Lockhart Junior High unveils new Ropes Course, funded by St. David’s Foundation Grant

LISD

Lockhart Junior High School (LJHS) is excited to announce the installation of a state-of-the-art ropes course on campus, made possible by a generous grant from St. David’s Foundation. The ropes course, which aims to enhance student engagement, confidence, physical fitness, and school culture, marks the culmination of a four-year effort led by LJHS teacher Travis Ehlers.

Travis Ehlers, affectionately known as ‘Mr. T’, by his students, is a passionate educator who teaches Outdoor Adventures at LJHS. He initiated this project by crafting a grant proposal for St. David’s Foundation in 2020. His goal was to create an interactive outdoor space where students could hone vital life skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. After years of planning, extensive research, collaboration, and a global pandemic, Ehlers’ unwavering commitment has borne fruit, and the ropes course is poised to enrich Lockhart Junior High School’s outdoor adventures curriculum. 

“Bringing this ropes course to life has been a labor of love,” said Ehlers. “It’s been four years in the making, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see this project finally come to fruition. The support from St. David’s Foundation has been instrumental in making this vision a reality, and I can’t wait to see how it will benefit our students.”

The new ropes course will feature a variety of elements designed to challenge students physically and mentally. From climbing walls to balancing beams, “leap of faiths,” and zip lines, the course is intended to encourage teamwork, build confidence, and promote healthy lifestyles. We expect the installation to be fully completed in the next few weeks and students will begin participating in the elements later in the semester. “We have a lot of outdoor adventure curriculum to cover before we begin using the ropes course,” said Ehlers. “Also, we need to build our trust as a classroom community before we get up there; we have to become a family first.”

Lockhart ISD Superintendent Mark Estrada expressed enthusiasm for the new addition, stating, “This ropes course is a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in hands-on learning outside the traditional classroom setting. We’re incredibly proud of Mr. T’s dedication and grateful to St. David’s Foundation for their support. This project exemplifies the innovative thinking and commitment to UnLocking Potential that we strive for in Lockhart ISD.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the ropes course is planned for later this month. Students, staff, and community members will be invited. Additionally, outside organizations can rent the facility for team-building activities once the course is completed. Lockhart ISD facilities can be rented using the following link:https://www.facilitron.com/lisd78644