Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine brings its October backpacking issue to First Light for an afternoon of hands-on outdoor education for the whole family, and an evening panel with three hiking experts.

Master Naturalists Workshop on the patio 4:00 to 6:00 PM · Panel indoors 6:30PM · First Light Books

Free to attend. RSVPs help us plan.​

Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine is on a mission to prove to people of all ages that life truly is Better Outside. Their October issue turns its attention to backpacking in Texas, a topic as welcome to first-generation outdoor families as it is to blistered and bruised thru-hikers.

Starting at 4:00 PM, teams from Texas Outdoor Family and the Texas Master Naturalists set up on the  patio. Kids can guess the animal sounds playing overhead, fold origami ladybugs, squirrels and cicadas, and work through Junior Ranger games. The Master Naturalists bring the trees, plants and creatures that call Texas home, plus an up-close look (and feel) at the skins and skulls of Central Texas mammals you might spot while out on a hike.

At 6:30 PM we move inside for first-hand experience and sage advice from magazine contributors and expert backpackers Pam LeBlanc, Tyler Priest and Ky Harkey, in conversation with Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine managing editor Eva Frederick. Expect real talk about where to go, what to carry, what to leave at home, and how to get out there in the first place, followed by audience Q&A.

Gossamer Gear, the Austin-based ultralight backpacking company, has donated a generous stack of prizes. Grab a raffle ticket when you arrive and stick around for the drawing.

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THE OCTOBER ISSUE: BACKPACKING IN TEXAS

Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine is the award-winning monthly guide to the Texas outdoors, covering state parks, wildlife, fishing, hunting, camping, birding, paddling, travel and environmental issues across the state. The October issue is dedicated to backpacking in Texas, and every visitor to the workshop can take one home free.

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About the panelists

Pam LeBlanc is an avid hiker and freelance writer who specializes in stories about the outdoors. She worked at the Plano Star-Courier and The Monitor in McAllen, Texas, before joining the staff of the Austin American-Statesman, where she launched her popular weekly "Fit City" column. Today she writes about adventure travel, recreation, and environmental issues for more than 30 publications. When she's not writing, you'll find her backpacking, skiing, swimming, camping, paddling, or scuba diving. She lives in Austin. Her new guidebook, Urban Trails: Austin, maps 40 of the city's best trails for walking, hiking and running, from the paths circling Lady Bird Lake to routes out into the Hill Country and Blackland Prairie.

Tyler Priest is a contributor to Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine and the lead backpacking guide at Big Bend region based Far West Texas Outfitters, where he helped build the first guided backpacking program at Big Bend Ranch State Park. He wrote the magazine's April cover story on hiking 100 miles through the park.

Ky Harkey is the founder of The Visitor Experience, a nationwide partnerships initiative to enhance visitor experiences at state parks, and previously served as director of interpretation for Texas State Parks.

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About the moderator

Eva Frederick is the managing editor of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, where she writes about parks, wildlife and conservation across the state.

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