Explore Austin

Name: Explore Austin
Address: 1211 W. 6th Street Ste. 600 PMB 184, Austin, TX, 78703, US
Telephone: +15123208899
Price range: $
Rating: 4.7

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United States
Austin, TX
Explore Austin

Nonprofit, est. 2006: Free outdoor programs & mentorship for youth from economically disadvantaged communities. Visit us at exploreaustin.org
(30)

Are you interested in changing the lives of underserved youth, as well as your own?

10/16/2024

🥾 EXPLORER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! Learn more & apply today 👉 https://ow.ly/L3R050TMg2F

🗓️ Applications close November 30, with admitted youth joining the Explore Austin program in late spring 2025.

⛺ Explore Austin is a 100% FREE program for 6th-12th graders who qualify for free or reduced lunch in school. Those accepted will join a team of 15 Explorers and five adult volunteer Mentors in the spring, staying together as a team through high school graduation.

This year, we're recruiting:
🌲 6th grade boys
🌲 6th grade girls
🌲 10th grade girls

🚵‍♂️ Camping, hiking, navigation, rock climbing, canoeing and mountain biking are some of the outdoor skills and disciplines our Explorers learn over the course of the program.

Questions❓ Feel free to DM us!

10/02/2024

10/01/2024

🎟️ EARLY-BIRD Tables & Tickets now on sale for 2025 Quest for the Summit 👉 onecau.se/quest2025

Last year's event sold out, so be sure to get your tickets early! For a limited time, get your individual tickets and tables at a discounted price:
🥾 Tables now 🌟$2,000🌟 through Nov 15 (increases to $3,500 thereafter)
🥾 Individual tix now 🌟$200🌟 through Dec 31 (increases to $300 thereafter)

🏔️ QUEST FOR THE SUMMIT 🏔️
🗓️ Tues, April 1, 2025 | AT&T Hotel & Conference Center
🎉 Join Explore Austin for our most impactful party of the year! Gather with new friends, long-time Explore Austin champions, business leaders and philanthropists to transform lives through mentorship and outdoor adventure. Enjoy a seated dinner, libations, silent and live auctions and stories from our Explorers and Mentors at this "outdoor chic" event!

09/20/2024

Eleven teams gathered at Southeast Metropolitan Park for our first Saturday Challenge of the 2024-2025 school year! This combined Saturday Challenge introduced Explorers and Mentors to the technical skills they'll be learning this year:

🥾 2030 Teams - Backpacking Year: These teams went on a hike and completed a tent-pitching race.

🧗 2029 Teams & 2027 Pilot Team - Rock Climbing Year: These teams learned how to outfit themselves with climbing gear and worked on their balance and body-awareness skills with a slacklining exercise.

🛶 2028 Teams - Canoeing Year: These teams learned canoeing terminology, how to outfit themselves for water sports, and went hiking in the park.

🚵‍♂️ 2027 Teams - Mountain Biking Year: These teams were introduced to the basics between riding a bike on the road versus riding a mountain bike, and learned how to fix a flat tire.

09/18/2024

🌲 Texas Parks and Wildlife Career Fair 🌲

Explore Austin's programming regularly takes place at parklands and recreational areas managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife. Our junior Explorer teams (class of 2026) attended the TPWD Career Fair to learn about the many career opportunities available within 13 divisions at 200 locations across Texas, including jobs within state parks, fisheries, law enforcement, legal, communications, infrastructure, information technology, human resources and more.

Representatives from multiple departments and TPWD's Ambassador Program highlighted both paid and volunteer opportunities relevant to our Explorers and Mentors.

09/17/2024

🔥 We're halfway through the Trailblazer peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, with $14,000 raised. We have two more weeks to meet our goal -- $110,000! Go here to give to the campaign or to create your own fundraising page for Explore Austin 👉 https://ow.ly/XYyZ50TopyA

🤝 The “E” of Explore Austin’s shout-out tool, ACES, stands for “Excellent Teammate.” We consider you a teammate, walking alongside us in our mission of empowering local youth through long-term mentorship, leadership development and outdoor adventure. We’re counting on you, our Excellent Teammates, in our remaining 2 weeks of Trailblazer!

