Explore Austin

07/01/2025

📗 READ NOW 👉 https://ow.ly/UWir50W8FPh

Belonging is critical. It’s a basic psychological need that is especially important in our adolescent years when we’re examining our place in the world and forming our sense of self. One of the key aspects of our program is that it creates a place for connection and community. These bonds are reflected in our 82% six-year program retention rate for both Explorers and Mentors – the highest it’s ever been in our history!

Read the full report at the link above, which includes such highlights as:
🔆 Feature Story - Graduating seniors reflect on a sisterhood formed in the outdoors
🔆 Past & Future - Mountains climbed in 2024 and the trail ahead
🔆 Demographics - Explorers & Mentors
🔆 Financial Report - 2024 revenue & expenses

07/01/2025

The '26 Funky Cacti Team recently returned from their final Summer Wilderness Trip, which was in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia. This team's Explorers and Mentors exhibited everything a Capstone Team should exhibit: Adaptability, self-motivation, team work, positive attitudes, vulnerability, and self-responsibility, all with a sense of humor thrown in to combat some very rainy weather! ⛈️ 🌈

The team persevered through a soggy week, and even had a blast rock climbing in the rain 🧗‍♀️

Mentor Annalise said: "It’s truly incredible to see how much the Funky Cacti Explorers have grown and evolved over the years. On this trip, they were noticeably more engaged, both in our activities and in each other’s experiences. Our final night’s reflection event was a standout. The depth and thoughtfulness of their insights were striking, showing just how much they’ve matured and internalized over time. The designated Leaders of the Day consistently stepped up, taking initiative and modeling high engagement, which helped set a positive tone for the entire group."

Go, Funky Cacti! 🌵

06/28/2025

Our Summer Wilderness Trips are unforgettable, week-long camping trips in backcountry destinations across the U.S. We're still looking for volunteers to help ensure our teams depart and return from their trips safely.

It takes a village -- be a part of ours! Many shifts are available through July 26. SIGN UP HERE 👉 https://ow.ly/kLEf50VVXeP

There are two different types of volunteer shifts, with a wide array of dates and times to choose from. Select whichever slots appeal to you!

⚙️ Gear Checks (2 hours): These occur the day before our teams depart. We will size Explorers for outdoor gear, make sure their packs and duffel bags are complete and labeled, and secure any final paperwork needed from families.

👋 Receive Days (2 hours) : Be there to welcome home our exhausted, smiling (and maybe a little smelly) Explorer teams! Volunteer duties will include checking back in gear, and organizing and sanitizing it in preparation for our next groups.

06/27/2025

- Pictured are three Explorer Alums from the '21 Arrows Team with three of their Mentors! These Explorers are all attending or have graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. We love to see where our Explorers' life journeys have taken them since completing the Explore Austin program as high school seniors!

From left to right:

🎓 Olivia is majoring in economics and will graduate from UT in the spring of 2026.
🎓 Maddy is majoring in urban development and currently applying for summer internships; she'll graduate at the end of summer.
🎓 A huge congratulations to Victoria, who graduated from UT in May with a bachelor of science degree in communication and leadership, and with double minors in government and latino/a studies; she is a community-oriented advocate who intends to work in public service in the nonprofit or government sectors.

Additionally, Olivia and Maddy plan to move abroad to the UK through a program with UT when the spring 2026 semester concludes.

Mentor Alum Kate McArdle (second from left) said: "Four years after our Capstone Summer Wilderness Trip, it is so incredible to celebrate these young women as they graduate from college. They’ve already inspired us with all they’ve done in these four years post Explore Austin, and we can’t wait to see what adventures they go on to next."

06/26/2025

🃏 A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us at Aces for Adventure in May, a poker tournament benefiting the 280 youth Explore Austin serves.

