ADVENTURES

Kick Off Your HATS Adventure with a Weekend to Remember! High Adventure Treks (HATS) isn’t just another outdoor program—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience for dads and their daughters or sons starting in 4th grade. If you’re new to HATS, this fall weekend is the perfect introduction to our mission, values, and the adventures ahead.

You’ll learn camping basics like staying comfortable, prepping easy meals, and setting up for success in the outdoors—skills you’ll use throughout your HATS journey. But it’s not all practical! The weekend is packed with fun, connection, and classic HATS traditions.

Saturday brings the legendary Great Pumpkin Search, a fan-favorite scavenger hunt through the woods. Once you find your gourd, it’s time for pumpkin carving—daughters design while dads do the carving!

You’ll also get a first taste of our signature HATS games and activities, which are all designed to build leadership, confidence, and connection. But the highlight of the weekend comes Sunday morning with our cherished breakout sessions—a special moment for dads and daughters or sons to connect, reflect, and grow closer.

Come ready for a little dirt, a lot of laughs, and memories that last. This is where your HATS adventure begins—and we can’t wait to welcome you.

Spring brings the next chapter in your HATS journey—an unforgettable weekend of adventure, connection, and growth! This time, 4th-grade sons and daughters, along with their dads, will hit the trails at Dinosaur Valley State Park for a scenic day hike and even deeper bonding.

Building on what you learned at the fall campout, this weekend adds hiking to the mix—teaching navigation, teamwork, and resilience, all while surrounded by breathtaking views and ancient history. We’ll dive into more HATS games, more challenges, and more chances to grow together. Campers will keep building confidence as they lead exercises, share conversations, and take on new roles—strengthening the connection with their dads and peers.

Our weekend theme is: “What footprints are we leaving?” As we walk in the path of real dinosaur tracks, we’ll reflect on the impact we make on our families, communities, and the world. It’s a powerful way to help kids think about their influence and legacy.

We’ll close the weekend with our cherished dad & child breakout session—a quiet moment to connect, reflect, and appreciate how far you’ve come. Don’t miss this meaningful step in your HATS adventure. Come hike, play, grow, and leave your mark with us!

Courage, Teamwork & Fun: Get ready for an action-packed weekend where courage, teamwork, and “Challenge by Choice” take center stage! In this exciting HATS campout, 5th-grade sons and daughters—along with their dads—will take on age-appropriate challenges designed to push them just outside their comfort zones. From the split-rope bridge to the helicopter zip line, every obstacle is a chance to build confidence, trust, and unforgettable memories.

This weekend is all about growth—letting sons and daughters lead the way as they solve problems, make decisions, and rise to new challenges. Dads get the chance to step back, encourage, and discover just how capable their children truly are. Through shared challenges and teamwork, families deepen their connection and walk away stronger, braver, and closer than before.

As always, the weekend includes classic HATS fun—games, laughter, and time in the great outdoors. We’ll wrap it up with our cherished dad & child breakout session, a meaningful moment to reflect on all you’ve experienced and how far you’ve come. Come ready to climb, zip, laugh, and grow. This is where courage is built and bonds are strengthened—HATS style!

Paddle, Connect & Communicate: In HATS, “The Thing is Not the Thing”—and that’s especially true on our 5th-grade spring campout, where the real focus is communication. Set against the scenic beauty of Lake Whitney, dads and daughters or sons will team up to learn the basics of canoeing—working together to steer, navigate, and problem-solve on the water.

But this weekend isn’t just about paddling. It’s about listening, giving clear direction, staying patient, and discovering how to communicate effectively with one another. Teams will navigate an aquatic obstacle course, paddle to a swim spot for some well-earned fun, and then return for a classic HATS “Challenge by Choice” activity that pushes comfort zones in the best way possible.

After an action-packed Saturday, Sunday morning gives space to reflect during our dad & child breakout session. This conversation centers around what it really means to communicate—not just the words we say, but the body language, tone, and expressions we use to connect more deeply. It’s a chance to slow down, take stock, and strengthen the foundation of your relationship.