09/10/2024

BECOME A TRIP LEADER! 🥾 APPLICATION --> https://ow.ly/Qjta50SxnVG

Trip Leaders provide outdoor education for our Explorers (youth in 6th-12th grades) and their volunteer Mentors in the greater Austin area at Saturday Challenges during the school year and during weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips out of state. We're now accepting applications for all the disciplines we instruct in!

👉 MORE INFO
Trip Leaders:
⛺ Are paid, part-time staff
⛺ Provide outdoor education for our Explorers and Mentors in backpacking, navigation, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and camping skills
⛺ Work Saturday Challenges during the school year and lead our weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips

09/06/2024

Explore Austin's annual peer-to-peer fundraiser, Trailblazer, runs through Sept 30! Give to the campaign or create your own fundraising page today to help us reach our $110,000 goal 👉 https://ow.ly/ue3I50TgKYs

🔥 WEEK 1 CHALLENGE: GATHER 'ROUND THE FIRE 🔥
The top three fundraisers who have received the HIGHEST NUMBER of individual donations to their pages (NOT dollar amounts) by September 13 will receive their choice of an EA-branded sticker pack or trucker hat. Swipe to see what YOU could win for supporting Explore Austin.

08/29/2024

! We celebrated the end of summer with 25+ Mentors and Trip Leaders at a pool party at Easton Park. Our dedicated Trip Leaders and Mentors completed 19 Summer Wilderness Trips across 5 states this summer!

Big thank you to the following for making our event so special:
🏡 Easton Park - for the beautiful clubhouse and pool!
🍕 Home Slice - for some of the best pizza in ATX!
🍻 St Elmo Brewing Company, Rambler and Guayakí Yerba Mate - for the beverages!

08/16/2024

🧡 GIVEAWAY 🧡 LIVE A GREAT STORY dropped new apparel in July with 5% of proceeds benefiting Explore Austin. Our Monthly Giveaway continues...where YOU could win a $50 LIVE A GREAT STORY gift card or an Explore Austin prize pack.

HOW TO ENTER:
✔️Subscribe to Explore Austin's e-newsletter --> https://ow.ly/qtqu50Sxmxt
✔️ Follow Explore Austin on Facebook and/or Instagram (both places = increase your chances!)
✔️ Tag a friend in the comments (more tags = more entries)

🥾 Don't forget to check out LIVE A GREAT STORY's new apparel & shop in support of Explore Austin --> https://www.liveagreatstory.com/EXPLORE91928
🥾 Learn more about Explore Austin and the youth we serve --> https://exploreaustin.org/

08/05/2024

We're thrilled to announce Explore Austin staffer Anitra Edwards has been promoted to Associate Director of Recruitment & Retention. Please join us in congratulating her! 👏

Anitra has served as Program Manager since 2022, working primarily with our program's Mentors. In the last two years, she has QUADRUPLED (!!!!) our Mentor applicant pool and focused on recruiting efforts that have led to a diverse group of Mentors more closely reflective of the youth we serve. Anitra has worked for youth-oriented nonprofit organizations for over a decade, and we're a better program for her passion and experience.

🎉 Congratulations, Anitra!

08/02/2024

✨{BECOME A MENTOR}✨ Apply here 👉 https://ow.ly/8Lif50SQiGs
Applications close 9/27!

We're recruiting for two types of Mentors:
1️⃣ Those who want to make a 3-6 year commitment to the program, dedicating themselves to a single team of 15 youth Explorers. Our Mentors who join a team commit to one Saturday a month during the academic year and one week in the summer for the team's out-of-state Summer Wilderness Trip.
2️⃣ Those who would like to be in the pool of substitute ("sub") Mentors. Sub Mentors volunteer on a one-off basis as they desire to fill gaps.

🫶 WHY BECOME A MENTOR?
Mentors have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, navigation and camping alongside their mentees (no previous experience is required!) at beautiful locations in the greater Austin area. Each summer, they are also fully supported in going on a week-long, out-of-state backcountry trip to some of the most breathtaking places in the US, including Idaho, New Mexico, Arkansas, Utah and beyond. Being a Mentor with Explore Austin allows you to make a difference in the lives of Austin youth, join a close-knit network of other Mentors, and travel to natural wonders in and out of state.

07/29/2024

🌲🥾⛺ VOLUNTEER WITH US in August to help get our Warehouse back in tip-top shape before the fall programming begins. SIGN UP 👉 https://ow.ly/oBaq50SxuAw

Available shifts include:
👉 August 7 & 9: Warehouse Restoration - Unloading vehicles and organizing gear.
👉 August 14 & 16: Full Inventory - Counting gear to identify gaps, and identifying gear that needs repair or replacement.

