Training Olympians

It’s a warm morning in early December, and day campers from the Down Home Ranch are stretching next to Lady Bird Lake and enjoying the brief spell of sunshine before an upcoming cold front. The students, who live in Elgin, try to visit the Austin lake at least twice a month. Their mission? Train to become Olympians. 

Residents of the ranch are adults who have developmental and intellectual learning differences, and they often compete in Special Olympics Texas, which offers year-round athletic opportunities.  

A school without borders

Their honorary training ground is The Expedition School, located at 34 Robert T Martinez Jr. Street, which offers adventure activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Although The Expedition School has facilities on Lady Bird Lake and in Johnson City, guides and expedition leaders often travel to meet their students’ diverse needs. 

“Our school is locationless,” says trip leader and Texas master naturalist Lindsay Robbins. “Our school is where our students are.” 

Keeping the outdoors open and accessible

On Lady Bird Lake, Expedition School employees offer kayaking and stand-up paddle board courses. They are one of the few groups on the lake who have the capacity to host groups like the Olympians at Down Home Ranch, whom the school has officially sponsored. 

“They are amazing campers and so engaged,” said Robbins. “It’s the highlight of my week.” 

The school offers various CPR and first aid certification trainings, including wilderness first aid, as well as medical training and support. They also lead team building activities and create custom expeditions for all levels. 

Student Testimonial

“Taken two wilderness first aid/ CPR classes from the Expedition School and they have made it much more enjoyable by engaging with us as fellow professionals,” wrote former Olympic kayaker Ben Kvanli, who represented Team USA in 1996.  “In 20 years of taking the course no one has taught me more than [Expedition School leader] Adam this weekend.” 

Campers and Expedition School employees alike see results. The Special Olympians can kayak circles around boaters on the lake. One camper is an incredible stand-up paddle boarder who doesn’t flinch when a friend paddles up to her and accidentally knocks her board.

The campers paddle around a small island and watch turtles, cormorants and herons with excitement. After a morning on the water, the group gathers for a s’mores party at the school’s site on the bank of the lake.

The Expedition School is about bringing the outdoors to everyone, no matter how they learn or their background.  To craft your own adventure, visit here.