Exploration & Adventure
Taking mentorship and leadership to new heights
Words by Sam Lauron Photos by Explore Austin & Parker Thornton
Explore Austin, an adventure-based non-profit, is on a mission to positively impact underserved youth through mentorship, leadership and outdoor adventures. The six-year program takes students on a journey of discovery and exploration that ultimately leads to a strengthened sense of grit, newfound confidence and the ability to go out into the world as strong leaders and communicators.
Each spring, an enthusiastic group of students prepare to join Explore Austin’s leadership program. Thirty 6th-graders (15 boys and 15 girls) are recruited and paired with five mentors of the same gender who will stick with them throughout the duration of the program. The students, or Explorers, embark on an adventure-based challenge one Saturday each month as well as participate in a week-long wilderness trip each summer. Through these outdoor challenges, students are able to work on their leadership, team building, and communication skills by taking on a structured curriculum that focuses on adventure.
The program takes place during the student’s most formative years, 6th-12th grade, and places an emphasis on strong relationships and a sense of community by pairing them with the same team of mentors and peers throughout the six-year program. “Those years are awkward and challenging,” says Explore Austin CEO, Ann Jerome. “That’s when you need a good village around you to make sure you make it through with confidence, development skills, relationship building skills, and the ability to advocate for yourself.”
Whether they’re canoeing, biking, climbing, or backpacking, the skills and lessons being taught throughout each outdoor activity or expedition are invaluable. “All of us on the team are fairly sporty, outdoors people, and I think we recognize the benefit that it’s had in our lives,” notes Jerome.
With adventure being a key differentiator of the program, a unique benefit the students receive is the opportunity to explore places they wouldn’t normally get a chance to visit. The summer wilderness trips they take to states like Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado and more are a first for these students. Many of them haven’t traveled further than the Austin area, and almost none of them have ever left Texas. No matter where the adventures take them, the impact on the student’s adolescence is clear, now more than ever. This upcoming school year, one of their first Explorers is joining the program as a mentor. “That has been one of our biggest successes,” Jerome smiles. “He realized the value for himself.”
Explore Austin’s Impact by the Numbers:
283 explorers served in 2017
11,280 miles traveled during 2017 Summer Wilderness Trips
88% of alumni explorers are currently enrolled in college
59,940 experienced hours of mentoring
1,300 hours of community service provided by explorers
93% mentor retention rate
88% explorer retention rate
Contact:
(512) 320-8899
2201 E 6th Street
exploreaustin.org
@explore_austin
