Community-Based Bigs
Bigs-Only Events
Join our new Bigs-Only Facebook Group! It's a great place to share Match Activity ideas, post photos, and connect with one another! https://www.facebook.com/groups/341227398126672/
Upcoming Group Match Activities
Please contact your Match Support Specialist for more information and to RSVP for any of the following activities. We will provide more details once you RSVP!
- Wed, 6/14 Teens Only: Volleyball Pick-Up Game, 5:30-6:30pm
- Cost: $0
- Location: Crystal Lake Park, 1190 Country Estates Cir, Reno, NV 89511
- Availability: Open to any & all Matches with a teen Little
- Description: Join Match Support Specialist Lexi for a fun evening of volleyball. Light refreshments and equipment provided. This will be a recurring event for teen Matches to connect over casual athletics with the sport rotating each month.
- Thurs, 6/22 Reno Aces vs. Albuquerque Isotopes, 6:35pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Tickets compliments of US Bank!
- Availability: 10 Matches
- Location: Greater Nevada Field
- Wed, 6/28 Teens Only: Volleyball Pick-Up Game, 5:30-6:30pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Join Match Support Specialist Lexi for a fun evening of volleyball. Light refreshments and equipment provided. This will be a recurring event for teen Matches to connect over casual athletics with the sport rotating each month.
- Availability: Open to any & all Matches with a teen Little
- Location: Crystal Lake Park, 1190 Country Estates Cir, Reno, NV 89511
Upcoming Dates…
Please contact your Match Support Specialist for more information and to RSVP for any of the following activities.
- Tues, 6/20 Big Bash, 5:30-7:30pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Our annual "Big" appreciation event to thank our wonderful volunteers! A fun night to celebrate and enjoy refreshments.
- Availability: Bigs & a guest (no Littles or children)
- Location: The Club at Rancharrah
- Wed, 7/19 Annual Summer Picnic: "Camp BBBSNN", 5:00-7:00pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Our annual summer celebration open to all matches featuring fun activities for all ages, community partners, and a picnic dinner.
- Availability: all matches
- Location: Hidden Valley Park
Free Passes/Tickets
- Fly High Trampoline Park Reno Sparks: 2 for 1 passes available for pickup at the office or speak with your Match Support Specialist for other arrangements (10 Greg Street, Sparks, NV 89431).
- Mesa Rim Climbing Center: Free day passes for climbing, yoga and fitness (Rental gear included) (970 Harvard Way, Reno, NV 89502).
- Orangetheory Fitness: Passes for Bigs & Littles age 14+ for a free fitness class at either Reno location (8056 S Virginia Street, Suite 1, Reno, NV 89511 or 1575 Robb Dr Suite 1, Reno, NV 89523). Passes available for pickup at the office or speak with your Match Support. Waivers required.
Community Events
- Sat, 6/10, Do-It-Yourself Sun Catcher, 10:30 am – 4:30pm
- Cost: Regular admission (ask about BBBSNN discount!)
- Description: Visit The Shop to create a beautiful and functional device to harness the power of the sun. Using wax paper, tissue paper, and a variety of other materials, you can create a sun catcher that looks like stained glass.
- Location: The Discovery Museum
- Sun, 6/11, Creating Collage Faces, 12:00-2:00pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Explore the medium of collage in this fun hands-on workshop using various paper and embellishments to create a face collage. Suggested age range 3-10 but all ages are welcome.
- Location: Reno Public Market, 299 E Plumb Ln, Reno
- Availability: Limited spaces, RSVP here to save your spot
- Fri, 6/16 Crafternoon: Father’s Day Mugs, 3:30-4:30pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Father’s Day arts & crafts event.
- Location: Sierra View Library in Reno Town Mall
- Availability: Registration recommended through Washoe County Library here
- Sat, 6/25, The NeverEnding Story Show Preview, 2:00pm
- Cost: $0
- Description: Join TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada for a thrilling preview of the classic tale of a lonely boy who discovers a curious book and the worlds he discovers within. Featured on Faye’s Stage.
- Location: Reno Public Market, 299 E Plumb Ln, Reno
- Availability: Limited space, RSVP here to save your spot
- Thursdays, Game Night at Coffee N’ Comics, 5:00-8:00pm
- Cost: $0 admission
- Description: Drop-in and play board games, card games, or chess with your Match or new people. Bring your own game or borrow an available board game at the shop. (Psst! They also have a new Sparks location on Baring Blvd.)
