Mission Statement
We strive to use the outdoors to awaken others to the potential within and around them.
About the Outdoor School
Unlike traditional schools, The Outdoor School (TOS) is not confined to indoor classrooms in schools far removed from the wilderness. Nor does TOS have all the responsibilities that traditional schools have. Rather, TOS is in and about nature - the woods, the lakes, the stars. We focus on helping parents and educators meet their children’s outdoor education needs.
Our Mission: Our mission is simple; we strive to use the outdoors to awaken others to the potential within and around them. How do we accomplish this?
Outdoor Appreciation: TOS gives students who have spent most of their lives in an urban or suburban setting a chance to experience woods, fields, and lakes. Here, children have a chance to develop a lifelong love for the outdoors.
Environmental Stewardship: TOS places children in a natural environment. They see, touch and hear the natural world. In this setting, students begin to learn about their environment so that, later in life, they can care for it responsibly.
Experiential Learning: TOS reinforces classroom learning by allowing students to engage their senses and to learn by doing. Students explore a "classroom" in which they can touch wildflowers, gaze at stars, and taste wild foods.
Interpersonal Skills and Self-Confidence: TOS helps children build self-confidence and participate as a member of a team. We use proven challenges, initiatives, and ropes course training that enhance children’s teamwork, trust, empathy, communication and group problem-solving skills. Guided by facilitators, students work together to achieve common goals, think creatively to meet posed challenges and test their perceived limits to overcome physical obstacles.
To be worthwhile, outdoor education must be more than a fun field trip. It must be a first-class educational experience. We take special care to assure your students the highest quality experience possible. Each school attending has a tailor-made schedule that is both age-appropriate and reflects the goals of the teachers for their students.
We teach all age groups. Since we offer a wide range of activities, there is something for everyone at The Outdoor School. Whether it's 4th-graders on a day-trip, 5th-graders focused on environmental education, 7th-graders studying Texas history, or 10th-graders seeking adventure, we have options to suit each group's individual needs.
We aim to make outdoor education applicable to many areas of study. Therefore, we teach multiple disciplines; our program includes activities in Natural Sciences, Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Adventure & Personal Development. Our central location in the heart of the Texas Hill Country enables students to take advantage of outstanding natural wonders such as Enchanted Rock State Park, Longhorn Caverns, and the Greenbelt area of Austin.
If you have a particular program idea that you do not see listed in our Course Descriptions, contact us - we love new curriculum ideas!
Click Here to get Course Descriptions!
Our Philosophies
Students will learn Universal Respect and Challenge by Choice, two philosophies we abide by at The Outdoor School. The first means everything should be treated with respect. To respect others, children are taught to treat others as they would like to be treated, using encouragement, positive words, and actions. Children will also be expected to show respect for themselves, the environment--everything! Challenge by Choice involves setting personal goals and reaching them using physical, mental, and social challenges along the way. Goals can always be reset higher or lower, and children are never forced to go beyond their limits!
Trips Offered
The Outdoor School provides an educational enrichment opportunity for many different age groups, school groups, and teachers. We offer academic programming for students in public or private schools grades 4-12, and we also have many Montessori and Charter schools that come to experience our hands on learning experience.
The separate programs cater to the goals of your school. If you want more information on which program would be suit your needs, you can e-mail us at info@outdoorschool.com.
Staff Retreats
Staff retreats are here for teacher inservice days to work on teambuilding and leadership among the staff. We offer our ropes course, kayaking, teambuilding, and several other adventure classes to help get teachers ready to work together as a cohesive team for the upcoming school year! These retreats are typically a one day program from 9a.m. to 4p.m but we can create whatever it is you are looking for!
School Trips
Our Outdoor School trips are all individualized to meet the needs of your students. We can create a one to five day programming to cater to you!
Day Trip - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- This trip includes a picnic lunch and the activities that you choose
Overnight - 24 hours
- This trip includes one night in our cabins and three meals
- Typically about four activity blocks plus one night activity
Two Night Stay - 48 hours
- This trip includes two nights in our cabins and six meals
- Typically about eight activity blocks plus two night activities
- Our most popular trip!!!
Three Night Stay - 72 hours
- This trip includes three nights in our cabins and nine meals
- Typically about activity blocks plus three night activities
- This is a great opportunity to take advantage of our day trips and campout!!!
Four Night Stay - 96 hours
- This trip includes four nights in our cabins and twelve meals
- Typically about sixteen activity blocks plus four night activities
- Also a great opportunity for day trips and campout!!!
Sample Schedules
| Sample Academic Schedule |
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Sample Adventure Schedule |
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| Day One: |
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Day One: |
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| 1:00pm |
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Arrival/Move in |
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1:00pm |
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Arrival/Move in |
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| 1:30pm |
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Orientation |
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1:30pm |
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Orientation |
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| 2:00pm |
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Teambuilding |
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2:00pm |
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Teambuilding |
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| 5:00pm |
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Free time/swim |
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5:00pm |
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Free time/swim |
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| 6:00pm |
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Dinner |
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6:00pm |
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Dinner |
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| 7:00pm |
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Astronomy |
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7:00pm |
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Astronomy |
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| 9:00pm |
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Showers |
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9:00pm |
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Showers |
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| 10:00pm |
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Lights out |
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10:00pm |
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Lights out |
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| Day Two: |
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Day Two: |
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| 8:00am |
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Breakfast |
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8:00am |
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Breakfast |
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| 9:00am |
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Nature Journaling |
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9:00am |
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Challenge Course |
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| 10:30am |
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Stepping Back in Time |
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12:00noon |
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Lunch |
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| 12:00 on |
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Lunch |
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1:00pm |
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Rest time |
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| 1:00pm |
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Rest time |
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2:00pm |
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Wilderness Campout |
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| 2:00pm |
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Climbing Wall |
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Cookout & Campfire |
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| 3:30pm |
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High Ropes Course |
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Night Sensory Activities |
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| 5:00pm |
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Free time/swim |
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Sleep under the stars |
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| 6:00pm |
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Dinner |
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Day Three: |
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| 7:00pm |
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Games & Campfire |
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8:00am |
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Breakfast |
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| 9:00pm |
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Showers |
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9:00am |
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Orienteering |
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| 10:00pm |
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Lights out |
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11:30am |
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Closure session |
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12:00noon |
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Lunch |
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| Day Three: |
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1:00pm |
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Load the bus & depart |
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| 8:00am |
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Breakfast |
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| 9:00am |
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Water Quality Studies |
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| 10:30am |
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Closure session |
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| 11:30am |
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Lunch |
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| 12:30pm |
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Load the bus & depart |
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