Dear Kroka family and friends, March 30, 2008
The children arrived at the North Woods Stewardship Center yesterday ending the skiing portion of the semester. Now as the snow melts away in the spring sun they will be studying and preparing for the trip south.
As a parent I am becoming more aware of the impact this semester is having on the students. One student wrote in a recent letter home about the 4th leg of skiing, "it isn't about getting there or how efficient we are, this leg is about love." and another student shared about his experience, " I am not that scared little boy anymore I understand what is under my fear is who I truly am."
Thinking about the challenges our children will face in this difficult world we live in, I see these young adults are learning lessons during this semester that will give them the ability to act in the world, without cynicism and a sense of powerlessness so many young people experience. The young people in this program are learning, in my opinion, lessons that matter in adulthood for example: how to build a healthy functioning community, how to maintain healthy relationships through honest and tender communication, the importance of the individual to the the group and the group to the individual, stewardship of our environment, how to truly be deeply happy and awake living simply and close to the earth, and how to solve problems.
Most of our children are able to participate in this program only because Kroka has provided huge amounts of financial aid to them, for example Kroka provided over $60,000 in aid last year for summer programs for children. Because Kroka does so much with so little, dollars have great value and go along way, there is no waste. My observation is that the directors and staff are living their own lives with less in order to make the program possible for these young adults. The teachers are living with students and teaching 24 hours a day. And beyond that they tell us they are privileged to do so. When a student was struggling and unsure if he had the resources to meet the challenges of the program one of the directors stepped away from his other responsibilities and worked individually until that student gained enough confidence to move on. Many other schools would not have taken that added responsibilty on and may have allowed that student experience failure. A Kroka staff said about working with this student, "It is an honor to be involved in a life that is right at the turning point. It is a gift".
As a parent of a semester student who would never have been able to attend this program without financial support from Kroka. Because I am able to see my son participate in this life changing experience that I alone could not provide him. I am asking you to help us, by supporting this Semester Program. We must raise an additional $6,000 dollar for the scholarship fund to cover the cost of the semester.
One way to help is to purchase a raffle ticket. We are selling only 200 tickets the grand prizes are either a one week summer camp program at Kroka or $1000.00 cash. You can contact me to purchase a ticket they are $40.00 each or 3 for $100.00. Or you can make a donation to Kroka. see address below, when you make your check please indicate your donation supports the 2008 VT semester.
There are excellent odds and great prizes in our raffle but the truth is that you would be giving a great gift to these students.
Sincerely,
Coleen Lawlor semester parent.
Send donations to
Kroka Expeditions
767 Forest Rd
Marlow, NH 03456
Please make checks payable to Kroka expeditions.
Remember contact coleenlawlor@aol.com for raffle ticket purchase. If you are associated with a particular student the ticket will be credited to that families fund raising effort. Indicate the student on your correspondence.