Just for Kids
Every Kid Outdoors is a federal public lands youth initiative to encourage fourth graders and their families to experience the places that are home to our country’s natural treasures, rich history, and vibrant culture.
Although surrounded by nature's beauty, many children in the Lake Tahoe area are disconnected with the outdoor environment. The Generation Green of Lake Tahoe is a work program designed to teach students about the forest while they work.
Targeting low-income, diverse and youth-with-a barrier students, this program provides job opportunities, while building work ethics, job skills, leadership, experience and teamwork skills. Youth are shown a variety of jobs found in natural resource fields and connect with Forest Service mentors.
Students start this program with a 4-day, 3-night back pack trip offered by Lake Tahoe Community College. After the back pack trip, their seven-week employment begins. They work on recreation projects such as trail building, painting picnic tables, and cleaning campgrounds. Resource projects include wildlife surveys, soil monitoring, forest care and maintenance. Some students have the opportunity to do interpretive programs and historic site maintenance. These opportunities give youth a connection to the many land management agencies in the Lake Tahoe Basin, to the environment all around them, and to their community. It gives the students a sense of accomplishment and lets them see that they are people who can make a difference in this world.
Contact: Lanette Rangel, Interpretive Services and Conservation Education Program Manager
Address: 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Phone: 530-543-2730
E-mail: lannette.rangel@usda.gov
Dec. 17, 2024 - Winter Trek begins Jan 28 at Heavenly Mountain Resort!
The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is pleased to announce sign-ups for the 2025 Winter Trek Conservation Education Program at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Winter Trek is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, and will continue through the end of March, conditions and weather permitting. Field trips are approximately three hours long and will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, excluding holidays. Reservations are required and will open beginning Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Read More
Nov. 26, 2024- Volunteers Needed for Ski With A Ranger and Winter Trek
The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is looking for volunteers to assist with winter programs at Heavenly Mountain Resort, beginning January 28 through March 28, 2025, conditions and weather permitting. Read More
Introduction
This 3-hour environmental education program takes place at 9,100 ft. elevation at the Heavenly Mountain Resort via a Gondola ride from Stateline. Forest Service rangers and volunteers lead the class through the wilderness to learn about snowshoe skills and fire and forest ecology. Students fulfill science, language, social science and physical education requirements for fifth-grade curriculum during the program as well as pre- and post-visit material for the classroom. Go to the Teacher's Handbook below to learn more about the Winter Trek Conservation Education program.
Winter Trek Pre-visit Video
Follow the link below to view the pre-visit video on what to expect during the Winter Trek Adventure.
Teacher's Resources
You may view and print a copy of the Teacher's Handbook by following the link provided below.
- Winter Trek Invite
(PDF 491 KB) - Teacher's Handbook
(PDF 368 KB)
Follow the links below to view and print the Educational Posters.
- Adaptation
(PDF 635 KB) - History of Snowshoes
(PDF 180 KB) - Tree Identification
(PDF 266 KB) - American Marten
(PDF 715 KB) - Weasel Family
(PDF 269 KB) - Lake Tahoe Geology
(PDF 673 KB) - Water
(PDF 681 KB) - Hibernators
(PDF 689 KB) - Migration
(PDF 320 KB) - Wildlife Tracks
(PDF 519 KB)