07/26/2024

07/25/2024

APPLY TODAY! We're hiring Warehouse Coordinators, with multiple positions available.
More Info & Application --> https://ow.ly/u6NE50Sxqlz

These part-time roles will assist the Program Team with restoring operations at the Warehouse after Summer Wilderness Trips, and before the new school year starts. Available positions include:
🧗 Technical Gear Lead
🚚 Vehicle Lead
🫶 Saturday Challenge & Volunteer Lead

07/24/2024

JOIN OUR TEAM! 🥾 APPLY --> https://ow.ly/Qjta50SxnVG
Explore Austin is hiring Trip Leaders ahead of the start of fall programming. These positions:

⛺ Are paid, part-time staff
⛺ Provide outdoor education for our Explorers and Mentors in backpacking, navigation, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and camping skills
⛺ Work Saturday Challenges during the school year and lead our weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips
⛺ Note: Those who are hired are required to attend an in-person training on Sept 5 at 5:00 pm

We currently have a particular need for canoeing Trip Leaders, but are accepting applications for all disciplines!

07/17/2024

07/15/2024

🌲🥾⛺ VOLUNTEER WITH US - Our Summer Wilderness Trips conclude at the end of July, and school-year programming begins in September. Volunteer with us in August to help us get our Warehouse back in tip-top shape before the fall semester launches 👉 https://ow.ly/oBaq50SxuAw

Available shifts include:
👉 August 7 & 9: Warehouse Restoration - Unloading vehicles and organizing gear.
👉 August 14 & 16: Full Inventory - Counting gear to identify gaps, and identifying gear that needs repair or replacement.

Address

1211 W. 6th Street Ste. 600 PMB 184
Austin, TX
78703

Telephone

+15123208899

Website

http://www.exploreaustin.org/

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Videos

🥾 EXPLORER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! Learn more & apply today 👉 https://ow.ly/L3R050TMg2F 🗓️ Applications close November 30, with admitted youth joining the Explore Austin program in late spring 2025. ⛺ Explore Austin is a 100% FREE program for 6th-12th graders who qualify for free or reduced lunch in school. Those accepted will join a team of 15 Explorers and five adult volunteer Mentors in the spring, staying together as a team through high school graduation. This year, we're recruiting: 🌲 6th grade boys 🌲 6th grade girls 🌲 10th grade girls 🚵‍♂️ Camping, hiking, navigation, rock climbing, canoeing and mountain biking are some of the outdoor skills and disciplines our Explorers learn over the course of the program. Questions❓ Feel free to DM us! #exploreaustin #youthempowerment #exploreatx #austinexplorers #kidswhocamp #kidswhocanoe #kidswhorockclimb #kidswhomountainbike #summerwildernesstrips #outdoorsforall #itstartswithadventure

🔥 CAMPAIGN EXTENDED TO OCT 15 🔥 GIVE HERE 👉 https://ow.ly/XYyZ50TopyA 🤝 Outdoors for All Takes YOU. Give to Trailblazer, our annual peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, or create your own fundraising page for Explore Austin at the link above and walk alongside us in our mission of empowering local youth through long-term mentorship, leadership development and outdoor adventure. #exploreaustin #iliveherigivehere #givelocal #trailblazercampaign #peertopeerfundraising #youthempowerment #leadership #mentorship #atxnonprofit #nonprofit #austinnonprofit #atxcares

🎟️ EARLY-BIRD Tables & Tickets now on sale for 2025 Quest for the Summit 👉 onecau.se/quest2025 Last year's event sold out, so be sure to get your tickets early! For a limited time, get your individual tickets and tables at a discounted price: 🥾 Tables now 🌟$2,000🌟 through Nov 15 (increases to $3,500 thereafter) 🥾 Individual tix now 🌟$200🌟 through Dec 31 (increases to $300 thereafter) 🏔️ QUEST FOR THE SUMMIT 🏔️ 🗓️ Tues, April 1, 2025 | AT&T Hotel & Conference Center 🎉 Join Explore Austin for our most impactful party of the year! Gather with new friends, long-time Explore Austin champions, business leaders and philanthropists to transform lives through mentorship and outdoor adventure. Enjoy a seated dinner, libations, silent and live auctions and stories from our Explorers and Mentors at this "outdoor chic" event! #quest #questforthesummit #qfts25 #exploreaustin #austinfundraiser #austingala #givelocal #ilivehereigivehere #youthempowerment #outdoorsforall #outdoorsforalltakesyou #kidswhocamp #kidswhohike

