We’re creating something really beautiful with 4those. We’re so happy to have you along for the ride!

PHASE 1: BUILDING COMMUNITY

We will spend our initial season of operation creating spaces and opportunities for caregivers and their former micro-preemies (born at 28-weeks’ gestation and earlier) to gather, connect, and share their journeys with one another, as well as promote joyful, accessible and adventurous experiences for the littles and their entire families. This will start with initial meet-and-greets at a variety of locations with curated programming for all who participate. We’ll host activities for kids of all abilities, as well as connective and healing experiences for the adults so that we can begin to lay the foundation for our bigger vision around support and radical care for these families as they transition out of their NICU season.

Check out our Events pages for details about our family and caregiver events!

If you or someone you know would like to be a part of these programs, either as a participant or as a volunteer, please email us!

PHASE 1a: FUNDRAISING

We have a variety of creative fundraisers on deck for the first few years (check them out on the fundraising tab!) that will help us continue and develop the ways we serve our former NICU families. We’ll also be information-gathering during this time as we move toward securing grants and launching capital campaigns for our next steps.

If you or someone you know has been affected by extreme prematurity and have a great idea for a 4those fundraiser or have people in mind that might connect with our vision and mission, send them our way!

PHASE 2: PURCHASE AND BUILD-OUT OF A 4THOSE CAMPUS

When we were in the NICU, we were told by science and by society that our son would likely lead such a challenging and difficult physical life and the road ahead would be so heartbreaking for us, that it might not be worth pursuing his life at all. We pushed against that narrative by posturing in the belief that no matter the outcomes of his treatment, he would have an impactful and meaningful life that celebrated all of his specific abilities, whatever they were, and that we would not be overcome by walking the hard road—in fact, we would only benefit from it! We chose to see an abundant future for our son, and we want to provide that vision to others in the NICU right now by building a loving, healing, and hope-filled place to land when they are finally released into the wild.

These former micro-preemies have overcome impossible odds to be here and we want to create a space where they are free to step into their inherent natures of being children in their purest forms - curious, adventurous, joyful, connected. We want to create opportunities through adventurous age- and ability-appropriate activities that allow them to to live full and dynamic lives at our 4those camp, as well as set the example for what a fully adapted space can be for kids with the various disabilities and physical outcomes that can occur from the journey through extreme prematurity. We want those families who are hearing the same hopeless narrative in the NICU right now to think to themselves, “I do not need to fear the outcomes of this season because there is a place for us to go that will celebrate and help cultivate our abundant life!”

Because the outcomes of micro-prematurity vary, we aim to create a camp with a variety of offerings and activities that are specifically adapted to the abilities of our campers, providing access to experiences that champion their unique abilities and impacts in the community around them. We want to celebrate the lives they are living and change the societal narrative around ability and possibility. We envision this to include adapted engagement with the outdoors in the form of horses and other livestock, hiking trails and adventure courses, water activities, and so much more.

For the parents and caregivers, we know first-hand what it feels like to travel the long and winding NICU journey and the trauma that can come from such a unique experience. When we think about what we needed as our son aged out of the state-funded therapy and support programs, we kept coming back to community, connection, and healing. We will be providing sanctuary, collective rest, and opportunities for caregivers to enter a new physical space that focuses on tender self-care as they engage with each other and their stories in new ways that celebrate the hope and possibilities they fought so relentlessly for. In this retreat space, we will offer support and wellness services, including therapy work, body work, and joyful relaxation opportunities.