Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas Outdoor Stories from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Alanna Jones’ mother insisted that her daughter spend time outdoors.

I was a part of some type of camping group every single summer. So, I spent a lot of time outdoors, but since I’ve been in college—not so much. But I get out when I can.

Alanna got outside when she was our Passport to Texas intern this spring. During an assignment covering the Texas River School, Alanna finally understood her mother’s wisdom.

Well, what the Texas River School does is it takes kids, fourth through sixth graders out on the river. What we did is we went up a river and had lunch; and they learned survival skills in the water. The whole time I was just thinking: Wow, you know, that was me as a kid. Not understanding what this experience is going to do for my life. Most of these kids learn their entire lives that the water is scary, that the outdoors is scary. While they were on the river, they saw everything. And because they were paddling themselves, it showed them that they could do more than they thought they could do. And, because of my experience at the Texas River School, it reaffirmed why my mom said, get outdoors, and as an adult I understand that now.

Alanna is on to her next adventure and we wish her luck.

Tell us your outdoor story at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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