This past Sunday, we gathered for our annual Picnic & Paddle in Greenwood Village, Colorado, welcoming both familiar and new faces as our Asian Girls Ignite (AGI) community continues to grow! Join us as we share highlights from a joyful day on the water!

Kicking Off with Paddleboards & Smiles

Landscape view of the lake with paddleboarders on the water

A row of blue paddleboards with families gathering their items and preparing

A student and a person pose for a picture holding blue paddles on a sandy beach by the lake

A portrait view of the lake with a blue sky, ripples in the water, and paddleboarders

One student sitting on a blue paddleboard and one student standing in front pose for a picture

Two students stand on their own blue paddle board with paddles in hand on the shore of a lake

A person kneeling on a paddleboard with a small dog puts their arms out for a photo while holding a paddle

One student paddling on their paddleboard and one student sitting on a paddleboard poses for a photo on the water

A student kneeling on a paddleboat while holding a paddle on the water

A person kneeling on a blue paddleboard with two small dogs holding a paddle in their left hand on the water

The day began on the water, where paddleboarders launched from the Marina and glided across to the beach before the winds picked up. For many, it was their very first introduction to paddleboarding or it was an unexpected adventure that quickly turned into a highlight! With Colorado’s breathtaking views as the backdrop, families and friends laughed, balanced, and splashed their way through the morning together.

Not only did humans participate, even a few four-legged friends joined in, making the paddle a true family affair.

Fun Along the Shore

Two students carry a blue paddleboard on the shore

Students and families gather by the water with blue paddle boats with life vests on a sunny day

Two students look for seashells on the shore by the lake on a sunny day

A couple of seashells in a student’s hands on a sandy beach

Back on the beach, the energy was just as joyful. Families caught up with one another, a student combed the sand for seashell treasures, and a group of students worked together to build an impressive moat. The shoreline buzzed with activity and play, reminding us how powerful it can be to spend unhurried time in nature together.

Lunch from Aloy Thai

After a sunny morning, it was time for one of AGI’s favorite traditions, sharing a meal! Food is central to our programming, it’s how we connect, celebrate culture, and support local Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) businesses.

Families plate their food with catering from Aloy Thai at the AGI Picnic & Paddle

Families line up to grab lunch at AGI Picnic & Paddle under purple tent

Students and family gather by the lake with paddleboards and a speedboat

For lunch, our meal was catered by Aloy Thai. Some fan favorites were the super spicy drunken noodles, potstickers, veggie egg rolls, and crispy corn fritters. As families gathered around picnic tables, conversation flowed, and the shared meal grounded us in the love language of food.

With full bellies and happy hearts, some families ended lunch with a special ranger speed boat ride, an unexpected thrill!

Reflections from Team AGI

As the event came to an end, families said their goodbyes, expressing excitement for future AGI events and sharing hopes that AGI will continue to be a meaningful part of their children’s lives for years to come.

Reflecting on this event, it was so amazing to see our students feel a sense of belonging. We saw an AGI student excited to re-connect with 2 AGI alums and had one parent of an 8th grade student who was a participant in our RepresentAsian Matters: I Am Powerful Summer Program say "Summer Program was exactly what she needed during that time, and was excited to sign her up for everything this upcoming school year and meet other families."

Did you know only 21% of Asian American youth report feeling like they “completely belong” at school? Spaces that affirm identity and build community are crucial for emotional safety and development. (YouthTruth Survey, 2022).

These reflections fuel us to continue to create a space for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth to explore their identity on their own terms.

group photo of attendees of Asian Girls Ignite Picnic and Paddle at the lake

A Note of Thanks

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Picnic & Paddle and helped make the day so meaningful.

At Asian Girls Ignite, we believe moments outdoors are more than just fun, they’re opportunities to strengthen confidence, nurture connection, and celebrate culture together. By gathering on Colorado’s lakeshores and trails, we create spaces where AANHPI youth and families can feel a sense of belonging in nature and in community. This is why we do what we do, and we can’t wait to see you at our next adventure!

Stay on the lookout for more events on our calendar or by following us on Facebook or Instagram!

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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.

Event Diaries: Picnic & Paddle