Design Your Own Course
The Cottonwood Institute is excited to offer middle schools, high schools, community organizations, colleges and universities, and adults the opportunity to design your own course! Explore the mountains, meet your own educational goals, learn about environmental issues, and complete meaningful environmental service projects to make a positive impact in the world! These custom courses are perfect for getting students outside of the classroom and into the mountains, strengthening community, and for rekindling that spark and excitement for learning.
“Cottonwood Institute does an amazing job putting together field-based programs that enhance specific curricula students are learning in my Anatomy and Extreme Physiology and College Preparatory Biology classes. My students have been able to see and feel biological aspects of life that they normally would only read about and discuss in class. Cottonwood Institute’s curriculum-focused courses have brought hard to grasp concepts to life for my students and they do this through a great outdoor experience-based approach.” Leslie Bogar, Biology Teacher, Valor Christian High School, Highlands Ranch, CO.
To register your group today, call Ford Church at 303.447.1076! Here is how it works:
STEP 1 - CREATE YOUR EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Whether your goal is to have fun or fulfill state standards, we can help! In the past, schools have had a variety of educational goals including practicing the skills of our ancestors, learning about environmental issues as an extension of the classroom, completing service requirements, and focusing on leadership and teambuilding. We can help you with this process so don’t hesitate to call.
STEP 2 - DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF YOUR COURSE:
- 2 hour
- Full-day
- Multi-day
- Quarter/Semester-long
STEP 3 - SELECT SURVIVAL SKILLS TO PRACTICE:
- Nature awareness
- Survival scenarios
- Rescue scenarios
- Survival kits
- Modern and primitive fire making skills
- Natural shelter building
- Horseback riding
- Animal tracking
- Snow shoeing
- Avalanche awareness
- Winter shelter building
- Natural cordage and weaving
- Willow basket making
- Other topics
STEP 4 - SELECT AN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE PROJECT
- Wildland firefighting and fire mitigation
- Invasive plants
- Water pollution
- Trail building and restoration
- Horse caretaker projects
- Wildlife observation
- Custom projects
SAMPLE COURSE ITINERARY:
- 9:00am - 9:30am - Arrive at location, introductions, check gear and equipment, safety briefing
- 9:30am - 10:30am - Nature awareness hike
- 10:30am - 12:00pm - Practice wilderness survival skills
- 12:00pm - 12:30pm - Lunch
- 12:30pm - 1:00pm - Socratic reading and discussion about local environmental issue
- 1:00pm - 2:30pm - Environmental service project to tackle local environmental issue
- 2:30pm - 3:00pm - Hike back to bus and debrief
“It was a beautiful day and everything you taught us was right on target. You have a great organization that is very professional and highly educated, which is hard to find.” Mrs. Leslie Bogar, Valor Christian High School Science Teacher
NUTS AND BOLTS:
- Age Groups: Middle school students, High school students, community organizations, college and university students, and adults.
- Length: 2-hour, full-day, or multi-day courses.
- Locations: We can host these workshops at:
1. Golden Gate Canyon State Park near Golden, Colorado
2. Lookout Mountain Nature Center near Golden, Colorado
3. Three Sisters Park near Evergreen, Colorado
4. Gold Lake Mountain Resort and Spa near Ward, Colorado - Pricing: Please contact us for a custom quote for the specific course you would like to design.
CLIENTS:
- Alexander Dawson School
- Arapahoe/Douglas Works!
- Chicago Public School Youth Leadership Council
- Denver Zoo
- Douglass County Libraries
- Jefferson County Open School
- Lakewood High School
- New Vista High School
- P.S.1 Charters School
- Valor Christian High School
TO REGISTER YOUR GROUP:
Contact Ford Church at 303.447.1076. To download a copy of our Design Your Own Course flyer, Click Here.
