Wat we doen
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)
Aankomende evenementen (4+)
Alles weergeven- Backpacking 101: Lake Somerville State Park - adults onlyLake Somerville State Park - Nails Creek, Ledbetter, TXUSD 30,00
This is a 3-part "choose your own adventure" event including multiple components. You can choose to participate in whichever parts you like. The 3 parts include:
- Backpacking 101 (this post) with 13-mile hike (adults only), July 25-27
- Regular Camping (anyone can participate), July 25-27
- Horseback Trail Ride (anyone can participate as time and space allow), July 26
When you sign up, choose "Backpacking 101" or "Regular Camping." DO NOT RSVP FOR BOTH. The RSVP fee covers your tent or hammock space, but you will need to pay your own park entrance fee.
Some NEO members are doing a Havasupai backpacking trip in September. This is a practice backpacking trip that will allow attendees to test their gear in a safe environment before taking it on the big Havasupai trip. All NEO members are welcome to join us on this Backpacking 101 adventure! No experience is necessary, but this is an adults-only activity.
We will simulate our Havasupai conditions as closely as possible. This includes coming in on Friday, getting to bed relatively early with all of our gear ready to go, and setting off on a 13-mile hike with our backpacking gear starting at about 5:00 AM as we will do at Havasupai. The terrain is not terribly difficult. It's really more about the length of the hike and the weight on your back.
You do not have to pack everything with you. You will have access to your cars in the evenings if you really need something. Challenge yourselves as much or as little as you like.
Also, let's each bring a couple of the dehydrated backpacking meals so we can try them out and see which ones we like the best. Please post the meals you plan to bring here so we don't duplicate each other and all show up with the same thing. I will bring my favorite, Chili Mac!
Trail conditions in this park change frequently depending on rain, so we will decide together on Friday night which route we want to head out on Saturday morning.
Some additional people may join us to camp on Saturday evening, but we will have a separate area of camp for families and an adults-only area. The hike will be adults-only. We have some spare tents to lend out and some group stoves if anyone needs to use them.
While our campsites will have water, electric, bathrooms, and showers, I encourage everyone to test themselves as if they are primitive camping. I'll leave it to you to decide on your comfort level. This is a great park to try out hammock camping!
Come to test yourself and your gear in a safe space with backpackers of all experience levels.
***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. There are multiple donation options available. Your dollars make a difference! Thank you!
- Lake Somerville Camp (everyone welcome)Lake Somerville State Park - Nails Creek, Ledbetter, TXUSD 30,00
This is a 3-part "choose your own adventure" event including multiple components. You can choose to participate in whichever parts you like. The 3 parts include:
- Backpacking 101 with 13-mile hike (adults only), July 25-27
- Regular Camping (this post) (anyone can participate), July 25-27
- Horseback Trail Ride (anyone can participate as time and space allow), July 26
When you sign up, choose "Backpacking 101" or "Regular Camping." DO NOT RSVP FOR BOTH. The RSVP fee covers your tent or hammock space, but you will need to pay your own park entrance fee.
While some of our members are doing a more intensive simulated backpacking experience, those who choose to may join in just the camping portion of this event. The backpackers will come in Friday and get their packs ready before heading out on a 13 mile hike Saturday morning at 5:00 AM. Campers are welcome to join in the hike as long as they don't interfere with the experience of the backpacking 101 participants. The hike will not be a death march. It will just test the endurance gear of those who participate. We will all support each other in getting through the hike.
The backpackers will not get into the campground until early afternoon, so people who come to camp and don't participate in the 13 mile hike need to just enjoy the park on their own until the main group arrives in the campground. Please respect this and don't set up camp while we are gone. You can enjoy fishing, swimming, hiking, and more while you wait for us to get into camp.
Children are welcome to attend the camping portion of this event, but we will have separate campsites dedicated as family areas and adult-only areas. Campsites have electric, water, and nearby restrooms/showers.
NEO has a limited number of tents for people to borrow if they need to. We will also provide cooking gear.
By the way, this is a great park to try hammock camping in. Feel free to bring bikes, kayaks, inner tubes, or anything else you like to enjoy camp.
Come to test yourself and your gear in a safe space with campers of all experience levels.
***
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. There are multiple donation options available. Your dollars make a difference! Thank you!
