In Loving Memory of Jared

Rise Above the Clouds carries Jared’s spirit.

Jared was a dear friend to all of those who’s lives he touched — a deeply kind, spiritual, and resilient soul who loved children and believed in the power of healing. Born with a rare heart defect and given a transplant as a baby, he lived far beyond what doctors expected. He later overcame stage four cancer, embodying a quiet strength that inspired everyone who knew him.

He understood struggle — bullying, mental health challenges, and the weight of being different — yet he met the world with softness, meditation, and love. He believed we can rise beyond what tries to define us.

Jared loved children. He had a natural way of connecting — playful, patient, and sincere. It is easy to imagine him here at camp, sitting cross-legged on the ground with a child, listening fully. He believed in meditation, reflection, and the power of stillness. He believed that healing was possible.

Our name, Rise Above the Clouds, was inspired by his love for Cyndi Lauper’s “Above the Clouds.” It became a reminder that even in the heaviest moments, there is something higher we can reach toward.

Oh, and he was ALWAYS in tie dye! So of course we had to make our camp gear tie dye!

His legacy continues — in every child we support, in every safe space we create, and in every moment we choose love.

This work rises in his memory.