About us
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
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Elevation - Hill and Stair Interval Training - Meet at the Cistern
The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine Street, Houston, TX, USParking:
Please refer to the map below for available parking areas, indicated with a P.
Parking Map
Meeting Location:
We will meet at the Buffalo Bayou Cistern
Welcome 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 Map13 attendees
Full moon night Hike at Memorial Park (+/-5 miles)
Cullen Running Trails Center, 7575 N Picnic Ln, Houston, TX, USNEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. Video summary
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After the event has started, we do not respond to comments. These trails are not "out and back" and are too tricky to catchup. There is no planned route.
PAID PARKING $ for 3 hour intervals, free after 9pm. Cash, credit card, or app
Parking app
An automatic gate to the parking area closes @ 7pm. When exiting it opens up when you approach the gate.
Sunset is at 6pm-ish. Come enjoy some stress relieving time in the woods of Memorial Park and get to know some of your NEO brethren better. :-) The next full moon is the "Snow" moon.
If the trails are water logged we have other options like the arboretum next door, the lieberman loop, or the picnic loop . We'll keep an ear and eye open for the OWLS 🦉that live in the woods.
Be sure to bring bug spray, a headlamp (approx 125 lumens or adjustable to approximately 125, anything over 200 is too bright) and comfy tennis shoes or boots with good tread. For restrooms the running center closes @ 7pm (6pm Nov-Feb). At the far end of the parking lot and running track, next to the "Rally" pavillion, is another set of restrooms. Parking @ the running center is NOW (as of Dec 2024) $2 for 3 hours. Free after 9pm. Cash, credit card or the parking app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sharewire.parkhouston
We will head out onto the trail about 5 minutes after event time. I'll chat abit about the trails and NEO during those 5 minutes.
This hike is not stroller friendly...the trails are narrow and bumpy with many roots and elevation ups and downs, slopes.
Dogs are welcome but must be friendly, and they must stay on a leash at all times...no exceptions. There could be multiple dogs, so be sure they are not dog aggressive.
There is another event, "Fireside snack & chat" 30 minutes after this event @ the Eastern Glades section of Memorial park, 5 min drive down Memorial dr. Bring something to eat or go pick something up and join us after the hike. I just have to find which Pavillion is available and to set up. I'll post a comment of which location in the "Fireside" event page.
What to bring:
Flashlight or headlamp (approx 125 lumens, no brighter than 200)
Water/hydration/electrolytes
Snack
Shoes with good treads
BUG SPRAY71 attendees
Fireside snack & chat, full moon Eastern Glades
Eastern Glades South parking, 6502 Memorial dr, Houston, tx, USFamily friendly event
NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. Video summary
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After a sunset/full moon night hike (separate from this event) through the dirt trails of Memorial Park we will snack and chat by a fire, listening to the night time sounds of Hines lake nearby. Everyone is welcome to enjoy, it's family friendly. The next full moon is the "snow" moon.
The Eastern Glades area has 4 fire pits/pad sites and two Pavillions, Promenade & South lakeside with fireplaces all lined up in a row next to each other. The North pavillion is next to the courtyard with strings of patio hanging lights. It is 1st come 1st serve for these spots so we will not know which one is available until after the hike and I see which one is available. After the event start time, at 815pm, look for a comment of which Pavillion is available.
At this event I will ask if anyone has a birthday in February. They will make a wish and blow out a burning marshmallow 🎂
Parking is free after 9pm but only $2 for 3 hours before then.
There is a restroom next to the parking/picnic area.
I will bring some firewood (oak, hickory, ash, ect). DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED
What to Bring:
-Something to eat and/or drink (no glass)
-CAMP CHAIR optional, there are 5 picnic tables with benches
-Bug spray
- I'll bring some Smores (skewers, chocolate striped cookie or Graham cracker, chocolate, marshmellow)
-A love for the sounds of nature at night
-Topic for discussion
-campfire stories/games
There is no smoking within any city parks29 attendees
Past events
2381
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