Sunday Activities

Community Sunday activities are intentionally varied throughout the year. Some activities take place on campus, while others involve organized outings throughout the Austin area and surrounding communities.

The examples below represent the types of activities that may be offered as part of Community Sundays. Activities will rotate based on resident interest, seasonal opportunities, volunteer involvement, community events, and available resources.

Recreation & Entertainment

Many Community Sundays focus on recreation, social interaction, and simply having fun together.

Examples may include:

  • Bowling

  • Billiards

  • Table tennis

  • Arcade outings

  • Pinballz

  • Main Event

  • Bishop Cidercade

  • Movie theater outings

  • Community game tournaments

  • Sporting events

  • Group watch parties

  • Trivia competitions

  • Board game afternoons

These activities provide low-pressure opportunities for residents to interact, build friendships, and enjoy time together.

Outdoor Activities

Austin offers a wide variety of outdoor opportunities throughout the year, making outdoor activities a natural part of Community Sundays.

Examples may include:

  • Bicycle rides

  • Walking trails

  • Nature hikes

  • Park visits

  • Kite flying

  • Butterfly viewing events

  • Wildflower walks

  • Botanical garden visits

  • Community festivals

  • Farmers markets

  • Outdoor concerts

  • Seasonal community celebrations

These activities encourage physical activity, exploration, and appreciation for the natural environment.

Arts, Culture & Education

Not every Community Sunday revolves around recreation. Some activities focus on exposing residents to cultural, educational, and artistic experiences throughout the community.

Examples may include:

  • Visits to the Blanton Museum of Art

  • Visits to the Bullock Texas State History Museum

  • Art exhibits

  • Historical sites

  • Public lectures

  • Music performances

  • Theater productions

  • Broadway in Austin events

  • Cultural festivals

  • Community educational events

These experiences help broaden perspectives and encourage lifelong learning beyond traditional classroom settings.

Challenge & Adventure Activities

Some residents enjoy activities that provide a greater physical or personal challenge. These activities are typically offered periodically and participation is voluntary.

Examples may include:

  • Indoor climbing gyms

  • iFLY indoor skydiving

  • Kayaking

  • Paddleboarding

  • Obstacle courses

  • Confidence courses

  • Adventure parks

  • Zip line experiences

  • Team-building challenges

  • Other outdoor adventure activities

These activities can help build confidence, encourage personal growth, and create memorable shared experiences.

On-Campus Community Days

Not every Community Sunday requires leaving campus.

Some Sundays are intentionally designed around activities that take place within the RISS community itself.

Examples may include:

  • Community movie screenings

  • Pizza nights

  • Outdoor games

  • Resident tournaments

  • Volunteer-led activities

  • Creative workshops

  • Seasonal celebrations

  • Community meals

  • Hobby demonstrations

  • Informal social gatherings

These events provide opportunities for connection while remaining accessible to residents who may prefer a more relaxed environment.

Resident & Volunteer Involvement

Community Sunday activities are not intended to be one-sided events planned solely by staff. Residents and volunteers are encouraged to suggest ideas, help organize activities, and share their own interests and skills with the broader community.

Over time, Community Sundays will reflect the interests, talents, and experiences of the people who make up the RISS community.

A Growing Tradition

As the RISS community grows, so will the variety of Community Sunday activities.

The examples listed on this page are representative rather than exhaustive. New opportunities, events, partnerships, and traditions will continue to be added as the campus develops and the community evolves.

The goal is simple: to create opportunities for residents, staff, volunteers, and guests to spend meaningful time together, build relationships, explore the world around them, and strengthen the sense of community that makes RISS unique.

If you believe reintegration should be built intentionally, not reactively, we invite you to explore how you can help bring the RISS model to life.

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