Overview, Mission, & Vision

OVERVIEW:

The Cottonwood Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Denver, Colorado that inspires students to become active community leaders and environmental stewards through an exciting blend of adventure, wilderness survival, and environmental service-learning. We teach students the essential camping and wilderness survival skills necessary to comfortably and competently explore the outdoors, while providing them with the tools and resources to tackle important environmental issues affecting their communities. We offer high quality service-learning programs for public schools and community organizations that address civic engagement, community leadership, environmental education, and environmental sustainability.

VISION:

The vision of the Cottonwood Institute is to inspire a new generation of young community leaders who are environmentally aware, civically engaged, and who are empowered to make a positive impact within their respective communities.

MISSION:

The mission of the Cottonwood Institute is to inspire students to become active community leaders and environmental stewards through an exciting blend of adventure, wilderness survival, and environmental service.

EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The Cottonwood Institute achieves its vision and mission by inspiring participants:

1. To become active community leaders and environmental stewards through our award winning environmental service learning curriculum.
2. To increase their awareness of local environmental issues, environmental sustainability, and how to reduce their environmental footprint.
3. To develop essential camping and wilderness survival skills to comfortably and competently explore the natural world.
4. To develop life skills, including problem solving, project management, logistical coordination, leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

HISTORY OF THE COMPANY:

The Cottonwood Institute was founded by Ford Church, M. A. in September 2004. The idea for the Cottonwood Institute came from his passion for the outdoors, his commitment to the environment, his love for inspiring the youth of America, and from his interest in giving back to the community. In 2003, Ford received a Master’s degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College and created the Community Adventure Program as a culminating project of his thesis. The Community Adventure Program has been implemented at New Vista High School in Boulder, Colorado since October 2003 and based on the success of the program and requests for more programs from parents and students, Ford founded the Cottonwood Institute and their summer programs approximately one year later.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:

The Cottonwood Institute shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, students, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.