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Pickleball Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List)

May 8, 2022 - May 15, 2022

Pickleball Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 1

Buckhorn Lake Resort • Kerrville, TX • May 8-15, 2022

This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!

This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!

Learn one of the world's fastest-growing sports

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. A paddleball game that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. It’s fun, social, and friendly, and with simple rules it’s easy and fast to learn. During the Escapees Pickleball Hangout, beginners will get a thorough introduction to the sport, while current players can hone their skills.

Pickleball aficionados Mark and Sandy Vinje, SKP# 149252, will serve as our instructors and coaches throughout the week. Each day will include classes and practice doubles games against other players with similar experience levels on the resort’s four pickleball courts, with a friendly tournament at the end of the week during which you can show off your skills! (Each player will need their own pickleball paddle; if you don’t already have one, we will provide suggestions in the event Facebook group to purchase on Amazon.)

But this Hangout will include much more than just pickleball! One afternoon, we’ll cool off with a laid-back innertube float on the crystal-clear Medina River, shaded by canopies of cypress and maple trees. Extra tubes for coolers or even for your pets are available for an additional rental fee. (Alcohol is allowed; no Styrofoam or glass containers.)

Another afternoon, we’ll visit the Museum of Western Art, whose exhibits feature the hardworking cowboys, Native Americans, women of the West, settlers, mountain men and others, along with the history of famous ranches and other aspects of our Western heritage. Our docent-guided tour will include behind-the-scenes access and a visit with an exhibiting artist.

Bring your bicycle (or rent one in town) to bike the 12-mile round-trip Kerrville River Trail. This wide concrete trail winds along the banks of the Guadalupe River, passing through some of the city’s most beautiful parks and crosses the river onto Tranquility Island. During this ride, we’ll visit the Riverside Nature Center, which combines conservation, education, and recreation for an immersive natural experience.

On one of the evenings during the Hangout, we’ll enjoy a guided tour in Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area, home to one of Texas’ largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats. We’ll watch some 3 million bats emerge in a swirling mass from the Sinkhole to begin their nightly quest for food. 

Of course, all that outdoor activity will make you hungry and thirsty–so you’ll also enjoy some of the distilleries, breweries, and eateries for which the Texas Hill Country is famous, along with in-camp potlucks, evening entertainment, and much more.

Optional activities

Small-group clinics with pickleball pro Matt Laz ($42/person)

We will be joined for part of the week by pro pickleballer Matt Laz, winner of numerous gold medals in USA Pickleball Association sanctioned events and an IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association) Master Teaching Professional. Matt will offer two different coaching clinics for groups of up to 8 players at a time: Pickleball Fundamentals, for beginning players who want a deeper understanding of the game, and Pickleball Techniques & Tactics, for players with some experience who want to take their game to the next level. Each 90-minute clinic will include playing points and breaking down play between points, along with feedback to each player about readiness, court awareness, shot selection, and inner game thinking. You can optionally register for one clinic of your choice.

Pickleball Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 7

Y.O. Ranch Exotic Wildlife Tour ($65/person)

Steeped in history, the Y.O. Ranch dates back to 1880 when the Schreiner family began amassing the 566,000 acres of ranchland in the aftermath of the Civil War. In modern times, the ranch has become famous for its exotic and native wildlife, and today the 11,000+ acre Y.O. Ranch Headquarters is one of the top tourist destinations in Texas. Exotic animals at the ranch include Japanese sika deer, European fallow deer, Indian blackbuck antelope, African wildebeest, and the famous “Y.O. giraffes”, as well as native species like whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and javelina. 

Our private group tour will get you up close to many of these animals. You will learn fascinating facts about each species, along with hearing about the history of this legendary ranch. This three-hour excursion includes two hours touring the ranch plus a home-cooked lunch.

Pickleball Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 8

The deadline to add or cancel any of these optional activities is Thursday, April 7, 2022.

Hangout location

Our RV park for the Pickleball Hangout will be the spectacular Buckhorn Lake Resort in Kerrville, Texas. Every spacious site at this premier location features complete landscaping, 30/50A full hookups, concrete pads, free wifi, and daily trash pickup. In addition to the four pickleball courts that we’ll be using for our practice and games, Buckhorn Lake has a tennis court, basketball court, fishing in stocked ponds, a huge enclosed dog park, swimming pools and whirlpool spas, and a 9-hole practice putting green. Laundry facilities and private dressing rooms and showers are available.
 
Please note: Buckhorn Lake Resort’s rates do not include electricity. You will pay the park directly for your actual metered electricity usage at $0.14/kwh when you check out. 
 
This Hangout is limited to only 30 RVs and tickets will go quickly—so don’t wait to register
Pickleball Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 9

Is this event right for me?

