Explore Austin
  • Menu
    • Who We Are
    • Get Involved
      • Quest for the Summit
    • About Us
    • Our Explorers
    • Our Staff
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Mentors
    • Become a Trailblazer
    • Our Board
    • Press
    • Blog
    • Annual Report
  • Donate
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Our Mentors
    • Our Explorers
    • Our Supporters
  • Impact
    • Blog
    • Press
    • Annual Report
Explore Austin
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Mentor
    • Attend Ascent Speaker Luncheon
    • Join Our Team
  • Ways To Give
    • Donate Now
    • Give Monthly
    • Summit Circle of Giving
    • Trailblazer Campaign

Mentor Matches

Homepage Mentoring Mentor Matches

Mentor Matches

ExploreAustinAdmin
February 14, 2019
Mentoring

Valentine’s Day 2019: Explore Austin Mentor Matches

 

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we are sharing some of the love that has flourished over the years at Explore Austin. Mentoring with others who share common values and passions often creates a foundation for lifelong friendships, relationships, and families. Over the years, Mentors have fallen in love with Explorers, the outdoors, and in special cases, each other.

 Let’s meet some of our Explore Austin Power Couples and find out what Explore Austin means to them!

 

Michael Bruns, 2020 Boys KAC Mentor, and Erin Keys, 2022 Girls Thundercats Mentor: Married this year!

Did you know each other before Explore Austin?

We didn’t! Which is to say, we likely wouldn’t be where we are today (married and expecting a child in March) if not for Explore Austin.

How does Explore Austin exemplify your shared values and interests?

Explore Austin initially sparked excitement in both of us due to its focus on adventuring outdoors, which we individually enjoy and now do together. Beyond that more superficial shared interest, Explore Austin also embodies deeper values that we both uphold. For example, we both believe that self-sufficiency and independence are important traits to foster, which Explore Austin does within the framework of supportive teams. Furthermore, we both welcome adversity as a path to growth, which is quite different than much of the population which strives for comfort as the ultimate measure of success. Explore Austin enables both of us to give back to the community (another shared value) by passing along this mindset to high potential youth who are willing to stretch themselves!

 

Paulina Urbanowicz, 2021 Girls Arrows Mentor, and Josh Pollock, 2021 AAPS Boys Mentor: Married (almost!) 1 year

How did you meet?

We met during our first mentor training. Neither of us was able to stay the night for the camp-out, so we carpooled to Inks Lake.

How does Explore Austin exemplify your shared values and interests?

We both value quality time, and mentally staying in the present. These are two things that Explore Austin helps our Explorers to focus on, and hopefully instills in them a life-long appreciation for the outdoors and the power of self-reflection and self-awareness. We also both think it’s critical to invest time in our community and in tomorrow’s leaders – we want to equip the next generation with all of the life-long skills and loving support that we’ve been fortunate to experience throughout our lives.

What is your favorite shared memory you have from your time at Explore Austin?

Picking each other up after getting back from a Summer Wilderness Trip and talking about/debriefing on our experiences. It’s fun and awesome to know that the other person actually has a very accurate understanding of what your (otherwise very unique) experience is like.

 

Claudia and Nathan Harding; both joined as NEW 2025 Mentors this year: Married for 13 Years

What encouraged you to become Explore Austin Mentors together?

We learned about Explore Austin from Jessica Pino, a past mentor, and we were immediately drawn to the program. We believe that we can all play a role in raising up the next generation and found the idea of mentoring through the outdoors very exciting!

How does Explore Austin exemplify your shared values and interests?

Explore Austin exemplifies our belief that our experiences can teach and empower us. Our hope is that as mentors we can support and help Explorers to believe in their potential through the experiences and challenges they’ll face on outdoor adventures.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Thank you to our Mentor Matches for spreading the love and for always being inspiring role models for our Explorers. The shared values among our married Mentors (like adventuring, self-awareness, self-reflection, and empowerment) are all crucial in upholding Explore Austin’s mission.

Xoxo,
Sophia Cantor
Social Media Coordinator

Previous Story
The First Explorer to Become a Mentor
Next Story
Pressing On: Adventures of the Explore Austin 2019 Girls

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Advertisement

#

Recent Posts

  • Opt to Act with Explore Austin & REI Monday, 25, Nov
  • Like, Why Do We Even Do This? Wednesday, 14, Aug
  • Up Mt. Baldy and Along the Continental Divide Trail – One Explore Austin Alumni Mentor’s Journey to Self-Discovery Tuesday, 18, Jun
  • Pressing On: Adventures of the Explore Austin 2019 Girls Tuesday, 30, Apr

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • November 2019
    • August 2019
    • June 2019
    • April 2019
    • February 2019
    • August 2018
    • July 2018

    Categories

    • Adventure
    • Leadership
    • Mentoring
    • Uncategorized

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries RSS
    • Comments RSS
    • WordPress.org

    About Explore Austin

    [email protected]

    (512) 320-8899

    Helpful Info

    • Mentor Resources
    • Explorer & Parent Resources
    • Program Calendar
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Join Explore Austin Email List

    explore_austin

    Instagram post 2195977038145753089_406514991 Apply to be a Mentor! 🤗 Join us tomorrow for an Explore Austin Mentor Q&A lunch at @pinthousepizzaburnet to learn more. We will also be hosting a Mentor Recruitment Rick Climbing Excursion this Sunday 🧗🏾
    Instagram post 2184330928809479129_406514991 @gracedeford188 picks us up when we’re down! APPLY TODAY to be our next AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer and Alumni Coordinator ~ link in bio! #teamwork #family #americorpsvista
    Instagram post 2171408765421019727_406514991 Arms wide and hearts open because we want to hear from you! Mentor recruitment continues and we want to show everyone what we are all about. Comment below to GIVE AN ACES SHOUTOUT
🌈 
ACES is the basis of our leadership curriculum and stands for Action Oriented, Courageous, Excellent Teammate and Strong Communicator
    Instagram post 2166919289675980485_406514991 Everyday we are leaders and Mentors but today ..... comment below what you’re being for halloween 👻 🎃
    Load More... Follow on Instagram
    Copyright ©2018 Explore Austin. All Rights Reserved. 2018 Tax Info
    SearchPostsLogin
    Monday, 25, Nov
    Opt to Act with Explore Austin & REI
    Wednesday, 14, Aug
    Like, Why Do We Even Do This?
    Tuesday, 18, Jun
    Up Mt. Baldy and Along the Continental Divide Trail – One Explore Austin Alumni Mentor’s Journey to Self-Discovery
    Tuesday, 30, Apr
    Pressing On: Adventures of the Explore Austin 2019 Girls
    Thursday, 14, Feb
    Mentor Matches
    Tuesday, 14, Aug
    The First Explorer to Become a Mentor

    Welcome back,