Join us for a weekend full of paddling, laughter, and meaningful conversations. Because in HATS, it’s never just about the adventure—it’s about what we learn and how we grow along the way.

Paddling Through the Journey: In the fall of 6th grade, HATS daughters and sons—and their dads—take on an epic 10-mile canoe trip down the Brazos River. With mentors guiding the way, teams will pack their gear, push off from shore, and paddle into a weekend that brings our theme to life: “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

With daughters or sons steering from the back, this experience centers on trust, teamwork, and communication. Along the way, we’ll pause for HATS games, a riverside lunch, and a chance to truly enjoy the ride. It’s a weekend filled with connection, growth, and unforgettable moments on the water.

As night falls, we’ll set up camp on the riverbank, share stories over dinner, and sleep under the stars. Sunday morning brings a powerful role reversal—children will teach their dads a new skill, showing just how much they’ve grown. We’ll close with our cherished dad & child breakout session, a time to reflect, connect, and celebrate the journey you’re on together.

Come paddle, play, and grow with us—because in HATS, it’s never just about getting to the end. The real magic happens in the moments along the way.

Climbing to New Heights – Together: This unforgettable weekend is all about trust, teamwork, and stepping outside your comfort zone. Through hands-on challenges and shared experiences, dads and daughters or sons will strengthen their ability to listen, support one another, and grow—together.

Our theme, “Trust,” takes center stage during an exciting rock climbing experience in the beautiful landscapes of southeastern Oklahoma. With expert instruction and all gear provided, dads will learn how to belay while their child climbs, building confidence and connection with every step. Whether you’re a first-time climber or have some experience, it’s all about trying something new and encouraging each other along the way.

But the impact of the weekend goes beyond the climb. On Sunday morning, we slow down for a meaningful reflection activity where dads and children exchange a small piece of nature to symbolize their relationship. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of the trust, growth, and love shared on this journey.

Come ready to climb higher, laugh harder, and connect more deeply. This is more than a weekend in the outdoors—it’s a chance to strengthen the foundation of your relationship and create memories you’ll never forget.

Trust, Courage & The Climb: In rock climbing and rappelling, just like in life, trust is everything. This weekend, 7th-grade daughters and sons, along with their dads, will put that trust to the test as they explore the question: “Who do you trust?” Through every challenge, campers will deepen their confidence in themselves and each other.

Our journey takes us to the breathtaking Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, where teams will learn the fundamentals of rappelling with support from our experienced climbing crew. The highlight of the weekend? A thrilling, challenge-by-choice rappel down a 70-foot cliff—an unforgettable moment of courage, encouragement, and connection. Dad and child will face fears, step outside their comfort zones, and discover just how much they’re capable of when they trust the process and each other.

The adventure continues with rock climbing, scenic hikes, and exploration through the rugged canyons of this beautiful landscape. Along the way, teams will grow stronger, more resilient, and more connected. As always, we’ll end the weekend with our meaningful dad & child breakout session—a moment to reflect on the experience and the trust you’ve built together.

Ready to take the leap? Join us for a weekend of courage, connection, and the climb of a lifetime.

Finding Balance on the Water & in Life: Life in 7th grade is all about balance—between school, friends, family, sports, and growing independence. On this unique HATS weekend, dads and their daughters or sons will explore what it means to find balance not just in a kayak, but in everyday life.

Set on a peaceful lake in southern Oklahoma, this campout trades dry land for water and brings a new kind of challenge. With expert guidance from KayakPower, teams will learn how to enter and exit a kayak, paddle efficiently, and stay steady on the water. But the real goal isn’t perfect form—it’s discovering how to stay centered through life’s inevitable wobbles and waves.

As always, the weekend is filled with classic HATS fun—games, laughs, and shared moments that strengthen your bond. On Sunday morning, we’ll slow things down for a powerful breakout session focused on the question: “Is your life in balance?” This reflective time gives dad and child space to talk honestly, connect deeply, and come away with new insights they can carry into the year ahead.

Join us for a weekend of paddling, playing, and reconnecting—with each other and with what really matters.

