Our Activities

Our primary activities are working with underserved youth, taking them on camping trips, day hikes, rock climbing, engaging in some service work, and teaching the youth about nutrition in Yosemite National Park, Pinnacles National Park and around the Eastern Sierra. Ron and Katie also do presentations at outdoor industry venues, schools, and other locations.

Sacred Rok offers day trips and camping trips for youth in foster care, youth in the Probation system, and other young people who can benefit from the opportunity to learn about nature. The kids love the chance to slow down and learn about nature their own way, by experiencing it. Slowing down, walking, swimming, breathing fresh air, eating – all such ordinary experiences — open their senses to let nature be the healer.

Since Sacred Rok was established in 2009, we have taken young people from Merced, Mariposa, Fresno, San Benito, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Inyo counties as well as other northern and central California counties on day trips and camping trips.  Different trips have included foster youth from Merced County, Probation youth incarcerated at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Facility in Merced and San Benito Probation, Inyo County Probation and early intervention, youth from the Merced Boys & Girls Club, young people from Planada, Native American youth from various tribes throughout the Sierra, Big Pine 6th grade class, Jill Kinmont Boothe School in Bishop and Mariposa Middle School youth, among others.  We are grateful for the support of Clif Bar Family Foundation, Patagonia, The Gumerlock Family Foundation, William H. Moffat, Jr. Foundation, Yosemite Conservancy, United Way of Merced County, the Merced County Community Foundation, and many individual donors. 

We hope that the friendships we have cultivated with the young people on these trips continues to grow. We hope these campers will continue to come back to visit Ron as they move through the cusp of adulthood into their lives as young adults.

Camping and Day Trips

Sacred Rok leads 3- 5 camping trips and 25-30 day-trips each year. 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.  Day trips are typically in Yosemite Valley, Pinnacles National Park or around the Bishop, CA area in the Eastern Sierra.

Each camp is 1 to 4 nights. Ideally, no more than six youth attend each camping trip, to allow smaller groups on the trails and more of an opportunity to build relationships. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, nature walks, spending time at the river, and some service work. The Sacred Rok experience is transformative for both the youth and the adults.

Since June 2009, we have led camping trips with foster youth from Merced County and northern California, Probation youth incarcerated at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Facility in Merced, San Benito County Juvenile Hall, youth from Planada, Fresno and Merced, Native youth from the Yosemite area and Owens Valley, and Mariposa Middle School youth, Big Pine youth and others.

Prior to the camping, Ron and/or Katie like to lead one or more day trips with the youth, giving these young people the opportunity to slow down, breathe, and experience nature at their own pace. 

Every day youth take a hike or walk. In the Valley, campers visit Fern Spring, walk to Mirror Lake, hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls or Inspiration Point, and explore the Visitor Center. In Tuolumne Meadows, campers visit Soda Springs, hike up the back of Lembert Dome, walk by Pothole Dome to the river, and hike to Cathedral Lakes. Every day they have a chance to swim in the river.

These young people are aware of the power of their experience in nature.  As he looked up at the massive granite face of El Capitan, one Probation youth commented, “No matter who you are, rich or poor, good or bad, you still got this.”  On another trip, at the campfire on the last night, one of the foster youth said, “This trip has been the highlight of my life.”

Food is also a key element in our camps, with emphasis on wild foraged, seasonal, locally produced and affordable 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.

Typical Day Trip schedule

• 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 p.m.

typical camp day schedule

• 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

• Explore Yosemite Visitor Center – 3:00 – 4:00

• Back to camp for evening activities

• Dinner and cleanup: 6:00 – 8:00

• Campfire with a guest speaker – 8:00 – 9:00

Here is a poem written by one of the adults on our June 2009 camping trip.