Author: Kristie Wells
Want to better understand how Incline Village and Crystal Bay work? The Washoe Tahoe Academy gives local residents a rare opportunity to meet the people behind the agencies and organizations serving our community and learn how decisions affecting Washoe Tahoe are made.
Approximately 25 residents will be selected for the free, three-day Academy, September 23rd-25th. Participants will get an inside look at local government, community services, and the network of organizations that play a role in everyday life here, while making connections with the people leading that work.
Applications for the 2026 Washoe Tahoe Academy are open through August 20th. [LINK]
Washoe Tahoe is an unusual place from a governance standpoint. Incline Village and Crystal Bay are part of Washoe County, but the services residents rely on and the decisions that affect the community can involve the county, special districts, regional agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. Understanding where one entity’s responsibilities end and another’s begin is not always straightforward.
The Washoe Tahoe Academy was created in part to make that landscape easier to understand. The program is a collaboration among Washoe County, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, and the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association (IVCBA).
Over three full days, participants learn about local government and community services directly from many of the people doing the work. The Academy is also designed to bring residents together, creating connections that can continue well beyond the program itself.
I participated in the inaugural Washoe Tahoe Academy last year, and that turned out to be one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
I met representatives from agencies and organizations working throughout the Tahoe community and came away with a much clearer understanding of their respective roles, responsibilities, and challenges. Just as important were the relationships I developed with other residents in my cohort.
Many of those connections continued after the Academy ended. Several participants have since become people I turn to when brainstorming new projects, researching community issues, or trying to better understand a complicated local topic. We share perspectives, exchange information, and help connect one another with people who may have answers. That network has become an unexpected and lasting benefit of the Academy, both personally and in my work helping keep the community informed.
The Academy is intended for residents who want to learn more about the community, regardless of whether they have previous experience with local government or civic organizations. Curiosity and a willingness to participate are important: regular interaction with fellow participants and Washoe County staff is expected throughout the three days.
The program is nonpartisan and is not intended as a forum for promoting businesses, advocating personal policy positions, or advancing political campaigns. Active candidates for elected office and sitting elected officials are not eligible.
Applicants must live in Incline Village or Crystal Bay to be considered. Working or owning a business in the community without residing here does not meet the residency requirement.
The 2026 Washoe Tahoe Academy will be held Wednesday through Friday, September 23rd-25th, and selected participants are expected to attend all three full days. There is no cost to participate.
For residents who have found themselves wondering who makes a particular decision, which agency handles an issue, or how the different layers of local government and community organizations fit together, the Academy offers a chance to get those answers directly from the people involved.
I entered the inaugural Academy hoping to better understand the community I live in. I left with something more valuable: a better understanding of how the pieces fit together and a network of people I continue to learn from today.
Applications for the 2026 Washoe Tahoe Academy must be submitted by August 20th. [LINK]