What we’re about
If you love camping, backpacking, kayaking, paddleboarding, nature walks, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, photography, outdoor cooking, birding, wildlife viewing, travel, and anything else outdoors... Plus, if you enjoy throwing in some cultural activities, cooking, movie nights, and other one off events with fun people, NEO is for you!
If you like fun volunteer opportunities working with schools and the community to teach others how to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, we have that too! Welcome to NEO (Nature & Eclectic Outdoors)!
NEO is a Texas based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more outdoor oriented lives for better health, happiness, and life balance. Check out our website at [www.NEOproject.org!](http://www.neoproject.org/)
NEO events are open to everyone, and most activities are family, kid, and pet friendly! Events are free or low cost! We supplement our regular outdoor events with amazing cultural opportunities and affordable travel adventures. Our goal is to make outdoor activities and incredible travel events accessible to everyone.
Check out our social media!
www.facebook.com/neoprojecttx
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8GcPNuyaQkWTkUudq1qrYcR7vuI_YlQW
www.twitter.com/neoprojecttx
www.instagram.com/neoprojecttx
www.linkedin.com/company/neoprojecttx
www.pinterest.com/neoprojecttx
We love being outdoors! We want to make sure everyone has the chance to experience hiking, camping, backpacking, cycling, kayaking, geocaching, and anything else they would like to try out. We love to travel and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, and we want others to have this opportunity to travel with us in a safe and relaxed environment.
NEO may host an all day hike at Brazos Bend State Park, a weekend camp at Pedernales Falls, or a cool mid-week night hike at Memorial Park. You could even find us introducing members to the Colorado Rockies on a long weekend! Whatever NEO does, we’re going to make some new friends, create amazing lifelong memories, and have a blast!
NEO has several special initiatives described on our website atwww.neoproject.org, but one initiative in particular has gained us incredible respect and notoriety. Through our “Wilderness Kids” initiative, NEO encourages kids and families to get off the couch, away from the video games and cell phones, and OUTSIDE. With the help of contributions and donations, NEO hosts events and clinics designed to teach kids necessary skills for enjoying outdoor activities and thriving in the natural world. Kids develop leadership and teamwork skills while learning about water safety, hiking, camping, nature and wildlife, and much more! They are also introduced to people from all walks of life and from all over the world, giving them a broader understanding of the world and cultures around them.
We partner with schools, businesses, and other organizations to facilitate field trips, on campus events, and team builders. We also host private events that help support our nonprofit mission. Get in touch with us today to discuss these special programs and events.
If you would like to learn more about becoming involved in our NEO Volunteer Corps helping out at fun community outreach events and in our school partnerships, email us at [contact@neoproject.org!](http://www.neoproject.org/?page_id=891)
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Elevation - Hill and Stair Interval Training -Meet at Bridge Next to the CisternThe Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston, TX
Parking:
Please refer to the map below for available parking areas, indicated with a P.
Parking MapMeeting Location:
We will meet at the south end of the Sabine Street BridgeWelcome to a unique workout in the flatlands of Houston – Elevation Training using one of the few topographic features in Houston, Buffalo Bayou!
We start with a couple stations along the Bayou itself then go on to downtown and utilize the structures and monuments there. You may choose to go up and down the stairs as slow or fast as you want. This hike is meant to help you push a little and see your strength improve over time. There are 6 stops total, covering a distance of about 4.5 miles in about 90 minutes and, if you’re ambitious, can get about 1,000 feet of elevation gain!
I want to stress, this is a workout. You will need to wear tennis shoes and proper workout attire. Headlamps are desired in the winter, and water is especially needed in the summer. Be sure to dress for the weather, regardless!
The paths may be slippery, muddy, or dark.
