Explore Austin's 2023-2024 Impact Report

WE'VE MOVED!

Our new mailing address is

1211 W. 6th St. Ste. 600, PMB 184, Austin, TX 78703

EXPLORE AUSTIN 2023-2024 IMPACT REPORT Outdoors for All Takes You

Letter from the CEO Dear Friends, As Explore Austin supporters, you understand the value of immersive time in nature. It’s essential for our physical, cognitive and emotional well-being. Interaction with nature and social groups positively impacts youth’s cognition, sense of self, and overall psychological well-being. Studies find that outdoor education is particularly effective at helping low-income students perform better in school and problem solve. Furthermore, youth who have mentors are far more likely to stay in school, enroll in college, become leaders and generally pursue higher goals than those who do not.

hampioned or empowered a child in one way or another, Mentors are uniquely toThe help need young has people process traumatic experiences by providing a safe mily member, educator, or positioned volunteer. never been space for them to express their emotions, ask for help and channel feelings of uncertainty into positive, , the U.S. surgeon general warned of a “devastating” mental constructive action. A 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General lists mentoring as a recommended strategy olescents.for supporting youth who are experiencing social disconnection and associated challenges.

Explore Austin been therethat forinour were there Austin program has experienced the highest We arehas thrilled to report the youth. last two We years, the Explore rates ever,grieving with boththe Mentors Explorerssports averaging mic, whenretention students were loss and of school, and82% from program year one to program year six. This denotes deep connection and belonging, and incredible commitment. In 2023, our focus ctivities, and their friends.

Becauseefforts the communities which was on continued stabilization post-pandemic,in and we rebuilt Explorer participation to 260 youth.

We also impacted began an internationally recognized accreditation process with the Association for Experiential proportionately by the pandemic, many also became Education (concluding in 2025) to show Explore Austin meets AEE's standards for excellence in program he death of family members, and faced economic uncertainty. design, implementation and evaluation, and to allow us access to resources for continued improvement and development of our program.

tial for our physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. caring adult Mentors and adventurous time outside facilitates In 2023, we also formulated our 10-year vision of offering outdoor education programming to every youth in Austin’s disadvantaged communities, knowing it will be imperative to build an Explore Austin headquarters well as courage and perseverance. Explore Austin provided to serve as a “basecamp” for expanding our reach. In May 2024, we purchased land as the first step on s outsidethe with their Mentors 2021 169Our opportunities for which will combine our warehouse and path of bringing thisin vision toand fruition. new headquarters, administrative offices, will be located less than a half mile from Walter E. Long Park, Austin’s largest and most milies to spend quality time outside. underutilized green space.

Explorer, Anthony overcame many challenges, including 2024 also saw us welcome our largest incoming class ever – 55 new Explorers and 20 new Mentors – which a chronically ill mother, andofresponsibility hisoperating siblings.with a waitlist and are buoyed by the fact that so included a pilot team sophomore girls.for We're male rolemany model consistently [his] life the until EA.” Last families and schoolsinunderstand importance of spending time outside while trying and doing hard things. d a scholarship to play college basketball, a dream realized! w he would continued support, theyWilderness checked Trips in with Overneed the last two years, our roster of so Summer continued to grow. For the first time in Explore Austin’s history, we headed east in 2024 toand Westthey Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park where our senior aduated from the Explore Austin program, helped teams did Capstone trips for rock climbing, canoeing and whitewater rafting. Between 2023 and 2024, our hip and financial aid applications.

Explorers and Mentors went on Summer Wilderness Trips in six states: Arkansas, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

academically her sophomore year, at the height of the d in her Mentor while kayaked duringinaour Saturday We've also seenthey higher levels of trauma youth in the last two summers than in years past. This is in line with national and local trends, with higher ratesher of suicidal ideation and mental health concerns. Your ey made a plan to help her get back on track with generousity enables us to support youth in these challenging times. ded to college this fall. She received a full scholarship to the One-hundred percent of our youth qualify for public assistance when they enter the program, giving them to study Mechanical Engineering. access to opportunities and resources they would not likely have otherwise. When you’ve

estment in Explore Austin’s mission! ofslept yourat the side of an alpine lake and seen climbed a mountain from 7,000 toBecause 10,000 feet; snow for the first time; and felt the authentic care of in adults are there just because tinue being a trusted, consistent, and safe presence thewho lives they want to be; you are forever changed. and Elyse.

Thank you for your investment in Explore Austin’s mission! It is only through your continued support that we can empower nearly 300 youth annually as they explore nature, grow in leadership skills, and connect with supportive adults. As we reflect on the last two years and look to the future, our vision of Outdoors for All will continue to guide us forward.

With gratitude,

Onward and upward!

