Testimonials
COMMUNITY ADVENTURE PROGRAM STUDENT TESTIMONIAL VIDEOS
New Vista High School Community Adventure Program 2008
COMMUNITY ADVENTURE PROGRAM STUDENTS
Eric Ellison: CAP has been one of the strongest, most inspiring high school experiences I have had to date and must be left open to future students. The wilderness survival skills CAP students learn could save their lives, but more importantly CAP gives them the tools, inspiration, and confidence to go out into their communities, their environments, and their worlds. The Cottonwood Institute's programs must be supported and I know that many of its students will fight to keep them around, including me. Personal Communication, March 2006.
Brittany Salley-Rains: I think the best part of the Action Project, and something that only CAP can provide, is that it gives high school students a voice. I do believe that we can create positive change just as effectively as an adult can. Others might be skeptical in the beginning, but it has been my experience that adults and peers a like end up admiring you for taking an active role in the community. Final Reflection Paper, June 2006.
Kira Hachtel : It really amazed me how fast the class went and how quickly we progressed with the Action Project. I was blown away by our team dynamic and was super pleased by the end result. As Ghandi once said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." I really feel like with this Action Project, we were that change.
Peter Zola : I was able to learn more in a single class than I did in the rest of the year combined, and learned to tolerate a new group of studentsâ¦I think this class has left me with something that no other class has, a motivation to take the skills I have learned and apply them in my world and the world around me. This was a great class to finish high school on because it is symbolic of a transition in that I will have to learn how to survive in the real world now. And you know what? I never felt better about it. Final Reflection Paper.
Rachel Malmborg : I enjoyed being outdoors, working on something besides schoolwork, and learning things that are really important to know in life. I am really glad that I took this class, and I know that I will be able to use every single thing I learned later in life, and I am going to be glad of it. I am really privileged to have access to this kind of education. Final Reflection Paper.
Sydney Morauer: This whole course is incredible and I had an unforgettably great time during our busiest, yet most interesting week together. The overnights have inspired me to take part in more outdoor activities, and the Four Days in May reminds me how good it feels to give back to the community we often take for granted. I didnât think Iâd get to know the class as well as I did and I really had fun with a lot of people that I wouldnât have spent much time with otherwise. To see everyone having fun outside of school and to share such great experiences with them was so extraordinary and if I could do it all over again, well, I would. Final Reflection Paper.
Noah Theeman-Lindberg: I think that it is really great how this class is set up, that we figure out what the problem is, and then we find a way to solve it. This is much better than simply discussing the problem and stopping there. I think that the skills I will learn involved with changing the community in this class will be really great for me to use in the long run, especially because Iâm interested in getting into politics (maybe). Overall, Iâve really been enjoying this class, and I see it as a valuable learning experience that I will be able to carry with me throughout my life. â Journal entry.
Roxanna Sears : Nowadays I feel somewhat different. In the mornings I feel like I am ready to face the day and this quarter I have felt more comfortable than I ever have in school before. I am making friends with people much easier than I did before and I think this class really has something to do with it. Having to teach a lesson and be a Project Manager and feeling an obligation to show leadership has been good for me and I know it and if it helps me ever the littlest bit later in life, taking the class has been well worth it. Final Reflection Paper.
COMMUNITY ADVENTURE PROGRAM PARENTS
Laurie Larsen : This course has really been a challenge and a life changer for Jessie. You have opened her eyes and sparked enthusiasm for a number of things she has never been interested in before - a sign of a great teacher. Thank you. Personal communication, March 7, 2004.
Sarah Bowler: Thank you for all you have taught Dane this year. I am completely thrilled that he is becoming more of an outdoor guy, and that he has survival skills that may save his life. At any rate, it makes a mom rest easier. Your friendship and respect gave him a lot of self-confidence, and your CAP class just topped off a great school year. Personal communication, May 26, 2004.
Jonathan Falk: I think it has really sparked something in my son, said Jonathan Falk, who helped chaperone the camping trip on St. Maryâs Glacier last weekend. âHeâs really fired up about the whole wilderness experience from this class. As a parent, to have your child grab hold of something you didnât force down their throat â itâs really a treat to watch it happen.â - Jonathan Falk, CAP parent, from the December 21, 2003 Daily Camera article, by Chris Barge.
HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Rona Wilensky, Principal, New Vista High School: The Community Adventure Program is outstanding â engaging, rigorous and safety conscious. Ford has a great relationship with the students and takes care of all the details. What more could you want!
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Steve Spangler, 9News Science Guy: Thanks so much for joining us on the 9News 4 O'Clock Show and for making fire! You got some great comments from the people in the newsroom who were totally impressed. Thanks again for doing a super job on the show and for teaching me how to make fire! I'm a believer.
Paula Pant, Your Town Correspondent, Colorado Daily: After writing the article, especially after talking to you [Ford Church] and Eric, I was inspired to send an email to the Community Service Coordinator from my high school, saying hello, telling him what I've been up to (we haven't spoken since I graduated high school) and thanking him for instilling service in me as a teenager. So thanks for motivating me to get back in contact with a former teacher!
Caroline Mitchell, Boulder Community Outreach Coordinator, Eco-Cycle: It was fantastic to work with the Cottonwood Institute's Community Adventure Program at New Vista High School. The students really worked to understand the concept of Zero Waste and to think through ways to educate our community about Zero Waste. I was impressed with their enthusiasm and grasp of Zero Waste. Their projects were definitely a welcome addition to Zero Waste education efforts in our community, being both multi-faceted (targeting fellow students, visitors to the Zero Waste Farmers' Market as well as local businesses) and successful (nearly 1000 educational contacts were made). Eco-Cycle would welcome the opportunity to work with the Cottonwood Institute again in the future. Personal communication, October 28, 2005.
Robert McCormick, Senior Fuel Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: I have done a number of what I might call "community oriented" events (as opposed to technical meetings and regulatory forums that I usually attend). I thought that this one was one of the more informative events I have attended, largely because there was not a fixed agenda that limited or confined the questions and discussion. There was some focus brought about by the idealism of the student organizers, which I find inspirational. It is important for those approaching geezerhood to try and hold on to the idealism we so stridently had when we were younger. Personal communication, January 7, 2005.
Landon Hilliard, Transportation Department, Boulder Valley School District: I commend you and your class for coming up with the idea of Pollution and Solution and organizing the panel. The event was well managed. Dan did well to lead the discussion and ask questions, both general and specific, of panelists. There was a balance of discussion from audience and from the panel. It was inspiring to watch Dan hold forth on the issues that he cares about. Also, I liked the way Mark and Kira greeted me and others at the entrance of the auditorium. It was a warm and sincere welcome. As for advice, I would offer that your students follow their interests. They clearly have their hearts in the right place. This personal engagement is what is required to make change! Curiosity and conviction will lead them in the right direction and give them strength to continue when they may feel like backing off or quitting. In sum: let your ideals flow! Personal Communication, January 12, 2005.
Janelle Weissman, Executive Director, Social Venture Partners Boulder County: I really enjoyed watching your interaction with the students: I felt you were considerate, articulate, patient, good about letting them figure out their own solutions to problems instead of jumping in with answersâ¦I thought there was a nice balance between organized activities and just chilling out. Personal communication, November 15, 2004
