1 or 2 blocks, 4th grade – adult:
(Also known as “Low Ropes.” This is a misnomer – most of the elements/activities in Teambuilding have no ropes involved.) Students will be given a series of problems or tasks that they must solve as a group. Often the only way to complete the task is by using every member of the team. Each team is unique as to what strengths they possess and what areas they need to work on, so the facilitator sets the goals and situations for each individual team to ensure a challenge with success. After each element or activity the facilitator will “process” the group. Processing is the act of talking about the last accomplishment in order to discover the strengths and weaknesses of the group and to keep improving skills as a team. Emphasis for this class can be placed on trust, communication, listening and leadership skills, strategic planning, cooperation and sharing of ideas. This can be a 1-block or 2-block activity. 2 blocks will allow for greater progression of the team building process.

1 block, 4th-5th Grade:
While the High Ropes Course can be done alone, it is a wonderful extension of the Climbing Wall. Our philosophies used with the Climbing Wall still hold true for this activity as students are faced with the continuing challenges of height and goal-setting. This is our newest course, and allows for the entire team to participate at the same time.

1 block, 6th grade-adult:
This High Ropes element is offered separately from our other elements. The Screamin’ Eagle is also known as a Screamer, or Giant Swing. The participant is attached to a cable and the other teammates use this cable to pull the participant up to the height of his/her choice. Once the swinging participant is ready to fly s/he releases her/his tether and swings. This element is a lot of fun and gets the whole team involved in the experience. This activity is group-size restrictive and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

1 block, 6th grade-adult:
The Pirate Ship is a twenty-element high ropes course along the banks of Lake LBJ. This ropes course allows several participants to be in the air at one time and experience multiple elements on the continuous course.

1 block, 7th grade-adult:
This course allows older students to enjoy the great reward of ziplining once they make it to the top of the climbing wall.

1 block (1/2 block each), 4th-7th grades:
This combination class gives students a nice introduction to both archery and fishing and is one of our more popular courses. In the archery segment students will learn how to safely fire a bow and the proper technique of shooting. In the fishing segment students use a simple cane pole and hot dog (or other bait) to catch their fish. They will learn how to bait their own fishhook, how to correctly hold a fish and how to safely remove it from the hook.

1 block, 6th grade-adult:
If this course is taken as a stand-alone rather than in combination with fishing, students will have more time to shoot, thus becoming more comfortable and proficient. A more indepth look at the history of the bow and arrow and how it has evolved across the centuries can also be explored.

1 block, 6th grade-adult:
If this course is taken as a stand-alone rather than in combination with archery, students will have more time to fish. Students will also learn the parts of a fish and about the different species that live in Lake LBJ. We do continue to use the simple cane pole rather than a rod and reel in order to prevent students from hooking each other as they cast.

1 block, 4th grade- adult:
We are fortunate to be situated on Lake LBJ so that we can give students the opportunity to learn the basics of kayaking. This class covers basic strokes, entering and exiting the boat, as well as some river dynamics. Weather and ability allowing, we like to take the students on a short kayaking trip along the edge of the lake or to a canal across the lake.

1 block, 6th grade- adult, group-size restrictive:
If you’re interested in Kayaking but are looking for more of a teambuilding aspect, consider taking Team Canoes. Each canoe seats 12 and students must work together to successfully maneuver the craft. Weather and ability allowing, we like to take the students on a short trip downriver. The canoes must be carried a short distance to the lake – they are heavy and the students must be physically strong enough to carry them, thus the age restriction. Please consider the physical capabilities of your students before choosing this activity.

1 block, 4th- 6th grades:
This is an introductory class that teaches students basic skills in the outdoors. Students are introduced to two concepts: LNT (Leave No Trace) principles as a way to reduce our impact on the outdoors; STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) as a tool of what to do in an emergency. Putting together a basic survival kit and learning how to properly build a fire are integral parts to this activity. Roasting marshmallows cooked on their fire is often the way we conclude this class (campfires are prohibited if the burn ban is on)!

