2006, 4-H members will sponsor the 16th Easter Egg Hunt at Lake Lahontan State Park, an event attended annually by more than 500 people. A high school 4-H member decorates the community bulletin board at the post office and keeps current articles on display to celebrate the positive things happening in our community.
The Silver Stage Community Club meets on the second Monday of each month, September through June, at the McAtee building from 6:30-7:30 pm. Parents are always welcome but the meeting is for the youth and is conducted by youth officers.. Members gather together and plan activities to serve the community. To enroll in the 4-H program or to learn more about becoming a 4-H Leader in Silver Springs and Stagecoach, contact the Cooperative Extension office, 577-5049 ext. 14.
Pictures from the 2006 Easter egg hunt
National Honor Society was founded in 1921 with hopes to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. The ideals of scholarship, character, service, and leadership remain today.
Silver Stage High School started their Nighthawk Chapter in March of 2004. Students applied for membership by proving their qualifications. Not anyone can join honor society. They must apply and be accepted, so it is truly a privilege to be a member. Qualifications are:
Scholarship: Students must have and maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA.
Student leaders are those that are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
The students of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, and respects others.
The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as school clubs, school activities, and community organizations.
Silver Stage High School’s National Honor Society has worked hard on a number of projects. In November on 2004 and 2005 they hosted the Veteran’s Day Assembly at Silver Stage High School to honor our country’s Veterans and current service members. They decorated and helped set up for Silver Stage Middle School’s 8th Grade Promotion ceremony. A food drive was conducted to collect canned foods for a local food bank in the fall of 2004. This year they raised money for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The members also participated in a reading and writing project involving Silver Springs Elementary first grade students in December of both years.
Honor Society members made blankets for Project Linus. This organization forwards the blankets to seriously ill or traumatized children. In February of 2005 the Honor Society raised money for the American Heart Association of Northern Nevada located in Reno. This year S.S.H.S. Honor Society wrote letters to other northern Nevada high schools to join the effort. Three other high schools responded. Next year we hope to expand that effort more.
Last July members wanted the community to know who they are and what they do, so they entered the Founders Day Parade which had the theme of “Creating a Community that Care’s”. Not only did they fit the theme, but they won “Best Float” for their entry.
River Wranglers teaches Nevada children and teenagers to care for their local environment, firmly rooting their enthusiasm and passion for learning along the banks of the Carson River
Under River Wranglers' direction, more than 5,000 youth have helped preserve river habitat since 1994. The nonprofit environmental group, in cooperation with public schools, teaches children to build homes for wood ducks, protect trees from beaver damage, and plant willows to control erosion of the sandy banks.
“River Wranglers is an example of community experts teaching children and sharing their knowledge.” said Lyon County School Board Trustee Barbara Johnson. “I feel strongly that children need to understand the environment in their neighborhood.
”River Wranglers' initial work with Silver Springs youth has had a ripple effect. Today more than 15 schools in four Nevada counties are learning to be stewards of their environment.
River Wranglers' largest influence remains in Lyon County, where the organization created a mentoring program, pairing high-school students in botany/zoology/chemistry classes with elementary students. Each year, teenagers teach groups of younger children how to test water quality, and combat bank erosion. "I was very surprised when we got all of those macro invertebrates (bugs)," said one middle school student. "When we learned this in class, it was cool. But you showed us and that was awesome."
Fourth-grade students from Silver Springs Elementary School assess the river's water quality monthly. This activity meets the Nevada State Standards in science, math and Nevada history. "I thought it was pretty amazing that we got to check how healthy the river is," said another student after determining the river was "in fair condition, but a little too low, and it has too much sediment covering the bugs that live on the bottom.”
Originally, part of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service, River Wranglers became an independent organization in 2000. Guided by a board of seven directors who represent education and conservation, River Wranglers' mission is to conserve, explore and celebrate rivers through community programs, projects, and hands-on education. "We want to excite youth, their parents and their grandparents by deepening their understanding of and commitment to watersheds, rivers and streams that sustain life for generations to come," River Wranglers' educational coordinator Linda Conlin said. In achieving this goal, the organization helps Silver Stage Middle schools hatch rainbow trout eggs and release the minnows into the river.
Every springtime, River Wranglers hosts an event with Ft, Churchill State Historic Park called Celebrate Carson River Day. The event in 2006 is scheduled on May 13. Families are invited to the river along Ft. Churchill to learn more about the watershed. Hands-on learning provides opportunities for children and their parents to explore the exciting world of nature.
Since 2001, River Wranglers partnered with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to sponsor a daylong field trip called “Make a Splash” for middle schools in the watershed. Students attend workshops about agriculture, mining, water safety, and Nevada history. “It is important to teach children the delicate issues surrounding water and how we have to balance the uses of water.” said former Assemblyman and Speaker of the House Joe Dini. River Wranglers encourages individuals and families that want to be more involved with the Carson River to contact us by email, nevadariverwranglers@yahoo.com, or phone (775) 577-2631. Check out the River Wranglers website www.riverwranglers.org
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