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/
Attention Bigs: Photo Request
On your next outing, take a picture of your Little holding a blank piece of paper! It's a simple task but you will be helping us spread the word about our program in a big way!
Your Little can be simply holding the blank paper, or can also be showing off the activity you are doing at the same time. See some samples from our staff below.
Tip: If your smartphone has portrait mode, take one regular photo and one in portrait mode, then send us both!
Text your photos to 775.870.2798 or email them to [email protected]
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!
- Thurs, Aug 11: Sierra School of Performing Arts preview performance of “Into the Woods": Doors open at 6:45 PM, show at 7:30 PM, a quirky mishmash of classic fairy tales, told with Broadway flair! Free for BBBSNN matches. Matches with younger children may wish to leave at intermission, as the second act is darker/scarier. (Bartley Ranch Park Amphitheater, 6000 Bartley Ranch Rd, Reno, NV 89511)
- Tues, Aug 16: BBBSNN block of tickets to Reno Aces vs Salt Lake City Bees courtesy of U.S. Bank: Game time 6:35 PM, free for BBBSNN matches. (Aces Ballpark, 250 Evans Ave, Reno, NV 89501)
- Wed, Aug 31: Service Project at BridgeWire Makerspace: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, matches are needed to spruce up their meeting space with a fresh coat of paint, with professional help from Home Depot representatives. Please help us thank BridgeWire for the monthly activities they host! (BridgeWire Makerspace, 1055 Industrial Way #20, Sparks, NV 89431)
Looking ahead...
- Thurs, Sep 9: Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Career Exploration and Detention Center Tour: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, For matches with Littles ages 14+. Bigs and Littles must both complete waivers ahead of time, and the Little's waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian before the tour! RSVP to your Match Support Specialist to get the waiver. (Washoe County Sheriff's Office, 911 E Parr Blvd, Reno, NV 89512)
Free Passes/Tickets
- Mesa Rim Climbing Center: Free day passes for climbing, yoga and fitness, rental gear included. (970 Harvard Way, Reno 89502)
- Beyond Van Gogh! We are excited to be the recipients of 20 pairs of complimentary passes for this incredible immersive experience to be held from Aug 22 through Oct 2. If you are one of the first to RSVP, we will email you a code to use when you order your tickets online. (Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia St, Reno 89502)
Community Events
- Tue, Aug 2 – Sun, Aug 7: Hot August Nights Festival: Various locations. Check out the week’s schedule at https://hotaugustnights.net/.
- Sat, Aug 13: Hands ON! Second Saturday at the Nevada Museum of Art (FREE admission): 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, "Lines and Architecture," https://www.nevadaart.org/event/hands-on-second-saturday-15/, (Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty Street, Reno, NV 89501)
- Fri, Aug 19 – Sun, Aug 21: Reno Kennel Club All Breeds Dog Show: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Fri, Sat) and 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sun), http://www.renokennelclub.org/?fbclid=IwAR0hUrglNJv0mjiekI9Fc0nHMIN4aD1nhP08Jn5mq0fEa1W2FjfGQ6rO6eE#/events/show2022 (Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512)
- Sat, Aug 20: Build a Muscle Car with Your Mini-Mechanic: 9:00 AM – noon, Reserve your spot at: https://www.lowes.com/events/register/build-a-muscle-car-with-your-mini-mechanic. (Reno Lowe's, 5075 Kietzke Ln, Reno, NV 89511)
- Sat, Aug 20: Free “Back to the Future” screening at The National Automobile Museum’s new riverfront patio: Doors open at 7:30 PM, movie starts at 8:30 PM bring a low-back lawn chair or blanket! (National Automobile Museum, 1 Museum Dr, Reno, NV 89501)
- Sun, Aug 28: Take your Little to get a pair of brand-new Adidas Shoes: As supplies last, 10:00 AM – noon (Grace Church, 1220 Robb Dr, Reno, NV 89523)
- Sundays: "Makebreaks" Classes at Michaels (FREE admission): 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Michaels craft stores, https://www.michaels.com/instoreevents#id=sunday-makebreak-small-macrame-holder-li-bayshore
- Washoe County Library Summer Reading Challenge, Oceans of Possibilities: https://www.washoecountylibrary.us/summerreading/index.php
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