Things to Do in Boerne

The low-hanging branches of southern live oak trees stretch out over the house and pavilion areas at Don Strange Ranch, dappling parties, weddings, and corporate team gatherings with splashes of sunlight. Since 1952, the 125-acre longhorn ranch in the Texas Hill Country has hosted myriad events, including scenes from the PBS music documentary series Live from the Artists Den and the wedding of country music stars Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.

More than just a picturesque backdrop, the ranch’s rugged natural surroundings host outdoor activities such as ropes courses and kayak trips down the Guadalupe River. And the friendly staffers who man 350- to 400-foot ziplines work to ease guests out of their comfort zones, like a mother bird pushing her young out of the nest for their first extreme base-jumping lesson. :m]]

Beneath Minitown's sky-blue ceilings, children bustle and play in a miniature village with all the trappings of a real city. Locales such as a fire station, a cinema, and a candy shop host droves of kids writing Frasier fan-fiction during each day's open-play sessions. Outside the mini city, kids play in a backyard area with a real train and a piñata station. Minitown frequently hosts birthday parties as well, setting troupes of kids running rampant through the town under the careful supervision of parents and staff.

Castle Hills First Baptist School girls' varsity head coach Tom Springer notched a nomination for 1A Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Coach of the Year after leading his Lady Eagles to regionals. When patrolling the court for Spartan Basketball, he dedicates himself to the improvement of his players, even the ones who can't quit back-flipping off trampolines for crazy slam dunks.

Along with a coaching staff of former collegiate and pro athletes, coach Springer leads various clinics dedicated to scoring, shooting, or team play. To supplement the clinics, Coach Springer’s instructional products put his basketball knowledge into PDF, DVD, and downloadable video formats for both players and coaches to study and practice at home.