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Youth in mountain climbing gear standing on top of a mountain overlooking another mountain

Playing our ACES: Explore Austin’s Secret to Comprehensive Youth Development
Youth Development
communication, leadership, outdoor adventure, outdoor leadership, teamwork, Youth development

Way back in 2006, when Explore Austin was established, our founders wanted to create a way for outdoor adventure to… more

August 25, 2021
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1344

Explorer Spotlight: Victoria Uriogstegui
Leadership
Austin, Explore Austin, leadership, nature, outdoor adventure, outdoor leadership, taking risks, Texas

When asked what stands out most during her six years in the Explore Austin program, East Austin resident and recent… more

August 6, 2021
0
1241

About Explore Austin

info@exploreaustin.org

(512) 320-8899

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Explore Austin uses mentoring & outdoor adventure to empower youth to reach their full potential.
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Explore Austin
Want to know one of the most fun things you can do Want to know one of the most fun things you can do in the outdoors? 🛶 Canoe camping!! The 2026 Funky Cacti is one of four Explorer teams getting ready to spend a week paddling down the famed Buffalo River in Northern Arkansas for their Summer Wilderness Trip in July! @buffalorivernps 👉 Did you know the Buffalo River became America's first National River, established by Congress in 1972? #buffaloriver #buffaloriverarkansas #arkansas #canoecamping #austinnonprofit #summerwildernesstrip #canoe #canoeing #outdooradventure #paddling #explore #nationalriver
Wishing you and yours a Happy Memorial Day 🇺🇸 Did you know Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? This came from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags. Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country and was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. Today, we hope you honor those sacrifices by enjoying family, friends and food in the outdoors! 💦🌿 Care to share what you're up to today? Drop us a comment!👇 #memorialday #exploreaustin #getoutside #austinnonprofit #americanholiday #america #unitedstates #happymemorialday
9 out of 10 Explorers believe they can make a posi 9 out of 10 Explorers believe they can make a positive impact on their community. That matters, y'all 🙏🏽 #communityimpact #exploreaustin #explore #positiveimpact #community #austinnonprofit #austintexas #nonprofit
Kick off Great Outdoors Month with Explore Austin Kick off Great Outdoors Month with Explore Austin at @patagoniaaustin! Join us on June 6 for: ✅ A panel on diversity and inclusion in the outdoors! ✅ Happy Hour with beverages and light bites ✅ Explore Austin swag ✅ Patagonia giveaways, including the Capilene® Cool Daily Shirt --> http://ow.ly/AUem50OvW2X Enter the raffle of giveaways! 👉 Go here to donate to Explore Austin ($5/raffle ticket): http://ow.ly/EU5V50OvW33 👉 Show us your confirmation at the event in exchange for your raffle tickets! Winners will be announced at the end of the evening (must be present to win). RSVP and more info: https://exploreaustin.org/get-involved/greatoutdoorsmonth/ #patagoniaaustin #greatoutdoorsmonth #diversityandinclusionintheoutdoors #theoutdoors #outdooradventure #exploreaustin #patagoniagiveaway #austinnonprofit #youthempowerment
Have you seen the landscape in 🪨 City of Rocks Have you seen the landscape in 🪨 City of Rocks 🪨 National Reserve?! It… rocks 😉 The 2027 Off-Brand Avengers are one of four Explorer teams that get to spend their Summer Wilderness Trip in this truly incredible landscape in Idaho! @cityofrocksnps #outdooradventure #exploreaustin #cityofrocks #idaho #cityofrocksnationalreserve #rockclimbing #onbelay #summerwildernesstrip
Please give a warm welcome to Explore Austin's new Please give a warm welcome to Explore Austin's new Program Coordinator, Lakinia Ramsey 🥳 A Georgia native, Lakinia has resided in Austin since 2016 with Theo, her husband of 20 years. Lakinia is passionate about working with families and children, specifically those from economically disadvantaged communities. She has over 20 years of experience providing direct services to families and kids in Georgia, California and Texas, including working with sexually exploited youth and those in foster care, and advocating for those experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. In her free time Lakinia enjoys traveling, attending concerts and events and sharing adventures with friends and family. She’s also an avid reader and an accomplished self-published author of two urban romance novels. Welcome, @kiniar! We are so excited to have you onboard!
#ThankfulThursday - We are so THANKFUL (and excite #ThankfulThursday - We are so THANKFUL (and excited 😁) to be partnering with @keepaustinbeautiful on THURSDAY, JUNE 8 for the interactive activities portion of our Great Outdoors Month event at Huston-Tillotson University. Here's a quick snapshot of what the kid-friendly programming will include: 🪱 Worm Pets - Learn about the wild world of worms and the vital part they play in composting. Observe worm habitats and feel their wiggles while learning neat worm facts! 🗑️ Guess that Trash! Guess the item of waste using only your sense of touch. Discover if you are correct and learn where the item of waste should go when you are ready to throw it away. 🌎 To RSVP and get more info on our Great Outdoors Month events, including this one, go to our #linkinbio. #keepaustinbeautiful #kidfriendly #greatoutdoorsmonth #wormfarm #wormpets #trash #recycling #austinnonprofits #exploreaustin #outdooradventure #kidsintheoutdoors #atxkids