2 blocks & 1 Evening Activity, 7th grade- adult, group-size restrictive:
No experience is quite like the one of spending the night under the stars. Students will hike out to their campsite in our backcountry, led by an instructor who will share knowledge about edible plants and native animals and lead experiential games designed to teach more about the natural world. Students will cook their dinner over a fire, enjoy a campfire and s’mores, and watch the stars. This activity is meant to provide a unique overnight experience that promotes confidence, teamwork, and natural awareness in a wilderness setting. We have three campout sites, so we can take three teams of fifteen in a night. You will need to consider how many students you have and how many nights you are staying to determine if this activity is feasible for the size of your group (campfires are prohibited if the burn ban is on).

1 block  5th and up

Set a course for adventure by taking our new class, Treasure Hunt! This is a beginner course for anyone interested in learning navigation via maps and compasses. Students will have the opportunity to learn about and use compasses to find hidden clues on property, eventually leading to…treasure! We’ve aligned this course with 5th & 6th grade TEKS but can adjust for slightly younger or older groups

1 block, 4th-6th grades:

• Become an archaeologist for a day and uncover artifacts from a far away time. Students will use various archaeology tools to discover authentic artifacts, infer what they could have been used for, and document their findings. They’ll also explore how future generations might make inferences about what we will leave behind to be discovered.

1 block, all ages:
Students will be introduced to several different native plants and animals that were used by the Tonkawas and other local tribes. They will learn unique and interesting ways that the Native Americans used these plants and animals for food, medicine, shelter, tools and clothing. This class is full of opportunities to taste some of the food and/or make some of the objects that the Native Americans did. We have a small teepee village set up in our wilderness property for the students to explore and examine.

1 block, 4th- 7th grades:

Time travel back to 1851 with us where we’ll visit the original Noble Family log cabin and learn about their settlement on this land. We’ll talk about the reasons people moved west and the technological changes we’ve seen in the meantime. Students will get the chance to try out the two-man saw, practice using a plough, and visit our garden and farm animals.

1 block, 4th-6th grades:
This class focuses on the processes that lead to the formation of sedimentary rock and fossil fuels. This includes discussion on weathering, erosion, deposition, and ultimately the creation of fossils and fossil fuels. Students will discover the importance of these processes in Texas’ history and economy. Lab stations include the use of sand sieves, rock hammer, soil tap, and field guides.

1 block, 4th-7th grades

Explore the roles of plants and animals within our ecosystem here at The Outdoor School. Students will discuss food webs and food chains while also playing a few games to help them better understand predator/prey relationships and the structures and functions of certain organisms.

1 block, 4th-6th grades:

1 block, all ages:
Do you want to find cool things in nature? This is the class for you! Students and their instructor will set out on a leisurely hike to explore all that nature has to offer. This class doesn’t have a set lesson plan but instead aims to foster a healthy curiosity in students about the natural world around them while encouraging students to observe, ask questions, and explore.

1 block, all ages:
Students will learn about the three most commonly found “critters” on our property (insects, arachnids, and myriapods) before setting out to collect their own! After collecting their critters, students will use field guides to identify and learn about their new friend.

1 block, 4th-6th grades:
Students will understand the need to prolong the life of our natural resources and to reduce waste by reviewing the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. They will make connections between the materials we use, how they are used, what resources made them, and how they are disposed of. Students will define composting and identify the components of backyard composting. They will define and give examples of renewable, nonrenewable and inexhaustible resources. Specific sources of energy will also be addressed during one of the many activities in this class. Students will be introduced to more environmentally conscious alternatives and exercise better decision-making skills as consumers.

1 block, all ages:
Students will learn about 4 different Orders of reptiles in this class! They’ll learn common characteristics of reptiles as well as characteristics that are unique to each order. We’ll also discuss how to identify venomous North American snakes. Finally, students will have the opportunity to meet and handle some of our resident reptiles!

1 block, 5th -7th grades:
Students will be introduced to a brief history of Lake LBJ and the concepts of water conservation and protection. They will perform chemical and biological tests on the water of Lake LBJ in order to determine the health of the lake. Testing includes pH, Turbidity, Nitrates, and a macro-invertebrate dig. Students will be asked to think of ways that they can help conserve this very precious natural resource. Instrumentation includes test kits, microscopes, and D-nets.

