more" /> more" /> more" />
Explore Austin
  • Menu
    • Who We Are
    • Get Involved
      • Become a Board Member
      • Corporate Partner Program
      • Join Our Team
    • About Us
    • Our Explorers
    • Our Staff
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Mentors
    • Our Board
    • Press
    • Blog
    • Annual Report
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Give Monthly
    • Trailblazer Campaign
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Our Mentors
    • Our Supporters
  • Impact
    • Blog
    • Press
    • Financials & Annual Reports
Explore Austin
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Mentor
    • Be an Explorer
    • Become a Board Member
    • Corporate Partner Program
    • Join Our Team
  • Ways To Give
    • Donate Now
    • Give Monthly
    • Summit Circle of Giving
    • Trailblazer Campaign

Trip Leader Tuesday: Mollie Binion knows resilience

Homepage Outdoors Trip Leader Tuesday: Mollie Binion knows resilience

Trip Leader Tuesday: Mollie Binion knows resilience

ExploreAustinAdmin
May 15, 2023
Outdoors, Trip Leader Tuesday series, Trip Leaders

This piece is the first in a 2023 summer series, “Trip Leader Tuesday,” that highlights the Trip Leaders who make Explore Austin’s programming possible.

Trip Leader Mollie Binion has led paddling, mountain biking and backpacking trips for Explore Austin since 2016.

Mollie Binion knows resilience. She’s seen it in herself as a long-time paddler, mountain biker and backpacker, but also in Explore Austin’s youth since 2016. As a Trip Leader, she routinely guides EA’s Explorers and Mentors on Saturday Challenges during the school year and every June and July on Summer Wilderness Trips for miles down rivers and trails. She knows what she asks of these rising-seventh through twelfth graders isn’t easy – but she also knows the payoff.

“My friend, Holly Orr, introduced me to Explore Austin as a canoe guide,” said Mollie. “After learning about the program’s mission and goals, I knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of. Getting to expose others to a hobby and sport that I hold dear was also exciting. If you can show others how to access parts of the outdoors that didn’t seem possible, it can be life changing.”

Mollie recalls leading her first-ever canoeing Summer Wilderness Trip. There was an Explorer who’d experienced a particularly difficult first few days and was distancing herself from the team. The symptoms?

“Not wanting to complete assigned job tasks and an impressive eye roll that spoke volumes,” said Mollie.

However, by the end of the third day, something had shifted.

“At the campfire that evening, she apologized to the whole group and took responsibility for not really being part of the team. She verbalized why she was struggling, and opened the floor to not only feedback, but that she wanted to do better and be part of the group.”

Right then, EA’s impact became tangible for Mollie.

Mollie’s (foreground) favorite Summer Wilderness Trip to lead is on the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas.

“I think it took the week, the vulnerability that the outdoors makes us feel, and, most importantly, the feeling of safety and being supported for her to open up. The Explorers who had really been leaders that week were the first ones to speak up and tell her that they understood, and ask how they could support her. To watch the young group show that type of grace and understanding was profound.”

Mollie’s first canoe trip was when she was only three years old; she grew up exploring the Brazos and San Marcos rivers with her family. Paddling is her favorite outdoor skill to teach Explorers and Mentors, and maps to her favorite Summer Wilderness Trip to lead: Canoeing 50 miles down the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas.

“The Buffalo River trip is great to lead, in my opinion, because the Explorers have started to hit their stride on these week-long trips and get to really enjoy the activity and their environment. You can start to see during campfires and downtime that the conversations have started to become really meaningful, and the bonds and relationships have grown closer.”

Declared America’s first national river by Congress in 1972, the Buffalo National River is truly special because of how much public land can be accessed along both banks of the river, thereby allowing Explore Austin’s multi-day Summer Wilderness Trip. Explorers and Mentors carry all camping gear with them in their canoes, setting up camp each night further downstream as they make their way to the take-out point.

Mollie is a Trip Leader for Explore Austin’s Saturday Challenges throughout the school year and for week-long Summer Wilderness Trips.

Explained Mollie, “Once we leave the vans behind we are on the river for five days, and on the last three days it’s very rare we see another soul on the river or banks. The river is clear and runs slow and steady. If we need to cool off we can float in the river alongside our canoes. It has a few challenging rapids that help keep it exciting and on our toes. We camp on large gravel bars that have amazing views of tall, rocky bluffs. At night, the fireflies light up the banks and bluffs like tiny blinking stars. We often see bald eagles and golden eagles the last couple of days – my record so far is six!”

