School Participation

Since its inception in 1992, The Texas River School has instructed over 5,000 students. We have thus far served the following Austin schools:

  • Bernice Hart Elementary
  • Sanchez Elementary
  • Sunset Valley Elementary
  • Highland Park Elementary
  • Garza High School
  • Allen Elementary
  • Pickle Elementary
  • Sims Elementary
  • Walnut Creek Elementary
  • Oak Springs Elementary
  • Dobie Middle School

Currently we are focusing on 4th through 6th grades as this is a particularly receptive age group.  We know that schools are busy, so we make participation in the TRS program as simple as possible.

Your School Will Provide:

  • Classroom time and space for instruction,
  • Overseeing parental permission slip returns,
  • Bus transportation to and from the river for students,
  • Two teachers to accompany students on our trip.
Texas River School Will Provide:

  • Canoe instruction and safety training on the day of the trip,
  • Canoes, life jackets, paddles, dry buckets and other safety equipment,
  • Five training sessions taught in the students' classroom,
  • Creative environmental activities including journaling and an interactive tour of the Splash Exhibit at Barton Springs Pool,
  • Food for the day for all participants,
  • A free-swim hour at Barton Springs Pool,
  • FUN!

Learning to paddle a canoe requires that children work together to guide the canoe and to accomplish the many other challenges that are presented during the course of the day. Instruction includes how to wade across shallow, moving water safely, how to perform self-rescue in moving water, and what to do when the canoe tips over. All of these activities give children the chance to practice good judgment, patience, and teamwork.