♠️ ♦️ ♣️ ♥️ Swipe for a preview of photos from the evening, and view the full album here 👉 https://ow.ly/RHcs50Wf7VF

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
〰️ Presenting Sponsor 〰️
Papasan Properties Group
〰️ Silver Sponsor 〰️
Fighting Leslies DC
〰️ Bronze & Table Hosts 〰️
EmpowerHome | Chris Hall at Papasan Properties Group | Gary Keller & Mary Pfluger | Jenn & JP Lewis
〰️ In-Kind Donors 〰️
Float On Boat Rentals | Kendra Scott | Morgan & John Burnham | SkinSpirit Skincare Clinic and Spa | Papasan Home Services | Retro Boat Rentals ATX | Electric Shuffle | On | Alloten | Rowing Dock | YETI | Duffy Real Estate Team | Viva Day Spa + Med Spa | Copperbox | Premier Performance Training | Southside Tattoo | AT&T Hotel and Conference Center | Gossamer Gear | Fello | The Continental Club | Wendy & Jay Papasan | Sophia & Bryan Daigle | Austin Artscapes | imogene + willie | Güero's Taco Bar | woom | The ONE Thing | Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar

06/24/2025

🦦 Introducing: The '31 River Otters! Our brand-new class of 2031 Explorers & Mentors are in the process of choosing their team names. One of the girls teams was inspired on their Summer Wilderness Trip to come up with something aquatic after swimming at Inks Lake State Park 🏊‍♀️

Our first-year teams camped at Inks Lake for an introduction to camp skills, hiking, water safety and canoeing ⛺🥾💦🛶 Swipe for more photos of the newly minted River Otters -- a team of 15 Explorers and 5 adult volunteer Mentors!

06/23/2025

06/20/2025

Sam's Summer Slam Pickleball & Corn Hole Tournament at Bouldin Acres raised $11,000+, enough to fund four youth for a full year in the Explore Austin program!

To our twenty-six pickleball teams and generous sponsors: Thank you for your enthusiasm and support. And to our host Sam McCathren: Thank you for your vision and dedication to the cause 🏓

FULL ALBUM HERE 👉 https://ow.ly/TXI350W9aa9
📸 Photos by Zaid Patel

🎾 2025 SPONSORS 🎾
Landy Frost Group | Compass | Bouldin Acres | Austin Subaru | Austin Plastic Surgeon | TKO Jerky | E Castro Trucking | lululemon | Allstate Insurance Agent Paul Guerrero

06/17/2025

Summer Wilderness Trip season has begun! Our first-year teams went to Inks Lake State Park for a multi-day trip for an introduction to camping, hiking, water safety and canoeing ⛺🥾💦🛶

Class of 2031: Your Explore Austin journey is just beginning! These 45 Explorers (rising 7th graders) and 15 adult volunteer Mentors will grow together over 6 years in the program -- all the way through the kids' high school graduation. Each summer going forward, they'll travel out of state for their Summer Wilderness Trip to a premier backcountry destination. As they progress through the program, they'll learn how to backpack, rock climb, canoe and mountain bike in preparation for their week-long, out-of-state trips.

06/12/2025

Thank you to ATX Good News for highlighting Explore Austin! Check out this feature on '25 Explorer Alum Luis Lopez Hernandez, who JUST graduated from high school and completed all six years of the Explore Austin program!

This fall, Luis heads to Texas A&M University with the long-term career goal of becoming a pilot. We can't wait to see what adventures he tackles next. Congratulations, Luis!

06/12/2025

Our '25 senior teams have graduated! We celebrated the Class of 2025 Explorers and Mentors in late May at our Senior Celebration at St Elmo Brewing Company -- food, beverages, desserts, graduation gifts and memories! Explorers and Mentors had the opportunity to reflect on their time in the program and sign their team photo for inclusion in the Explore Austin Alumni Hall!

We wish our Explorers the best of luck as they pursue their next adventure; for many, that is college! The universities our Explorers will attend this fall include Cornell University, Texas State University, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University, and Bradley University in Peoria, IL.

And to our amazingly dedicated Mentors who provided an average of 1,300+ hours of mentoring per child over 6 years in the program: We could not do what we do without you. You are the backbone of the Explore Austin program, without which we'd look very different. We couldn't be more grateful that you chose to spend six years with your team, modeling leadership and a spirit of adventure for our youth!

🎓 Graduating Teams 🎓
〰️ Adventure Seekers
〰️ Girls F.O.X.
〰️ Outdoor OGs
〰️ Beast Boyz