Inside The Expedition School
MISSION
The Expedition School’s mission is to provide the best and safest quality outdoor education experiences.
HISTORY
The Expedition School was founded in 2006 by Kimery Duda—who was inspired by the transformation of her students she witnessed in the field. Students were more engaged, inspired, and walked away with a heightened sense of accomplishment, confidence, and empowerment when in the outdoors.
Since 2006, The Expedition School has proudly served thousands of schools throughout the State of Texas in providing safe, fun, professional and transformative outdoor education experiences. They were the first to bring Stand Up Paddling to the City of Austin – and have safely guided and assisted hundreds of thousands of participants in the field and on the water in Stand Up Paddling, Canoeing, and Kayaking.
We teach and train in Safety! VOTED TOP Training Provider by the American Red Cross for 7 years in a row. Today, over 350 lives have been saved by students who have taken safety courses with The Expedition School. Over one million individuals have safely participated in programs from teambuilding events, outdoor education, customized expeditions, high ropes and low ropes courses, kayaking, Stand Up Paddling, and canoeing rental programs.
GOALS
The Expedition School’s goals stand true through today—to reinvest in community by providing:
- Quality, accessible and affordable outdoor education programs and experiences
- Unique, hands-on, fun, engaging and professional safety courses
Individuals come away with new or renewed self-confidence, strengthened leadership, new perspectives, practical skills, knowledge, extraordinary memories, and a steward of the environment.
FACULTY AND STAFF
The Expedition School faculty are seasoned professionals who are professional guides and educators. In addition to professional guiding and teaching at The Expedition School, our faculty work as professional educators, MDs, RNs, Flight Paramedics, AEMTs, EMT-Bs, Ocean and Waterfront Lifeguards. Our faculty bring an incredible depth and breadth of experience.
The Expedition School follows the most current and up to date guidelines and statistics from – local, – state, – national and – international reputable sources: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); World Health Organization (WHO); State Health Services; Fish & Game; Parks and Wildlife Departments; and Parks and Recreation Departments.
Additionally, we are storytellers—passing on real occurrences—on prevention; recognition; and response situations from our Expedition School alumni to inspire our students in the classroom. Quality training and student empowerment build stronger communities.
PROGRAMS
Outdoor programming must inspire a collective and enriching experience. We work with all ages and abilities in all environments to ensure a transformative experience. Teambuilding programs and custom-tailored outdoor education programs are developed for each group we work with so that we can focus on the core initiatives, strategies, and goals. CPR/AED and professional safety classes should be fun and relevant to the medical incidences particular to the area of travel, exploration, or location of the business.
Our environmental initiatives are an integral part of all programs. The Expedition School imagines a cleaner world through empowering ownership and action in each of our students. Every program is dedicated to leaving the area we explore cleaner than we found it. Furthermore, we hope that our alumni go on to implement these practices in their homes and communities as conscientious conservationists and stewards of our planet.
SAFETY
Safety is paramount with The Expedition School. Whether we are Stand Up Paddling, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, hiking, climbing, running a teambuild program, or teaching safety courses, safety is always a top concern at The Expedition School. All participants are taught general safety skills and how to avoid or deal with specific risks. The School has a board of medical practitioners and physicians who review and approve all staff medical certifications, medical kits, and emergency medical protocols in each expedition location. All guides possess current certifications in CPR for the Professional Rescuer/BLS Provider, Automated External Defibrillators, and First Aid Training. All lead guides have at minimum Wilderness First Aid and Waterfront Lifeguarding certifications, access to the most effective form of communication in the area, and complete geographical knowledge of the area to be explored.
CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Expedition School is committed to the environment. Since 2006, we have picked up over 10 tons of trash and 4 tons of recycling in and around Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TX. Furthermore, we were proud recipients of the 2017 Litter Abatement Award from Keep Austin Beautiful for our dedication to our location on the lake. Wherever we explore, our goal is to have as little environmental footprint as possible and to leave our area cleaner than the conditions we found it in. Leave No Trace principles are taught and practiced in every program. We support locally owned and operated businesses who share this same ethos.
GIVE A GIFT TO CHANGE A LIFE
Email info@expeditionschool.com or call the School directly: (512) 626-6282. We can email or mail the gift certificate to the recipient. All denominations are accepted for all programs.