Making It Through the Summer

   My summer is doing good. I had to take a week off of work because I broke my collar bone and I was not able to move it. I broke my collar bone on my week off from work on a Sunday I was outside hanging out with some friends and I was riding a rip stick and I was going too fast down this hill in Stagecoach I was going about 10 or 15 mph down that hill and I hit a small rock in the road and flew forward and landed on my right shoulder first. It only takes 8 pounds to brake a collar bone, and I did it! When I got up I was kind of smiling but I did not feel the bone break I knew I broke it by the way it felt but it did not really hurt until I was on the way to the hospital.

     I’ve been working with Linda over the summer and it’s been going good. At first I did not really want to work at all and I wanted to find every way out of it but I did not because that was not the right thing to do. So I showed up to work every day ready to go do something new. I do it anyways, working my hardest every day I have to work. Going to the office and making copies was fun, something I usually don’t like to do but did it with no problems. I think I’m a lazy kid but I do my work anyways with no problems. I don’t mind working but not so much over the summer when I could be with friends and making memories. I decided to work over this summer so I can get used to getting up early, be ready to work, and not be late.

    I’ve had to cut out name tags. That was easy. I was hoping I had to do that all day because sometimes I show up for work and I don’t want to work. I had to go on a job shadow with Sam Turner and it was fun because I got to learn about the different kinds of animals living around the lake and what they do to help the environment. I go on these fieldtrips with the Comstock Workers every Wednesday to different colleges, to learn about a place, or to go have fun. In two day I get to go to a rope cores. Today I got to do something I was really good at. I sandpapered folding chairs and I had to paint them different colors. I did a good job! I mixed some of the colors together and it looks funny but cool.

      Over this summer I’m learning I am able to do anything if I put my mind to it. I will not give up on myself. I want to have fun but be safe doing it. I might go to college or get small jobs and go travel the world. I want to see family and meet new people to hang out with and make new friends around the world.

The Carson River Festival and Clean Up

The Carson River Festival in Dayton was really fun.  When we first got there we unloaded tables, chairs and set up canopies.  The kids started showing up and setting up their tables.  I got to teach about the water cycle with an activity called The Incredible Journey.  People get to make a bracelet.  You start with a sun bead.  The sun heats water on earth causing evaporation and then people travel to different stations:  clouds, soil, oceana, rivers, plants, lakes, groundwater, animals, and glaciers.  The kids liked making the bracelets and had fun.  I also helped other people at their booths if they needed it. We packed everything up, took down tables, chairs and canopies.  We packed it all in the trailer and it is still there!

I've been working very hard every day when I go to work.  I don't complain and I do my best to get everything done on time before my hours are up.   We've been cleaning everything and I'm having fun working with Linda.  This summer is a new experience for me and I'm just trying every day and having fun working outside and interacting with new people and making new friends at events.  Sometimes I work a 5-7 hour day and that keeps me really busy.

Settling In

Monday, June 17.  I went to the Carson Water Subconservancy and met more people with River Wranglers.  I worked very hard that day but I was having fun while I was working.  I had to make name tags and print, cut and fold thank you cards.  It is fun helping River Wranglers because everybody is really nice and respectful.  I get to teach others about River Wranglers and it should be really fun.  Every day I get to do something new and its kinda fun , it keeps me busy busy but interested for the day.  I think I'm going to like doing this over the summer.

Thursday, June 20.  Today I had to finish getting everything ready for River Wranglers' Carson River Festival in Dayton on Saturday.  I cleaned up the trailer and made it all organized so everyone will find it easy for fing all the things they need.  I cleaned up the Enviroscape model and got out the supplies for the water cycle activity, the Incredible Journey.  I recruited my friend, Dusty, to help teach adults and kids something new.  And by teaching everyone else about the water cycle, I'll be learning new things as well.

Meet Ryan a Summertime Blogger.....Comstock Worker and River Wranglers Intern

I had fun on my first day of work with River Wranglers. I got to meet new people and had new experiences. I like to try new things even if I don’t know how to do it. I’m easy-going and I like to explore the world, go hiking, fishing and have fun with nature.  I enjoy being helpful in any way and I’ll push myself in life and have fun with whatever I’m doing.

I have challenges with spelling and I’m not very good at writing. I’m easy to work with and sometimes if I don’t understand something when I’m working I try to do it by myself  because I get kind of scared to ask for help if I don’t understand how to do something. I’m a very hard worker and I’m getting better at asking questions when I need help. I’m going to learn new skills for life and have fun this summer.

Charlie's Angels Alive and Well in Silver Springs

charlie's ang

  The appreciation picnic for the teen volunteers at Lahontan State Recreation Area was great fun thanks to fantastic board members willing to work hard, good food, bright sun and water!  The teens canoed, ate, and defended themselves in a good water fight!  I would say the day was perfect in every way...but for the wind.  At the end of the day the wind caught our attention and demanded that we work with the canopies, chairs blowing over and all our "stuff" blowing about.  It was a brief attack but managed to convince us that the "windy city" has met it's match throughout Nevada!

Renewing Energy and Exploring the Results

One of the best things about being able to see and work with someone that is using or working with renewable resources is that you can explore the logistics and see how it will work for you as well as get some tips that will help you get yours working. One of the surprises that I got on this field trip was that there are other ways of having solar power without batteries.  You can put the power into the grid and get discounts on your power bill and tax credits. One of the things I wanted to know is if it is possible for any person to do this, not just people that have money. The things that I found out through this experience are that there are ways to get through and to accomplish your goals with very little expense on the part of the owner. This will definitely help me in my exploration of renewable energy and help me get my own setup of renewable energy.

Brennan, Silver Stage High School

visited Comstock Seeds in Gardnerville, Nevada

owner, Ed Kleiner

Reptiles are Heading to Old Town Dayton

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 They're on their way to the Carson River Festival!!  The reptile exhibit is always popular and kids; young and old, love to handle the snakes.  Thanks to Matt Duncan with a Reno pet store, families get to check out a variety of native and exotic reptiles.  Find out what is involved to get a pet reptile....learn about the native reptiles and what happens when exotics are released in the wild by a "worn out" pet owner.  Bad stuff for sure!  Mark your calendar for Sat. and Sun., June 1 and 2 in Old Town Dayton.  The Festival begins at 9am and ends at 3 pm.