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Contributors

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ole McCrary is a student at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin Texas. When he is indoors, he enjoys playing Fallout 4, a post-apocalyptic game which is all about strategy. When outdoors, he loves throwing a football with friends . He is the Defensive Guard on his team which won the Middle School Zone Championship award. He is also a hunter who has hunted a variety of different animals. When ever possible, Cole enjoys rocking out to his rock music.

D

avid Piersall goes camping about once a year around the great camping sites of Texas. He has camped in over half of the campsites in Texas. When he is not camping, he enjoys playing his favorite video game Halo 4. At school, his favorite subject is Pre Calculus. He is a star scout in the boy scout troop 421 of Capital Area Council. He is also a member of Order Of The Arrow, which honors boy scouts of different groups. He also likes watching YouTube videos during his free time.

G

eorge Guckenberger is a soccer player for a youth team. He is dedicated to the sport and practices over seven hours a week. He loves playing on his team, because he is on a team which has mostly kids from his school. He also enjoys learning spanish, because he likes being exposed to different cultures. When George is not outdoors, he enjoys playing video games at home. He has competed in multiple triathlons and was nationally ranked in triathlons.

M

ateen Kontoravdis is an aviation enthusiast who enjoys spending his time learning about aviation and airplane spotting. During his free time, he enjoys running his aviation Instagram page which recently passed 20,000 followers. When he is outdoors, he enjoys playing tennis. He has previously created a few radio documentaries that have been aired in cities around the nation. He loves learning about World geography and different cultures and languages.

N

elson Barnes is a musician from Austin, Texas. He plays classical guitar and is devoted to mastering the instrument. He practices on a daily basis for over an hour. He has performed numerous times and was a member of the Austin Classical Guitar Society Orchestra. He also enjoys playing soccer with his team when he is outside. At school, he is learning Chinese, because he wants to learn another one of the world’s most popular languages. When outside, he also enjoys hiking in the beautiful weather.

2 | Texas Outdoors |

The Texas Agarita is naturaly found in the central Texas ecosystem. It’s very common and it’s berries can be used to make a delicous jelly.

Photo by Nelson Barnes

Letter From Editors Dear Readers, learned many things, such as

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topics. We had Flyboarding,

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-From the Team 4 | Texas Outdoors |

In this Texas-themed

Table of Contents West Texas Camping Top Texas Campsites Texas Camping Camping Materials Flyboarding Parts of a Flyboard

Page 6 Page 10 Page 12 Page 16 Page 18 Page 22

NASA Soccer Soccer Equipment Texas Hiking Texas State Parks

31

Page 24 Page 30 Page 32 Page 38

23

31

West Texas Camping

By Mateen Kontoravdis

6 | Texas Outdoor |

Photo Courtesy of Judith Cooper

Drive west on I-10 from Austin and a few hundred miles later you will see nothing but dry land and mountains on both sides of the road. Occasionally you will see a herd of cows grazing the tall yellowish grass. The mountains you see will be breathtaking. You will want to stop on the side of the road to take a photo with these huge mountains. By this time you are probably wondering, “Are we still in Texas?” And yes, you are. When you look at a map of our state, you will notice many campsites. You may see some familiar names of parks on the map, but you should focus your eyes on West Texas, home to the greatest camping sites in Texas.

West Texas is the ideal location for camping in Texas, because of the weather, unique features, and many great hiking opportunities. The remoteness of West Texas makes it all the better place for camping.

“It’s always really dry. It can be brutally hot in the summer, and brutally cold in the winter,” said Mr. Alex Hendrex a teacher at the Kealing Magnet Program, who has taught now for 23 years. Every year he takes his class “Amazing Discoveries,” whom he co-teaches with Ms. Cara Crouch on a multi-night camping trip to West Texas. When he is not teaching, you can usually find him camping in the beautiful camping grounds of West Texas. The weather in West Texas is easily described as unusual. You can expect very hot days in the summer, and very cold days in the winter. The best time to go camping here is in November, because you can witness the leaves changing colors in the mountains to beautiful colors of orange, yellow, and red. The weather is not too cold during the day, so you can enjoy cool mornings with warm afternoons.

“I remember dreaming and waking up and thinking hmm I think my toes are getting wet, wait a minute I think my ankles are getting wet, wait my knees is getting wet. I’m totally drenched and my whole inside of the tent was completely wet and flooded. I have

really good camping gear, but my camping gear was not sufficient,” said Mr. Hendrex.

He explained one of his encounters with the extreme weather that can be unpredictable in West Texas. These may be fun to go through when you are with friends or family, but being with twenty plus kids, Mr Hendrex was forced to turn around and end the field trip a day early because of the unpredictable weather. Though such events are uncommon out in the deserts of West Texas, it can happen. The easiest way to be prepared is by always bring a rain protector for your tent and a poncho so that you will stay dry.