No worries if you're running late. Just meet up with us along the route. Follow the link to see the route and stops:
Elevation Training Map - Havasupai Waterfall Backpacking Trip + Zion National ParkHavasu Falls, Supai, AZ$1,325.00
See the initial Havasupai logistics and informational Zoom call HERE: https://youtu.be/U7r0dM-qMFY
We will have a Backpacking 101 camp in August so you can practice hiking with your full pack before we do Havasupai. We will also schedule a Backpacking Gear 101 at Academy and REI ahead of the trip. If you do not have all the gear you need, you will probably be able to borrow from other NEO members, so don't let that hold you back from participating. You also don't need to be a hardcore backpacking superstar to attend. I suggest jumping into a few of our Elevation Training hikes on Wednesdays to help you train.
Check out this video from one of our past Havasupai trips: https://youtu.be/PWkRpAQsA6M?si=M3d2VNTFCRorTmvo
You need to have the type of personality that can go with the flow, adjust to changing circumstances, and get along well with others. Drama will not be tolerated.
You may pay your $1325 RSVP fee via Zelle at "contact@neoproject.org" with no additional fee. If you need to pay via Paypal or credit card, you will need to cover any associated fees.
Overnight accommodations at Zion and Peach Springs are hotel rooms with two beds (queens at Zion and doubles in Peach Springs), one person to a bed. The $1325.00 RSVP fee will include overnight hotel accommodations at Zion and Peach Springs, the large passenger van for the trip, gas, Havasupai entrance and camping fees, and park entrance fees at Zion. Airfare, food, incidentals, hotel rooms in Las Vegas (if you are staying there before or after the main Zion/Havasupai trip portion) etc, are your responsibility.
Here is the basic itinerary:
- August 28, 10:00 AM: We will meet at the rental car center at Harry Reid International Airport. If your flight is very late, we will head to Zion without you, but you can catch a shuttle to Zion and catch up with us. I am flying in on the 27th to ensure I will be there by 10:00 AM on the 28th.
- August 28-31: We will stay at Zion Canyon Lodge at Zion National Park. We will all apply for the day before Angels Landing lottery. If we get the lottery, we will hike Angels Landing. We will also do the Narrows hike. You are not required to do those hikes if you would like to do other hikes in Zion.
- Aug 31 - Sept 1: We will drive to Peach Springs, get our Havasupai packs ready, go to bed very early, and wakeup super early on Sept. 1 to drive to the Havasupai trailhead before backpacking into the canyon.
- Sept. 1: We will hike into Havasupai. You do not need to hike the entire way with your entire backpack. I will be dropping my backpack at the trailhead to be helicoptered in, so I just need to hike in with my hydration pack and pick up my backpack at Supai Village. Then, I just need to hike with my full backpack for 1.5 miles. Helicoptering your backpack costs about $40.
- Sept. 1-4: We will camp at the Havasupai campground area, do a variety of waterfall hikes, and do a lot of relaxing in the water.
- Sept. 4: We will hike or helicopter out of Havasupai and head to the Las Vegas Airport. You may choose to pay and take the helicopter out of Havasupai Village through the Grand Canyon to the top of the trailhead. I will be doing this. The cost is about $100. We will all meet at the trailhead before driving back to Las Vegas. If you plan to fly out the evening of the 4th, choose that last flight out for the day. The time we arrive back in Vegas will depend on how quickly we get out of the canyon. I suggest just staying overnight at Las Vegas. I will be staying over in Vegas until Sunday, Sept. 7th. You will need to make your own hotel reservations for any nights you stay in Vegas.
To pay your for your RSVP, you can pay $1325.00 via Zelle with no fees through your bank's Zelle payment option on the bank's app or website. Just send your payment to "contact@neoproject.org". Message me when you have made your payment so I can confirm your spot.
You can also pay via Paypal, but the total amount charged will be $1370.00 to cover Paypal fees charged to NEO. The link to pay via Paypal is https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2WWCWSRXSNQMG
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NEO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to lead more outdoor-oriented lives for better health, well-being, and resilience. Much of our work is with schools and historically marginalized communities. If you like what we do, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through your bank's Zelle option to "contact@neoproject.org", or become a monthly donor at neoproject.org/donate.
Thank you!