Mollie prepares Explorers and Mentors for the challenge of the Buffalo River with Saturday Challenges that begin with canoeing on Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. Paddling to Barton Springs, Longhorn Dam and other picnic spots allows them to become familiar with the basic skills and safety protocols. Then, they graduate to moving water on the Colorado River:

“This is when it starts to get more exciting for the Mentors and Explorers. We get to go down river for a six-mile trip and have lunch along the way. The river isn’t busy and you really get a feeling of being in the wilderness. Our last Saturday Challenge, focused on canoeing, is one of my absolute favorites. We take a trip to San Marcos and get to play on the spring-fed San Marcos River. The river has crystal clear water where you can see the fish, turtles, wild rice and rocky bottom. We paddle down to Rio Vista Rapids, a man-made dam, have lunch, talk about different river features, and, if the weather is good, swim or paddle down some fun rapids.”

Mollie also enjoys leading Capstone trips – Summer Wilderness Trips for Explorers and Mentors entering their final year in the program. Distinctively, the Explorers play a big part in the planning and execution of their final summer trip, drawing on their experiences and skill sets acquired during their first five years in the program.

In addition to canoeing, Mollie is a Trip Leader for backpacking and mountain biking trips.

Mollie led her first Capstone last summer in California for a team that wanted a multi-skill trip incorporating paddling:

“We camped out in the Desolation Wilderness the first couple of days and then made our way to Emerald Bay State Park for canoeing and hiking. I had led this group of Explorers and Mentors on two other Summer Wilderness trips and had the privilege of watching them grow in many different areas; leadership, communication and problem-solving skills were just a few of them. It is hard to describe how meaningful the last few days are between the Mentors and Explorers, and getting to be a small part of it will always be something I am proud of and thankful for.”

This July, Mollie is leading the 2025 F.O.X. team mountain biking in Idaho Falls, which features stellar views of the Teton Range, part of the Rocky Mountains. They’ll visit the top-rated mountain-bike area in the Big Hole Mountains, with each day allowing Explorers and Mentors to experience different types of track and distances, elevation gains, and a variety of nature, from rugged snow-capped mountains to peaceful meadows, and from creeks and rivers to mixed aspen-and-pine forests.

Resilience, through all seasons – it can be uncommon to come across in everyday life, but out in the wilderness with Explore Austin’s teams, Mollie sees it regularly.

“My favorite, most common memories, are the ones when you can see that an Explorer or Mentor is almost defeated or frustrated and then the whole team comes alongside them and encourages and supports the person to be successful. At the ‘circle time’ in the evening, the person who overcame the challenge not only gives themselves a shoutout, but the whole team does as well.”

And Mollie can’t wait for another summer of memories.

Previous Story
New Board Member Spotlight: Lenar A. Cantu
Next Story
Trip Leader Tuesday: Henry Adamson is here for the Mission

Recent Posts

  • New Board Member Spotlight: Wendy Papasan Monday, 11, Sep
  • Trip Leader Tuesday: Liya Scott expects the unexpected Thursday, 6, Jul
  • 2023 Summer Wilderness Trip Locations Wednesday, 21, Jun
  • Trip Leader Tuesday: Henry Adamson is here for the Mission Friday, 26, May

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • September 2023
    • July 2023
    • June 2023
    • May 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • April 2022
    • January 2022
    • October 2021
    • August 2021
    • November 2020
    • June 2020
    • March 2020
    • November 2019
    • August 2019
    • June 2019
    • April 2019
    • February 2019
    • August 2018
    • July 2018

    Categories

    • Adventure
    • Community
    • Families
    • Leadership
    • Mentoring
    • Outdoors
    • Summer Wilderness Trips
    • Trip Leader Tuesday series
    • Trip Leaders
    • Uncategorized
    • Youth Development

    Meta

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

    Tags

    adventure Austin Backpacking communication Explore Austin leadership nature outdoor adventure outdoor basics outdoor leadership Programs Summer Wilderness trips taking risks teamwork Texas trip leader tips Youth development

    About Explore Austin

    info@exploreaustin.org

    (512) 320-8899

    Helpful Info

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

    explore_austin

    Explore Austin uses mentoring & outdoor adventure to empower youth to reach their full potential.
    Click link to refer an Explorer or make a donation!

    Explore Austin
    📔 MENTOR APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCT 8 📔 Apply at 📔 MENTOR APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCT 8 📔 Apply at our #linkinbio to join the Explore Austin family!