Snow is not uncommon here in the winter season. “A couple of snowflakes were bouncing off of our tent. So I just turned to my wife and said there is no way we can leave. And we ended up staying and having a huge camp fire and went to bed and woke up with six inches of snow all over the place,” said Mr. Hendrex after experiencing snow in a desert. You would never expect snow in a desert, but in West Texas it is sometimes reality. In December you can expect cold days and freezing nights. So when you are ready to escape the heat of Austin for a few days in “Winter” you can spend some time out in nature. But do not forget the logs for camp fires, because you will need as much warmth as you can provide yourself during the 30F nights.

“Even in late spring it gets cold at night and in the early morning. We went in late April, almost May, and it got into the low 50s and high 40s at night,” said Noah Cooley, a student who participated in Mr. Hendrex’s multinight field trip last year. During Spring and Autumn, you can also expect a mix of weather.

Like Noah said, you would think a Texas desert to be warm by spring time, but many times this is not the case. “Be prepared for anything,” said Cole Kennedy, another student of Mr. Hendrex, when it comes to weather, You can expect to see many different animals out in the desert and mountainous ranges. | Texas Outdoors | 7

“You can expect the extremes out in West Texas.”

The most common species are mule deer, javelinas, and numerous rabbits. Animals you would not expect to see in Texas can also be found here. “I’ve even see an elk out there, because they have been introduced. Some of the private landowners will introduce species, so that they can hunt them,” said Mr. Hendrex.

Elks are commonly found in Washingto and Montanna. Historical evidence shows that Elk may have been in many parts of Texas. Today, they are free ranging animals in West Texas.

West Texas is also full of animals that are common, but not found in the city.

“Once, I had this really weird feeling that something was looking at me. I looked up, and five feet away there was a Great Horned Owl staring at me.” The Great Horned Owl is one of the larger owls native to North America. They are spread across all of America, so they can easily adapt to different environments. Another common name for them is

“At that point, I knew I was hooked to West Texas.”

tiger owls. They are strong predators, capable of taking on ospreys, falcons, and other owls.

Though many people do not like encountering animals while out camping, you will realize in West Texas that most animals are part of the eviorment and have will not harm you, but instead leave you alone, or make your camping trip more memorable. “After that, I was pretty much hooked to always watching birds, watching animals, and kinda feeling very small in a much larger enviorment,” said Mr. Hendrex. Small things are what make up the best parts of camping in West Texas.

Skunks are a common mammal found in West Texas. They will pay your tent a visit if you have left crumbles of your granola bar in your tent. To prevent this from happening, keep all of your food outside of the tent. This will keep any smell of food outside of your tent, stopping skunks and other animals from 8 | Texas Outdoors |

Mule deer are one of the most common species of deer which you can find in the vast lands of West Texas. They are named mule deer because of their large ears which resemble those of mule. They eat mainly weeds, leaves, and twigs found in woody shrubs. Photo courtesy of Dick Locke.

Jack Rabbits are one of the species of rabbits that are commonly found in West Texas. They are herbivores and eat grasses, twigs, and roots. They live in grasslands. The adult Jack Rabbit is capale of jumping up to 10 feet high at a speed of 40 miles per hour. Photo courtesy of Kodi Sattler.

The Great Horned Owl is one of the owls of West Texas. They have an intimidating stare and are a powerful predator capable of taking down birds, and mammals even larger than itself. Photo courtesy of Ashley Hockenberry.

entering your tent. Make sure that you keep your food sealed in bags, boxes, or a cooler in your car or above the ground to prevent animals from messing with it.

West Texas is not like a drive to Mckinney Falls State Park, it is instead a seven to eight hour drive from Austin, depending on where you are going. “The key is to make enough time. Do it with at least four days,” said Mr. Hendrex. If you take breaks while making the trip it will take about ten hours to get there and back so there goes one day. You need at least three additional days to explore the beautiful land and and enjoy the outdoors. “It was so quiet and peaceful, with no street lights, loud noises, or highways,” said

With no roads and buildings, finding water can also be an issue in West Texas.

“Bring more water than you could think you could possibly drink,” said Mr. Hendrex. He recommends that you drink at least a gallon of water per day. This sounds like a lot, but many areas do not have shade and you will be exposed to the sun light for the majority of hours every day. Extra water is a necessity, because if your car was to break down, or you walk on the wrong hiking path and you have to go back, the first thing you will want is water. Though it is extra weight you have to carry, it will pay off when you are in need of it.

Big Bend National Park is one of the best

In the rural lands of West Texas you can see that for miles and miles, there are no streets or building.

