Some projects aren’t born with a manual, but they do begin with a clear purpose. Exploradores was created so that children could have real experiences in nature – spending time amongst canyons, being outdoors together, and learning through shared experiences. Five years after the birth of the program, that original vision remains, as the journey itself has given the program greater shape, depth, and a strong identity of its own.

“When I look back, I feel Exploradores has grown in a very organic way – we learned as we went,” says Rocío Navarro, head of the Communities program at Parque Patagonia and one of Exploradores’ founders. In the beginning, she explains, it was a simple idea: taking children into the canyon and encouraging direct connection with nature. Over time, that experience became “deeper, more complex, and more intentional.”

This growth was no coincidence. Exploradores has gradually consolidated into a program with a clear pedagogical approach, trained teams, and deep roots in the place where it takes place. The process also involved reviewing how things were done, reflecting on the program’s reach, identifying which groups were still missing, and deciding where to focus greater effort. “It was about understanding what works, what the community needs, and what it means to do this here, in this region,” Rocío explains.