Explore Austin

05/30/2026

🎉 Congrats, Class of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣!
Four teams graduated from the Explore Austin program this year, culminating in a Senior Celebration party for the Explorers, their Mentors, and their families. This included dinner, slideshows from their time in the program, receiving their certificates of completion, goodie bags, and a raffle prize drawing

05/27/2026

☀️ THIS SUMMER, SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF EXPLORERS
200+ of our youth from under-resourced communities are headed into the backcountry across the U.S. for the adventure of a lifetime, even as airfare has risen 20% since last summer. For Explore Austin, cost never stands in the way of opportunity. Help underrepresented kids grow in the outdoors: https://ow.ly/u2us50Z4Tgb

Our Explorers will backpack, rock climb, canoe and mountain bike in Arkansas, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, and West Virginia alongside trusted adult Mentors and professional wilderness guides. With a 90% RSVP rate, we have more youth embarking on Summer Wilderness Trips than ever before in Explore Austin's 20-year history.

Help us reach our goal! Your support will make a meaningful difference. Every contribution brings us closer to success. Join us today and be part of something impactful.

05/26/2026

♦️📸 PHOTOS ARE IN! Swipe for more, and view the full album here 👉 https://ow.ly/e31o50Z4v1y

The Aces for Adventure Charity Poker Tournament benefiting Explore Austin raised over $100K in to support the 380+ youth we serve. Wendy and Jay Papasan of Papasan Properties Group are the visionaries behind this event, and have supported Explore Austin in many impactful ways since Wendy joined our Board of Directors in 2023.

This year's Aces for Adventure hosted over 150 guests for a night of dinner, drinks, and poker at The Austin Club. Also in attendance were '19 Mentor and Explorer Alums who gave testimonials from their time in the program 🙌

05/26/2026

05/21/2026

Sometimes, you just have to dive -- or paddle -- right on in!

The '29 Kikiwaka Team did just that in April during their first canoe lesson in the program. We're proud of them, and of all the youth in our program who are willing to try and do hard things. 💦 🛶

05/20/2026

Happy Hump Day from the '28 Hog Gang 🏔️ This team is mountain biking in the Idaho Falls, ID area on their Summer Wilderness Trip this year, with beautiful views of the Grand Tetons Mountains in their future 🚵‍♂️

05/18/2026

The '27 Off Brand Avengers Team has been preparing for their final Summer Wilderness Trip -- a Capstone rock climbing adventure in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia! They recently got a taste of rainy Appalachian weather right here in Texas during an overnight campout at Inks Lake State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife 🌧️ However, they were still able to enjoy the views, the trails and the wildflowers -- even catching a glimpse of the final bluebonnets 🌻

05/15/2026

🌲 From May 31-July 25, Explore Austin will send over 200 youth, their Mentors, and their Trip Leaders on weeklong Summer Wilderness Trips to premier backcountry destinations across the U.S. At Explore Austin, we often talk about the power of tradition—and the Garcia family is a beautiful example of that impact.

🧡 SUPPORT THE YOUTH GOING ON OUR 2026 SUMMER WILDERNESS TRIPS 👉 https://ow.ly/w3bT50YYqz6

When Sebastian Garcia joined Explore Austin as a sixth grader, he was stepping into the unknown. Over six years of consistent mentorship, challenging outdoor adventure, and leadership development, his confidence grew. He uncovered his potential:

“Explore Austin helped me see what I could become…It took a little guy from a small neighborhood in Austin and showed me a different world.”

Sebastian’s younger brother, Alonzo, watched closely, seeing not just the trips and experiences, but his personal growth. Inspired, Alonzo followed Sebastian and began his own six-year journey as an Explorer with many firsts: learning how to ride a bike, traveling away from home, and taking his first plane ride.

Today, both brothers have completed the program, with Alonzo enrolling at The University of Texas at San Antonio this fall.

Your investment helps provide the mentorship and opportunities that make stories like the Garcia brothers’ possible. Will you consider making a gift to support the youth going on our 2026 Summer Wilderness Trips?

05/13/2026

🛶 💦 The '31 Dunkaroos are coming up on completing their first year in the Explore Austin program. While they'll be backpacking the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico this summer, their April Saturday Challenge was an introduction to canoeing at Webberville Park.

🤜 🤛 This team had nearly 100% attendance, making for a large group on the water -- 14 Explorers, 4 Mentors, and 2 Trip Leaders!