We’re just connecting the dots
WINTER TEXAN Volume 11 • Issue 10 January 7, 2026
New Ropes Course Offers Thrills and Challenges
Kr
isti
lo h el
by Ric Cavazos
fro m
One thing you’ll never see me do is a ropes course. That’s a hard no. I draw the line on my sense of adventure when it involves heights, ziplining, or jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Some people chase adrenaline; I prefer solid ground and a good view from below. That said, adventure hasn’t always looked the same for me. A very long time ago, I spent time at Camp Lula Sams, back when I was a Girl Scout. I was one of the lucky ones who stayed involved all the way through high school, and, looking back, I realize how special that really was. Our troop leader was a retired widow with a bold spirit and an adventurous heart, and she had a huge influence on us. She encouraged us to try new things, be brave, and say yes more often than no. Thanks to her, I remember being a fearless 17-year-old, pitching tents everywhere from McAllen all the way to Edmonton, Canada, one summer. No hesitation. No fear. Just confidence, curiosity, and a sense that we could handle whatever came our way. These days, my idea of adventure might look a little different, but the lesson still sticks. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you draw the line on your personal comfort zone. Adventure isn’t one size fits all. Just get out there, try something new, and enjoy the ride--both feet firmly on the ground if you prefer--no harness required.
Thank You
SEASON SPONSORS 2025-2026
T
he view from the 40-foot-high tower at Camp RIO in Brownsville can inspire while also requiring the necessary courage and will to overcome its height. The tower goes by “the Treehouse” at the nature-based camp and is the centerpiece of a High Ropes Adventure Course on an 85-acre site that for decades was called Camp Lula Sams. What was once the major Girl Scouts camp in the Rio Grande Valley is today providing a premier camp and adventure experience for people of all ages. Its biggest and newest attraction is the tower and its high ropes course. It features a series of suspended obstacles like pedestrian bridges and zip lines that hang suspended 25-to-40 feet off the ground. At first glance, it looks perilous, but before ascending the tower, participants go through a tutorial on how to use metal loops (called carabineers) to safely attach themselves to wiring while navigating their way through the multi-faceted ropes course. “It’s pushing yourself past what you think you can do,” said Alexis Wooderson, who manages the Camp’s ropes course. “Sometimes people get here and don’t think they can do because it’s really high. By encouraging them and allowing them to take the lead, you can see them grow and gain confidence in their abilities.”
Overcoming Fears
The ropes course at Camp RIO was constructed and opened earlier this year with the help of a nearly $600,000 quality-of-life grant from the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. A September grand opening included remarks from Brownsville Mayor John Cowen and marked the addition of the kind of facility found at elite camps around the state and country. “It was always something we wanted to have at the Camp,” said Mary Barba, the curriculum and data coordinator for Camp RIO. “It’s been on our wish list since we opened.” The new ropes course is located just west of the main campus
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2