Photo by Mateen Kontoravdis

Abby Rindfuss, a student who participated in Mr. Hendrex’s multi-night field trip to West Texas last year. It is a very peaceful retreat to escape the busy cities for a few days. “There were no cars or city sounds in the night. Only the gobbling of a couple turkeys in the morning.” Abby said. The remoteness of West Texas will make camping feel like the true outdoors. There are no roads or buildings for miles and miles.

national parks in West Texas. The park has many great attractions, including hundreds of hiking paths, and many great camping spots. There are easy paths for families to go on and harder paths for people who want a challenge. The camping sites in West Texas are one that you will not experience anywhere else in the world. The great weather, and remoteness of West Texas will make it a great spot for camping. | Texas Outdoors | 9

The Best OF Texas Camp Sites

By: MAteen Kontoravdis

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park was the first national park in Texas and was founded in 1944. It is about the size of Rhode Island and the elevation ranges from 1,800 feet to 7,832 feet above sea level. The park is home to 4,000 species of animals. It is perfect for campers because of the vast number of camp sites which are available for public use. The camp also has numerous trails for hikers looking for easy and hard trails.

Ft. Davis, Texas-Courtesy Photo

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Colorado Bend State Park Colorado Bend State Park is a State Park in the Texas Hill Country. They have many campsites available for rent mostly ranging between $7 to $13 per night, though many of them do not have electricity. At this park you can experience unique topogrphy. There are also many great hiking trails to hike on. Many water streams also offer opportunities for fishing and water related actvities.

Photo courtesy of Judith Cooper

Thicket National Preserve

Thicket National Preserve is one of the only areas in Texas that is covered by forests. The Preserve was established in 1974 to protect the plant and animal species in the area. There are no official campsites on the Preserve’s grounds, but primative camping is allowed in a majority of the Preserve’s area. Camping is also free. The Thicket National Preserve is also known for birdwatching.

Photo by Nelson Barnes

Guadalupe Mountains-Courtesy Photo

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for it’s vast hiking or backpacking options. The park also has a mild climate, for the most part of the year. The camping oppportunities are endless here. There are campsites, which vary between $4 to $8 per night.

It may be far frommajor Texas cities, but it’s worth the drive!

Texas Camping

By David Piersall

Do you ever want to just get away from the stress of everyday life and technology for a while, but don’t know a good place to kick back and relax for some peace and quiet? The best option would be to go camping.

Before you go learn about general camping: what to pack, what activities to do, what places to visit, and good stories listen to an expert like, Mark Cannary, a volunteer for BSA troop 421, attended.

The biggest problem with most people is “why camp”. Why should they go camping?

“Oh, I guess I’m inundated with technology probably ten hours a day, and then, you know how connected we tend to be with our phones, even after being at work. It’s just good to get away from that and to focus on, you know, just being with the people you like to be with, and just literally, I mean, having face time,” Mark Cannary said.

Sometimes, we can become too dependant on technology and it isn’t good for you.

When you have a phone in front of you, you are less likely to interact with other people.

People are using technology more and more over the years, and staring at a screen all day can be bad for your eyes and for your brain. If that is the only thing you do, it can also be bad

Sunset on the road between Texas and New Mexico.

Photo by Theresa Piersall

Adobe Building in Beg Bend in Texas. Photo by Theresa Piersall

for your body from lack of exercise.

There is very much relaxation that can be found by going camping.

“But again, it’s that whole thing about separating from technology, and separating from the world. You’re out there on your own and that’s all there is, it’s just you and nature man, it’s awesome,” Cannary said.

Many people find it very soothing to be outside and just listen to everything going on around you, while you sit still. Cannary likes to go out and fish to relax and wait while taking in his surroundings.

There are many places you could go camping, some are cheap and easy to get permission, some are much harder to get access to.

The important thing is what is worth it.

“I prefer private land, more so than a state park, cause what I like to do is be able to get away from a lot of people,” Cannary said. “one of my favorite places in Texas would have to be Saegert’s Ranch”

He finds it more relaxing in the isolation of private land. It may be more difficult find a location than just going to a state park, but,“it’s nice and quiet out there,” Cannary said. When out camping you will make memories. If you stay at home and go through the same routine every day you will wish you had spent your life going out into the world and doing things.

“I think my most memorable moment | Texas Outdoors | 13

camping would have to also include backpacking, and that is the day we got lost at Philmont, that was memorable,” Cannary said.

Philmont is America’s largest high adventure base, where you go for several day treks involving hiking around on your own for almost the entire duration. Although it is not in Texas, many people who live in Texas go there because it is still within driving distance.

Usually the case is that something that makes you miserable now will be a fun story for you

He likes to go camping with his wife and kids.

“The reason I went camping was because I wanted to out and spend time with my friends” Andrew Elliot, a scout leader of troop 421 where Mark Cannary volunteers, said.

If you want to go camping you could bring along anybody you enjoy spending time with. While you can always go alone to escape, going with somebody else can help you get to know them better.

Photo of Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. Photo by Theresa Piersall

to reflect on later. Getting out and feeling lots of emotion in a special, unique experience is something you can look back on for your entire life. Experiencing this adventure in life can be good for the mind and the body.

