Sam Rayburn Seniors Dive into Outdoor Adventure at Galveston Island State Park

By Rowena McDermid, Education Assistant

On April 23, 36 seniors from Sam Rayburn High School (Pasadena ISD) traded their classroom for the coast, joining us at Galveston Island State Park for a customized Becoming an Outdoors Girl experience. In partnership with park staff, the day offered hands-on opportunities to kayak, seine in Galveston Bay, and explore coastal birding.

For many students, kayaking was a brand-new adventure. After gearing up with life jackets and learning the basics, the group launched onto the calm waters of Horseshoe Pond. Some were nervous at the start but soon became confident paddlers. Getting into the kayaks was the hardest part!

While some managed to stay dry in their kayaks, there was no avoiding the water while seining. Wading into Galveston Bay, students worked together to pull in their nets and discover what lay beneath the surface. Their catch included comb jellies along with a variety of fish and shrimp species, sparking curiosity and conversations about estuarine ecology.

On land, the third rotation was birding. After a quick binocular tutorial, a short walk revealed an impressive variety of coastal birds, including egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills, gulls, and terns. A fleeting moment of excitement came with the possible sighting of a long-billed curlew overhead—gone almost as quickly as it was spotted, leaving a bit of mystery in its wake.

The day wrapped up with a picnic lunch before the students boarded the bus for the trip back to school. With gray skies, mild temperatures in the upper 70s, and just a drizzle, the weather was perfect for a morning spent outdoors.

This memorable experience was made possible through funding from the 2026/2027 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Community Outdoor Outreach Program (TPWD CO-OP grant). The grant connects students with nature, new skills, and a sense of outdoor confidence that will last well beyond a single day.