Our Program
Explore Austin creates opportunities for inner-city boys to develop the skills, tools, and habits they will need to become effective leaders in their own communities. Explore does this through a combination of mentoring and outdoor experiential learning, over a 6-year period. This combination of year-round mentoring and outdoor experiences for a full 6 years helps "Explorers" (we refer to the participants as "Explorers") strengthen self esteem, build character, and develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and those around them.
Potential Explorers are eligible to apply to the program in the 6th grade. Explorer selections are based on interviews, teacher recommendations, and written essays. Explorers are recruited from The KIPP School in East Austin.
The Mentors
Explore Austin recruits and trains 3 volunteer "Mentors" for each class of 15 selected Explorers. These Mentors serve as guides to the Explorers through the entire 6-years of the program. Mentors follow an established framework and curriculum to serve the Explorers. Our Mentors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from their current and former positions as leaders in business, military, coaching, teaching, camp counselors and youth groups. The Mentors are the cornerstone of our program. (For more on our Mentors see Our Team).
A Typical Year in the Program
14 Lunch Sessions
Mentors have lunch with their class of Explorers twice a month during the school year. Roughly 8 of the 14 sessions are spent implementing curriculum specific exercises, challenges, and readings. These 8-9 "classes" can range from analyzing inspiring stories of leaders and heroes, to situational problem solving, to games that test their leadership skills. Explorers are strongly encouraged to use their given leadership "frameworks" as a guide during these sessions.
Explore A – stands for Action-oriented C – stands for Courageous (moral and physical) E – stands for Excellent teammate S – stands for Strong communicator The mentors believe that the participants can use this foundation in every situation they face in life.
4 Saturday Events
Mentors and Explorers participate in four, school-year "Saturday Events". These events are centered around outdoor adventures and community service. They are designed to give the Explorers a chance to use the skills they have acquired already, and get an introduction to the challenges they will face in the Summer Wilderness Program for that year.
Some examples include:
- Community Service Project (mandatory)
- Professionally guided Ropes Course (mandatory)
- Hiking in a Texas State Park
- Biking Town Lake
- College Sporting Event with Campus Tour
Summer Wilderness Program
Every Summer, Explorers and Mentors participate in a seven to ten day wilderness program located in different parts of the country. Explore Austin partners with established outfitters and wilderness guides to provide custom experiences that develop leadership skills and an appreciation for expanding personal horizons. The purpose of the Summer Experience in our program:
- The Explorers are pushed out of their comfort zones. The Summer Experience is intended to be physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging. The Explorers are given real-life opportunities to use their leadership frameworks to face these challenges.
- It allows us to "connect" with the Explorers at a time when they might usually not leave the 4-6 block radius of their home at all.
- It allows the Mentors to form a unique (and special) bond with their class of Explorers.
The Summer Wilderness Program gets more challenging every year, and builds on previous years. Some examples of the Summer Wilderness Experience and how it progresses:
- 6 days, residential camp at residential camp in Wyoming
- 7 days, Whitewater Rafting Trip in Idaho
- 6 days, Mountain Biking Expedition in Utah
- 9 days, Horse-pack Trip with outfitter in the Colorado Rockies
- 10 days, Backpacking Trip with outfitter, including a "solo"
- 10 days, Mountaineering Trip including a significant mountain summit attempt
Each Explorer experiences 84 Lunch Sessions, 24 Saturday Events, 6 Summer Wilderness Experiences and 17 new friends for a lifetime (14 other Explorers, plus 3 Mentors). All of the above activities build on each other to help develop the skills, tools, and habits they will need to be leaders in their own communities.
Our History
Explore Austin was founded in 2006 by Jamie Matthews, Sarah Queen, and Todd Hanna. The idea for Explore Austin was inspired by Carter Higley, a business school friend of Jamie Matthews.
The inaugural class of 6th grade boys was selected in the Spring of 2006 from The KIPP School in East Austin. Explore Austin has served 32 Explorers over the past 2 years, and will be serving 47 Explorers in the 2007-2008 school year.
Testimonials/Quotes
"I learned that being a leader means acting like one at all times. I have really enjoyed being a part of the Explore program."
— Juan Cassanova, Class 1 Explorer
"I’ve really learned to trust my friends and mentors in Explorer Austin. I’ve learned the more you commit to the program, the more you will get out of it. I’m really glad I am a part of this program."
— Paul Cardenas, Class 2 Explorer
"The KIPP Austin students have truly learned from and enjoyed their time in Explore. Not only are the summer trips exciting for the students, but they give them an opportunity to further their learning about leadership, integrity, and themselves. We’re fortunate to be able to work with such a tremendous program."
— Freddy Gonzalez, Assistant Principal KIPP Austin Prep School
"I can’t thank the Explore staff for all that they do! Paul was really apprehensive about going to Missouri, but I promised him it would be an experience he wouldn’t forget! Upon his return home from Missouri, and listening to Paul for nearly 3 days of all the fun he had, he so motivated and excited! It was so great to know that Paul had a great time. Paul talked so highly of all the mentors! They are such an inspiration to my son! Thank you Explore Austin for caring and all the valuable time you put forth into such a worth while program."
— Annette Arevalo, Parent