Explore Austin is recruiting new volunteer Mentors for 2024. Being a Mentor is a 3-6 year ongoing volunteer experience with youth in 6th-12th grades, with a commitment of one Saturday a month during the academic year and one week in the summer.

Mentors have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and navigation along with their mentees (although no previous experience is required!) at beautiful locations throughout Austin. 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, from Utah to New Mexico to Arkansas 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. 

JOIN US! 🥾🌲🧗‍♂️🛶🏜️

#volunteerwithexploreaustin #exploreaustin #austinmentors #austinmentorship #austinnonprofit #austinnonprofitopportunity #nonprofitopp #outdooradventure #outdoorleadership #austincamping #austinoutdoors #austinoutdooradventure #austintexas
    Our corporate supporters gathered this morning for Our corporate supporters gathered this morning for tacos, coffee and updates from Explore Austin at @rudysbbq 🌮 ☕  As part of the program, we were THRILLED to have Explorer Luis and Mentor Buck @buckbracey24 (photo #1) give remarks. They really drove home what the program is all about: community, teamwork, mentorship and outdoor adventure! ⛰️

Interested in becoming an Explore Austin Corporate Partner? Check out options and benefits at our #linkinbio.

#exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #outdooradventureaustin #rudysbbqaustin #corporatebreakfast #corporatepartners #exploreatx #youthempowerment #getoutside #teamwork #outdooradventure
    Explore Austin Trip Leaders are paid, part-time st Explore Austin Trip Leaders are paid, part-time staff who are responsible for providing safe and effective outdoor education for Explorers (youth in 6th-12th grades) and their volunteer Mentors. Programming takes place in the greater Austin area on Saturdays during the school year and on week-long Summer Wilderness Trips in June and July, many of which are out-of-state. We currently have a particular need for guides with experience instructing any of the "three C's": canoeing, caving and climbing! 💦 🛶 🧗‍♂️ ⛰️

Interested? Fill out the Trip Leader Interest Form at our #linkinbio!

To apply, you must be 21+ years old, have a valid Driver's License and have experience instructing any of the following outdoor disciplines: canoeing, rock climbing, navigation, mountain biking, caving or multi-day river/backpacking trips.

#workwithexploreaustin #austintripleaders #exploreaustin #austinoutdoorguides #guidejobs #austinguidejobs #austinjobs #workwithus #austinnonprofit #austinnonprofitopportunity #nonprofitopp #outdooradventure #outdoorleadership #austincamping #austinoutdoors #austinoutdooradventure #austintexas
    🛍️ Shop for Good 👍 is still going strong! 🛍️ Shop for Good 👍 is still going strong! Don't forget that Explore Austin was selected as a recipient of the Buffalo Exchange @buffaloexchange Tokens for Bags® program through December 2023! You can donate to Explore Austin by shopping at Buffalo Exchange in Central Austin at the corner of 29th and Guadalupe Streets! 

Instead of a plastic bag, the Tokens for Bags® program offers every customer who makes a purchase one “token” valued at five cents (the cost to produce a bag) to donate to one of several local charities selected by the store. The program has generated over $926,025 for hundreds of local nonprofit organizations since 1994 and has saved over 18.5 million plastic bags from the landfill ♻️

#buffaloexchange #buffaloexchangeaustin #tokensforbags #tokensforbagsbuffaloexchange #austinnonprofit #exploreaustin #supportnonprofits #supportexploreaustin #nonprofitsupport #charity #shopforgood
    BECOME AN EXPLORER 🥾🥾 Are you or the youth i BECOME AN EXPLORER 🥾🥾 Are you or the youth in your life interested in becoming an Explorer? Our Explorer Interest Form is now live! Fill out your information, and we'll let you know when the application period officially launches in the early part of 2024. Youth accepted to the program will begin in May 2024!

 ✅ EXPLORER INTEREST FORM >> See our #linkinbio!

Explore Austin is a 💯% FREE program for youth from local economically disadvantaged communities. Explorers participate by joining a team of 15 kids and  five adults Mentors, and the team stays together for six years, from May of 6th grade through 12th grade. Explorers and Mentors complete one Saturday Challenge monthly during the school year and an out-of-state, weeklong Summer Wilderness Trip each summer. 