Kathleen Lyons Schneeman, CEO

Kathleen Schneeman, CEO

PAST AND FUTURE

Mountains Climbed in 2023-2024

• Increased Explorer and Mentor program attendance to pre-pandemic numbers

• Formulated our 10-year vision of offering outdoor education programming to every youth in Austin’s disadvantaged communities

• Received Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant

• Welcomed our largest incoming class of Explorers ever, including piloting a new team of sophomore girls

• Headed east for our first-ever Summer Wilderness Trips in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

• Purchased land on which to build an Explore Austin headquarters • Launched a “Friends of Explore Austin” group for alumni and

other young professionals to stay and get involved with our mission

THE TRAIL AHEAD

• Continue exploration of expanding our Summer Wilderness Trip offerings • Complete our accreditation process through the Association for Experiential Education to deepen the program’s quality and rigor

• Continue developing partnerships with community organizations, city programs and school districts to increase our reach

• Expand training offerings for Mentors • Build our Explore Austin headquarters on our newly purchased land, which will combine our warehouse and administrative offices

2023 ADVENTURE BY THE NUMBERS

YOUR IMPACT

A Legacy of Firsts Continues Guillermo Flores is the first participant to complete the Explore Austin program both as an Explorer and a Mentor.

He recounts what drew him to apply to the program and why, 10 years after joining, he returned as a Mentor.

In 2007, Guillermo Flores was a freshman at KIPP Austin Collegiate. He’d heard about an outdoor-adventure program that had just been established the year before, intended for youth who wouldn’t otherwise have access to activities in nature such as camping, backpacking and mountaineering. When he applied to the Explore Austin program, his only camping experience had been while visiting his grandparents in Mexico to help them manage the cattle on their ranch.

After hearing about Explore Austin through classmates, he joined the second-ever class of Explorers to expand his outdoor skillset.

Raised in Austin, Guillermo’s curiosity about life beyond Central Texas was first piqued as a result of his father, who owned a trucking company.

“I had been out of state before joining Explore Austin, but mostly at warehouse districts and truck stops, not enjoying the outdoors. Sometimes I’d see mountains or other landscapes in the distance, and I wanted to explore them.”

With Explore Austin, Guillermo’s dream of climbing mountains became a reality. He recounts a particular alpine hike during a Summer Wilderness trip in Colorado that required them waking up at one o’clock in the morning to experience sunrise at the peak.

“The wind was howling, it's miserable, cold. But then the sun peeked over the horizon, the sky was changing, and the light hit us and heated us up. Being at the top of that mountain, with my friends – tired, smelly, and beyond recognizable for all the ways we’d grown on that summer trip – we sat there in silence, taking in the view.”

When joining the Explore Austin program, Guillermo had looked forward to having adventures like this one; but what he didn’t know is that his metaphorical worldview would be equally opened up by his Mentors, with whom he still maintains strong bonds, nearly 18 years later.

Guillermo learned that his Mentors lived lives he’d not yet been exposed to. They had different kinds of jobs from the adults in his community, including his own parents. With the encouragement of his Mentors, Guillermo began planning his next steps after high school graduation, including college and the goal of finding work about which he was passionate.

In 2007, Guillermo joined the Explore Austin program as a member of the second class of Explorers.

“Most of the parents whose kids are in the program work in service jobs. Explore Austin gives minority kids, just like me, the opportunity to take the blinders off and achieve dreams higher than what’s expected of them.”

The ‘24 Hermanos Team completed their Summer Wilderness Trip during their backpacking year in Oklahoma (Guillermo is pictured in the back row, yellow shirt).

Guillermo completed his degree in Construction Science at Austin Community College while simultaneously working as a project manager for local company Joe Bland Construction.

After some time of working day and night shifts in the field, Guillermo realized through the guidance of his Mentors that there were other possibilities. He told his supervisor he was interested in transitioning to office work so that he could learn project management skills and, not long after that, he was promoted.

“Explore Austin helped me open my world to paths I never thought would be possible.

One of my Mentors taught me that when you walk in a room, always say hi to everyone because you never know who you're going to meet. It’s given me the courage to step up and not be scared, and to be able to walk into a room and have conversations with people from all different walks of life. I was able to climb a 15,000-foot mountain, so why can't I say ‘Hi!’ to a stranger I've never met? Today, I own my own construction business. It made me realize I wanted to pay it forward.”

Ten years after becoming an Explorer, Guillermo returned to the Explore Austin family by becoming a Mentor on the ‘24 Hermanos Team. His team consistently had one of the highest attendance rates for Explorers and an impressive retention rate, starting out with 15 youth and ending with 12 finishing the program.

Since he’d gone through the program himself, Guillermo was already adept in the skills his Explorers would learn: how to start a fire, hang bear bags, set up a tent, cook in the outdoors and, generally, try and do hard things. He was only 24 years old when he became a Mentor, and he learned that “There’s not only one way to mentor, and no ‘special ingredients.’ You have to follow your gut and find your own proven technique.”

