The Current Annual Report

We are happy to share our most recent Annual Report with you all. You may access the report by clicking on the image above.

Thank you for being part of the Sacred Rok community. We finished our twelfth year of working with under-served youth from the Central Valley and Eastern Sierra. What started as a camping trip with a small group of foster youth from Merced has evolved into a community of like- minded collaborators who understand the value and power of time spent learning, discovering, and connecting with the natural world.

Our mission is to support youth in nature – by helping them develop a respect for nature and in turn learning to respect themselves. We accomplish our mission through taking young people on hiking, climbing, fishing, & camping trips, teaching them the skills to be self-reliant, self-sustaining and purpose minded human beings. This is what we call, “Education Nature’s Way.”

As Covid-19 continues to be a presence in our daily lives we learned to adapt in unique ways. The need to support youth in nature for health and wellbeing has never been more pressing than now.

Throughout the year, in spite of challenges and in line with the safest practices for gathering, Sacred Rok held thirty-two trips to Yosemite National Park, Pinnacles National Park and Bishop, Ca from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

We owe special thanks to our supporters, without whom our efforts would not be possible. We are so grateful for the many donations that we receive from people who are inspired by our story, who read our newsletter, attend our events or meet our staff and volunteers in the field.

We hope you enjoy this Annual Report and we appreciate your continued support!

Sincerely,

Sacred Rok

New Beginnings

As we recognize the solstice as a turning point into the new year and a new cycle, we pause to consider all that last year showed us. Even in times of extreme changes in the world this last year brought us many great experiences in nature with our youth. 

The classroom of nature always seems to inspire a higher intelligence of awareness. Without a doubt for us this is higher education – One that should be considered an inalienable right for our youth to express their authentic selves.    

Our youth, who over the last two years, have been locked in their houses with online school and having to wear masks seem to transform before our very eyes as we go out into nature and experience hiking, rock climbing and fishing; Exemplifying the human need for nurturing through the simplicity of just being in nature. It’s as if the elements in nature are communicating with all of us and giving a sense of connection and comfort. 

What we recognize is that when our youth feel good about themselves, respect themselves and interact with a caring adult within these natural environments everything seems to connect and make sense. We are committed to helping our kids build a foundation that is like roots for themselves to grow in a way that is healthy - mentally, physically, and spiritually. 

We are in a highly technological time and our future is clearly at a crossroads. To navigate these crossroads we need to be able to think clearly and being in nature can help advance our ability to think clearly, responsibly and respectfully. It’s like Einstein said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." 

 What will our future become if we allow technology to take over the ability of a human being to connect with nature and the reality of living in the natural world? If our youth do not learn about their connection to nature and the reality of what it means to be a human, it’s hard to imagine the future of life on Earth. 

The Sacred Rok classroom is nature and our lessons are based on sincerity, respect and responsibility for ourselves and each other. What we are learning is that the Earth is here for us. The Earth is referenced as a mother because she truly nurtures all life. We have nothing without the Earth. 

 The pillars of Sacred Rok are adult care, good nutrition, outdoor activities, and nurturing experiences that give our youth a solid foundation so that they always have a reference that helps them feel good. It is about keeping the human being human by keeping the connection to the Earth. 

We are committed more than ever to see a future that can respect all life, that works together with the higher intelligence that has been written into nature from the beginning. 

 We sincerely thank you, 

Ron Kauk, Executive Director

Katie Lambert, Chief Operating Officer

This vision of Sacred Rok, which started in 2009, has only been possible through your generous donations and we are always thankful for that. 

The Harmony of Nature

Sacred Rok Nature classes 

-       June 29th, July 5th - Walking From the Heart Yosemite Valley, adult trips

-       July 9th, Aug 9th, Aug 10th, Aug 17th, Sept 26th – Girls Climbing Club day trips Bishop & Tuolumne 

-       July 31st – Aug 3rd Volunteer overnight trip with youth and Yosemite Climbing Ranger in Tuolumne 

-       Oct 3rd – BUHS climbing club in Bishop 

-       Oct 11th – San Benito Probation day trip in Pinnacles National Park 

The learning about our connection to nature and the earth has to be considered in order to say we are truly educated. 

