What we’re about
If you love gardening, 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!
We are currently seeking volunteer activity hosts. Please message us if you are interested. We will provide training and logistics support for activities if needed.
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, well-being, and resilience. Check out our website at [www.NEOproject.org](http://www.neoproject.org/)
If you like what we do, please consider becoming a monthly donor at [www.NEOproject.org/donate](https://www.neoproject.org/donate)
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.
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 at**www.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 (2)
See all- NEO Camp and Outdoor Event Training (by TPWD)Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, TX
You must be approved and officially registered to attend this event. You cannot just show up. Since this is a limited-attendance event, your RSVP must be officially approved by Jennifer B. to attend.
NEO is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partner, and we are certified to host special family and youth camps through a TPWD program. We host at least 4 of these camps per year in addition to our other camps and events.
Because of our partnership with TPWD, we are granted a few free spots in their outdoor skills training program, and we send a few people who are interested in learning to assist or lead NEO outdoor events to this training when it is available a couple of times a year.
During this training, you will learn:
- How to choose a campsite
- How to pitch a tent
- Campfire starting and safety
- Outdoor cooking
- Basic angling (fishing)
- Outdoor safety
- Basic biking
- Misc. other skills
To participate, you must be available for the entire training. If you are interested in participating in this training, please rsvp here and send me a direct message.
***
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 serves schools and historically under-served communities. If you like what we do, please consider making a tax-deductible donation at neoproject.org/donate (https://www.neoproject.org/donate). There are multiple donation options available. Your dollars make a difference!Thank you!
- Havasupai Waterfall Backpacking Trip + Zion + Las VegasHavasupai Falls, Supai, AZ$1,450.00
This is a parking spot for our upcoming, highly-coveted Havasupai Waterfall backpacking, Zion National Park, and Las Vegas trip coming up from August 28 - September 6th.
Check out this video from one of our past Havasupai trips: https://youtu.be/PWkRpAQsA6M?si=M3d2VNTFCRorTmvo
This is just the bare-bones posting and is not accepting RSVPs yet. The purpose of this post is to allow people who are interested some time to gather the funds they will need for the RSVP. This posting will go live on May 1st at 7:30 AM with a waitlist. This is a very limited-attendance trip due to restrictions in place by the Havasupai Indian Nation. Spots are already reserved for the 5 people who inspired this trip. We will only have 5 additional spots available.
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.
On May 1st, if you have the RSVP funds, sign up for the waitlist. 5 additional RSVPs will be confirmed based on the order people sign up and whether you have been an active NEO member. We will not give spots to people who have not been active and just want to go on this trip. Once you are approved, you will have 24 hrs to make your $1450.00 RSVP payment. You may pay via Zelle with no additional fee. If you need to pay via Paypal or credit card, you will need to cover any associated fees. Otherwise, your spot will be offered to the next person on the list.
Overnight accommodations at Zion and Las Vegas are hotel rooms with two beds (queens at Zion and kings in Vegas), one person to a bed. The $1450.00 RSVP fee will include all overnight hotel accommodations, the large passenger van for the trip, gas, Havasupai entrance and camping fees, and park fees. Airfare, food, incidentals, etc, are your responsibility. If you are willing to share a bed instead of having your own bed, we may be able to adjust your RSVP lower accordingly.
Here is the basic itinerary:
- August 28-30: We will stay at Zion Canyon Lodge at Zion National Park
- September 1-4: We will backpack in and camp in Havasupai.
- September 4: We will leave Havasupai and head to Las Vegas. You may choose to pay and take the helicopter out of Havasupai Village through the Grand Canyon to the top of the trailhead. Jennifer will most likely do this.
- September 4-6: We will drive to Las Vegas and stay a the Circa Adults Only Resort Hotel and Casino on Freemont Street. Freemont is very cool!
More details will come soon, and we will have some Zoom calls to go over detailed logistics ahead of the trip.
***
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!
