Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The East Texas Adventurers program is sponsored through a Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Mission
East Texas Adventurers is a program designed to provide a transformational and authentic educational experience for 100 sixth- to eighth-grade students from Nacogdoches Independent School District over the 2024-25 academic year. The program will target students identified as receiving free or reduced lunch; ethnically, culturally or linguistically diverse; or with disabilities. We seek to show our adventurers what East Texas offers through overnight expeditions to Mission Tejas State Park, Caddo Lake State Park, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. Students will not only explore the outdoors and Texas ecosystems but also will participate in activities promoting youth empowerment, pride and self-identity in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields.
Directors and Consultants
Dr. Sarah Straub
Director
Dr. Sarah M. Straub is an associate professor at SFA and the co-director for the East Texas Adventurers program, sponsored by the TPWD COOP Grant. Straub has years of experience engaging in outdoor education opportunities with students through her study abroad trips for middle school students to Panama and Colombia as well as her study away trip, a six-week road trip across the United States, for undergraduate students and the previously funded East Texas Adventurer program. Straub loves the outdoors and Texas state parks. As a former middle school teacher, she looks forward to this opportunity to share that love with students.
Dr. Melissa Hulings
Director
Dr. Melissa Hulings is an assistant professor at SFA and a co-director for the East Texas Adventurers program. Hulings specializes in science education and connecting nature to the science classroom. She enjoys hiking trails and observing natural wildlife. As a former middle school science teacher, she looks forward to connecting students with nature.
Dr. Summer Koltonski
Consultant
Dr. Summer Koltonski is an associate professor at SFA and a consultant for the East Texas Adventurers program. Koltonski specializes in teaching exceptional learners and assessment and she was part of the previously funded East Texas Adventurer program. Koltonski grew up in rural East Texas and has years of experience in outdoor activities. She also enjoys outdoor photography. When not teaching, you can find Koltonski spending time with her family outdoors, hunting and fishing. She is excited to share her love of the outdoors with future East Texas Adventurers.