Mother Earth ROOTS was founded by a Native American family in Northern California with the goal to add natural, cultural, and generational knowledge to indigenous youth.
Michael and Ma-kayla Hunter are a father-daughter team along with Stephanie Hicks who founded ROOTS. They were inspired by their grandchildren, nieces, nephews and siblings to encourage Indigenous and Native American children outdoors and off their devices.
We know that knowledge and power can be passed down from those who came before us. We strive for generational knowledge and interconnection with each other, our families, our earth, and our ancestors. We believe the best teacher is Mother Earth!
Founding Students
Our future
Our founding students are also future leaders. We hope they will continue to learn and grow throughout our programs, and one day become mentors and eventually leaders to future students! Camp ROOTS has 10 founding students between 4 and 14 years old. They are all Native American children from Northern California, where ROOTS was founded. Meet our founding students!
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Each student, mentor, and leader has a Nature Name that they choose for themselves! These are most used while talking on the radios. Each student learns about their plant or animal and presents a presentation to the group. during our time together. All names live and grow in California.
Beau (11)
Monkey flower
Our water guy! Monkey Flower loves jumping in any body of water he can find! He learned how to play beach volleyball at Camp ROOTS and even helped his team win! We love that he inspires other kids to get in cold, natural water.
Courtnee (10)
Bat Star
Bat Star enjoys exploring and swimming outdoors! She recently learned how to ride a bike during our Coastal ROOTS retreat! We love seeing her learn and grow while being a good friend and big sister!
Kennedy (9)
Pacific Blood Star
Blood Star is always up for anything! She is a natural born leader with upbeat energy. She is continually ready to learn about our Mother Earth and trying adventurous things. We love her willingness to help wherever she can!
Karson (9)
Bobcat
Bobcat is tough and committed! She won't just try new things, she will try to master them! Bobcat recently learned how to do a back bend on the beach during our last adventure! We love how her drive impacts the group.
Kenzie (14)
Sea Lettuce
Sea Lettuce is our oldest student and on her way to becoming an incredible mentor! She pushes our group to be active and is our residential Volleyball teacher! We love her leadership and involved spirit.
Kylee (11)
Desert Lily
Desert Lily is a ball of positivity! She is always ready to play a game or tell a joke. She also enjoys teaching other students how to do gymnastics and other sports. We love her joyfulness and confidence!
Chloee (5)
Sea Shell
Sea Shell is apart of our youngest group of students but that doesn't stop her from wanting to try anything she can! She is a social butterfly who enjoys engaging with the other students. We love her ability to get others to open up!
Cambree (4)
Lady Bug
Lady Bug is tiny but mighty! She has great determination and won't stop until the job is done! We love seeing the world through her eyes as she learns and grows outdoors.
Daniel (9)
Sea Otter
Sea Otter is your favorite hype man! He likes climbing on rocks and testing limits! We love his way of caring for other students, especially the younger ones.
Chase (5)
Hermit Crab
Hermit Crab is ready to have fun from sun up to sun down! His excitement is shown in every activity. We love his wonder and eagerness to join in on the fun.
Meet the Team!
Here at ROOTS we have camp leaders, mentors,
and students. Our organization's founders come from
Native American backgrounds across different generations.
Founder, Group Leader
Michael Hunter
Michael Hunter is a Pomo leader from Northern California who was inspired to start ROOTS when he saw the difference being outdoors made on his grandchildren. "Coyote" (Michael's nature name) is our Camp's head group leader and guide.
Founder, Finance Director
Stephanie Hicks
Stephanie is Paiute and Shoshone from Northern Nevada. Stephanie is a group leader as well as our Finance Director. Stephanie had strong influences from her family and Grandmother. She hopes to do the same with her grandchildren and help encourage outdoor and physical activities while soaking up the sun and continue to learn and grow.
Founder, Activities Director
Ma-kayla Hunter
With a passion to work in the outdoors, she joined forces with her father, Michael, and stepmom Stephanie to start Mother Earth ROOTS. Ma-kayla plans and leads activities for the families during our excursions. Ma-kayla means "Thunder" in Northern Pomo.