Pickleball Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List) 10Every member is welcome at all Escapees RV Club events. With that said, the Pickleball Hangout is best suited for members who:

  • are able to engage in moderate aerobic activity for 10-15 minutes at a time
  • can comfortably walk 1/4 to 1/2 mile at a time
  • can participate in activities during weekdays (traditional working/business hours)

For events designed specifically for working-age RVers, with most activities in the evenings and on weekends, try an Xscapers Convergence. Or for more of an all-inclusive, guided-tour experience, you may prefer one of our Head-Out Programs (HOPs).

COVID-19 precautions

Although Escapees recommends that attendees be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations before attending this Hangout, effective March 1, 2022, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will no longer be required. 

Please see the club’s current COVID-19 Event Policy for our current health and safety recommendations and practices, as well as situations under which you may not attend this Hangout if you’ve had recent symptoms of or a positive test for COVID-19.

Schedule

Activities and schedule are subject to change. Activities marked with an *asterisk are not included in your Hangout fee.

Sunday 5/8

Arrival and check-in at Buckhorn Lake Resort

Evening welcome gathering & introductions

Monday 5/9

Morning: Introduction to Pickleball with Ann & Lin Bishop; pickleball practice

Afternoon: Biking the Kerrville River Trail

Evening: Optional pickleball clinics with Matt Laz*

Tuesday 5/10

Morning: Optional pickleball clinics with Matt Laz*

Afternoon: Museum of Western Art tour

Evening: Pickleball play & practice

Wednesday 5/11

Morning: Pickleball play & practice

Afternoon: Tubing on the Medina River

Evening: Interactive game night

Thursday 5/12

Morning: Pickleball play & practice

Lunch & craft beers at Pint & Plow Brewing Co.*

Evening: Bat flight program at Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

Friday 5/13

Morning: Pickleball tournament

Afternoon: Tour & tastings at Hill Country Distillers*

Celebration & awards dinner at Food for the Soul Bistro

Saturday 5/14

Y.O. Ranch Headquarters Exotic Wildlife Tour with homecooked lunch*

Potluck dinner

Sunday 5/15

GTHO breakfast

Departure

Registration includes:

  • 7 nights RV camping in a 30/50A full hookup site (metered electricity usage payable to resort)
  • Use of pickleball courts during Hangout
  • Pickleball coaches Mark & Sandy Vinje
  • Admission to Museum of Western Art
  • Medina River innertube rental
  • Guided tour at Devil’s Sinkhole SNA
  • Celebration & awards dinner
  • GTHO departure day breakfast
  • Social activities
  • Hangout hosts

Optional activities: Pickleball Fundamentals or Techniques & Tactics clinic with Matt Laz ($42/person), Y.O. Ranch Exotic Wildlife Tour with lunch ($65/person)

Additional costs to consider: actual metered electricity usage ($0.14/kwh), bike rental if needed, lunch & drinks at brewery, distillery tour & tastings ($10), purchase of pickleball paddle ($35-$40)

All activities listed for this event are subject to change.

By attending this event, you are agreeing to the following: 

  • As an attendee, you assume all risk and danger relating to your personal property, RV and attendance at the Hangout, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event. In the event of loss or theft, no claim will be made upon Escapees, its volunteers, employees or agents.
  • Volunteers may be directing and assisting you in your parking areas. However, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations and is solely responsible for any damage to one’s property or the property of others.
  • As an attendee at this event, you are granting your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed, and granting to Escapees RV Club the full use of any such recordings or images without compensation. 
  • By registering, you will also receive occasional email notifications of future Hangouts; however, you can opt-out of these notifications at any time. 
  • If COVID-19 protocols are still required at the time of the Hangout, you will help provide a safe environment for everyone by complying with our health and safety rules. If requested, you will sign a written agreement releasing Escapees from liability should you become ill during or after the event.

How to register

We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list below. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.

After you register

Watch for an email from registration@escapees.com for a confirmation of your registration. If you don’t receive it, call Escapees Event Registration at ‭(936) 755-1060‬ to be sure that your registration was processed correctly.

After you register, please join the Hangout group on Facebook (a link to this group will be in your confirmation email). We will use this group to communicate with Hangout attendees before and during the event. You will also receive one or more emails before the Hangout with more information as needed.

Cancellations

If you cancel your Hangout registration on or before Thursday, April 7, 2022, you will receive a refund of your registration fees minus a $50 cancellation fee. 

There will be no refunds for cancellations received after April 7, 2022.

Waiting list

If this Hangout is sold out when you try to register, please join the waiting list by completing the form below. There are usually several cancellations before a Hangout…so if a spot opens up and you’re the next one on the waiting list, you’ll get another shot at registration! (Note: please don’t join the waiting list unless and until the Hangout sells out. Entries received before that time will be ignored.)

Details

Start:
May 8, 2022
End:
May 15, 2022
Event Category:
Event Tags:
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Website:
escapees.com/hangouts

Organizer

Escapees Hangouts (Hosts: Cheryl & David Goldstein)
Email
hangouts@escapees.com

Venue

Buckhorn Lake Resort
2885 Goat Creek Rd.
Kerrville, TX 78028 United States
+ Google Map
Phone
(830) 895-0007
View Venue Website

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