Sierra Nevada Journeys

What Sierra Nevada Journeys does

Sierra Nevada Journeys is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2006 in Reno, Nevada, that delivers outdoor science education programs to K-12 students across Northern Nevada and Northern California. Its core instructional products include Classrooms Unleashed (NGSS-aligned STEM programming for grades 2-5 combining classroom lessons with field studies), Overnight Outdoor Learning (multi-day residential outdoor school at its Portola campus for 5th-6th graders), Family STEM Nights (1.5-hour school events), and Out-of-School Time Learning; complementary summer offerings comprise Overnight Summer Camp ($1,250/week for ages 8-18), Day Camps in Reno and Sacramento ($345/week for ages 5-12), the free Girls in STEM Camp for middle school girls from Title 1 schools, and a Grown-Up Getaway Camp plus Corporate Retreats that monetize the residential facility for adult and enterprise audiences. The Five Pillars Education Framework integrates Science, Critical Thinking, Outdoor Stewardship, Social Emotional Learning, and Cultural Relevancy into all programs.

The organization owns and operates a 1,494-acre Outdoor Education Camp at 5900 Grizzly Road, Portola, CA, with 26 buildings (16 cabins, 4 yurts, lodge, dining hall, amphitheaters, aquatics center, challenge course) and 220-264 camper capacity, supported by regional offices in Reno (headquarters) and Sacramento. Registration is delivered through the CampBrain platform; curriculum and assessment are bespoke and teacher-designed. American Camp Association accreditation and GuideStar nonprofit transparency certification anchor its credibility.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of program fees (camp tuition, school partnership fees on sliding scale), donations (individual, monthly, planned giving, corporate sponsorships across multiple giving tiers ranging to $100K+ Sugar Pine Society level, and foundation grants), merchandise sales (SNJ Outfitters), and facility rentals. Strategic financial and operational partners include SilverSummit Healthplan (member scholarships and Family STEM Nights title sponsor), Sierra Health Foundation (original camp builder and ongoing sponsor), Feather River Land Trust (1,025-acre land gift, 2026), California Wildlife Conservation Board, CAL FIRE, and a tiered base of corporate sponsors. Since inception the organization reports positively impacting more than 330,000-360,000 students, with 28,000 students served in 2024, 58% from low-income families, 62% BIPOC, and 15% living with disabilities.

Name

Sierra Nevada Journeys

Legal name

Sierra Nevada Journeys

Website

https://sierranevadajourneys.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sierra Nevada Journeys is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers NGSS-aligned outdoor science education, including residential summer camps, day camps, and school-based STEM programs, serving K-12 students across Northern Nevada and Northern California from a 1,494-acre Portola, California campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Science Education

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (611710), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ), Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM)

Keywords

• Outdoor science education
• Youth STEM programs
• Summer camp services
• Environmental education
• School partnership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Camp Registration Fees: Revenue from overnight summer camp ($1,250/week), day camps ($345/week), and specialty camps. One-time fees per participant with deposits required at registration.
2. School Program Fees: Program fees for Classrooms Unleashed, Family STEM Nights, and Overnight Outdoor Learning based on sliding scale to meet school needs. Schools pay per student or per program.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving, corporate sponsorships, matching gifts, grants from foundations, and major gifts. Includes Sugar Pine Society ($100,000+), Jeffrey Pine Circle ($50,000-$99,999), and other donor tiers.
4. Merchandise Sales: SNJ Outfitters online store selling logo apparel including hoodies, hats, t-shirts, and other branded merchandise. Supports mission while providing revenue.
5. Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable IRA rollovers, real estate gifts, life insurance donations, and Donor Advised Fund contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sierra Nevada Journeys is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers outdoor science education programs for K-12 students, combining classroom-based STEM instruction with hands-on field studies and residential summer camps. Core offerings include the Classrooms Unleashed in-school and field program, Overnight Outdoor Learning at its 1,494-acre camp, Family STEM Nights, day camps in Reno and Sacramento, and specialty programs like Girls in STEM Camp. Programs are delivered through direct-to-family enrollment and partnerships with school districts across Northern Nevada and Northern California.

