Connecting Children And Adults With Nature
Jacinda Elias
By Jacinda Elias, president, SoulTrex ONE
As YWCA Kokokahi committee volunteers looked on, one child after
another excitedly came away from the tree rope-climbing activity with huge smiles spanning across their faces as they ran back to stand in line for another round. Dolly Wong, Kokokahi camp director, shed a tear. “The trees are so happy today,” she said. “They are being loved by all the children climbing the ropes. This is exactly what we need here at Kokokahi!”
Inspired by a vision to reconnect people with nature, SoulTrex ONE (Outdoor Nature Experience) was developed earlier this year to bridge children and adults with our natural world by providing outdoor experiential activities and programs. The tree rope-climbing activity at YWCA Kokokahi Community Fair in September is an example of how SoulTrex ONE connects children with outdoor, nature-based activities. Another event follows Dec. 18 at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, in which SoulTrex ONE will help organize outdoor activities for the Marines’ family day.
SoulTrex ONE volunteer Taylor Eastburn and Climb Aloha employee Eric Phillips belay young tree rope climbers. Photo from SoulTrex ONE
As president, I conceived the idea of a nature-based nonprofit partially funded by a for-profit outdoor adventure store at about the same time I gave birth to my son in 2008.
For the past four years, a group of highly committed, socially responsible entrepreneurs and collaborative partners has teamed up to build SoulTrex ONE. Among the group are Mike Richardson of Climb Aloha, Terry Galpin of Ocean Paddler TV, Linda Awana of SoulTrex, Nakoa Prejean of Hawaiian Ocean Adventures, and Lani Eckart-Dodd, formerly of Hui Malama O Ke Kai.
The organization focuses first in working with other nonprofits supplementing current services provided to Hawaii youths by adding an outdoor flavor, such as bouldering, hiking and Hawaiian canoe sailing. Plans are well under way to develop weekend and intercession camps that teach outdoor skills, as well as sustainable living, for youths and families.
Stay connected with SoulTrex ONE at soultrexone.org or info@soultrexone.org.
Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.