The next question is to go alone or not, and if not, with whom.

“[I camp with] my children 90% of the time, well, yeah, 85-90% of the time are my kids and then the other percent of the time, would be my wife,”Cannary said.

14 | Texas Outdoors |

An important thing to do before you go camp is to choose what you need to pack for your adventure. If you are concerned you are packing too much, it shouldn’t be a problem.

“I have to admit, I really do, I pack more than I should, because I tend to... it’s just my nature, it’s what I do for a living. I try to be prepared for most likely possibilities.” Cannary said.

No matter how much you pack, if you can carry it, it isn’t too much. Always be prepared when packing.

“Most of my items that I brought were needed to make my camping trip fun and enjoyable” Andrew said.

“I would bring along a flashlight, so that I could see during the night if I needed to see something.” Logan Davis, another member of troop 421, said.

Plan to bring along whatever helps you feel content while camping so you can do plenty of activities. The only thing Cannary doesn’t recommend is technology.

The most important things to pack for a camping trip include:“Well, first aid kit first, and then some type of adequate sleeping gear,you know, for whatever application you’re doing, and then change of clothes, I like sticks, you know, walking sticks, particularly if you’re

backpacking, as you’re carrying a load it helps to stabilize and, you know, not have an inadvertent fall or something like that,” Cannary said, when asked what is most important to pack.

It is recommended to bring these three items on almost every campout. He also recommended some stores, such as REI, Academy, or the online site Moosejaw. REI was highly recommended for the fact people there help you learn about how things work, and their reliable equipment.

When you ever need to feel free and relax, just pack your things and go for a calming, fun time camping. It clears your mind and can help you get your mind off stressful day to day tasks.

View of a mountain and campsite in Big Bend in Texas. Photo taken by Theresa Piersall

| Texas Outdoors | 15

T O P

Things To Bring For Camping

T E N

#3 Be prepared for any weather that can happen, Bring clothes for rain, cold, warm, and sweltering heat. You also want socks, shirts, shorts, pants, undergaments, jackets, and rain gear.

#4 If you are going to spend the night, you will want a sleeping bag. It should be compact and easy to carry, and needs to be rated for whatever temperature you are expecting.

#6 You also want an tent if you will have any down time while you’re camping. You should get a tent for the proper weather, number of people, and make sure you know how to set it up and clean it. #7 A walking stick can be very helpful on a campout. It can help you not injure youself on a hike, keep animals away, and can be helpful in many situations you come across.

#8 If you are staying for a while, you will want food.

What kind of food depends on what you are doing.

You need to make sure you are getting the right nutrition for what you are going to do.

#9 If you are going camping for an extended period of time, you will want toiletries. This includes toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and anything else you need.

#10 If you want good cooked food, you need to bring a portable stove, pots, pans, fuel spoons, forks, and knives. You also need to learn how to use your stove and what fuel to buy. || Texas TexasOutdoors Outdoors || 17 17

AQUAFLY

By Cole McCrary 18 | Texas Outdoor |

Photo by: Rusty Clark

It would be cool to fly, right? Not just in a plane, but on your own, hovering above the ground. How about hovering above water? This new sport, AquaFly, lets you fly around above the water, just as the name suggests. Even better, you can take lessons with professionals and soon be soaring on your own.

Chris Vance, FlyBoard master and co-founder of the Austin area branch said, “The great thing about FlyBoarding is that it is easy enough for almost anyone to pick up and master the beginner set of skills (balancing, maneuvering, diving, and flying up to 12 ft above the water). I have taught people from ages 7 all the way to 84 from all different types of backgrounds. Some people have 0 water sport/board sport skills, and some people are extreme adrenaline junkies. If you can stand on two feet (and don’t have a fear of water) you are more than capable of learning how to FlyBoard with ease,” Chris said.

Basically anybody from any background can get a lesson from these pros, and soon they’ll be flying on their own.

The FlyBoard itself consists of a board with two vents out of the back, which water comes out of. There is a hose between the vents, leading to a jetski. The jetski provides the FlyBoard with “Aquafly Austin was founded in 2012 as a Zapata Racing (inventor of the FlyBoard) Flight Center devoted to bringing the new sport of FlyBoarding to the Texas Hill Country area. We began, and continue to operate, as a family business. My dad, Bobby Vance, is a Zapata Racing distributor, and I am a Master Instructor of Zapata Racing products. My job is to train people from a beginners level all the way to people who fly professionally for world-wide competitions. I am also responsible for conducting training classes to teach people how to become Certified FlyBoard Instructors themselves.”

Flyboarder learning to fly. Photo by: Rusty Clark

water which comes out of the vents, and propels the board upward, and over the water.