📷 Photos by @kaartikgphoto

#exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #explore #explorers #youthempowerment #youthnonprofit #austintexas #freeprogram #exploreaustintexas #youthprogram
    We'd like to congratulate Explore Austin Mentor an We'd like to congratulate Explore Austin Mentor and supporter Buck Bracey @buckbracey24 of Alotten on being named a finalist for the Austin Chamber of Commerce - Austin Gives 2023 Volunteer of the Year award 🏆 @austinchamber

Says Buck, "Yesterday, I got back from Wyoming and Idaho with a nonprofit, Explore Austin. What I like about [this organization] is that it empowers the next generation of leaders...it's where my passion and purpose come together."

🧡 The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes a stellar employee of a generous company who demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication to address community challenges and make an impact through volunteerism while inspiring others to serve. 

Go, Buck!

#austinchamberofcommerce #volunteeroftheyear #exploreaustin #mentor #mentorship #youthempowerment #outdooradventure #leadership #leadershipatx #mentorshipatx #austinvolunteers #austinnonprofit
    Yes, you read that right. The early bird gets the Yes, you read that right. The early bird gets the worm...AND discounted registration! Prices go up tomorrow for the ATX Paddle Dash benefiting Explore Austin, so register today at our 🎟️ #linkinbio

🏁 Race 🎉 Festival 🛶 Open Paddle Time courtesy of @rowingdock

The 💨 Fastest Race in Texas💨  takes place Saturday, October 21:
💦 Competitive, Open & Kids Race Divisions
💦 Interactive activities, beverages and food
💦 Open paddle time on Lady Bird Lake

💯% of proceeds benefit Explore Austin's mission of empowering youth through outdoor adventure and mentorship.

#atxpaddledash #paddledash #kayak #canoe #kayakrace #canoerace #exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #rowingdock #atxpaddledash2023 #youthempowerment #race #registertorace
    Our first ⭐Mentor Alumni Meetup⭐ last week at Our first ⭐Mentor Alumni Meetup⭐ last week at @betterhalfbar was a blast! Seeing familiar faces and updating our Mentor alums on the trail ahead for Explore Austin was so much fun -- never mind the delicious snacks and drinks, plus all the catch-up time! 🍹🥂 

Missed the meetup but interested in joining our new Mentor Alumni & Friends group? DM us to get started! 📧

#exploreaustin #exploreaustinalums #austinnonprofit #nonprofitopportunity #youthempowerment #menorship #leadership #exploreaustinmentors #mentorshipatx #volunteerwithus
    What a great feeling it is to be back in the swing What a great feeling it is to be back in the swing of programming! Our first 🍂 fall Saturday Challenge over the weekend was a combined day with ALL TEAMS at Pease Park. Enjoy the photo dump! 

#exploreaustin #youthempowerment #leadership #mentorship #peaseparkaustin #outdooradventure #kidswhocamp #getoutside #getoutsideatx #austintexas #parksoftexas #saturdaychallenge #austinnonprofit
    ⚡MENTOR APPLICATIONS ARE NOW LIVE⚡ Interested ⚡MENTOR APPLICATIONS ARE NOW LIVE⚡ Interested in becoming a volunteer Mentor with Explore Austin in 2024? 📔 Applications are being accepted through October 8 at our #linkinbio

Explore Austin recruits new volunteer Mentors from the community each year. Being a Mentor is a 3-6 year ongoing volunteer experience with a commitment of one Saturday a month during the academic year and one week in the summer.

Mentors have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and navigation along with their mentees (although no previous experience is required!) at beautiful locations throughout Austin. 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, from Utah to New Mexico to Arkansas 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. 

JOIN US! 🥾🌲🧗‍♂️🛶🏜️

#volunteerwithexploreaustin #exploreaustin #austinmentors #austinmentorship #austinnonprofit #austinnonprofitopportunity #nonprofitopp #outdooradventure #outdoorleadership #austincamping #austinoutdoors #austinoutdooradventure #austintexas
    🏁 Race 🎉 Festival 🛶 Open Paddle Time. It' 🏁 Race 🎉 Festival 🛶 Open Paddle Time. It's the 2023 ATX Paddle Dash at @rowingdock, a kayak + canoe race benefiting Explore Austin!

🎟️ REGISTER at our #linkinbio!

The 💨 Fastest Race in Texas💨  features Competitive, Open & Kids Divisions, plus a festival and open paddle time on Lady Bird Lake. 💯% of proceeds benefit Explore Austin's mission of empowering youth through outdoor adventure and mentorship.

Register to race, or purchase General Admission to watch the races and get festival access and open paddle time!

