About us

Adventure Club SLO is an innovative, dynamic and outdoor nature based program that has helped many people transform their lives on California's central coast. Since 2007, we have offered adventurous social groups focused on nature connection and creativity for neuro-divergent people from age 6 to 75. We are specialists in helping people on the Autism Spectrum, ADHD, head injuries and other special needs. We focus on deep nature and social connection and help people to have a great time every day!

Explore

Guides lead nature-focused adventures all over SLO county. Nature experiences are a great path towards exploring self awareness and social connection. Collaboration is always encouraged and flexible thinking is emphasized.

Create

Besides the strong emphasis on Nature and adventure, Adventure Club SLO works with participants on numerous creative projects, such as movie making, music and art. Our film making has produced eleven features and numerous shorts over the last ten years .

Connect

We bring together diverse individuals in carefully matched small groups to help foster friendships, connect with the community and the natural world. Together we work on clearly defined goals while exploring, collaborating and having fun! 

Meet our Team

Meet the team of Guides that help make Adventure Club SLO friendly, creative, and fun!

JOhn gange

Director / Founder / Lead Guide

With a deep love for Nature, John ("Johnee")  Gange has been guiding extraordinary individuals in SLO county for almost 35 years. He is dad to a sweet little girl, an autism specialist, film maker, and Aikido black belt. He is also a musician and surfs almost every day. Johnee loves connecting and co-creating with the ACSLO community on every adventure.

COLIN MOYNIER

Guide

Colin has been guiding with ACSLO since 2014. He is a Cambria native and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the natural wonders of the central coast. He takes very long hikes , likes to garden, shoots hoops and enjoys time with his friends.

EllioTT KWONG

Guide

Elliott really loves the outdoors. In this last year as a guide he has been stoked exploring all the beautiful parts of this area with the AC community and helping everyone have a great time. He enjoys working on improv short videos with ACSLO members and is a gifted photographer too. He enjoys watching movies, fencing and being creative.

Anna Lillian MERCADO

Guide

Anna Lillian has years of experience in the field and is also an extra talented photographer, herbalist and mother. She brings much creative energy and joy to the AC community and especially to our Women’s Adventure Club SLO.

NAncy Harper

Guide/Program Coordinator

Nancy has worked with neurodiverse individuals ages 6-60 in the outdoors, the classroom, on the job, in the gym, and in the home for 18 years. She feels the best environment for mental, physical and social health is the outdoors; learning growing and connecting with new challenges and experiences every day. She loves to travel, dance, read, practice yoga and play any paddle game. Preferably all outdoors!

Emily Dawes

Guide

Emily is a backpacking guide and outdoor educator from Lake Tahoe, CA. She is so excited to be exploring the beautiful Central Coast with Adventure Club and looks forward to building lasting nature connections.

Come join us!

Contact us if you're interested in joining Adventure Club or have any questions.

** It is helpful to us to know the following info:

Group interested in Adult/Teen/Kids

Are you a TCRC client?

If so… Name of SC

Contact email

Contact phone

City of residence

How did you hear about ACSLO?

Van PICK up Locations

San Luis Obispo Location:

SLO City Hall,
990 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Atascadero Location:

Sunken Gardens,
6505 El Camino Real, Atascadero CA 93422