Get ready to play! Learn the fundamentals of frisbee golf, bucket golf, and ladder golf through hands-on instruction and friendly competition. Participants will explore rules, scoring, game strategies, and adaptations for all ages while discovering how these activities support TEKS by developing movement skills, hand-eye coordination, teamwork, communication, and responsible participation in physical activity. No experience is necessary—just come ready to toss, laugh, and have fun!

Presented by Shanna Bryson

Description text goes herePickleball is a fun, low-impact paddle sport paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

Presented by Esther Lopez

Description text goes hereParticipants in this session will be introduced to the ancient hunting and warfare system of the atlatl and dart. Except for a brief introduction about the Atlatl hunting and fighting system, this session will focus on learning to throw a dart with an Atlatl. Safety procedures will be followed to have a fun and safe session. Throughout the class, helpful ideas on the construction of the Atlatl and Dart will be discussed. All equipment will be provided.

Presented by Leonel Lopez

Why is bat conservation so important? This program will demystify the world of bats and introduce the most common bats in Texas. We will get creative with some batty crafts for the classroom. We will deploy a Wildlife Acoustics Bat Detector and find out which bats are attending the conference with us.

Presented by Shari Lewis

Become a National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Basic Archery Instructor and gain the skills and confidence to safely teach target archery in a school setting. This certification course consists of two 3-hour training sessions covering archery safety, range management, equipment, teaching techniques and NASP program standards. Participants will complete a written certification exam at the conclusion of the training, and those who successfully pass will earn their NASP Basic Archery Instructor Certification. Whether you're a classroom teacher, physical education instructor, or outdoor educator, this training will prepare you to bring a safe, engaging, and nationally recognized archery program to your students.

Presented by Scott Lightle

Description text goes hereJoin us to learn the fundamentals of baking sourdough bread using a Dutch oven. Participants will observe key steps in the sourdough process, explore the science behind fermentation, and get hands-on experience preparing a loaf for baking. Perfect for beginners, this class offers practical tips and troubleshooting insights to help you confidently bake artisan-quality sourdough at home or while you are camping. We will also take a look at how this can be integrated into the classroom. As a 3-hour session, we will make some butter for our bread and talk about camp cooking while we wait for our bread to bake.

Presented by October Smith

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful float, an opportunity to learn to kayak, or just a journey connecting with nature, enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Llano River.

Presented by James Page

We will get our feet wet and explore the diverse aquatic macroinvertebrates of the river. We will use different collection techniques including D-nets and seine nets. The lesson will include aquatic organism observation and identification tips and fun activities about aquatic food chains.

Presented by Shari Lewis

An Introduction to Rifle Shooting is a foundational course designed for beginners to learn safe firearm handling, rifle parts and operation, ammunition basics, and core shooting fundamentals. The class blends classroom instruction with live-fire range practice.

Presented by Venessa Wallace

In this session, participants will participate in the activity and learn how to implement this teaching tool in their own classroom/camp/setting.This teaching tool revolves around a town hall debate activity where participants experience and role-play an ethical dilemma related to the outdoors and business development. The teaching tool has two parts: an energizer activity that focuses on participants’ personal beliefs and a main activity that utilizes a debate/role-playing activity to navigate an ethical dilemma.

The energizer activity gets participants moving in the physical space and allows them to reflect and apply their personal ethics. Participants are asked a series of questions regarding whether or not they believe something is ethical. One side of the space is designated as “Ethical” and the other side is “Unethical.” Participants move to the side that represents their response.

For the debate/role play, participants are informed they represent a rural American community and are participating in a debate at a town hall meeting. Participants are informed that they represent a community located in the Texas hill country, an area known for its rivers, limestone terrain, spring wildflowers, German heritage with wineries, live music, and charming historic towns. The community is participating in a debate at a town hall meeting. The debate follows the prompt: A development company wants to buy 8,000 acres of land along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country to build a luxury resort, golf courses, and private vacation homes. The project promises tourism income and new jobs, but it would restrict public access to the river and may harm wildlife habitats, including areas that shelter endangered species. The county must decide: Should the land be sold for the resort development, or preserved for wildlife and public recreation? The role handout also lists the roles' values, and it provides various prompts to encourage debate.

Presented by Reagan Leflett

Participants in this session will be introduced to the ancient hunting and warfare system of the atlatl and dart. Except for a brief introduction about the Atlatl hunting and fighting system, this session will focus on learning to throw a dart with an Atlatl. Safety procedures will be followed to have a fun and safe session. Throughout the class, helpful ideas on the construction of the Atlatl and Dart will be discussed. All equipment will be provided.

Presented by Leonel Lopez

Using air dry clay we will make a whistle to take with you.

Presented by Melanie Moses

We will look at the history of the Lucet or "chain fork" to make strong cordage. Participants will learn how to use a lucet and will make a lucet of their own.

Presented by Elisabeth Thomison

A compass is one of the 10 Essentials that a person should carry any time you go out for an adventure. A compass doesn’t require any batteries or satellite data and is not affected by fog, clouds or storms. Participants will learn compass nomenclature, how to care for a compass, how to handle the compass, and how set and walk a bearing. This session will provide three activities in which participants can apply the knowledge gained through the presentation. Compasses and handouts will be provided

Presented by Tere Ramirez

As technology takes over and an apocalypse ensues, you and your group of friends retreat to the woods. Even though your group now feels some sense of safety and seclusion, y’all are still novices when it comes to outdoor survival. Luckily, the second day into wandering through the woods, y’all stumble across an old, abandoned cabin. While the door is locked, the absent owner left behind a journal with many cryptic clues on the front porch. Will y’all be able to decipher the mysterious clues and survive through the apocalypse?

