North Austin Optimist (NAO), is a nonprofit organization established in 1952.  It is run by the club membership - all volunteers. The official club name is Optimist Club of North Austin. Its primary focus is to provide sports activities, educational programs, self-esteem, and skill enhancement to the youth in our community and surrounding areas. 

The programs we host involve both male and female youth, ages 4 to 18, and their families.  Currently NAO provides services for approximately 500 youth in year round programs.  The NAO membership and innumerable volunteers assisting in these character-building programs take immense pride in providing Austin's youth a chance to participate in their community. NAO is committed to serving youth regardless of their race, creed, religion, or financial status, in the belief that both boys and girls of all ages will be welcomed with open arms.  Our ultimate goal is to "become the betterment and welfare of today's youth."

NAO falls under the big umbrella of Optimist International (OI), whose main headquarters is in St. Louis, Missouri.  Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local clubs whose members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities, and in themselves.  For more information about OI, CLICK HERE and it will redirect you to their site.

If you have interest in becoming a club member at NAO, please reach out to us for more information.  We welcome you!  Feel free to email [email protected] for more information.

The club meets the second Monday of every month at 6:45pm, here at the sports complex. 


History Behind the Optimist Creed ~ author Christian D. Larson
Optimist International adopted this creed in 1922. It was originally published in 1912 by Christian D. Larson, a creative and inventive writer. Larsen believed that people have tremendous untapped or hidden powers, which could be harnessed for success with the proper attitude. Promise Yourself.