Product overview

Sierra Nevada Journeys is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor science education organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include Classrooms Unleashed (in-class and field-based STEM education for grades 2-5), Family STEM Nights (family engagement events), and Overnight Outdoor Learning (multi-day residential outdoor school at their Portola camp for 5th-6th graders). Summer programming includes Overnight Summer Camp (residential camp ages 8-18), Day Camps in Reno and Sacramento (ages 5-12), and specialty camps such as Girls in STEM (free camp for middle school girls) and Grown-Up Getaway Camp (adults-only retreats). Corporate Retreats provide team-building rentals of their camp facility. Out-of-School Time Learning extends programming to afterschool and summer settings. A branded merchandise store (SNJ Outfitters) supports fundraising. The organization serves Northern California and Nevada, with a focus on underserved youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classrooms Unleashed Outdoor science education program for 2nd through 5th-grade students combining in-class lessons with field-based science expeditions aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Designed for partner schools and districts.
• Family STEM Nights School events for entire families featuring interactive science stations and design challenges including scavenger hunts, lunar lander building, spaghetti towers, and wind cars. Delivered at partner schools.
• Overnight Outdoor Learning Three-to-five-day outdoor school program at the Outdoor Education Camp in Portola, CA for 5th and 6th grade students, featuring team-building, ropes course challenges, engineering, pond ecology, forest ecology, astronomy, and geology activities.
• Out-of-School Time Learning Afterschool and summer break STEAM programs bringing hands-on, nature-based science experiences to schools and community organizations.
• Overnight Summer Camp Week-long overnight summer camp for ages 8-18 at the Outdoor Education Camp in Portola, CA, featuring kayaking, hiking, high ropes course, archery, and campfire activities with social-emotional learning integrated throughout. Priced at $1,250/week.
• Day Camp Reno STEM-based day camp program for children ages 5-12 held at Rosewood Nature Area in southeast Reno, featuring daily themed activities, nature exploration, and water play. Priced at $345/week.
• Day Camp Sacramento STEM-based day camp program for children ages 5-12 held at Sacramento Valley Conservancy's Camp Pollock, featuring outdoor activities and air-conditioned lodge access. Priced at $345/week.
• Girls in STEM Camp Free weekend camp for middle school girls in grades 6-8 (ages 11-14) featuring challenge course activities, Alpine Tower climbing, zip lining, and hands-on STEM learning at the Outdoor Education Camp. Open to Title 1 or Free/Reduced Lunch qualifying students from Nevada or California.
• Grown-Up Getaway Camp Adults-only weekend camp experience featuring classic camp activities, live music, creative workshops, meals, and lodging in Portola, California.
• Corporate Retreats Team-building and leadership training programs for community groups, church groups, boards, and nonprofits at the Outdoor Education Camp facility. Per-person, per-night pricing.
• SNJ Outfitters (Company Store) Online fundraising clothing store offering logo'd hoodies, hats, t-shirts, and outdoor apparel to support the nonprofit's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Schools with Sierra Nevada Journeys programming had 6% higher percentage of students meeting/exceeding standardized science test scores
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Feather River Land TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Feather River Land Trust transferred 1,025 acres of protected land valued at $2.5 million to Sierra Nevada Journeys, more than doubling the outdoor education campus to 1,494 acres. FRLT holds conservation easement on the property, protecting Big Grizzly Creek Corridor and wildlife habitat in perpetuity.
• SilverSummit HealthplancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNevada-based health insurance company providing 100% scholarships for qualifying members' children to attend Overnight Summer Camp and Reno Summer Day Camp. Title sponsor for Family STEM Nights program.
• Improve Your TomorrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership serving underrepresented populations in STEM education, particularly Black and Indigenous youth.
• Black Youth Leadership ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership expanding access to outdoor science education for Black youth through leadership development programs.
• Square Root AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership serving underrepresented youth in STEM and outdoor education.
• Boys & Girls Club Truckee MeadowsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership serving youth with disabilities and underrepresented communities through collaborative programming.
• Amplify LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit serving children and adults with disabilities, partners on family camp programs at Sierra Nevada Journeys facilities.
• Plumas County Office of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Native Voices Project developing outdoor science learning incorporating Maidu language and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Mountain Maidu CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Native Voices Project incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and Maidu language into outdoor science curriculum.
• Sacramento Valley ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSacramento Valley Conservancy's Camp Pollock location hosts Sierra Nevada Journeys day camp programs in Sacramento.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NatureBridge: 501(c)(3) outdoor science education nonprofit with multi-day residential and day programs in California and Washington. Direct comparable on mission (NGSS-aligned, equity-focused environmental science education), program model (school partnerships + summer camps), and customer base (K–12 districts and families).
• Avid4 Adventure: Adventure-based day and summer camps for kids and teens offering multi-sport programming with STEM and outdoor learning components. Comparable in age range (K–12), activity mix (kayaking, climbing, archery), and California presence despite for-profit structure.
• Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI / Catalina Ocean Ranch): Residential marine science and outdoor education program on Catalina Island serving grades 3–12 with multi-day field science expeditions. Directly comparable residential science camp model, K–12 school-district customer base, and ACA-accredited facility operations.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound USA: Established nonprofit experiential education organization with residential outdoor courses for youth and adults across the U.S. Overlaps in mission (outdoor experiential learning, character building, equity access programs for underserved youth) but operates at much greater scale and with backcountry expedition focus rather than K–12 STEM academic enrichment.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Large nonprofit outdoor education school offering wilderness courses and instructor certifications. Shares a focus on field-based outdoor learning and wilderness leadership, but primarily serves older students and adults rather than K–12 academic enrichment.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: National youth organization with outdoor adventure, STEM badge programs, and residential camp properties serving millions of girls. Relevant on youth outdoor STEM education and residential camp operations; competes for summer camp enrollment in California/Nevada and partners at the chapter level (e.g., Girl Scouts of Silver Sage alumni on SNJ's staff).

Emerging players

• Walking Mountain Science Center: Smaller nonprofit environmental science learning center in Eagle County, Colorado offering K–12 programs, summer camps, and family events. Comparable mission and school-district partnership model but at a more limited scale and single-region footprint.

Regional players

• YMCA of the Sierra (Sequoia Lake, Camp Oakhurst, Camp Ravencliff): Regional Sierra Nevada/California Y camps running residential and day outdoor programs with year-round school group bookings and ACA accreditation. Operates comparable programming in adjacent geography, targeting the same Northern California K–12 schools and family market.

Others

• Project Learning Tree: National environmental education curriculum provider used in K–12 classrooms. Adjacent rather than competing — SNJ adapts NGSS-aligned curricula; PLT provides teacher training and lesson resources that complement rather than replicate SNJ's residential and outdoor experience offerings.
• Audubon Canyon Ranch: Bay Area-based nonprofit nature preserve and environmental education organization delivering school programs and teacher training across Northern California. Operates in an adjacent geography with overlapping mission (K–12 outdoor science, conservation) but without a residential camp component.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sierranevadajourneys
• Xx.com/sierranvjourney
• Facebookfacebook.com/sierranvjourneys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sierra-nevada-journeys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sierra Nevada Journeys