Texas StrenFest V: Prepared for the Unexpected in the Davis Mountains
I've been a member of The Strenuous Life for several years now, and one of the things I've come to appreciate most about the program is its emphasis on becoming a more capable, well-rounded person. Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's philosophy of living a strenuous life, the program encourages men to challenge themselves physically, mentally, and socially. Through activities ranging from outdoor skills and physical fitness to personal development and community involvement, members work to earn badges, develop new abilities, and push themselves beyond their usual routines. It's not about being the best at everything. It's about making a deliberate effort to become better than you were yesterday.
One of the best parts of The Strenuous Life is the community that comes with it. Members are organized into regional groups, where they can connect with others who share similar interests, exchange knowledge, and participate in activities together. Here in Texas, one of our annual traditions is Texas StrenFest, a multi-day gathering that brings members together for camping, outdoor adventures, skill-building, and camaraderie. Each year offers something different, and as we've learned more than once, the unexpected often becomes just as memorable as anything on the schedule.
This year marked the Texas Region's fifth StrenFest, and I've had the opportunity to attend four. Over the years, these gatherings have taken us to different parts of Texas, each offering its own experiences, challenges, and opportunities to learn something new. For me, StrenFest has become more than just an annual camping trip. It's a chance to reconnect with fellow members, share what we've learned, and put some of the principles of The Strenuous Life into practice. With four StrenFests under my belt, I've come to appreciate that no two are quite alike, and there's usually a lesson or two waiting that nobody planned for.
October 14–17, 2026 | Davis Mountains State Park, Texas
The fifth annual Texas StrenFest brought members of the Texas Region of The Strenuous Life together October 14–17, 2026, for four days of camping, hiking, exploration, and camaraderie in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. Based at the Davis Mountains State Park, this year's gathering included outdoor activities, a preparedness workshop, a visit to the McDonald Observatory, and opportunities to explore one of Texas's most distinctive landscapes.
Although attendance was smaller than in previous years, the gathering offered plenty of opportunities to learn from one another and share experiences. As it turned out, Mother Nature also had a few lessons of her own to teach us.
Cold temperatures, strong winds, and a countywide burn ban challenged our preparedness and flexibility. Some plans had to change, but those unexpected conditions became part of the experience and sparked some of the weekend's most valuable discussions. In many ways, Texas StrenFest V reminded us why we practice the skills and habits The Strenuous Life encourages in the first place.
Setting Up Camp and Exploring the Mountains
The gathering began Wednesday, October 14, when the advance party arrived and established camp at Davis Mountains State Park. With the campsite ready, the group began preparing for the days ahead.
Thursday provided an opportunity to get out and explore the park. Members of the group spent part of the day hiking several trails, taking in the mountainous terrain and the scenery that makes this corner of Texas so different from much of the state. The group also prepared a land navigation course, incorporating an important outdoor skill into the gathering.
As additional members arrived later that afternoon, the group came together for an informal mini-workshop on "get home bags," an often-overlooked component of personal preparedness.
Unlike a traditional bug-out bag meant for leaving home during an emergency, a get home bag contains supplies you might need to return home when normal transportation or other conveniences are unavailable. The discussion covered the importance of keeping essential equipment readily accessible and thinking through unexpected situations that might arise.
Participants also received gear and supplies, adding a hands-on element to the workshop. The conversation reinforced a recurring theme throughout the gathering: preparedness is about more than collecting equipment. It also requires thinking through possible situations, developing practical skills, and being ready to adapt.
A Day Among the Stars and Mountains
Friday, October 16, offered a change of scenery as members of the group visited the McDonald Observatory, located high in the Davis Mountains.
The visit included a solar viewing and an opportunity to explore the observatory's main telescope arrays. It provided a chance to learn more about astronomy and the scientific research conducted at one of Texas's best-known astronomical facilities.
Beyond the observatory, the group took a scenic route through the Davis Mountains to examine the region's distinctive geology and geography. The rugged mountains, varied terrain, and unusual landscape offered a chance to appreciate a part of Texas that can feel remarkably different from the state's more familiar plains and rolling hills.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for the evening. The McDonald Observatory's scheduled Star Party, one of the gathering's anticipated activities, was canceled because of unfavorable conditions.
While disappointing, the cancellation was only one example of how the weather influenced this year's StrenFest. By Friday, cold temperatures and strong winds had become significant factors, reminding everyone that even a carefully planned outdoor gathering is subject to circumstances beyond our control.
When Mother Nature Joins the StrenFest
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Texas StrenFest V wasn't a particular hike, workshop, or excursion. It was the weather and the conversations that followed.
Friday and Saturday brought cold, windy conditions, with temperatures dropping below freezing. For anyone unfamiliar with the Davis Mountains, such conditions might seem surprising for Texas in October. However, the region's elevation and mountainous terrain can produce weather that differs considerably from what much of the state experiences. A countywide burn ban also added to the challenge by prohibiting campfires. The traditional campfire, often a centerpiece of camping gatherings, wasn't an option. That meant relying on appropriate clothing, shelter, sleeping systems, and other gear to stay warm.
These circumstances prompted some in-depth conversations about preparedness. What happens when the weather doesn't cooperate? What alternatives are available when a familiar resource, such as a campfire, cannot be used? More importantly, how can we better prepare ourselves for conditions we didn't anticipate? These weren't hypothetical questions discussed from the comfort of home. They were practical considerations brought about by the conditions we were experiencing.
One of the central ideas behind The Strenuous Life is that personal growth comes through deliberate effort, developing useful skills, and challenging ourselves beyond our normal routines. Outdoor gatherings such as StrenFest offer an opportunity to apply those ideas in the real world. This year's weather reminded us that preparedness isn't simply about having a plan. It's also about recognizing when that plan needs to change and having the knowledge, equipment, and flexibility to respond appropriately.
Lessons to Carry Forward
Texas StrenFest V concluded Saturday, October 17, as the group broke camp and headed home. Although weather affected some activities, the gathering left participants with several useful lessons and ideas for future events.
The biggest takeaway was a renewed emphasis on preparing for unexpected conditions, especially during fall camping trips in Texas. While seasonal forecasts can provide a general idea of what to expect, they don't eliminate the possibility of sudden changes in temperature, wind, or other conditions. The group discussed improving preparations for future StrenFests, including bringing equipment suitable for a wider range of weather, considering alternative ways to stay warm, and developing contingency plans when restrictions or environmental conditions prevent certain activities.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and experience. Whether it was learning about get-home bags, practicing land navigation, or talking through lessons from the cold weather, each activity provided an opportunity to become a little more capable and self-reliant.
Perhaps most importantly, the gathering reinforced that preparedness is an ongoing process. No matter how experienced someone might be, there is always something new to learn, a skill to improve, or an assumption worth reconsidering.
More Than Just a Camping Trip
Looking back, Texas StrenFest V may not have gone entirely according to plan, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. In fact, some of the most useful lessons came from the things we couldn't control.
We explored the mountains, learned about astronomy, discussed emergency preparedness, and spent time with fellow Strenuous Lifers. We also experienced the reality of cold-weather camping without a campfire and came away with ideas for improving our preparations in the future.
There is something fitting about that. The Strenuous Life isn't about arranging every circumstance to be comfortable or convenient. It's about developing the skills, character, and willingness to meet challenges when they arise. Texas StrenFest V gave us another opportunity to do exactly that.
And if there's one lesson we'll carry into Texas StrenFest VI, it's simple: prepare for the unexpected, because Texas weather certainly won't ask for your permission before changing the plans.
Comments