Presented by Laney Urban

This session is a completion of the NASP certification process.

Presented by Scott Lightle

Certifying teacher in teaching aquatic education TPWD

Presented by Don Carter

Car camping is one of the most accessible ways to connect young people to nature, build confidence outdoors, and create meaningful group experiences. This interactive workshop is designed for educators, camp staff, youth leaders, and nonprofit professionals who want to begin leading overnight outdoor experiences but may not know where to start.

Participants will explore beginner-friendly camping systems, affordable gear options, meal planning, risk management, youth engagement strategies, and outdoor leadership techniques. The session will also highlight funding opportunities, community partnerships, and Texas state park resources that help make outdoor experiences more accessible for schools and youth-serving organizations.

Whether you are planning your first overnight campout or looking to strengthen an existing program, this workshop will provide practical tools, ideas, and encouragement to help you confidently create safe, meaningful, and memorable outdoor experiences for young people.

Presented by Jen Smith

Learn the ancient yet beginner-friendly craft of coiled rope weaving. No experience necessary!

Presented by Esther Lopez

Step into the world of one of the fastest-growing outdoor games! In this hands-on session, participants will learn the rules, strategies, and teaching techniques for Kubb, a classic Scandinavian lawn game often called "Viking Chess." You'll discover how this engaging game promotes teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and friendly competition while being easy to adapt for students, families, camps, and community events. No prior experience is required—come ready to play!

Presented by Shanna Bryson

Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors, directly from nature to capture light, atmosphere, and scenes in real-time. Popularized by 19th-century Impressionists, this method often uses quick, Alla Prima (wet-on-wet) techniques to finish pieces in one sitting.

Participants will be provided with all supplies needed.

Presented by Melanie Moses

Participants will build confidence using a compass by learning its parts, taking bearings, and applying those skills in a fun letterboxing challenge. Through guided practice and a short treasure-hunt style activity, attendees will leave with the ability to navigate with a compass and the enthusiasm to continue exploring outdoors.

The goal of the workshop is to develop practical compass-navigation skills through engaging, hands-on experience. The main takeaway is that each participant can independently use a compass to follow directions and locate a letterbox. Hands-on activities include identifying compass components, practicing bearings and short navigation exercises, and completing a mini letterboxing hunt. To conclude, participants will reflect on one new skill they mastered, one challenge they overcame, and how they might use compass navigation in future outdoor adventures.

Presented by October Smith

Does your organization believe that protecting wild spaces and caring for Texas wildlife is important? Do you know how those efforts are funded in the state and across North America? Join this session to learn about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and leave with 3 Project WILD activities you can use in your programs.

Presented by Sara Jose

Turn students into environmental detectives! In this interactive activity, educators will learn how to use “nature crime scenes” to engage students in observation, logic, and evidence-based reasoning. Participants will explore how students can examine environmental clues, identify connections between human actions and changes in nature, and use evidence to determine what happened. This hands-on investigation provides a fun, adaptable way to build critical-thinking skills while connecting students to real-world environmental issues in Texas and beyond.

Presented by Kristin Bergthold

Learn how to host a fishing tournament for any age- without water! We will explore freshwater fishing regulations in Texas, basic fishing knot tying, and host a team fishing tournament.

Presented by Jeremiah Birmingham

Step outside the classroom and unlock the power of nature-inspired literacy! Aligned with Texas PKG and TEKS, this interactive session explores how the outdoors can ignite a passion for reading and writing. Focusing on the key concepts of "reading it like a writer" and "writing it like a reader," we will spend time outdoors gathering inspiration and practicing dynamic instructional strategies. You'll leave this session equipped with actionable tools and the renewed confidence of a true author.

Presented by Tessa Baden

During this session, the participant will learn how to select a rope for the intended application, rope nomenclature, steps for tying a knot, the purpose of the knots and the 5 most important knots for beginners. A rope for practicing the knot tying during the session and handouts will be provided.

Presented by Tere Ramirez

This session is a completion of the NASP certification process.

Presented by Scott Lightle

Our program runs a fun interactive game that demonstrates how predators and prey interact in an ecosystem. This game allows for adaptation and the introduction of many different aspects of an eco system; such as disease, carrying capacity, natural disasters and the different levels of energy production in an ecosystem.

Presented by William Zurcher

Explore the insects and arachnids of the night with some “mothing” while tuning in and to all the sounds of nighttime wildlife. Learn about the importance of dark skies and how to reduce light pollution in your neighborhood.

Presented by Shari Lewis

Learn the vastness of space, walk the solar system to scale, and discuss ways to differentiate the learning based on the age group of students you serve. Participants will walk away with an easy to implement and fun activity to do with any age group.

Presented by Denisse Baldwin

This session introduces participants to the rich history of gyotaku and its influence on other printmaking traditions. Attendees will create their own fish prints using silicone fish and explore the principles behind block printing and screen printing, gaining both artistic skills and historical context.

The goal of the workshop is to provide an engaging introduction to printmaking through the lens of gyotaku. The main takeaway is that participants understand the origins of gyotaku and can confidently create and appreciate a variety of printmaking techniques. Hands-on activities include examining examples of gyotaku, making fish prints with silicone fish, and experimenting with simple block-printing and screen-printing demonstrations. The session will conclude with a brief gallery walk and reflection in which participants share their favorite print, discuss what surprised them about the process, and consider how they might incorporate printmaking into future creative projects.

Presented by October Smith

Certifying teacher in teaching aquatic education TPWD

Presented by Don Carter

Learn basic skills: knots, casting, where to find fish in their habitat and have the opportunity to catch fish!

Presented by Keira Quam