There are other products of the same people that make FlyBoards such as water powered boards, and full body FlyBoards with extra tubes that attach to your arms. The Austin area branch only offers the regular FlyBoard, there could be a possibility of them branching out sometime in the future.

“Aquafly Austin was founded in 2012 as a Zapata Racing Flight Center, devoted to bringing the new sport of FlyBoarding to the Texas Hill Country area. We began, and continue to operate, as a family business.” Chris said. “I co-founded the competitive/show group known as Team Aquafly with my parents, Bobby and Gretchen Vance.”

The official FlyBoarding season goes from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and they instruct any number of people from one person to parties of up to 24. Take advantage of the season and grab a lesson or two with your friends. With a convenient location and instruction times and friendly instructors, this could be an unforgettable and fun experience.

Over the past 3 years, there seems to have been an exponential growth in the popularity of the sport.

“FlyBoarding is currently popular within a relatively small niche compared to other sports like snowboarding and | Texas Outdoors | 19

skateboarding because it is still so new. We estimate that within the next few years it will be as big as other similar extreme sports.” Chris said that the sport has mainly picked up momentum because “our top flyer, Damone Rippy, was a featured contestant in the Extreme Edition of America’s Got Talent this year. Due to the publicity of that show, more and more people are gaining an interest in the sport.”

One of Chris’ most memorable experiences with FlyBoarding was his unique opportunity to go to Turkmenistan and put on a show for their president. While something this awesome might not always happen if you take up a career in FlyBoarding, you will definitely be able to put on some amazing shows for people. If you would watch some of the videos of the North American FlyBoard championships, you would see some amaz-

Flyboarding lessons in Florida. Photo by: Rusty Clark 20 | Texas Outdoors |

ing video of Damone Rippy and Jake Orel, some of the Aquafly team’s best flyers.

Student at LASA High School, Jacob Chlebowski, said that “I always thought that it would be an incredibly fun experience and have thought the concept of flying above water by “jet-packing” yourself away, sounds like the brilliance of a brilliantly insane man. I love it.” And another student, Dani Levy says that “I would definitely be interested in trying FlyBoarding. I really like watersports like water skiing and I think it would be very fun to try.”

“While I do not compete, I do participate in coordinating and performing in FlyBoard® Shows around the world with the team. The current members of the competitive team are (in order of World Ranking): Damone Rippy, Jacob Orel, Hunter Verlander, and Valentina

Photo by: Hamad Al Fadala

“ One of Chris’ most memorable experiences with FlyBoarding was his unique opportunity to go to Turkmenistan and put on a show for their president”.

Cambron (our newest member, and the first of our new female team - The Aquafly Angels)”

With an exponential growth of popularity, the sport of soaring above the water could potentially, in a few years, could be the most popular sport in America.

(Above) Flyboarders in Malmö,Sweden | Texas Outdoors | 21

Your guide to a flyboard By: Cole McCrary The boots.

Where you strap yourself in and steer the flyboard.

The nose port where the hose from the jetski attaches and feeds water into the board to propel it.

The vent, where the water from the nose comes out and pushes the board.

| Texas Outdoors | 23

NASA Soccer

By George Guckenberger

24 | Texas Outdoor |

Photo by Nelson Barnes

I

n 1982, when Nasa was founded, there were only 800,000 kids playing soccer in the United States, and in 2014, that number has more than tripled, and now there are over 3 million kids playing soccer. Until recently, the United States was completely dominated by football, but now soccer is taking up more and more of the population of kids.

NASA is a soccer organization that allows any kid ages four to eighteen to play soccer at any level. They never deny any child the right to play soccer, no matter who they are, what their skill level is, or how much money they have. They allow them to do all of this for next to no money (usually around $100) compared to other soccer clubs in the area that charge several thousands of dollars every year.

Alison Guckenberger has been a NASA board member for the past three years, and loves volunteering for NASA. She is the manager for two teams, the 01 S2 boys Redwings team, and the 97 boys D2 Railyard team. This combined with all of her other duties makes a lot of work

Photo by George Guckenberger. Alejandro Gonzalez De La Pena watches from the sidelines as his team plays a mid season game. They went on to lose the game but it was very close match.

Photo by George Guckenberger. Max Irby and Andy Degrase talk to their coach before being subbed into play. Soon after they were subbed in they scored an amazing goal.

Our saying is, “Loving soccer, serving the community” “Our saying is ‘Loving soccer, serving the community’ so that’s our focus. We are a community service organization that happens to also do soccer,” Mrs. Guckenberger said.

NASA stands for North Austin Soccer Alliance, an organization that allows any kid that has a passion for soccer to play, and how it has a positive impact on all the schools and families in the Austin area.

NASA is volunteer run, and is a nonprofit organization. Many people can see the impact NASA has on the Austin area,one place especially is in the schools, “Not all the schools in AISD have quite the resources to manage their fields, so we help mow and seed their fields, and in return, they let us run practices and games on those fields,” Mrs. Guckenberger said.