#kayakrace #canoerace #kayakaustin #canoeaustin #atxpaddledash #exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #supportexploreaustin #austintexas #austinwatersports #austinpaddlers #austinpaddles #kayaktexas #canoetexas #austinnonprofitbenefit #rowingdockatx #rowingdock
    Please join us in welcoming Wendy Papasan to the E Please join us in welcoming Wendy Papasan to the Explore Austin Board of Directors!

A growth-focused visionary and co-founder of several companies in the real estate sector, including Papasan Properties Group, Wendy’s philanthropy and prior board service have focused primarily on women and children.

✈️ Wendy is an avid traveler and adventurer who caught the bug fresh out of college when she spent 18 months solo backpacking her way around the world. In joining the Explore Austin Board, she’s now looking forward to bringing together her love of adventure with her passion for empowering youth to reach their full potential 💪

Read more about Wendy at our #linkinbio!

#exploreaustin #nonprofitboard #boardofdirectors #papasanpropertiesgroup #austinrealtors #boardmember #boardmemberspotlight
    🌲 {READ} 266 youth served. 95 active Mentors. 3 🌲 {READ} 266 youth served. 95 active Mentors. 36,000+ miles across 5 states on 18 Summer Wilderness Trips. Our 2022 Impact Report is here! 📔

We're proud of the mountains we've climbed and are looking forward to the trail ahead. Read the full report online, including stories from one of our Explorers and Explorer alumn/current Board member Rodolfo Galván @galvanitic at our #linkinbio.

#annualreport #impactreport #exploreaustin #nonprofitannualreport #austinnonprofit #outdooradventure #youthempowerment #trailahead #mountainsclimbed #getoutside
    🔊 NEW STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT: We're thrilled that C 🔊 NEW STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT: We're thrilled that Christian Flores has joined the Explore Austin team as Operations Coordinator!

Christian is a passionate advocate for outdoor adventure and community engagement. A graduate of Texas State University’s recreation administration program @txst_recmajors, Christian has a strong academic foundation that he put into practice for six years in the climbing-gym industry while taking on roles in operations management and retail buying. He now brings a blend of organizational knowledge and practical expertise to Explore Austin in his role as Operations Coordinator to manage the program’s warehouse and gear 🥾 🧗‍♂️ 🛶 🚵‍♂️ 🎒

In his free time, Christian loves playing disc golf 🥏 and passionately advocates for the sport.

Read more about Christian @cmflores18 at our #linkinbio.

#newstaff #exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #austinnonprofitprofessionals #nonprofitprofessionals #operationscoordinator #newstaffwelcome #outdooradventure #getoutside
    The Explore Austin offices are closed today in obs The Explore Austin offices are closed today in observance of Labor Day! We hope you and yours are enjoying the long weekend with friends and family -- and are perhaps getting into some epic adventures! 🚵‍♂️

If you traveled for the weekend, let us know where in the comments...🎒🥾

#exploreaustin #laborday #labordayweekend #getoutside #holiday #austintexas #labordayinaustin #texaslaborday #youthempowerment #outdooradventure #outdoorsforall #getoutside
    We had a fun afternoon at our ☀️End of Summer We had a fun afternoon at our ☀️End of Summer Celebration☀️ for our Mentors and Trip Leaders at @atxbouldering!  We enjoyed drinks from @austinbeerworks, treats and — of course — climbing! 🧗‍♀️🧗‍♂️ 

Thank you to everyone who came out, and THANK YOU to ALL of our Mentors and Trip Leaders for making our Summer Wilderness Trips possible 🏕️

Now, excuse us while we take a moment to recognize we’re nearing September 1️⃣! Here comes the next school year of programming 😍

#exploreaustin #austinboulderingproject #climbing #climbinggym #thankyou #appreciation #gratitude #austinnonprofit
    Load More Follow on Instagram
    Copyright © 2023 Explore Austin. All Rights Reserved. Tax Info
    SearchPostsLogin
    Monday, 11, Sep
    New Board Member Spotlight: Wendy Papasan
    Thursday, 6, Jul
    Trip Leader Tuesday: Liya Scott expects the unexpected
    Wednesday, 21, Jun
    2023 Summer Wilderness Trip Locations
    Friday, 26, May
    Trip Leader Tuesday: Henry Adamson is here for the Mission
    Monday, 15, May
    Trip Leader Tuesday: Mollie Binion knows resilience
    Wednesday, 15, Feb
    New Board Member Spotlight: Lenar A. Cantu

    Welcome back,