How Prescott is Nurturing a New Era for Foster Youth
In the heart of Prescott, something extraordinary is taking root. Rise Above the Clouds, a nonprofit founded and led by those who once navigated the foster care system themselves, is giving foster youth a camp experience designed not just for fun, but for healing.
Unlike traditional programs, the camp blends evidence-based practices with lived experience, guiding every activity through the 4 Cs (proven measurements of a regulated nervous system): Calm, Connection, Confidence, and Curiosity. Rise Above the Clouds staff measure these qualities using both observational and scientific methods (including voluntary cortisol testing) to see how safe, joyful experiences can rewire the brain and help heal trauma.
One camper’s story stands out. “Jax” arrived withdrawn, wary of cameras, and quick to retreat from group activities. His guardedness came from years of having to protect himself, even from something as simple as a photograph. But then came the gardening class. We weren’t tending a real garden, but we explored how seeds grow, how water responds to words, and how life flourishes when it’s nurtured. Something about this moment—perhaps hearing that the instructor had also grown up in foster care—cracked open a door. Jax joined in, planting his own tree and speaking words of love over it.
From that day forward, we watched his confidence bloom. Our flow arts class (think Jedi training without the risk of lightsaber injuries) became the catalyst to his healing journey. The lesson lit him up, turning frustration into laughter as he learned to let the staff “hit the ground” without shame. By the final day, he was fully engaged, trying new activities and forming bonds that will last long beyond camp. His soon-to-be adoptive father later shared that Jax had been “significantly calmer” since returning home.
Stories like Jax’s are why this program matters, not just for the campers, but also for the Prescott community. By hosting Rise Above the Clouds, Prescott is positioning itself at the cutting edge of foster care reform, proving that healing-centered, peer-led programs can change lives.
And we couldn’t do it without the help of local volunteers, donors, and businesses who have provided everything from kayaking equipment to healthy meals. Their generosity transforms theory into practice, research into real change.
When a community invests in its most vulnerable members, it reaps something far greater than it gives: a future where every child feels seen, safe, and capable of soaring above the clouds.
The seeds we plant here—in hearts, minds, and even in tiny Moringa trees—are growing into something powerful. And together, Prescott is showing the world what’s possible.
For more information, visit www.riseabovetheclouds.org.