Did you know that a Wilderness Area is the highest Did you know that a Wilderness Area is the highest level of land protection granted by the US Government? ⛰️ #themoreyouknow #wildernessarea #nature #conservation #protectourland #getoutside #outdooradventure #exploreaustin #nationalparkservice #forestservice #ecosystems
92% of Explorers feel like they belong at Explore 92% of Explorers feel like they belong at Explore Austin 💪 Meaningful connections are at the heart of what we do. If you don't feel like you are a part of EA, please pull any Mentor, Trip Leader or Staff member aside and talk with them. You matter. We're here for YOU! #buildingothersup
On belay! 🪢 The 2027 Da Boyz are just one of o On belay! 🪢 The 2027 Da Boyz are just one of our Explorer teams that will enjoy a week of climbing at City of Rocks National Reserve @cityofrocksnps (near Almo, Idaho) for their Summer Wilderness Trip this year. Climbing, camping, friends. Can’t think of a better way to explore a stunning landscape! 🧗‍♂️ #optoutside #nonprofits #austinnonprofit #rockclimbing #getoutside #nature #cityofrocks #idaho #cityofrocksidaho #summerwildernesstrip
🫶 Help our Explorers and Mentors depart for and 🫶 Help our Explorers and Mentors depart for and return from their Summer Wilderness Trips! Sign up for a shift at the #linkinbio 👍 This summer, Explore Austin will send over 200 Explorers and Mentors across the U.S. on Summer Wilderness Trips, unforgettable week-long journeys that allow Austin youth from economically disadvantaged communities to experience the natural world alongside trusted friends and trained guides ⛰️ 🧗‍♂️ WE NEED YOUR HELP to ensure our teams depart ("launch") and return ("receive") smoothly and safely. We hope you'll consider volunteering with us this summer to see the EA magic in action! 🪄 #exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #nonprofitsupport #volunteer #volunteeropportunity #volunteeratx #outdoors #outdooradventure #nonprofitvolunteers #austinvolunteers #explore #adventure
Practice your figure-eight knots and get your helm Practice your figure-eight knots and get your helmets out 🪖 The 2027 Ladybirds, Da Boyz and Off-Brand Avengers as well as the '24 Mafia are heading out to rock climb in July at City of Rocks National Reserve @cityofrocksnps in Idaho for their Summer Wilderness Trip 🧗 Did you know City of Rocks is one of the finest granite-face climbing sites anywhere in the world?!? And for the Girls '24 Mafia team, this will be their senior capstone trip. Can you tell how excited we are for them? 😍 #cityofrocks #outdooradventure #idaho #summerwildernesstrip #cityofrocksidaho #nationalreserve #rockclimbing
🌲🥾Did you know June is Great Outdoors Month? 🌲🥾Did you know June is Great Outdoors Month? Join Explore Austin for TWO FREE EVENTS in celebration! More info & RSVP: http://ow.ly/Lkph50OrvJz 🔥 June 6️⃣, 6:30 pm at Patagonia Austin - Reception & Panel - Representation in the Outdoors: Where Are We Now and What’s Next? Plus, donate to Explore Austin at this event for a chance to win exciting Patagonia and Explore Austin swag! 💯% of donations benefit Explore Austin! 🔥 June 8️⃣, 5:00 pm at Huston-Tillotson University - Kid friendly! Refreshments and interactive outdoor activities & Panel - Nature as Our Teacher: Youth Benefits of Outdoor Education.
Our Trip Leaders got their ducks in a row ahead of Our Trip Leaders got their ducks in a row ahead of the start of Summer Wilderness Trips at a weekend training led by our Associate Program Director @brittnystromme This included exercises around wilderness and mental-health first aid, curriculum discussions, menu planning and meal-prep tips, and more tricks of the trade from our seasoned Explore Austin Trip Leaders. It was great to have the majority of our Trip Leaders together at our warehouse! 📸by @kaartikgphoto
#TBT to 1 month ago when we were at Quest for the #TBT to 1 month ago when we were at Quest for the Summit! We’re still on Cloud 9 🌤️ Enjoy some more photos from our beautiful night of philanthropy that EXCEEDED our fundraising goals! They say it takes a village, and our Explore Austin tribe certainly came together to make it the best "outdoor chic" evening we could have possibly imagined! If you attended, drop us a comment below👇 and tell us your favorite part of Quest! #throwbackthursday #questforthesummit #exploreaustin #austinnonprofit #charityauction #supportnonprofits #austintexas #austinphilanthropy #austinfundraiser
Climbing is better with friends! 🧗 The Explore Climbing is better with friends! 🧗 The Explorers and Mentors of the 2027 Off-Brand Avengers can attest to this. On Saturday Challenges, our Explorers and Mentors help and encourage each other as they face challenges, such as a fear of heights. Could we get a round of applause for this group?!? 👏
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