We plan 4 trips a year in Yosemite National Park. In May, June, and October camping trips are in Yosemite Valley or El Portal (2,000 – 4,000 feet elevation). July through September we camp in Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 feet elevation), which has perfect weather in late summer.
Each camp is 1 to 4 nights. Ideally, four youth attend each camping trip, to allow smaller groups on the trails and more of an opportunity to build relationships. Activities include hiking, nature walks, and spending time at the river. The Sacred Rok experience is transformative for both the campers and the adults.
In June 2009, Ron led a camping trip with foster youth from Merced County who later developed a PowerPoint presentation and shared it with other foster youth who had not been able to go camping.
In summer 2010, Ron led four Sacred Rok camping trips, both in Yosemite Valley and at Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Two of the trips were with young men from the Merced County Probation Department who are incarcerated at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Facility. Prior to camping, Ron led three day trips with these young men, giving them the opportunity to slow down, breathe, and experience Yosemite Valley at their own pace. As they looked up at the massive granite face of El Capitan, George commented, “No matter who you are, rich or poor, good or bad, you still got this,”
Two of the trips were with teenagers who are in foster care and are enrolled in the Merced County Human Services Agency Independent Living Program. Some of the teens were repeat campers, including one young woman who has come to all three of the camps we have had for foster kids. At the campfire on the last night, Juan said, “This trip has been the highlight of my life.”
Every day campers took a hike or walk. In the Valley, campers visited Fern Spring, walked to Mirror Lake, hiked to Vernal and Nevada Falls or Inspiration Point, and explored the Visitor Center. In Tuolumne Meadows, campers visited Soda Springs, hiked up the back of Lembert Dome, walked by Pothole Dome to the river, and hiked to Cathedral Lakes. Every day they had a chance to swim in the river.
Food is also a key element in our camps, with emphasis on good organic food. Campers are encouraged to help with meal preparation and through this they leave our camp with a better understanding of how important nutrition is. They love the food – Katie’s egg and bacon sandwiches for breakfast on a cold morning, or banana pancakes, all made with care and love.
Katie, Sacred Rok's Loving Cook, preparing some homemade goodness for the kids.
A typical day trip schedule is:
Meet at 10:00 a.m.
Explore Fern Spring
Walk to Lower Yosemite Falls
Picnic lunch at El Cap Meadow
Hike to base of El Cap
Head home at 5:00 a.m.
A typical campday schedule is:
Breakfast and cleanup – 8:00
Drive to hike starting point – 9:30
Hike to Old Inspiration Point 10:00 – noon
Picnic lunch and swimming at Cathedral Beach in Yosemite Valley- 1:00 to 3:00
Camping Trips
We plan 4 trips a year in Yosemite National Park. In May, June, and October camping trips are in Yosemite Valley or El Portal (2,000 – 4,000 feet elevation). July through September we camp in Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 feet elevation), which has perfect weather in late summer.
Each camp is 1 to 4 nights. Ideally, four youth attend each camping trip, to allow smaller groups on the trails and more of an opportunity to build relationships. Activities include hiking, nature walks, and spending time at the river. The Sacred Rok experience is transformative for both the campers and the adults.
In June 2009, Ron led a camping trip with foster youth from Merced County who later developed a PowerPoint presentation and shared it with other foster youth who had not been able to go camping.
In summer 2010, Ron led four Sacred Rok camping trips, both in Yosemite Valley and at Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Two of the trips were with young men from the Merced County Probation Department who are incarcerated at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Facility. Prior to camping, Ron led three day trips with these young men, giving them the opportunity to slow down, breathe, and experience Yosemite Valley at their own pace. As they looked up at the massive granite face of El Capitan, George commented, “No matter who you are, rich or poor, good or bad, you still got this,”
Two of the trips were with teenagers who are in foster care and are enrolled in the Merced County Human Services Agency Independent Living Program. Some of the teens were repeat campers, including one young woman who has come to all three of the camps we have had for foster kids. At the campfire on the last night, Juan said, “This trip has been the highlight of my life.”
Every day campers took a hike or walk. In the Valley, campers visited Fern Spring, walked to Mirror Lake, hiked to Vernal and Nevada Falls or Inspiration Point, and explored the Visitor Center. In Tuolumne Meadows, campers visited Soda Springs, hiked up the back of Lembert Dome, walked by Pothole Dome to the river, and hiked to Cathedral Lakes. Every day they had a chance to swim in the river.
Food is also a key element in our camps, with emphasis on good organic food. Campers are encouraged to help with meal preparation and through this they leave our camp with a better understanding of how important nutrition is. They love the food – Katie’s egg and bacon sandwiches for breakfast on a cold morning, or banana pancakes, all made with care and love.
Katie, Sacred Rok's Loving Cook, preparing some homemade goodness for the kids.
A typical day trip schedule is:
A typical campday schedule is:
Here is a poem written by one of the adults on our June 2009 camping trip.
Educational Presentations