Outdoor Adventures

St. Stephen’s provides a wide variety of outdoor adventures and activities to students, ranging from rigorous activities (for which students earn athletic credits), to campouts and excursions featuring moderate levels of physical exertion. Our Devil's Canyon Adventure Program (DCAP) offers students the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous terrain of Central Texas through a range of engaging activities and sports.

Caving and Canoeing

Devil's Canyon Adventure Program (DCAP) students explore the caves of the greater Austin area and West Texas, as well as Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia (TAG). Students practice high-angle ropes skills on our campus ropes tower to gain strength and skills before tackling outside areas.

Students paddle Central Texas rivers, including the Colorado, Blanco, Frio and Llano. Beginner-to-advanced paddling practices take place in the school pool and on Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake.

St. Stephen’s is a member of the Texas Cave Management Association and the Southeastern Cave Conservancy. Thanks to these memberships, our students  have the opportunity to explore caves that are part of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, among others. Students descend large pits, more than 150 feet deep, to explore the caverns below and ascend back out on the same rope utilizing their mastered rope skills.

Additional activities include practicing paddling skills, camping on the river, and developing logistical planning skills for meals and necessary gear.


Mountain Biking

St. Stephen's Devil's Canyon Adventure Program (DCAP) students participate in the Texas High School Mountain Biking League. Averaging 20 students in winter and spring seasons, mountain bikers make the most of our bountiful campus land that includes single track, cross country and technical biking trails. Winter term practice includes three days on trails and two days in the fitness center weight room.

Mountain biking athletes participate in Race Around Central Texas, riding through Warda Bluff Creek Ranch, Reveille Peak, Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort, Dinosaur Valley State Park and Huntsville State Park, among others.

Bouldering and Rock Climbing

Students who take part in the Bouldering and Rock Climbing program practice three days a week on the climbing wall in Clayton Gym. The climbing wall is a 10 meter enterprise. Climbing practice also takes place outdoors in the Austin area, including the Greenbelt, Enchanted Rock, Bull Creek, Reimer’s Ranch, Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, and Sacket Family Ranch in Troy.

Each spring Bouldering and Rock Climbing student-athletes are invited to take part in a four-day trip to Taos, New Mexico, which enables students to enjoy climbing on granite, basalt, limestone and conglomerate rock.

Experiencing the Outdoors

Campouts and Retreats 
St. Stephen’s offers a number of campouts and retreats for students in different grades. Designed to both teach students to camp and to build community, these activities include a 6th-grade campout, a 7th-grade trip to Mustang Island, an 8th-grade field trip to Big Bend National Park, and a 9th-grade retreat at Laity Lodge.

Weekend Excursions

Hiking Day Trips

Address: 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 327-1213