🔥 We're halfway through the Trailblazer peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, with $14,000 raised. We have two more weeks to meet our goal -- $110,000! Go here to give to the campaign or to create your own fundraising page for Explore Austin 👉 https://ow.ly/XYyZ50TopyA 🤝 The “E” of Explore Austin’s shout-out tool, ACES, stands for “Excellent Teammate.” We consider you a teammate, walking alongside us in our mission of empowering local youth through long-term mentorship, leadership development and outdoor adventure. We’re counting on you, our Excellent Teammates, in our remaining 2 weeks of Trailblazer! #exploreaustin #iliveherigivehere #givelocal #trailblazercampaign #peertopeerfundraising #youthempowerment #leadership #mentorship #atxnonprofit #nonprofit #austinnonprofit #atxcares

BECOME A TRIP LEADER! 🥾 APPLICATION --> https://ow.ly/Qjta50SxnVG Trip Leaders provide outdoor education for our Explorers (youth in 6th-12th grades) and their volunteer Mentors in the greater Austin area at Saturday Challenges during the school year and during weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips out of state. We're now accepting applications for all the disciplines we instruct in! 👉 MORE INFO Trip Leaders: ⛺ Are paid, part-time staff ⛺ Provide outdoor education for our Explorers and Mentors in backpacking, navigation, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and camping skills ⛺ Work Saturday Challenges during the school year and lead our weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips #exploreaustin #outdooreducation #austinguides #guideforus #tripleaders #tripleaderecruitment #rockclimbing #mountainbiking #canoeing #paddling #outdoorinstruction #workwithus #getoutside #outdoorsforall

✨{BECOME A MENTOR}✨ Apply here 👉 https://ow.ly/8Lif50SQiGs Applications close 9/27! We're recruiting for two types of Mentors: 1️⃣ Those who want to make a 3-6 year commitment to the program, dedicating themselves to a single team of 15 youth Explorers. Our Mentors who join a team commit to one Saturday a month during the academic year and one week in the summer for the team's out-of-state Summer Wilderness Trip. 2️⃣ Those who would like to be in the pool of substitute ("sub") Mentors. Sub Mentors volunteer on a one-off basis as they desire to fill gaps. 🫶 WHY BECOME A MENTOR? Mentors have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, navigation and camping alongside their mentees (no previous experience is required!) at beautiful locations in the greater Austin area. Each summer, they are also fully supported in going on a week-long, out-of-state backcountry trip to some of the most breathtaking places in the US, including Idaho, New Mexico, Arkansas, Utah and beyond. Being a Mentor with Explore Austin allows you to make a difference in the lives of Austin youth, join a close-knit network of other Mentors, and travel to natural wonders in and out of state. #volunteerwithexploreaustin #exploreaustin #austinmentors #austinmentorship #austinnonprofit #austinnonprofitopportunity #nonprofitopp #outdooradventure #outdoorleadership #austincamping #austinoutdoors #austinoutdooradventure #austintexas

👀 Have you seen us on the news? In this segment on Spectrum News 1 Texas, Explore Austin CEO Kathleen Lyons Schneeman talks about our Summer Wilderness Trips and Mentor recruiting -- applications open August 2! ⛺🌲🥾🛶🧗🚲 #spectrumnews #exploreaustin #inthenews #getoutside #outdooradventure #austinmentorship #austinmentors #austinvolunteers #kidswhocamp #kidswhoclimb #kidswhopaddle #kidswhobackpack #outdoorsforall #nonprofitatx #austinnonprofit #volunteerinaustin

APPLY TODAY! We're hiring Warehouse Coordinators, with multiple positions available. More Info & Application --> https://ow.ly/u6NE50Sxqlz These part-time roles will assist the Program Team with restoring operations at the Warehouse after Summer Wilderness Trips, and before the new school year starts. Available positions include: 🧗 Technical Gear Lead 🚚 Vehicle Lead 🫶 Saturday Challenge & Volunteer Lead #exploreaustin #workwithus #warehousecoordinator #jobsintheoutdoors #outdooradventure #austinoutdoorsjobs #austinjobs #gethiredatx

