About Us
Young people today have very little first hand knowledge of nature and the importance that nature can play in their lives.
The Texas Outdoor Education Association (T.O.E.A.) is an organization of individuals and groups with a common interest in outdoor education working toward the attainment of an appreciation, understanding and wise use of the total environment by all people. Outdoor education encompasses both formal and informal learning experiences taking place in the out-of-doors to increase the quality of life of the individual. The T.O.E.A. involves itself in the development of educational services and procedures through a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to achieve these goals.
T.O.E.A. was created by educators who are concerned that advancements in technology, along with the abundance of single parent households, the continued rapid development of private and public lands and decreasing access to recreational property has left a void in the lives of youth and in their natural connection to nature.
Members of T.O.E.A. believe that while modern technology has made our lives more comfortable and productive, these same technologies have insulated society, especially young people from the very nature from which we came.
Thus, young people today have very little first hand knowledge of nature and the importance that nature can play in their lives.
One goal of TOEA is to educate young people to understand that preserving nature through sound and responsible scientific principles will protect it for future generations.
T.O.E.A. supports the efforts of those who believe in the importance of protecting the environment by acting responsibly through the education of young people in the school classroom and to teach young people about the importance of nature and the role that man plays in conservation through a wide range of real-life outdoor activities.
Outdoor Education provides safe and supervised opportunities for students to learn real-life skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives while having an appreciation and respect for nature through classroom courses and field trip opportunities.
T.O.E.A. is dedicated to educating all persons, especially the youth, about the importance of conservation, responsible land and water use and management, the enhancement of wildlife populations and preservation of habitat to ensure the preservation of our cherished outdoor heritage for future generations.
To support our mission, T.O.E.A.:
Protecting the outdoors and participation in a variety of outdoor activities is healthy and essential in building strong, independent individuals and future stewards for nature, fish and wildlife.
• Is non-partisan with no political ties
• Supports the responsible consumptive and non-consumptive use of our natural resources.
• Works in cooperation with a wide variety of conservation groups including non-profit groups in an effort to communicate the message through public and private schools that protecting the outdoors and participation in a variety of outdoor activities is healthy and essential in building strong, independent individuals and future stewards for nature and wildlife.
• Works to acquire unit lesson plans, educational materials and related curriculum from a wide range of sources and makes this information available to T.O.E.A. teacher/Administrator Members.
• Promotes positive stewardship of nature and works to increases public awareness of Outdoor Education programs through the media including national television.
• Encourages safe and supervised field trips for students in Outdoor Education programs.
• Provides assistance to start and sustain similar non-profit associations in states outside of Texas; including providing lesson plans, educational materials and related curriculum
If you believe that today’s youth needs a hands on connection with nature and with outdoor related activities, if you value nature and you believe that young people can benefit from their knowledge of nature by participating in a wide range of outdoor related activities and that their participation strengthens character and problem solving skills while making them better prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead in the future, the Texas Outdoor Education Association needs your support.
Become a Hero and Support Outdoor Education today!
“Making the World Our Classroom”