Our Mission Statement

Excolo exists to create positive change in communities by providing travel opportunities to youth with otherwise limited access to resources, opening their eyes to a broader world of experience and opportunity, and kindling their passions for future success.

How It Started

Nearly 25 years ago, while working as a camp counselor, I witnessed a moment I’ve never forgotten.

A group of kids from underserved communities was supposed to take a trip to the beach. One camper, 10-year-old Zach, asked if his mom could come—she had lived less than 50 miles from the coast her entire life but had never seen the ocean.

When weather changed the plans, we visited the zoo and then stopped at a shopping center that overlooked the St Johns River. On the way home, when someone apologized to Zach’s mom because she didn’t get to see the ocean, she smiled and said, “Oh, I did. Zach showed it to me. It’s huge!”

Zach thought the river was the ocean. He didn’t know the difference—and neither did she. She was elated, and no one had the heart to correct her.

That moment stayed with me. It revealed just how limited access to the world can shape what we know—and what we believe is possible.

Our Mission

For many of us, travel is something we take for granted. But for too many children, the chance to experience the world beyond their immediate surroundings never comes.

For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked with children—as a foster parent, tutor, and volunteer—and one truth remains constant: access to opportunity is not equal.

Many students face barriers not just in academics, but in experiences—like travel—that build confidence, curiosity, and a sense of possibility. These moments matter. They shape how kids see themselves and their future.

We believe the world should be within reach for every child.

Because sometimes, seeing something as vast as the ocean isn’t just a trip—it’s a turning point.

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