Sacred Rok is committed to the classroom of nature and the education that promotes the responsibility to take care of our life source – the natural LAW (land, air, and water.)

When we go into nature we want to facilitate the opportunity to think clearly about yourself. We want to promote an understanding of how intelligent we can be with our senses. 

We understand that going into nature reflects completely who we are as human beings. 

The side effects of the modern technological world on our youth through instant gratification like ticktok, instagram, facebook, etc. are creating a distraction. 

We are seeing the results of a disconnect that has lost its respect for nature. 

This is not to blame our young people for being interested in the technological world that is presenting them a false sense of connection, but rather we want to promote the balance between these worlds. 

What we are seeing and experiencing with our youth – given the time in nature - is a rejuvenation that helps them and us learn to commune with nature and with each other.

The higher intelligence of nature is inside all of us. Nature gives us the instructions we need to reference who we are as human beings.  

Sacred Rok continues to find its higher purpose by responding to the times we are in through an evolution that is committed to coming back into balance with the natural world. 

With respect,

Ron Kauk, Executive Director

Katie Lambert, Chief Operating Officer

Rejuvenation

In the last 20 trips that we’ve had in 2021 we are experiencing a kind of phenomena of connection. The last year was very dramatic in being locked down and having to wear masks. Now we are experiencing the freedom to come back into nature. In facilitating these trips it shows us the incredible importance of the nurturing of nature for the human spirit and wellbeing. 

 These trips are continuing to develop our interpretation of what education nature’s way means for ourselves and our young people. The wisdom that’s in nature helps bring out the wisdom in ourselves. By harmonizing with the natural world, we harmonize with each other; all human beings need some kind of nurturing. 

 We’ve been like sponges together in soaking up the healing medicine of nature that strengthens our sense of purpose and connection. The simple acts of walking, climbing in nature and eating good food is a whole other level of what it means to be content, heathy, intelligent human beings.

 As we’ve known all along, if the human being is separate from nature it causes disfunction and a kind of sickness that plagues our society. What we’re understanding is that the human need for connection with the earth and all living beings is crucial for the future of all life. 

 Everything is hanging in the balance at this point. If we can respect nature and respect ourselves those simple acts can change the consciousness of humanity. 

 Connecting with the world heritage site of Yosemite is a way to keep our minds open that anything is possible. We feel this magic here that inspires the world to appreciate the beauty of nature and we want our youth to see that beauty in themselves. 

 We have entered another stage of our nonprofit that feels better than ever as far as the clarity we have.  We are committed to represent the sacredness of the natural world. This has to be part of our education - using the gift of our intelligence to take care of what gives us life, which is the natural world. 

Quotes from the youth:

“Yesterday we went hiking up a beautiful trail alongside a beautiful river. Before that we got fresh spring water. It was mind blowing to me, but it was the best water I’ve ever had. That spring was definitely my favorite part of my weekend here. Honestly, even though I am a lifelong resident of Merced I had never really been here before, but I believe it is my duty to visit here more often and learn. I cannot wait to come back.” - Ana, Merced Youth Council

“It was lovely to be back. The water was so cool and I loved climbing the rocks. Being in nature has brought me so much peace that I will carry with me. It was great to share the river with so many great people and spend time connecting with the earth. I hope to be back soon!” - Tessa, Merced Youth Council

“Coming on this trip was one of the most amazing adventures I’ve ever had. I’ll be talking about this for my entire life. Thank you to Katie, Brandi and Ron; from Katie’s amazing and delicious heathy food, to Brandi’s generosity and thoughtful, kind heart to Ron’s adventurous navigating skills - this trip was awesome! Thanks so much for the memories. I absolutely loved spending the weekend here with everyone.” - Kaylie, Merced Youth Council

 “Being able to come back here was amazing! So peaceful and so beautiful. I noticed a bit of growth from the last time. Two years ago I asked what we were going to do, worried about what was to come. Yesterday I asked what we were going to do excited about what was to come. I feel free and at peace when I come. Super thankful!” - Shiwani, Merced Youth Council

With respect,

Ron Kauk, Executive Director

Katie Lambert, COO