Happy Independence Day from Explore Austin! We hope you're spending the day with the people you love, doing something you love -- whether that's something festive or restful (or maybe some of both!) 🎆 What are your plans for the day? Share 'em in the comments! 👇

Our Summer Wilderness Trips are unforgettable, week-long camping trips in backcountry destinations across the U.S. We're still looking for volunteers to help ensure our teams depart and return safely. Many shifts are available through July 26 👉

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🦦 Introducing: The '31 River Otters! One of the girls teams was inspired on their Summer Wilderness Trip to come up with something aquatic after swimming at Inks Lake State Park 🏊‍♀️ Swipe for more photos of the newly minted River Otters!

Our first Summer Wilderness Trips launch NEXT WEEK! We're still looking for volunteers to help ensure our teams depart and return safely. Many shifts available through July -- SIGN UP HERE 👉

Check out our spot on @KXAN_News @Studio512tv for a preview of our Aces for Adventure poker tournament:.📺 Buy your tix to the event here! 🎟️

Summer Wilderness Trip Volunteer Sign Ups: May 31-July 26 🥾Explore Austin is sending 300+ Explorers from economically disadvantaged communities & Mentors across the US on week-long Summer Wilderness Trips to experience the natural world.

Happy Friday from our '30 gRizzly Bears Team! They enjoyed their April Saturday Challenge on the Violet Crown Trail on the Greenbelt 🥾 They're preparing for their Summer Wilderness Trip backpacking the Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas! #exploreaustin #kidswhohike

Austin Youth River Watch participated in a Partnership Day with Explore Austin, with our Trip Leaders instructing them in rock climbing. They were on the Gus Fruh wall of the Barton Creek Greenbelt -- and they definitely have some natural-born climbers in their midst!

🏓 Sweat for a cause! Hosted by Sam McCathren of Landy Frost Group at Compass, the second annual Sam's Summer Slam features competitive pickleball and corn hole tournaments benefiting the 280 youth Explore Austin serves! 🎟️

🥾 Our new class of Explorers had their orientation at Govalle Elementary School last weekend. These 45 Explorers got to know each other and their volunteer Mentors while their parents heard the A-Z of what to expect in the Explore Austin program!

📸 Quest for the Summit photos are in! View Full Album 👉 It was a night filled with great company, inspirational stories from our Mentors and Explorers, and lots of happy tears! Swipe for a preview of images, and be sure to check out the full album!

🥶 Brrrrr! It was a cold one last weekend, but that didn't deter our '26 Funky Cacti Team from their overnight Saturday Challenge camping at Pedernales Falls State Park! Nothing that a little warmth by the fire and hot meals couldn't fix. 🔥⛺

JOB DESCRIPTION 👉 We're hiring 4 part-time Trip Coordinators during our SWT season. This position plays a critical role in ensuring our trips are fully equipped and run smoothly, ultimately providing youth with safe and impactful outdoor experiences.

🏔️ YOUR IMPACT - Together, we raised $330,000 at Quest for the Summit! After accounting for expenses, the amount raised will provide the Explore Austin program to 6️⃣ teams of Explorers -- that's 9️⃣0️⃣ YOUTH from economically disadvantaged communities -- for the next year! #qfts25

⛺ We brought our 20 new Mentors together at Emma Long Metropolitan Park in late March for a full weekend of camping and program orientation. These Mentors are joining our 2031 Explorer teams, who begin the program this month -- two girls teams and one boys team!

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! Quest Silent Auction & Raffle CLOSE in 2 hrs at 8:30 pm!👉 🎟️ AND don't forget your raffle tickets! Our 🎶 ULTIMATE SXSW WEEKEND 🎶 raffle is our biggest yet -- a $1,500 value! Tix are $25 per (or $100 for 5 tix or $175 for 10 tix).

3️⃣ DAYS LEFT to bid in the Quest Silent Auction: ⭐ Closes April 1 @ 8:30 pm.⭐ Swipe to see a selection of Silent Auction packages.⭐ AND don't forget your raffle tickets! ULTIMATE SXSW WEEKEND - a $1,500 value!

👋 BID & BUY RAFFLE TIX HERE: 🔥 The Quest for the Summit Auction & Raffle is heating up.⭐ Bid on dozens of curated packages - swipe to see a preview of items!.⭐ Raffle package - Ultimate SXSW Weekend, a $1,500 value! (And tickets are only $25 per!)

An avid adventurer who has worked in the outdoor industry since 2016, Justin has explored mountains, canyons & dirt roads all around the world. His goal is to provide Explore Austin's youth with all the tools they need to #getoutside so they can challenge themselves!

👋 BID & BUY RAFFLE TIX HERE: 🌟 Quest for the Summit Auction & Raffle 🌟 .⭐ Closes April 1 @ 8:30 pm.⭐ Bid on dozens of curated packages - swipe to see a preview of items!.⭐ Raffle - Ultimate SXSW Weekend! (Need not be present at the event to win.)