Event Diaries: Family Campout with CACEN & Outdoor Asian
From the moment families arrived, the already felt like a special weekend. Everyone was greeted with big smiles as staff started helping families set up tents at the campsite in Littleton, Colorado. Delicious snacks, filled coolers, and gear was waiting for them, ready for the weekend!
Before long, the campground was dotted with colorful tents, and many families had already made their way down to the lake where staff awaited with paddle boards and sand toys. Some families paddled across the water, others waded at the shore or dug into sandcastle projects.
This weekend was the perfect pause from our everyday routines, a chance to slow down and just be together while enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors.
Coming Together through Community Partnerships 💜
This campout came to life thanks to the collaboration between Colorado Non-Profit Organizations, Asian Girls Ignite, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN), and Outdoor Asian Colorado. Together, we welcomed Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) families from across the state to connect, learn, and experience nature side by side.
It was a true community effort, one that reflected the strength of Colorado’s AANHPI network and our shared commitment to creating inclusive, intergenerational spaces for all ages to feel at home in the outdoors.
Scroll down to catch all the Family Camp Out highlights!
Weekend highlights
As the sun set, camp filled with a warm, easy energy. Kids colored at picnic tables while adults shared stories. The sound of a guitar carried through the air, blending with the laughter from a lively mahjong table where both kids and grown-ups learned the game for the first time!
What is Mahjong?
Mahjong is a cultural touchstone deeply rooted in AANHPI communities. Originating in 19th-century China, this strategic tile game has been woven into the fabric of family gatherings, festive celebrations, and everyday life. As a game of memory, observation, and strategy, mahjong brings generations together around the table, often serving as a bridge between elders and youth. For many, learning mahjong from family members is not only fun, but a way to preserve tradition and shared heritage in a hands-on, meaningful way!
Dinner & Dessert!
Food is one of the ways we honor culture and community, where every bite is a reminder of home and tells stories of our heritage. At every Asian Girls Ignite event, sharing a meal is central, and often times, the students’ favorite thing about our programs!
Dinner was locally catered by Little Feast Co., featuring a Filipino meal so delicious that many plates came back for seconds (and thirds!).
Soon after, the bonfire became the heart of the evening. We huddled around the bonfire for what quickly became one of the weekend’s highlights: making gooey, chocolatey s’mores, yum!
Lanterns lit up the night as children ran in joyful circles, adults lingered in conversation, and a few knit quietly by the fire. The evening slowly softened, and one by one, families drifted into their tents under the stars.
Fresh pancakes for breakfast made by Asian Girls Ignite, CACEN, and Outdoor Asian staff in the morning.
Before we knew it, morning arrived with the smell of fresh pancakes and warm oatmeal, lovingly made by Asian Girls Ignite, CACEN, and Outdoor Asian staff. While parents packed up tents, kids kept playing, and a few families lingered to fish before saying their goodbyes.
Why this matters
Time outdoors is powerful. Studies show that spending just a couple of hours outside each day can boost mental health, increase focus, and strengthen social connections for youth. This weekend gave families exactly that—moments to learn, play, and simply enjoy being together.
Asian Girls Ignite Family Campout with CACEN and Outdoor Asian Group Photo
A Note of Thanks
We’re so grateful to CACEN, Outdoor Asian Colorado, and our donors for making this campout possible. Because of your support, families left with new friendships, shared memories, and a stronger sense of connection.
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help us keep creating experiences like this.
About Asian Girls Ignite
Founded in October 2020, Asian Girls Ignite is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth to celebrate their individual and collective power. We use storytelling to empower the next generation to write their futures in their own voice. Our programs and events nurture social-emotional learning to help our students grow in resilience, empathy, and self-awareness.