It is a mutually beneficial relationship between NASA and AISD. Not only do they provide a large number of the NASA fields, | Texas Outdoors | 25

Photo by George Guckenberger. NASA players line up and escort the Austin Aztecs onto their field before a game on NASA night at House Park. Kids who wore NASA shirts got in free to that game. It is a big part of the soccer culture to have kids walk the players on both teams onto the fields, and it is nice that NASA gets to allow kids to get involved with some professional soccer players.

but also many of the kids that are in NASA go to AISD schools, and their friends will tell them about NASA, and then they will want to join. Jorge villa, a player on the S2 01 Boys Redwings team experienced this, ”Originally I played for another team, but I heard all my friends at school played on the NASA Redwings team, so I wanted to go and play with them,” Jorge Villa said.

Each year, NASA gives out over $30,000 in scholarships to kids who would not be able to afford to play otherwise.

“It’s helpful to get a scholarship, because I wouldn’t be able to afford play without it,” Jorge said.

Scholarships are usually paid for by parents who pay a little bit extra, and there are some businesses that will sponsor teams and help pay for that team’s uniforms, and “give a little extra for everyone else, and all that extra adds up to enough to cover all the fees needed to let scolarship kids play,” said Mrs. Guckenberger.

20 | Texas Outdoors |

NASA runs in cooperation with other businesses, like Soccer Post, a soccer shoe/equipment store. Business partnerships are very helpful for NASA because they help provide much needed donations and help.

“We use Soccer Post for our distribution for D4 uniforms, because they get some traffic coming through their store when kids go to get uniforms, and in return they help advertise for us,” Mrs. Guckenberger said.

If you were to walk around one of Soccer Post’s stores you would see several banners that read “NASA Soccer”, and they have a special part of their store where NASA kids can get replacement uniforms.

One major reason why NASA is such a great community and place for kids to learn to play

“We pride ourselves on our great coaches” soccer is the coaches.

“We pride ourselves on our great coaches,” said Mrs. Guckenberger.

Each team can have up to three coaches, and in order to coach in NASA, you really have to have a passion for the game. NASA coaches all have background checks done, and the managers will ask all the members of the team who they would like to coach. Oftentimes it ends up being a parent that runs the teams, but at other times they get coaches that are more serious about soccer.

“Most of the younger teams have more easygoing coaches, but as the players get older they have the option to go up in divisions to play more competitively, and their team managers (that are also parents) have the option to find a more disciplined and intense coach,” Mrs. Guckenberger said.

That option is what the NASA 01 S2 Boys took. Christian Salinas is a player on the 01 Boys Redwings team, who really loves his coach.

“Our coach {Damian} is a tactical coach. Damian is a former player and has a very good feel for the game. As a former military, he

Photo by George Guckenberger. Ulee Wintle, Gus Albach and other members of the D2 01 NASA Redwings team talk with their coach before leaving for home after a 1-1 tie.

“Overall he is a very good leader as you always know who is in charge”

doesn’t hesitate to tell us the truth as he sees it and he is very straight forward. Overall he

Photo by George Guckenberger. Ulee wintle and Jorge Villa messing around before practice at one of NASA’s fields at Burnet Middle School. They both say that it is important to be comfortable with your teammates both on and off the field so they both like to joke around before practice a lot.

| Texas Outdoors | 27

Photo by George Guckenberger. Alejandro Gonzalez De La Pena and others on the 01 Boys NASA Redwings team warm up before a scrimmage during practice. It is very common for teams to do passing and shooting drills before a scrimmage because it helps them warm up and be more accurate in game.

kids play. familiar with him and it makes coaching a bit “It is a very rare case where a kid will be at easier for him,” Christian said. too high a level, and if that does happen, there A problem with playing at high levels in is almost always a team at a lower level that NASA, is that you can’t ever deny access to they can join in their same age group,” Mrs. your team. Sometimes this makes it so a new Guckenberger said. player will try to join a high level team, and that is not always a favorable experience acNASA has helped to create a great community, cording to Jorge. “ I think that NASA is a great organization “NASA has really changed my life, because I that provides many kids with a chance to play have been able to play soccer with soccer at any level, and I think it is “NASA has really all my friends, and we have creata great idea in theory to never hold changed my life” ed a really great community,” said tryouts, but it comes up with the problem that we can’t always have Jorge.

