Explore Austin
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Nonprofit, est. 2006: Free outdoor programs & mentorship for youth from economically disadvantaged communities. Visit us at exploreaustin.org
Are you interested in changing the lives of underserved youth, as well as your own?
π Explore Austin received its first grant from the CLIF Bar Family Foundation in 2014. In 12 years, their generosity has amounted to nearly $95,000 of support, equating to providing an entire year of our transformational programming to almost 50 youth π§‘
Thank you, Clif Family Foundation, for helping us connect local, low-income youth to caring Mentors and skilled Trip Leaders in the outdoors to empower the next generation of leaders in our community!
EMPOWER LOCAL YOUTH π https://ow.ly/ZLLE50ZNAbX
π Announcing: $15,000 Trailblazer Match! Now, when you donate to the campaign through October 1, your gift will have 2οΈβ£x the impact for low-income youth, up to $15,000.
That's twice the rock climbing, twice the canoeing, twice the backpacking, twice the mountain biking, twice the mentorship -- and twice the adventure! πΆ π₯Ύ π΄ π§ β£οΈ
Blaze trails with us: Support the 360 youth we serve this fall!
09/13/2026
Explore Austin Mentor Lezeth Alfaro was on KXAN News' Studio 512 with Rosie Newberry! Watch the segment π https://ow.ly/wtux50ZMH0i
Lezeth served the FULL six years in the Explore Austin program as a Mentor before deciding to return for ANOTHER six years with a brand-new team. She'd talked her husband into becoming a Mentor, then realized she had extreme FOMO during her one year "off" from the program -- so she knew she had to sign up all over again!
Watch the segment at the link to hear what's it like being an Explore Austin Mentor.
Explore Austin Helps Local Youth Build Confidence Through Mentorship & Outdoor Adventure For many young people, one caring adult can make a lasting difference. At Austin-based nonprofit Explore Austin, that support goes even further through a unique six-year program that combines mentoβ¦
09/10/2026
π VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR! Congratulations to Explore Austin Board member Wendy Papasan, WINNER of the Austin Chamber of Commerce's "Austin Gives" Awards in the Volunteer of the Year category π Wendy was recognized at an awards luncheon at the Austin Marriott Downtown.
As the CEO and co-founder of Papasan Properties Group, Wendy leads by example. Her ongoing volunteerism in Austin's nonprofit sector has had a meaningful impact across organizations serving youth, families, and women. Since joining the Explore Austin Board of Directors nearly four years ago, she has become one of our most engaged and dependable volunteer leaders.
Wendy is highly involved in our annual Quest for the Summit fundraising gala, which has raised more than $1 million in support of Explore Austinβs mission since she joined the committee in 2024. She has also hosted and organized an annual charity poker tournament for 15 years, raising over $1 million for families with children battling cancer. In 2025 and 2026, Wendy graciously named Explore Austin the beneficiary of the event and, through her leadership, personal outreach, sponsorship cultivation, and event coordination, more than $185,000 has been raised for our organization in just those two years.
Please join us in congratulating Wendy on this well-deserved win!
π WE'RE HIRING: https://ow.ly/NcVg50ZL267
The Government Grants Writer is responsible for writing city (Austin), county (Travis), state (Texas), and federal (United States) grant proposals and reports, as well as private foundation proposals and reports, to raise philanthropic support for Explore Austin.
Info and qualifications:
βοΈ 100% remote role
βοΈ Contract position: 10-15 hours per week, amounting to 40-60 hours per month
βοΈ 5-year minimum experience in government grants writing required
βοΈ Demonstrated track record of funded government grant proposals
βοΈ Excellent writing and editing skills
βοΈ Ability to work with minimal supervision
Learn more and apply today at the link above!
LEARN TO βΊ camp π₯Ύ backpack π§ββοΈ rock climb πΆ canoe π΅ββοΈ mountain bike
MODEL π€π€ leadership π courage π§ + a spirit of adventure to Austin-area 6th-12th grade low-income youth
EXPLORE π€ Austin and the πΊπΈ US on week-long summer trips with your team
..for FREE!
BECOME A MENTOR π Apply to volunteer with Explore Austin today! π https://ow.ly/g4p150ZIOTm
Explore Austin is a π―% FREE outdoor-adventure and leadership program for Mentors and the youth they serve. Mentors and youth form teams and meet one Saturday per month during the school year to learn and practice outdoor technical skills that they then put to the test on weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips in backcountry destinations across the US.
Learn more about the Mentor role π https://ow.ly/r80g50ZIOTi
JOB DESCRIPTION & HOW TO APPLY π https://ow.ly/oovX50ZIlH2
The full-time Program Manager of Explorers is an integral member of the Explore Austin program team supporting Explore Austinβs mission, advocating for the youth served in the program, and ensuring the success of operations crucial to a transformative program delivery. This role provides essential support to the Explorers and their families, is motivated to produce detailed work, and is adept at building relationships and supporting the greater community.
More about this role:
γ°οΈ Plans and implements the program recruitment of Explorers in its entirety, including the selection process, and the management of teams
γ°οΈ Supports Director of Programs to ensure Explore Austin is following the most up-to-date protocol on child s*x abuse safety standards in recruitment and screening of Mentors
γ°οΈ Maintains up-to-date records of youth participants, survey results, etc. through the client relations management software, Salesforce
γ°οΈ Fluency in Spanish preferred
γ°οΈ Hybrid in-person and remote work
π Happy Back to School! Explore Austin celebrated the start of a new year at East Austin College Prep, home of the Tigers π―
Explore Austin is now recruiting our next class of Explorers and Mentors for our 100% FREE program. Admitted youth and volunteers will begin the program in May 2027:
Explorer application π https://formstack.io/495C5
Mentor application π https://formstack.io/73CB8
08/27/2026
π¦πΆ The '27 Stargazerzzz Team canoed the Buffalo National River in Arkansas for their Capstone Summer Wilderness Trip.
An Explorer on the team said:
"I loved canoeing on the Buffalo River and seeing the lovely wildlife, as well as the scenery on the river and the views on this trip."
Clear water and sunny skies were the backdrop for this weeklong trip, where making daily mileage was crucial! Paddle, paddle!
π¦ BECOME AN EXPLORER!
βοΈ Application π https://ow.ly/XWXs50ZC6AV
βοΈ Learn more about becoming an Explorer π https://ow.ly/6O7X50ZC6AX
βοΈ Accepted applicants will begin the program in May 2027
Explore Austin is now recruiting 6th grade boys and girls to join our 100% free, 6-year program! Youth are placed on teams of 15 peers and 5 adult volunteer Mentors and stay together through high school graduation.
Youth must:
γ°οΈ Qualify for free or reduced lunch in school
γ°οΈ Commit to 1 Saturday per month during the school year for programming
γ°οΈ Commit to a weeklong Summer Wilderness Trip each summer
γ°οΈ Commit to advancing through the program through senior year of high school
Explorers learn the following alongside their Mentors from trained guides -- no prior experience required:
βΊ Camping π₯Ύ Hiking & Backpacking π§ Navigation π§ Rock Climbing πΆ Canoeing π΅ββοΈ Mountain Biking
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Telephone
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Address
1211 W. 6th Street Ste. 600 PMB 184
Austin, TX
78703