A Day of Connection: Hiking, Giving, and Nature’s Beauty at Buffalo Bayou

Written by Rocky Xu Cheng

Published Date: September 22, 2024

Photo by Fei Yi | First Spark Institute

The day began with a sense of excitement as we gathered at the Buffalo Bayou trailhead near Beck Junior High. Our dedicated volunteers quickly set up tables and arranged food, creating a welcoming picnic area at the outdoor basketball court, the perfect space to greet families as they arrived.

While waiting for everyone, we briefed the volunteers on their responsibilities for the hike. Before long, families began arriving, and the children with special needs joined us, bringing smiles and enjoying the array of delicious food alongside the volunteers. The air buzzed with friendly conversation and laughter as everyone indulged in the feast.

Before the hike, we paused for a special moment—a donation ceremony for the First Spark Institute. Four representatives attended the event: Ryan Du, the event director; Ryan Lin, vice president; Yanxi Liu, secretary; and Minhao Tang, treasurer of the organization. Ryan Du and Ryan Lin gave heartfelt speeches about their decision to support Blossoming in Nature.

Ryan Du began by introducing the First Spark Institute, explaining that it was founded in 2022 as a student-led organization committed to improving the lives of people in the community. He shared that their mission extends beyond service, empowering high school students with leadership skills and knowledge. They have hosted various events, such as high school course selection presentations, designed to help families make informed decisions about their children’s education.

Ryan Lin then took the stage, expressing how, after learning about the impact Blossoming in Nature has had on the special needs community, they recognized a shared goal. Inspired by this common mission, the First Spark Institute decided to contribute $1,000 to support our work, money they had raised by selling homecoming mums. They also expressed interest in future collaborations with Blossoming in Nature.

Photo by Yan Fan

With spirits high, we set off on the hike. The trail led us along a scenic riverside, where we were treated to sights of storks and cranes. The children were delighted as we entered the forest, eventually reaching a viewing platform. From there, we watched turtles basking in the sun on fallen tree trunks and admired the serene pond as it faded into the forest beyond.

As we continued along the path, the group enjoyed lighthearted conversations and laughter. We soon reached a picturesque bridge where the sun cast a golden glow, its reflection shimmering beautifully on the surface of the Buffalo Bayou River. We captured the moment, a celebration of our time spent together.

As the day drew to a close, we retraced our steps back to the trailhead, spotting even more wildlife along the way. When we returned, the day ended on a high note, with everyone smiling and reminiscing about the wonderful memories created during our time in nature.

A big thanks to the twelve families with special needs who attended the event. The event could only be successful with your trust.

Special thanks to Evren Ahmed, Elena Alsup, Emily Alsup, Oluwatobi Banwo, Esther Chen, Sophia Christanti, Dip Kumar Das, Haofei Deng, Xinyue Dong, Ryan Du, Sophia Fan, Evan Feng, Owen Ge, Nabiha Javed, Kunsh Kalra, Ryan Lin, Yanxi Liu, Sabrina Rendusara, Opemipo Moyosoreoluwa Oyenekan, Shihan Poojary, Minhao Tang, Dayle Tumbagahan, Zixiao Wang, Yifan Wu for volunteering at the event and making the experience for every participant even better.