One-hundred percent of the Explorers on Guillermo’s team graduated high school in 2024, with several starting college at Texas A&M, Texas State and UT Austin, one joining the Marines, and others attending trade school.

Though Guillermo has grown through his experiences as both an Explorer and Mentor, one thing remains constant regardless of his role: His love for the Explore Austin program.

Guillermo (center, white t-shirt) with the ‘24 Hermanos Team at their Explore Austin senior graduation.

Guillermo (far left) and the ‘24 Hermanos Team backpacked the Wasatch Mountains, Utah for their Capstone Summer Wilderness Trip.

IN THEIR WORDS

Explorers Our Explorers on the ‘25 teams went on their final Summer Wilderness Trips in summer 2024 and are looking towards high school graduation in 2025. They took a moment to reflect on their experiences in the Explore Austin program: “My experience with my Trip Leaders, Mentors and Explore Austin staff has been truly wonderful. Everyone has a great personality and is very outgoing.”

-BRIANNA, ‘25 ADVENTURE SEEKERS TEAM

"

“All the trip leaders we had on this trip were very encouraging and always answered our many questions. And our Summer Wilderness Trip location – West Virginia – was beautiful! The breeze felt so nice, especially when we were rock climbing!”

-BRITTANY, ‘25 ADVENTURE SEEKERS TEAM “I really cannot thank my Mentors and Trip Leaders enough for introducing me to adventure and getting me out of my comfort zone. I will miss them. I loved the location for our senior trip (West Virginia). It was a lot different than Texas!”

-JAYDEN, ‘25 BEAST BOYZ TEAM “All Explore Austin staff and Mentors were guides through the physical challenges as well as the mental ones, which was a huge aid in our journeys.”

-LUIS, ‘25 OUTDOOR OGS TEAM “My experience with the Trip Leaders and Mentors as well as the Explore Austin staff was such a wonderful experience that could not have been better, and is something that I will remember as I embark on the rest of my life.”

-JESUS, ‘25 OUTDOOR OGS TEAM

Mentors Our Mentors dedicate six years to the Explore Austin program. With an 82% Mentor retention rate over the 6 program years, they have the opportunity to form strong bonds with the Explorers on their teams, modeling leadership, teamwork, and courage:

“We were ready for the backcountry! Seeing the Explorers settle into the campsite, making friends and looking out for one another were highlights of our Summer Wilderness Trip. The gear, the Trip Leaders, the food, and the campsites were really fantastic!”

-MEGAN, ‘30 GIRLS BLUE TEAM “Among the roses we’ve experienced are the opportunity to begin building a sense of community among our Explorers and Mentors, and our success in encouraging participation, cooperation and enjoyment from a few of our Explorers who require more individualized support.” -BEN, ‘30 BOYS TEAM “Bonding with the Explorers and Mentors and getting to know the Trip Leaders are the highlights of the Explore Austin program for me. I’m really looking forward to next year's challenges and preparation with the girls.”

-JENNIFER, ‘27 STARGAZERZZZ TEAM “I love the quiet mornings in nature with birds chirping and sunrises and the beautiful wilderness, as well as watching the kids have fun and explore a new environment. I’m very excited about future camp trips and exploring new regions, as well as watching the kids grow and develop new skills! Already from last year to this year I’ve witnessed a lot of change and maturity on behalf of the Explorers and am looking forward to continuing to accompany and witness this process.”

-MARIO, ‘29 MYSTICAL PHOENIX TEAM “I’ve really enjoyed our time together as a group (of Explorers and Mentors); we all get along so well and have developed deeper bonds. And I loved five days in nature and disconnected from phones while on our Summer Wilderness Trip in New Mexico! I'm so excited for our next two summer trips. I really enjoyed our time together this year and am eager to rock climb with the girls.”

-KATE, ‘27 STARGAZERZZZ TEAM

EXPLORER / MENTOR DEMOGRAPHICS EXPLORER DEMOGRAPHICS Spanish speakers: 66% Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0% Black/African American: 8% Hispanic: 82% Multiracial: 7% White: 3%

MENTOR DEMOGRAPHICS Spanish speakers: 36% Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 8% Black/African American: 5% Hispanic: 17% Multiracial: 1% White: 69%

FINANCIAL REPORT

2023 REVENUE

INDIVIDUALS: $622,052 FOUNDATIONS: $421,217 SPECIAL EVENTS*: $259,596 CORPORATIONS: $162,248 OTHER**: $59,864

TOTAL REVENUE 2023: $1,524,977

*Less Event benefits; includes event gifts paid or pledged in 2023 for the 2024 event **Includes investment returns and in-kind support

2023 EXPENSES

PROGRAM: $1,498,300 DEVELOPMENT: $192,584 ADMINISTRATIVE: $89,134

TOTAL EXPENSES 2023: $1,780,018

Reserves are used to cover program expenditures in deficit years.

