Activity Descriptions
The Outdoor School Leadership Program customizes your trip based on your groups’ specific needs. Below is a list of activities your group can select to be a part of your trip. Final selection of activities will be conducted in coordination with your group and our staff.
List of Courses
Adventure Activities
Teambuilding Progression
The core of what we do is teambuilding. It is the foundation of everything that students experience while they are here. In our teambuilding progression, students will be led through a series of challenging activities based on the goals set by the teachers. We work with every school to customize the teambuilding activities so no two trips are alike. The key to success is that students must work together to solve problems, learn to effectively communicate, and trust each other.
Climbing Wall and Zip-line
“It is not in the achievement of getting to the top that matters, but the conquering of fears and beginning the climb that does. ” — Unknown
Although individually challenging, the Climbing Wall is an excellent extension of teambuilding. Each participant is responsible for setting his or her own goals, but it often takes the entire team to show support and encourage one another to meet his or her goals. We have two basic philosophies at The Outdoor School: 1) “Challenge by Choice” is the philosophy that each person sets his or her own goals Each student sets their goal and lets their teammates know the best way to support them in reaching it. 2) “Universal Respect” is our version of the golden rule. We expect all students, staff, and facilitators to respect everyone and everything they encounter at TOS.
Pirate Ship Ropes Course
Walk the gangplank and experience the thrill of the Pirate Ship. With 4 different levels and over twenty elements, this high ropes course towers over the banks of Lake LBJ providing participants breathtaking views of our beautiful camp. This ropes course allows an entire activity team to be in the air at one time and experience multiple elements on the continuous course.
Screamin' Eagle (Half Session)
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 their choice. Once the swinging participant is ready to fly the participant releases their 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-serve basis.
Texas Two Step
The Texas Two Step has several partner based elements, participants must work together in order to be successful. 
Survival Skills
Following the “Leave No Trace” philosophy, the focus can be placed on survival situations, basic compass work, shelter building, wilderness first aid, fire starting, water finding, and edible plants. Survival scenarios given to the participants can help them decide what they should do in certain situations. Group problem-solving tasks issued to the participants with limited supplies helps participants work on group communication skills and develop leaders as well as followers (campfires are prohibited if the burn ban is on).Team Canoes
Looking for that teambuilding activity that will make a splash? Then jump into our Team Canoes for a trek on Lake LBJ that your participants will never forget. Each canoe seats 12 and participants must work together in order to successfully maneuver the craft. Weather and ability allowing, we like to take the students on a short trip down river.
Recreational Activities
Swimming
Enjoy Swimming in our two awesome swimming pools, the junior Olympic-sized pool, and the Spin Cycle. The main pool features two large waterslides, cascading waterfalls, a tanning ledge, and water fountains. The Spin Cycle features a circular lazy river with waterfalls and water fountains surrounded by tropical plants.
Lake Swim
No Leadership trip is complete with swimming in beautiful Lake LBJ.
Kayaking
We are fortunate to be situated on Lake LBJ so that we can give participants 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 participants on a short kayaking trip along the edge of the lake or to a canal across the lake.Archery
Archery is a group favorite and always a great opportunity to hone their patience, nerves, and ability to focus on the act of shooting a bow. Participants will learn the history of the bow and arrow and how it has evolved across the centuries.Evening Activities
Camp out (Length of camp out variable)
No experience is quite like the one of spending the night under the stars. Participants 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. Participants 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).
Campfire Connections
Campfire Connection brings the students together in their teams to process how far each team has done, and extend to their life outside of camp. Of course no campfire connection in complete without a tasty s’more.
Astronomy
This evening activity focuses on the night sky. Participants 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. Participants 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.
Sports
Need a fun way to work together and compete at the same time? Then choose sports as your evening activity. We offer kickball, disc golf, basketball, tennis, pickleball, GaGa, volleyball and soccer/football. We have lights on our basketball, pickleball, and multi-use sports field so no need to worry about playing into the evening. We provide all the basic equipment and you provide the participants.
Movie Night
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.
Add-Ons
Enchanted Rock Overnight Trip
Substitute 2nd Day (on Two Night trip): Additional cost per student plus E-Rock reservation fees.
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- Unique teambuilding program built around group goals and going through the Enchanted Rock Cave.
- School pays E-Rock reservation fees