Overall NASA is a great organization that ala high tier team because we can’t say no to any lows a bunch of kids to play at many different kids, so sometimes we end up with some kids levels, runs completely on volunteers, all the that aren’t necessarily ready for that level of money put into NASA goes into the kids, and competition,” Jorge said. nobody draws a profit. NASA helps out the In most cases, kids will start on a lower level schools with managing their fields, and has a NASA team, usually in D3, and then if they positive impact on many kids lives. want to, they can move to higher levels. Usually parents are sensible about what level their 28 | Texas Outdoors |

Photo by Nelson Barnes

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Equipment for the game

A list of necessary equipment for soccer by: George Guckenberger Cleats

To play at a high level of soccer, there are many required pieces of equipment. One of the most important parts is cleats (otherwise known as boots). A good pair of cleats will have good spikes on the bottom, and a snug fit around the foot. The amount of padding can be changed based on preference, but many professionals use very minimaly padded shoes so they can have the most control over the ball.

Jersey/Shorts/Socks

When playing for a team, usually they will provide matching uniforms. These uniforms include a pair of socks, two jerseys (one for home and one for away), and a pair of shorts. Jerseys will have the name of sponsors, the player’s assigned number, and the players last name. This makes it so the players can be indentified by the ref after they score a goal, or commit an offense that requires a suspension or card.

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Shinguards

One cannot play without shinguards.

There are two options for shin protection; slip in shinguards that can be quickly slipped over the shin inside the sock, or ankle covering shinguards, which must be put on under socks, and provide maximum ankle and shin protection. Slip on shinguards are helpful because they are lighter and provide more agility for the athlete, but do not provide full coverage of the ankles and lower legs.

Ball

Arguably the most important piece of equipment, soccer balls come in many varieties. The standard size for players ages 12 and up at size five, and the sizes decrease by age at size four down to age eight, and size three is for all the lower age groups, and then the last two sizes are for promotional soccer balls only.

More information can be found about balls to the right.

Choose a ball Choosing a ball 5. Keep in mind that your ball will get dirty and scratched up so choose a ball that is not too expensive.

the ne ball i e rm ete up, th r D o .

1 gro size f 4 for e g a l be size 5 wil s 1-8, size oup age 2, and agegr 8-1 every . for ve 12 abo

a all in e. b a ng nd 4. Fi price ra just e good balls ar ers e h Som od as ot can o ng i g as pric ased e h t but fferent b i . be d e brand h on t

2.Choos ea Brighter color. ba more vis lls are ible in th e dark, bu t ca very dirt n get y and loo k bad.

3. Choose a brand.

Many companies make different styles of balls, so research is required to find possible problems with the different brands.

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Hiking In Texas

By Nelson Barnes

Photo by Nelson Barnes

W

hen people think hiking, they usually think of Colorado, Yosemite, Yellowstone etc., but what about Texas? Texas cannot boast of having the highest mountains in North America or the most extensive trails, but what Texas does have is variety. You can hike to the top of one of the tallest mountains in Texas, then walk under the canopy of thick forests in a hidden valley below, then further down explore the unique ecosystem of the desert, all in one day. Much of Texas is very hot during the summer months, but up in the mountains the average summer temperature is around seventy degrees fahrenheit. All these factors add up to an all around great place to hike.

Texas has many national and state parks.

“Some of my favorite places to hike in Texas are the Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend National Park”, said local texan and hiker, Fedor Aglymov.

“I have good memories of hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains, looking at the night sky”.

Guadalupe National Park is mainly known for being the tallest point in Texas. The top of Guadalupe Peak rises 3,000 feet above

-Photo by: Nelson Barnes of El Capitan at the Guadalupe Mts.

-Courtesy Photo taken by Nelson Barnes

the surrounding desert and 8,749 feet above sea level. Nearly as tall are the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend. The Chisos Mountains rise 7,825 feet above sea level. “I love the views and the change in vegetation from desert to pines as you climb up into the Chisos. This is also a remote park that is so huge that it never feels crowded.” said Robin Barnes, an archeologist on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Archeology Survey Team.

“You come to appreciate a more severe landscape” said Dr. Barnes.

There are many more places to hike in Texas,

“Some places I like to hike are the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and Barton Creek Greenbelt”, said Dr. Barnes. These are more moderate hikes with low, rolling hills.

There are small creeks hidden in the valleys, and all sorts of wildlife. The landscape is not as severe and massive as the Chisos or Guadalupe Peak, but there is still beauty there.

These are hikes you can do in your free time without much preparation. | Texas Outdoors | 33

There are lots of trails in Texas ranging from moderate walks to uphill battles, so whether or not you are going on a serious hiking expedition, or just a morning walk there are plenty of options.

Out of all the places to hike in Texas many people favorite is Big Bend National Park, and for good reason. Big Bend National Park is located in west Texas near the bottom of the Rocky Mountain Range. Big Bend also

crowded.” said Dr. Barnes.

Big Bend covers an area of eight hundred thousand acres. It also has a very diverse ecosystem with. Seventy-five different species of mammals have been observed at the park, thirty-one species of snake, twenty-two species of lizards, seven species of turtles, more than four hundred and fifty species of birds, and over a thousand plant species.