2023 DONORS

CORPORATE PARTNER PROGRAM* *Corporate Partner Program members make an annual gift of $5,250 or more to invest in Explore Austin’s mission. If your business or organization is interested in partnering with Explore Austin, email us at lauren.zurbrugg@exploreaustin.org.

Copperbox Leadership Advisory • Flynn Construction • Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited Live Oak • Rogers-O’Brien Construction • Studio8 Architects

EVENT UNDERWRITERS Austin Subaru • Frost Bank • Henna Chevrolet • JE Dunn Marsh McLennan Agency • River City Capital Partners • SailPoint Technologies, Inc. Sayers Real Estate Advisors, Inc. • Superstep Capital • Texas Mutual

2023 DONORS

SUMMIT GIVING SOCIETY* SUPPORTERS

$20,000+

Anonymous Buena Vista Foundation The Cooper Matthews Foundation Lisa & Brad Garner L-X Ranch Foundation Marjorie & Mark McClain Scott Munro Wendy & Jay Papasan Shield-Ayres Foundation The Springhouse Foundation The Tecumseh Foundation Winkler Family Foundation

$10,000+

Morgan & John Burnham Edith & You Kin Chin Crews Kolodzey Foundation Weslie & Stephen Elliott Ana & Blake Magee Danielle & Cory Older Cheryl & Walt Penn Crystal & Daniel Perry Lee & John Rippel Kevin Walbrick Christine & Christy Yonge

$5,000+

Sophia Bera Daigle & Bryan Daigle Christine & Abe Dashner Laura & Paul Detke Jessica & Carter Fields Kiersten Flint & Justin Chiumenti Morgan & Ben Gaddis Regan & William Gammon Meredith & Jamie Knight The Pine Foundation Kamila & Kent Radford Mary Lou & Ed Robbins The Schneeman Family Anne & Richard Smalling

$2,500+

Austin Bouldering Project Malia & Steve Aycock Carson Family Foundation Cara & Mike Clifford Carrie & Nick Dyer Meredith & James Edsel

Dottie & Justin Godfrey Emily & Matt Greer Christina & Geoff Hangartner The John A. DePizzo Jr. Foundation Carlotta & Bill McLean Pat Medlock Susie & Greg Meserole Obra Capital The Ornelas Zurbrugg Family Janet & Robert Rice Kevin & Kemper Richardson Dyan Rody & Warren Walters Audrey & Derek Romano Jennifer & Rusty Stein Andrea Torres & Lawrence Lyman Jennifer & Casey Wenzel Elena Zifkin & Josh Winkler

$1,750+

Blair Adams & John McGlothlin The Barilla Foundation Natalie & Drew Betzer Christine & Simms Browning Alex Castillo Rich DePalma Madeline Dorflinger & Francisco Salas Leslie & Brandon Easterling Naphtalie & Olatunde Gbolahan Susan Goldberg Jenni Greer & Brian Jones Anna & Jason Herd Kathy Bowles Hughes & David Hughes Jessica & Robert Malina Caroline Newman Phillips & Jacob Phillips Audrey & James Poche Lindsay & Matt Rohler Shirley Caris Family Foundation Elwin & John West Kathy & Ross Wilson Amy & Harvey Zinn Catherine & Anton Zurbrugg

GRANTORS

The Campbell Foundation Clif Family Foundation ECG Foundation Hispanic Impact Fund | Austin Community Foundation Lonestar Legacy Moody Foundation Q2 Philanthropy Fund Swantz Family Foundation WoodNext Foundation

*Members of the Summit Giving Society gave $1,750 or more last year to provide the program to at least one child for a year. Now the Society begins at $2,000. For more information, scan the QR code.

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Caroline Newman Phillips, Chair • Simms Browning • Lenar Cantu Alex Castillo • Bryan Daigle • Laura Detke • Olatunde Gbolahan Rodolfo Galvan • Brad Garner • Robert Malina • Wendy Papasan Daniel Perry • Scott Phillips • Alexia Rodriguez • Adrienne Sturrup

94% 92%

of Explorers report an overall positive opinion of Explore Austin

of our Explorers report: •

Feelings of belonging at Explore Austin

•

Trust in their Mentors

•

Belief in their ability to make a positive impact in their community

•

Deep understanding of how their actions can affect nature

Administrative Office

(physical location only; cannot accept mail)

1105 N. Lamar Blvd.

Austin, TX 78703

Mailing Address 1211 W. 6th St. Ste. 600 | PMB 184 Austin, TX 78703

info@exploreaustin.org | (512) 320-8899