1 block, all ages:
Take an adventure through different styles of writing and discover how written language carries stories forward from different places and times. Each student will have a chance to spend some time selecting and writing about a nature object of their choosing through different perspectives and voices.

1 block, 4th-6th grade:
Students will begin by reviewing the basic elements in art such as line, shape, form, color, texture, space, and value. They will then get the opportunity to experience natural art here in the Hill Country by walking the trails to discover some examples of the art elements. The students will also collect items during their walk to use in creating their own art.

1 block, 6th grade:

How do our trees measure up? Students will use common mathematical skills to determine the heights and ages of trees around our property while discussing the importance of trees to our environment.

1.5 hours, all ages:
This class focuses on the night sky. Students will be taken on a “constellation tour” exploring the different constellations visible during that time of year. Instructors are familiar with interesting facts and/or different legends and myths revolving around these constellations and share them with the students. Students will also have the opportunity to look through our telescope and view heavenly bodies more clearly – our favorites include Jupiter, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula, depending on the time of year. If the moon is full and thus “hiding” other objects with its light, more time will be spent on moon studies.

1.5 hours, 6th grade-adult:
This activity is designed to help students become comfortable in and adapt their senses to the dark. Activities such as the smell game, drawing in the dark, and the noisemaker game illustrate to students how nocturnal animals utilize their senses in the dark. The solo walk is a great way to address night fears and how to deal with them. If you are going on a campout, these activities are already included in that program.

1.5 hours, all ages:
Do you want to give your students a “mini-summer-camp” experience? We have a blast with such activities as “Steal the Bacon,” “Alaskan Baseball,” and relays. Our creative and talented staff has a huge pool of ideas to utilize in creating the perfect game night for your students, no matter what the age. And what better way to end the evening than making s’mores and singing songs at the campfire?

1.5 hours, all ages:
We have basketball, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts, GaGa pits, and fields to play soccer, football or frisbee. We can organize a real game for you (like Ultimate Frisbee or Soccer) or just set out the equipment and let the kids play while we supervise. This is a great way for them to burn off some of that excess energy, and gives them a chance to play a little. Remember that if your school is swimming, that will happen during their free time so this gives them a chance to enjoy the other recreation we have to offer.

Approximately 1.5 hours, 7th grade-adult:
Your students will be encouraged to dance the night away with their peers and TOSinstructors alike… of course, teachers are welcome to join in as well! We’ll provide the music (screened for content, of course) and you provide the students. We recommend having at least fifty students in your group for this activity to be a successful one. We have one place suitable for dances, so this option is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Approximately 1.5 hours, all ages:
This is a great option if you would like a quieter, less active night. We have both indoor and outdoor facilities for watching a movie on a big screen, so we can watch no matter what the weather. We ask that you provide your own movie DVD so that you can ensure that the content is appropriate for your students. We have one set of projection equipment, so this option is on a first-come, first-served basis.

We have a number of facilities available to you if you wish to do some programming of your own in the evenings. There is a large temperature-controlled meeting room, amphitheaters, outdoor covered pavilions, campfire rings, and plenty of outdoor space!

Let us know as soon as possible if you wish to do this, as facilities are limited.

4 blocks, 6th grade- adult, group-size restrictive:
At Enchanted Rock State Natural Area there are many activities to explore. Depending on your group size, our staff can lead groups through the “wild” cave at the park. We can lead the class in a geology tour of our granite surroundings or interpret the fragile ecosystems of vernal pools and coexisting ferns and cacti. The chances of seeing abundant wildlife here are also high. History has many tales to tell in this park; it was one of the last places in the area that the Native Americans kept as a stronghold. Going through the cave is time-consuming, so we ask that if you have more than 75 students you plan on more than one day for this activity. Please note transport is not included in the cost of our program. Please ask for busing details for off-site trips.

Would you like to take advantage of our beautiful location and visit one of the many state or county parks in the area? Or maybe take your students on a visit to nearby Austin?  Let your planner know what you are thinking about and we can let you know how to best fit it in your schedule!