JOIN OUR TEAM! 🥾 APPLY --> https://ow.ly/Qjta50SxnVG Explore Austin is hiring Trip Leaders ahead of the start of fall programming. These positions: ⛺ Are paid, part-time staff ⛺ Provide outdoor education for our Explorers and Mentors in backpacking, navigation, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and camping skills ⛺ Work Saturday Challenges during the school year and lead our weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips ⛺ Note: Those who are hired are required to attend an in-person training on Sept 5 at 5:00 pm We currently have a particular need for canoeing Trip Leaders, but are accepting applications for all disciplines! #exploreaustin #outdooreducation #austinguides #guideforus #tripleaders #tripleaderecruitment #rockclimbing #mountainbiking #canoeing #paddling #outdoorinstruction #workwithus #getoutside #outdoorsforall

🌲 Join Our Team 🌲 Explore Austin is looking for Trip Leaders ahead of the start of fall programming. Trip Leaders are paid, part-time staff who provide outdoor education for our Explorers and Mentors at Saturday Challenges during the school year and on our weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips. We currently have a particular need for canoeing Trip Leaders, but are accepting applications for all disciplines . Fill out our Trip Leader Interest Form and we'll be in touch if we think you're a fit! Those who are hired are required to attend an in-person training on 9/5 at 5:00 pm. 🥾 APPLY --> https://ow.ly/Qjta50SxnVG

JOIN OUR TEAM! We're hiring Warehouse Coordinators, with multiple positions available. More Info & Application --> https://ow.ly/u6NE50Sxqlz These part-time roles will assist the Program Team with restoring operations at the Warehouse after Summer Wilderness Trips, and before the new school year starts. Available positions include: 🧗 Technical Gear Lead 🚚 Vehicle Lead 🫶 Saturday Challenge & Volunteer Lead #exploreaustin #workwithus #warehousecoordinator #jobsintheoutdoors #outdooradventure #austinoutdoorsjobs #austinjobs #gethiredatx

LAST DAY TO PURCHASE TIX - ONLY $10/ticket! The Great Outdoors Month Raffle ends 6/30 at midnight , with the winners announced 7/1. Which package do YOU want to win? 👀 🏔️ PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT Package 🎟️ Enter the raffle >> https://ow.ly/tksI50S2BFB ➡️ 1 Patagonia Black Hole 70L Duffel Bag (color: Ink Black/ Teal) ➡️ 1 Patagonia Atom Sling 8L (color: Nouveau Green) ➡️ 1 Deuter 8L Waterproof Dirt Bag (color: Red) ➡️ 1 Kammock Single Roo Hammock (color: Aloe Green) ➡️ 1 Kammok Mesa Single Mat (color: Granite Gray) ➡️ 1 Gossamer Gear Bumster Jet (color: Aqua) ➡️ Assorted Sticker Pack ➡️ 3, 8-packs of Rambler Sparkling Water (flavor: Blackberry) ➡️ 1 All-Day Pass at Rowing Dock 🏔️ ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE Package 🎟️ Enter the raffle >> https://ow.ly/9vVH50S7JTL ➡️ 1 YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler (color: Charcoal) ➡️ 1 Kammok Single Roo hammock ➡️ 1 Kammok Mesa Single Mat ➡️ 1 set of Kammok Python 10 Hammock Straps ➡️ 1 Gossamer Gear Bumster Jet (color: Black) ➡️ Assorted Sticker Pack ➡️ 3, 8-packs of Rambler Sparkling Water (flavor: Blackberry) ➡️ 1 All-Day Pass at Rowing Dock 🧡 GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH SPONSORS 🧡 Gossamer Gear | Guayakí Yerba Mate | Rambler | Patagonia | Kammok | Landy Frost Group at Twelve Rivers Realty | YETI | Rowing Dock | Sharsnacks | Tito's Handmade Vodka | Easy Tiger #exploreaustin #nonprofit #nonprofitatx #austinnonprofit #nonprofitraffle #patagoniaraffle #yetiraffle #kammokraffle #ramblersparklingwater #sharsnacks #greatoutdoorsmonth #getoutside #outdoorsforall #outdooradventure #austinraffle