Saturday June 18

Troop 1563's 2nd Annual Outdoor Family Fun Day!

Join us for a day of hiking, fishing, swimming, and picnic-ing!

Location: Meet at Mandy's, Carpool to McKinney Falls State Park in Austin. (This is NOT the Nature Park in Bastrop.) We are leaving from Mandy's, but a map and directions to the park are available here.

Cost:

free for children 12 and under (Tagalongs welcome, as long as you are supervising them.)
$5 per adult (or child over 12)

Schedule:

• Meet at Mandy's house at 8:15am.
• Leave at 8:30am.
• Arrive at McKinney Falls State Park around 9am.
• Hike the Rock Shelter Trail for about an hour (Bridging Activity)
• Participate in  "Dad's Day Youth Fishing" clinic after hike (Bridging Activity.)
• Picnic lunch at some point.
• Swimming in the creek or falls.

What to Wear:

• Troop T-shirt (gray) or other Girl Scout shirt.
• Brownie Vest (If you become hot or fearful of getting fish gunk on it, give it to your mom to put in your bag. Do not lose it!)
• Close toed shoes that fit well. We will be hiking and fishing, I don't want anyone slipping, getting blisters, or getting "visitors" in their shoes.
• What you wear on the bottom half is up to you. We will be hiking on a trail, so I think shorts will be fine. We are purposefully going early in the day to avoid the heat while hiking.
• Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a ponytail. Stay cool and don't get a sunburn! 
• Kids and parents alike should wear (or bring) their swim suits. We can swim anywhere in the creek. The Falls may be less impressive due to drought conditions, but would still be fun to splash in.

What to Bring:

• a backpack for your family
• sun protection
• camera (optional) in a ziploc baggy to keep your water from getting on it.
• water for your family
• a picnic lunch for your family
• fishing gear (poles, bait, etc.) if you have it. The park will have a limited supply for public use. We may have to wait/take turns if there is not enough to go around. If we bring our own we can avoid that.
• If your catch is within the bag limits, and you intend to eat it, bring something to take it home in. Otherwise it is catch and release.
• Hand sanitizer or baby wipes for cleaning up.
• $5 for each adult in your group. This is the park access fee. The fishing clinic is free. Fishing licenses are not necessary in State Parks.
• Kids and parents alike should bring (or wear) their swimsuits.
• Towels
• Plastic bag for wet suits and towels.
• Water shoes.

The park representative said the parking area is near the access point for the Rock Shelter Trail and  the fishing area. We can leave our fishing gear and picnic stuff in the car until we need it. There should be a visitors center or other building with restrooms/changing areas. I have not been to McKinney Falls, so I cannot speak from experience.

I'm looking forward to our 2nd Annual Outdoor Family Fun Day!

RSVP List:

Mandy, Amri, Michael, Hava, Naya, Rosie, Diego, Cesar, Ariana, Gloriana

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