“One of my favorite places to hike is

-Photo by: Nelson Barnes at Big Bend National Park

has the Chisos Mountains. The whole Chisos Mountain range is inside the park. From the edge of the mountains you can see the shim mer of the Rio Grande River separating Texas and Mexico.

“Big Bend National Park - I love the views and the change in vegetation from desert to pines as you climb up into the Chisos. This is also a remote park that is so huge that it never feels 34 | Texas Outdoors |

Big Bend” said hiker, Aldo Ordonez.

The diversity of plants and animals, the tall mountains, and the spectacular views at Big Bend make it one of the best places to hike in Texas.

Many people think of Texas as a big desert filled with cowboys riding horses and herding cattle in hundred degree heat, but that is not the case. The whole state isn’t filled with cowboys, and it also isn’t always a

-Photo taken by Nelson Barnes

hundred degrees outside. If you’re hiking in the mountains then summer is often the best time of the year to hike. The temperature usually stays around seventy degrees during the day. If you’re hiking in lower elevations in central or eastern Texas then fall is your time of year.

“Fall is often lovely once it cools down.

It usually doesn’t rain as much as during the spring and you won’t have to deal with winter cold fronts.” said Dr. Barnes.

In Fall half of the leaves turn different shades of red, orange, yellow, and the other half are the evergreens that stay a dark green color year round.

All the colors seem brighter, the temperature is perfect, and the weather is great.

In Texas it doesn’t snow much so you can plan winter trips without worrying about getting snowed out. Texas as a whole has very mild climate so you can hike any time of the year.

Texas doesn’t have the most extreme weather or the most extreme hikes, but there are still some essentials that you need to bring.

“You need bring a big tent if you’re camping, you also need to bring a gas stove.

You need to bring a backpack with lots of water because dehydration can be a problem in high altitudes. Comfortable hiking shoes and warm clothes are also necessary.

Always look at the map, and bring a

buddy.” said Fedor Aglymov.

Dr.Barnes mentioned some more essentials,

“Phone for emergencies and maps, paper map even if you have a phone, and if you are up in the mountains you should always have a jacket and an emergency blanket” said Fedor Aglymov.

Some other things you need to bring are sunglasses and sunscreen, first aid supplies, and an emergency shelter. If you’re planning on camping you should also bring extra food, flashlight, and means to start fire. You should always bring these things while hiking. You also need to be prepared.

“Mountain hikes like Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains are more challenging with elevation gain, rocky trails, and steep slopes”, said Dr. Barnes.

This is very true. In places like these you should have some experience hiking and like Fedor Aglymov said, always bring a buddy when hiking.

There are many great places to hike in North America, so many that people forget about Texas. Texas has a unique ecosystem, lots of spectacular hikes, and a landscape like no other.

“After hiking off trail in Texas, I’ve come to appreciate how rugged the

-Photo by: Nelson Barnes

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undeveloped countryside is. Vegetation can be dense and difficult to get through. Even modest creeks can be challenging to cross with steep sided canyon walls. Trails are cleared and place to avoid cliffs. It can be brutally hot. We often wear

snake guards for snakes and to avoid pokes from cactus and spear grass�, said Dr. Barnes.

Texas has a large, diverse ecosystem and environment that thousand of people enjoy every year.

Photo by Nelson Barnes

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Courtesy Photo taken by Nelson Barnes

Hiking Spots In Texas

Austin Tx. Hikes

Guadalupe Mts. National Park

Big Bend National Park Texas Beaches

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Big Bend National Park - The park is named after a bend in the Rio Grande river.

- Big bend is great for star gazing. It is a large, open area with very little light polution beacuse of it’s remoteness.

- Big bend is the only state park with an entire mountain range within it’s borders.

- The park is larger than Rhode Island.

Guadalupe Mountains - Guadalupe peak is the fourteenth highest point in the United States.

- The closest services, such as gas stations, are 35 miles away from the state park.

- The Guadalupe mountains are part of an ancient reef called the Capitan Reef wich existed over 280 million years ago. Because of this, the Guadalupe Mountains are made mostly out of limestone.

Austin Tx. Hikes - Austin has scenic hikes just minutes from downtown!

- There are many small bodys of water near Austin. Some examples are the Colorado River, Barton Creek, and Bull Creek.

- There is a site in Austin of 12 dinasaur foot-prints on the bottom of a crekk bed!

- Austin, and Texes in general, have very large and complex cave systems.

Texas Coastal Beaches - Texas has a large amount of coast along the Gulf of Mexico with many miles of beaches and trails.

- There is a large system of trails along the Texas coast called the Great Texas Coastal birding Trail. As the name suggests, it is a trail specificaly made to wach birds. This is to protect many bird species that are not found anywere else.

- Boca Chica Beach Hike is a hike in south Texas. It is located were the Rio Grande meats the Gulf of Mexico. | Texas Outdoors | 39

Cover photos by Nelson Barnes