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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Bike ride, weekday Westchase & Brays bayou trails +/- 11 miles
Chick Fil A, 6840 W Sam Houston parkway 77072, 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. https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIxNjAzMjAyMg
This weekday bike ride will be +/-11 miles along paved trails of Arthur Story park, Brays Bayou.
12+ mph pace
If it is more than you are use to it is an out and back ride. At any point you can stop and wait for the other riders to return or turn around and head back to Storey park. Sunset is around 815pm.
Arthur Storey park is quite large and has an incredible view of the sunset from behind The Home Depot. The park closes at dusk.
Before the day of the ride, fill your tires with air, check your brakes, oil your chain. When riding with the group, ride as if you are riding by yourself. look both ways when crossing intersections.
Be familiar with changing the gears of your bike as you ride to help with the down & ups of the trail.
No open speakers systems, only use one earbud so you can hear other riders alerts.
What to bring:
Bike
Helmet (strongly recommended)
Extra bike tire tube
Hydration/water/electrolytes
Snacks
Bike lights (approx 200 lumens)1 attendee
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 MapMeeting Location:
We will meet at the Buffalo Bayou CisternWelcome 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 Map15 attendees
Walk thru Rice U +/-5 miles some Juneteenth @ Miller afterwards
McGovern Centennial gardens Lot "C", 1500 Hermann Dr, 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. https://youtu.be/YLPJrHs5PCk?list=TLGGYXrB28dE2rIxNjAzMjAyMg
A walk through Herman park and around Rice U (+/-5 miles) to see a thing or two (art, architecture, maybe hear an eastern screech owl ??? That's a long shot but possible). Sunset is at 720pm-ish.
Rice celebrated 100 years in 2012 and there was a light display @ Rice called "Spectacle" watch here https://youtu.be/zh1CTyCcncU
I know a little bit of the architecture/history around Rice University and will pass along what I've learned.
There is a Juneteenth event @ Miller Outdoor theater that same evening, we will stop by for the last hour, 930pm-1030pm. Then, we can get a bite to eat or a simple drink (coffee/tea) nearby. We can discuss at the walk.
Bring:
Water
Comfortable walking shoes
Flashlight or headlamp,
Bug spray
Snack29 attendees- $35.00
Canceled (need venue) Cultural Cooking: Moroccan!
TBD Houston, Texas, TBD Houston, Texas, 77001, Houston, TX, US**Unfortunately, we will have to pause Cultural Cooking events until we find a venue that can accommodate about 20 people. That is the number of attendees we need to make costs work without having to charge a larger rsvp fee. We have all of the equipment, including burners and even a portable countertop oven, but we need enough space for attendees.**
Come learn how to cook a variety of traditional Moroccan dishes! Your rsvp covers the cost of all ingredients to make a fantastic feast with plenty of leftovers for everyone to take home. Morocco's culinary influences include the best of North African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern. The dishes you will make are amazing! They are especially fantastic to add to your cooking rotation because they actually become better as leftovers on the second or third day after making them, as the spices meld with each other and fully bloom.k
Everyone participates in every aspect of this event, including setup and cleanup. You MUST stay until the end of the event to help with cleanup and packup.
This is a limited-attendance event. Payment can be made here via Paypal or Credit Card. You can also pay fee-free via your bank's Zelle feature to Zelle Tag "NEOproject" or email "contact@neoproject.org" or at this QR code link. If you pay via Zelle, please message me so I can add you to the attendee list.
Based on previous event feedback, we are trying something different this time. Participants will be broken up into teams that will each make this full multi-course meal together. The menu will include a traditional Moroccan bread, appetizer, main course, and dessert.
Please let me know if you need to eat vegetarian, vegan, or Kosher/Halal, and I will be sure to include options for you.
Please check out our Signup Genius page to see if you can bring a kitchen tool that will help things go more smoothly.Feel free to bring any additional goodies you would like. This is a bring-your-own-beverage event. You may bring alcohol as long as we are all being responsible adults.
I hope to see you there! Be sure to come hungry, and bring some to-go containers or zip-lock bags. As usual, well-behaved kids are welcome to attend, and kids under 14 can participate for free.
Because there is substantial planning for this event and supplies are purchased ahead of time, NO REFUNDS CAN BE ISSUED for this event unless it is canceled. If you cannot attend for any reason, you can give your spot to someone else or just consider it a much-appreciated donation. Thank you for understanding.
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NEO Cultural Cooking events are part of a NEO (Nature and Eclectic Outdoors) initiative to promote cultural diversity, understanding, and appreciation through delicious food and great conversation. NEO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.7 attendees
Past events
2464
Group links
Members
9,099
