In January, the Greater Princeton & Far Beyond Branch of AYLUS (GPA) contacted the founders of the Blossoming in Nature organization and hosted a collaborative event to educate all students on how they could help connect children with autism to nature.
Blossoming in Nature is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (blossomings.org/). Quoted from the website, its mission is to inspire children with autism to connect with nature. The organization provides opportunities for hiking, camping, and sports activities that promote engagement with the natural world.
The goals of Blossoming in Nature mainly focus on:
- Promoting sensory experiences: Children with autism often experience sensory processing differences, and nature provides a wide range of sensory experiences, such as the feel of different textures, the sound of animals, and the smell of plants. We aim to expose children to these sensory experiences in a safe environment.
- Encouraging physical activity: Spending time in nature often involves physical activity, such as hiking, which can improve overall health and well-being. We will aim to give chances for children to engage in physical activity in a natural setting.
- Fostering socialization: Children with autism may have difficulty with social communication, and spending time in nature with peers and caregivers can provide a supportive environment for socialization. We will provide opportunities for children to socialize and build relationships with others.
- Providing therapeutic benefits: Spending time in nature has been shown to have therapeutic benefits for individuals with autism, such as reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood. We will aim to provide a therapeutic environment for children to benefit from the natural surroundings.
Overall, we believe that exposing children with autism to nature will provide a positive and beneficial experience for these children that can improve their overall health, well-being, and quality of life.
The idea for the non-profit organization began when they visited a friend’s house and met their son, who had autism. During their visit, they discussed the many benefits children with autism could gain from spending time outdoors and engaging in physical activity. This conversation inspired them to start an organization that would help connect children with autism to nature. With this mission in mind, they decided to found this non-profit and set out to create a program that would help children with autism get the most out of the natural world around them.
The name “Blossoming in Nature” has many layers of meaning that represent the mission and values of our organization. The idea for the name came from legendary French poet Gérard de Nerval’s famous quote: “Every flower is a soul Blossoming in Nature.”
Firstly, the name suggests growth and development. Every individual is exceptional, and each of them has their own convictions, aspirations, and talents. To “blossom” is to grow and flourish, to open up and reveal one’s full potential. By pairing this idea with “nature,” the name suggests that exposure to the natural world can help children with autism to develop and thrive, tapping into their full potential in ways that might not be possible in other settings.
The name also implies a sense of collaboration between children with autism and the natural world. Rather than being simple observers of nature, the name suggests that the children actively engage with the natural world, forming a mutually beneficial relationship.
Finally, the name also has a poetic quality to it that can help to evoke a sense of wonder and beauty. The name “Blossoming in Nature” suggests a sense of hope and optimism, a belief that with the right support and opportunities, children with autism can grow and thrive parallel to flowers in nature.
GPA is dedicated to creating a positive impact on both children with autism and volunteers in the communities we serve throughout the State of New Jersey. Through various programs and initiatives, we aim to foster a deeper relationship between nature and children with autism plus their families.
During the event, GPA Volunteers talked to families that have children with autism, founders of Blossoming in Nature, understood the rules, and discussed some outdoor activities
GPA Volunteers (1/6, 1 hr): Laetitia Huang, Xing Liao, Larry Hu, Eric Li, Dylan Li, Lucy Tong, Gloria Wang, Kevin Li, Jacob Li, Martin Zhao, Jerry Chen, Steven Li, Sophia Feng, Michael Feng, Tom Cui, Carl Shi, Cassie Wang, Joey Deng, John Yao, Richelle Yao, James Yang, Emma Yang, Michael Zhao