Open Your Eyes: Springtime in Central Texas offers the perfect backdrop for one of our most peaceful and reflective weekends. On the 8th Grade Wilderness Photography Campout, dads and daughters or sons slow down, unplug, and spend intentional time together exploring the beauty of the Texas Hill Country—cameras in hand.

This campout focuses on both connection and creativity. Teams will learn to use their camera’s more advanced features to capture action shots, landscapes, portraits, and candid moments. It’s one of our more relaxed weekends, filled with scenic hikes, trail exploration, and shared time behind the lens. After dinner on Saturday, we’ll gather around our fireside outdoor movie screen to showcase everyone’s favorite photos from the day—a highlight full of laughter, pride, and artistic expression.

On Sunday, our breakout session, “Open Your Eyes to the Things Around You,” encourages teams to reflect on their perspectives—not just through the camera, but in life. It’s a moment to notice the small things, practice gratitude, and discuss how being present shapes stronger relationships. Many leave the weekend feeling more confident not just in photography, but in their ability to capture life’s most meaningful moments.

Join us for a weekend of stillness, discovery, and deeper connection—one photo at a time.

Unpacking More Than Just Gear: As we take one step closer to the capstone Colorado Trek, the 9th Grade Backpacking weekend offers many HATS participants their first true wilderness experience. For the first time, dads and daughters or sons will carry everything they need on their backs—learning what it means to travel light, live simply, and rely on each other in the great outdoors.

The weekend begins early Saturday morning at the Crosstimbers Trail on Lake Texoma, where teams distribute crew gear, weigh their packs, and hike three miles to a backcountry campsite. Along the way, they’ll gain hands-on experience with low-impact camping, fire-starting, water filtration, and other essential backpacking skills. But this weekend isn’t about how far we hike—it’s about how deeply we connect.

Our theme, “Unpacking Your Emotional Backpack,” invites teams to look inward—reflecting on the emotional weight we all carry and how to lighten that load. Sunday’s breakout session is one of the most impactful moments of the weekend, as dads and teens explore personal challenges, open up, and support one another in meaningful conversation.

Though short in distance, this weekend is big in purpose—full of learning, growth, and connection. Join us for a powerful step toward resilience, reflection, and the road to Colorado.

Finding Your Own Path: As the final HATS campout before the Colorado Trek, this weekend is all about independence, leadership, and trust. Daughters and sons will take the lead—navigating their own route to a peak and back using only a map and compass, with dads following their guidance.

There are no marked trails, no step-by-step instructions—just the challenge of finding your own way. For many, it’s a powerful shift: “All my life, I’ve been told what path to take. This was the first time I got to choose my own way.” That moment of choice, responsibility, and accomplishment is what makes this weekend so meaningful.

But bushwhacking isn’t just about finding direction in the wild—it’s also about relationships. Our theme, “Finding Your Own Path,” invites dad and child to explore how we navigate communication, boundaries, and growth in our relationships. Sunday morning’s breakout session takes a deeper look at what healthy relationships look like and how to move forward with clarity and connection.

This is one of the most transformative HATS weekends—a chance to build confidence, strengthen bonds, and prepare for the final adventure ahead. Join us for a journey that’s as emotional as it is unforgettable.

A New Year’s Tradition: What better way to start the New Year than with one of our most beloved HATS traditions? The Daughter’s Winter Campout and the Son’s Winter Campout bring together dads, daughters, sons, and alumni from all grade levels for a one-of-a-kind weekend full of connection, challenge, and winter fun.

Each year, the Winter Adventure offers something new—new games, new friendships, and new memories—but the heart of it stays the same: cold weather, warm conversations, and shared experiences that bring the entire HATS community closer. Whether it’s your first winter campout or your fifth, this weekend is a chance to enjoy nature in a different season, learn cold-weather camping tips, and strengthen your bond with your child.

Don’t worry if you’ve never camped in the cold before—we’ve got you covered! We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to stay warm, safe, and comfortable, so you can focus on what really matters: time together. With HATS games, laughter, and meaningful moments throughout the weekend, it’s the perfect way to kick off the year with purpose and connection.

Join us for a winter weekend that’s as fun as it is unforgettable—because the HATS journey doesn’t slow down when the temperature drops!