It started with one teenager who loves to go.
Adventure and belonging for youth of all abilities.
Kaden is a teenager who loves being active, being outdoors, going places and experiencing adventure. That's the whole starting point.
Watching someone light up on the water, or on a trail, or heading out the door toward something interesting makes a simple thing obvious: life is meant to be lived. And it raises an equally simple question — how many other young people would love those same days, and can't easily get to them?
So this project has two jobs at once: help Kaden — and learn how to help others. Kaden is the inspiration. The mission is bigger than one person, and it's meant to stay that way.
Kaden's private life stays private. This project is about adventure, movement, skills and belonging — not about anyone's medical history, family circumstances or care arrangements.
Who this is for
Teens and young adults of all abilities — including those who communicate in different ways and those who need substantial ongoing support. The people we're thinking about are the ones whose options tend to shrink as they get older, once childcare, camps and youth recreation no longer fit their age or their support needs. A world shouldn't get smaller just because someone grows up.
Who is doing this right now
Two people imagining and designing together: Kirsten, and a co-creator in her family. They can research, connect, advocate, design and help launch — but the eventual model should be able to run without either of them personally providing daily care. Building something that depends on two people forever would be a failure, not a success.
Where things stand
Kaden's Adventure Fund is a privately seeded social-impact initiative in development. It may be supported initially by Kirsten's own resources, including resources she chooses to devote from the success of her business. Its long-term structure — an independent nonprofit, a fiscally sponsored project, a partnership with an established organization, an access fund, a social enterprise, or something else — has not been decided, and doesn't need to be yet.
What this is not — yet
- Not a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) or charity, and not seeking donations or tax-deductible gifts.
- Not running programs, camps or Adventure Days.
- Not registering participants or promising transportation, staffing or 1:1 support.
- Not offering medical, therapeutic or safety advice.
- Not part of Marquette Adaptive, and not a nonprofit arm of Odyssey Discovery — separate records, governance and identity.
What happens next
Conversations. With young people, in whatever way each person communicates. With families. With providers already doing good work. The next answer should come from people — not from another website feature.