Quality of Life
Scenic and Historic Getaways
Once you’ve settled in to your new Las Vegas home, you’ll want to start discovering the beauty of local sites, all within a short distance. You might consider hiring a tour company that can provide you an overview and description of these unique places. Check the Web for sightseeing and tour companies and learn about seeing these places by air, by bus or by Jeep!

— Lake Mead
[35 miles Southeast of Las Vegas]
The reservoir created by the damming of the Colorado River became Lake Mead, named after Elwood Mead, the Bureau of Reclamation commissioner at the time. The newly formed lake drew thousands of visitors to this wondrous contrast of desert and water. Lake Mead National Recreation Area became the first national recreation area in 1964. Today, millions of visitors each year come to enjoy the many recreational opportunities found within the park’s diverse landscape.

Lake Mead is the 16th largest manmade lake in the world, occupying approximately 1.5 million acres and 700 miles of shoreline. Located in Nevada and Arizona, the lake offers year-round recreation including boating, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Three of America’s four desert ecosystems – the Mojave, the Great Basin and the Sonoran Deserts – meet in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Learn more at www.nps.gov/lame/

— Bonnie Springs Old Nevada
[25 miles West of Las Vegas]
Consists of a 115-acre park, motel, museum, shops, restaurant, petting zoo and horseback riding.

— Lost City Museum, Overton
[60 miles Northeast of Las Vegas]
The Lost City Museum was built by the National Park Service to exhibit artifacts that were being excavated from Pueblo Grande de Nevada. These Anasazi Indian sites were being threatened by the waters of Lake Mead as it backed up behind the newly built Hoover Dam. Eventually, when the lake was filled to capacity, about five miles of sites had been inundated or undercut by the water.

The Civilian Conservation Corps assisted in the excavation of the sites and the construction of the museum building, which was constructed of sun-dried adobe brick in a pueblo-revival style. The museum also served as the park headquarters for the Boulder Dam State Park that was established at Lake Mead.

The museum is currently owned and maintained by the State of Nevada as one of its six state museums. Program include ongoing archaeological research on the remaining Lost City sites, school tours and outreach programs, changing exhibits and archival library and collections research capabilities. Special public programs are held throughout the year. Visit www.nevadaculture.org/museums for more information.

— Mount Charleston
[45 miles North of Las Vegas]
Here you’ll find panoramic views, horseback riding, hiking, biking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, hotel, skiing and sleigh rides in winter.

— Spring Mountain Ranch
[18 miles West of Las Vegas]
Historic site, ranch house and visitor center.

— Valley of Fire
[55 miles East of Las Vegas]
Native American exhibits, visitor center, climbing, hiking and picnic areas.

— Ghost Towns Worth Visiting
  • Chloride Mining Town – south of Hoover Dam off U.S. 95.
  • Eldorado Springs – 42 miles south.
  • Goodsprings – 37 miles south.
  • Johnnie – 50 miles northwest.
  • Pioche – 175 miles northwest.
  • Rhyolite – 120 miles north.
  • Sandy & Sandy Valley – 36 miles southwest.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways young people in the Las Vegas area can be involved in the community. Listed below are a number of organizations that welcome and encourage volunteers and youth support.

Assistance League of Las Vegas
6446 West Charleston Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 870-2002
e-mail: allv@allv.org
Assistance League of Las Vegas has been dedicated to effectively finding and fulfilling the needs of the Las Vegas community for more than 30 years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada (BBBSN)
4065 East Post Road
Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 731-2227
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBSN) is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. For more than a century, BBBSN has developed positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. BBBSN mentors children, ages 6 through 18, and helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
1501 North Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 385-2662
Catholic Charities is one of the largest nonprofit social service providers in the state and offes the most comprehensive range of human services. Catholic Charities includes diverse programs designed to help people – from infants to seniors, regardless of race, religion or creed.

   
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