The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is bringing its Texas Outdoor Family program to Lake Brownwood this weekend.
This progam helps introduce reluctant campers to the joys of pitching a tent under the stars and enjoying the outdoors. During the overnight Texas Outdoor Family program, participants spend much of the weekend learning not only how to pitch a tent, cook outdoors and learn about nature, but also how to use a global positioning system (GPS) to navigate trails and locate hidden caches.
The workshop costs $55 per family (up to six people), and includes individual camping sites for each family, restrooms with hot showers, professional park ranger-led programs and instruction, overnight state park police officer public safety and security, and state park Junior Ranger certification program. The TOF program follows the ’Leave No Trace’ philosophy so it’s environmentally friendly.
Since its inception in July 2008, the program has delivered 40 workshops throughout the state from Palo Duro and Caprock Canyon state parks in the Panhandle all they down to the World Birding Center headquarters at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in the Valley.
“There’s no experience or equipment necessary for these workshops,” says Chris Holmes, the outdoor education coordinator for Texas State Parks. “We know there are lots of folks out there who simply want some hand holding to get comfortable and reacquainted with using the outdoors.”
Holmes says people who are apprehensive about taking their family into the outdoors for a camping trip will find this an excellent program. As one Texas Outdoor Family graduate said after attending the program at Brazos Bend State Park: “I personally had a fear of camping, but I truly had a great time! My kids also had a great time and didn’t want to leave! It was a fantastic family experience and we will definitely camp again.”
TOF participants bring their own food for the two-day workshops, and receive a checklist of what they need to bring along with a suggested shopping and packing list for meals and personal items.
The Lake Brownwood Event will run October 17th & 18th and the agenda for the Lake Brownwood Event includes:
Credible Campers & Campsites:
- Adults: Learn Leave no Trace principles, how to pitch your tent and use stoves safely
- Junior Rangers: PEAK Program “Promoting environmental awareness in kids” to leave no Trace
Building Base Camp: Families come together, gather equipment and build base camp for the weekend.
Caching in on State Park Trails: Trail adventure and exploration through GPS and Geo-caching
Fire Building and Outdoor Cooking Tips: How to safely build fires and cook on open flames / grills
Experience the natural wonders at night: Celebrating nature’s natural night noises at State Parks
Sunday
Coffee and chat with a Park Ranger: Q&A – Learn more about parks and conservation
Know Before You Go … Breaking Camp and Leaving no Trace of your stay
Additional Site Specific activities
Creating Careful Kayakers: Introduction to Kayaking
Family Fishing Fun for Everyone: Introduction to Fishing
Families can register by calling (512) 389-8903 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and speaking to a Texas Outdoor Family representative or by sending an e-mail to tofsp@tpwd.state.tx.us anytime.