- Location: 940 W Moana Lane, Reno
LOCAL DISCOUNTS FOR MATCHES
- Free admission for Littles at The Discovery: Littles get in free with the paid admission of their Bigs any day except Wednesday. On Wednesdays, the museum is open late and from 4:00-8:00 PM, all admissions are 50% off. To take advantage of the discount, Bigs need to show their ID card or otherwise identify as a Big at the time of transaction. Click here to learn more about The Discovery.
- Free studio fees at The Playful Potter: The Playful Potter in Sparks is offering free studio fees for matches that come in to paint pottery. Click here to learn more about the Playful Potter.
- Free admission for Littles at the National Automobile Museum: Littles get in free with the paid admission of their Bigs! To take advantage of the discount, Bigs need to show their ID card or otherwise identify as a Big at the time of transaction. Click here to learn more about the museum and their special events.
- Free ride wristband and $5 game card for Littles at the BoomTown Fun Center: Littles coming with their Big get a free ride wristband and $5 game card to enjoy the Fun Center! To take advantage of the discount, Bigs need to show their ID card or otherwise identify as a Big at the time of transaction. Click here to learn more about the Fun Center.
- Free admission for Littles at the Enchanted Cat Café: Littles receive free entry when accompanied by their Big Brother or Big Sister. Bigs, simply identify yourself as a Big with BBBSNN to redeem.
- Reduced membership for matches at BridgeWire MakerSpace: Half price deal for Bigs to join ($35/month) and you can take your Little (age 12+) for free. This is best suited for older matches who want to make working on projects their main focus. An orientation (at an additional one-time fee) is required of the Big (only) to introduce you to the building and all of the equipment available for use.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MATCHES
- Immunize Nevada: Email [email protected] for more information about current volunteer opportunities.
Activity Ideas for Community-Based Bigs
*Locations with an asterisk are in Carson City.
Games & Sports
- Play board games
- Go bowling
- *Carson Lanes
- High Sierra Lanes (Click here to visit Kids Bowl Free and register for your Little to receive free bowling this spring and summer!)
- GSR Bowling Center
- Learn a magic trick
- Go miniature golfing or to the driving range
- Learn bike safety and repair
- Watch a sports game at the high school your Little will attend
- Attend a UNR or TMCC sports game
Arts & Crafts
- Watch a theater, dance, or music performance
- Take a class or workshop together
- Visit a museum
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)
- Walk through a hardware store and learn the function of various tools
- Do a simple chemistry experiment
- Show your Little how to maintain a vehicle, like washing the car or changing a tire
- Complete a Citizen Science project to teach your Little more about the environment
- Visit a museum or planetarium
Reading & Writing
- Write and illustrate a short story or comic book together
- Read the same book then discuss it
- Check out the "Just for Teens" activities through the Washoe County Library System: https://washoecountylibrary.us/teens/index.php
- Visit a library or bookstore (many offer free activities for all ages!)
Community, Activism, & Culture
- Visit local farmers’ markets, parades, or festivals
- Volunteer together with a local charity
- Write to the President and ask for a photo (You’ll probably receive one!)
- Use a map to learn about where friends and family live, where you have or would like to travel, and where current events are occurring
- Learn to count to 10 in a foreign language
- Write a letter to your Congressional representative(s) regarding an issue important to both of you
- Look around an antiques store and compare things of the past with things of the present
- Visit a local historic location
- Learn safety skills like using a fire extinguisher or performing CPR
Nature & Mindfulness
- Go for a walk or hike
- Fly a kite
- Start a rock collection
- Make a gratitude journal
- Kayak or paddle board
- Visit the zoo
Food
- Take a picnic lunch
- Try a new food
- Visit a coffee shop
- Starbucks (BBBS National Partner)
Seasonal
- Go ice skating
- Help your Little make holiday cards for their family, friends, and teachers
- Visit a farm or pumpkin patch
- Andelin Family Farm (fall, spring, and summer activities)
- Ferrari Farms (fall, spring, and summer activities)
Match Memories
- Create a scrapbook with photos and mementos of the things you’ve done together
- Write a letter to your Little on your match anniversary telling them what you’ve noticed about them in the last year