Fifth Graders Grow Through Outdoor Education
Outdoor School is a transformative, hands-on learning experience that takes students out of the classroom and into nature. For The University of Texas Elementary School (UT Elementary) fifth-grade Little Longhorns, this trip to Marble Falls is more than just a field trip—it’s a rite of passage.
Over the course of three days and two nights, students:
- Experience touching, smelling and tasting Texas flora
- Participate in individual and team challenges for growth
- Physical activities including swimming and kayaking
- Engage in hands-on learning that is tied directly to class standards - including viewing the stars in dark sky country
These immersive activities not only reinforce classroom learning but also spark curiosity and wonder in ways that traditional settings often cannot.
For many of these students, Outdoor School marks their first time away from home and their first encounter with the big sky country. The experience of total darkness, unpolluted skies, and the quiet of the countryside is both awe-inspiring and unfamiliar. Seeing the stars clearly—some for the very first time—is a moment of magic that stays with them.
This trip helps students build independence and confidence, especially through the ropes course and climbing wall, where they learn to trust themselves and their peers. These skills are essential as they prepare to transition to middle school, which for over half of them will be their first time in a new school environment.
The significance of this trip is underscored by the rising costs associated with making it happen. Since 2021, prices have increased substantially, with the cost of transportation alone doubling—now $1,000 each way for the bus and the per-student cost has risen to $200. Despite these challenges, UT Elementary remains committed to ensuring every fifth grader has the opportunity to participate in this milestone experience.
Outdoor School is not just a few days in nature—it’s a celebration of growth, learning, and transition. It honors the journey these students have taken through elementary school and prepares them for the next chapter with resilience, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
Gifts to College of Education - Outdoor School for Little Longhorns contribute to...
Advocates 📣
Community Advocates
Generated 3281 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401Soh Nishiyama
Generated 302 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672Luke Mastrian
Generated 339 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348David Griffin
Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515Randall Ford
Generated 113 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825Anna Boxall
Generated 294 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765Mark Carella
Generated 130 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717Victoria Mena
Generated 97 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560Sam Zarou
Generated 71 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260Katelyn Rood
Generated 174 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233Leaderboards & Donors 🎁
View All Donors
Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 232
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Rizky Pratama – 29
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,338
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
Winners will be announced on May 1.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraLonghorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!
Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraFinal hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 231
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon – 25
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,288
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraHere’s where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Current Leaders
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts
3. David Griffin - 48 gifts
4. Jacob - 27 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950
2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428
3. David Griffin - $9,695
4. Randall Ford - $5,475
5. Mark Carella - $3,567
Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!
35 days ago by Pablo MoraWe’re excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and there’s still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts
3. David Griffin - 26 gifts
4. Jacob - 18 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943
2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960
3. David Griffin - $4,945
4. Randall Ford - $4,375
5. Emily Quigley - $2,376
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we can’t wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!
36 days ago by Pablo Mora