- REI is a cooperative business that has been very supportive of the Cottonwood Institute through financial contributions and gear donations. REI.com sells quality gear, clothing and footwear for outdoor recreation. All products are backed by a 100% guarantee. REI.com customers can enjoy free shipping to any of REI’s 60+ stores nationwide. A percentage of your purchase will help support our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area.

- Indie Bookstore is an online family of independent booksellers. When you buy a book or gift card through Indie Bookstore, you have the comfort knowing that you are
supporting local independent bookstores in your community. Please visit the Recommended Books section and support our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area.

- Orbitz
is a one stop shop to make your travel arrangements to participate in a
Cottonwood Institute course. Search for the lowest airline fares, book
a hotel, and even rent a car through Orbitz! A percentage of your
purchase will be donated to support our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area.

- Kodak EasyShare Gallery
let’s you create photo albums to share with your friends and family,
purchase professional quality prints, and make cool things like photo
albums, photo mugs, and t-shirts. After completing your Cottonwood
Institute course, check our Photo Album link to purchase photos from
your course. Remember, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to
support our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area.

OFFICIAL COTTONWOOD INSTITUTE SURVIVAL KIT:

Official Cottonwood Institute Survival Kit: Each survival kit includes A Survival Kit Manual describing how to use each item, a custom embroidered survival kit nylon bag, a 4.5” Frosts Mora survival knife, a trash bag, an emergency blanket, 25-feet of parachute cord, a lighter, strike anywhere matches, a fire striker, petroleum cotton balls, a metal cup, water purification tablets, a whistle, and a signal mirror. Price: $75.00. Free Shipping Included!. Please Note: All net proceeds from the sale of our Survival Kits go to help underwrite our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area. To order your official Cottonwood Institute Survival Kit, call 303.447.1076.

Official Cottonwood Institute Survival Knife: There are thousands of knives on the market, but no knife compares to the Frosts Mora Clipper. This is a full-tang carbon steel blade making it the perfect survival knife at a very affordable price. Carbon steel is easier to sharpen and maintain than stainless steel. It may rust in wet or humid conditions, but it will not compromise the integrity of the steel and is easily removed with steel wool. This knife is the best bang for your buck and is field tested and highly recommended by the Cottonwood Institute. Price: $25.00 each. Free Shipping Included!. Please Note: All net proceeds from the sale of our Survival Knives will go to help underwrite our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area. To order your official Cottonwood Institute Survival Knife, call 303.447.1076.

COTTONWOOD INSTITUTE’S COLORADO TIMBERLINE EMBROIDERED VEST:

Cottonwood Institute Colorado Timberline Embroidered Vest: Our stylish black microfiber vest is made of 100% polyester shell and 100% nylon lining. Our 4-pocket vest has the following features: abrasion reinforced and water repellent shoulders, heavy weight anti pill fleece, drawcord hem for warmth, durable and warm without the weight. Each vest is embroidered with the subtle, yet familiar Cottonwood Institute logo. A great gift to past CAP and course students and participants. Price: $50.00 each. Free Shipping Included! We currently have sizes: XS - S - M - L and we have noticed that these sizes run about a size too big. For example, size S fits like size M. Please Note: All net proceeds from the sale of our Cottonwood Institute Vests will go to help underwrite our educational programs at public schools in the Denver/Boulder area. To order your official Cottonwood Institute Colorado Timberline Vest call 303.447.1076.

COTTONWOOD INSTITUTE’S LONG SLEEVE EMBROIDERED T-SHIRT:

Official Cottonwood Institute Long Sleeve Embroidered T-Shirt: Our stylish gray long sleeve t-shirt is made of pre-shrunk 100% cotton. This is the perfect companion to any backpack while in the back country. We choose gray because of the wear-ability and longevity for showing continued wear while on week-long excursions. Each long sleeve t-shirt is embroidered with the subtle, yet familiar Cottonwood Institute logo. A great gift to past CAP and course students and participants. Price: $25.00 each. Free Shipping Included!. We currently have sizes: S - M - L - XL. Please Note: All net proceeds from the sale of our Long Sleeve T-Shirts will go to help underwrite our educational programs at public schools in the Denver/Boulder area. To order your official Cottonwood Institute Long Sleeve T-Shirt call 303.447.1076.

GoodShop - Now you can shop for just about anything through GoodSearch.com. Enjoy shopping online with companies like: J. Crew, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Gap, Macy’s, Old Navy, Amazon.com, and more! The Cottonwood Institute will receive an average of 2-5% or more for each purchase and all donations will be used to help support our educational programs. Make sure “Cottonwood Institute” is selected under the section that says “Who Do You GoodSearch For?” and shop till you drop!

- iTunes

Everyone deserves music and with accessibility to over 1 million songs you can’t go wrong with iTunes. iTunes gift certificates are a perfect gift for music lovers of all ages. A percentage of your purchase will be donated to support our educational programs at public schools in the Boulder/Denver area, so rock out!

Send Out Cards - The Cottonwood Institute uses Send Out Cards to stay in contact with our alumni and we highly recommend this service to anyone who is looking for an easy way to stay in touch with business clients, friends, and family. You can send a personalized card in less than 60 seconds and Send Out Cards will print, stuff, and mail your card for less than the cost of buying a greeting card at the store. Never forget a birthday or anniversary again and effortlessly keep in touch with your network. Click on the banner or link above to send a free card and try it for yourself!

ESSENTIAL CAMPING AND WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS:

• 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive!, by Cody Lundin
• Backpacker’s Field Manual: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills, by Rick Curtis
• Bush Craft, by Mors Kochanski
• Earth Knack: Stone Age Skills for the 21st Century, by Bart and Robin Blankenship
• Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills, Edited by David Wescott
• Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival, by Tom Brown, Jr.
• When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive when Disaster Strikes, by Cody Lundin

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION:

• Earth in Mind, by David orr
• Earth Speaks, by Steve Van Matre and Bill Weiler
• Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, by Gregory Tilford
• Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire, by John MacLean
• Land Above the Trees: A Guide to American Alpine Tundra, by Ann H. Zwinger and Beatrice E. Willard.
• Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv
• Plants of the Rocky Mountains, by Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar
• Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains, by James Halfpenny
• Snow Sense, by Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler
• Vicious: Wolves and Men in America, by Jon Coleman

CHANGING THE WORLD:

• Better Together: Restoring the American Community, by Robert Putnam
• Better World Handbook, by Jones, Haenfler, and Johnson
• Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, by Robert Putnam
• Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, by Jared Diamond
• Cradle to Cradle: Redesigning the way we Make Things, by McDonough and Braungart
• Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying, by David Bach
• Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time, by Paul Rogat Loeb
• Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, by Malcolm Gladwell

The Cottonwood Institute addresses 4 primary problems in the community:

Civic Engagement:

Problem: “While volunteerism has been increasing among young people, civic engagement has been declining.” Source: RMC Research Corporation. Civic engagement has been declining because many youth have a negative perception of volunteering and community service.

Solution: Cottonwood Institute courses make service fun through our award-winning, student-directed environmental service-learning curriculum that inspires students to change the world!

Nature Deficit Disorder:

Problem: “The term ‘nature-deficit disorder’ was coined by author Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods to describe what happens to young people who become disconnected from their natural world. Louv links this lack of nature to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.” Source: No Child Left Inside.

Solution: Cottonwood Institute courses teach students how to comfortably and competently explore the outdoors by teaching environmental education and wilderness survival skills.

Narrowing Curriculum:

Problem: “Many school districts have significantly reduced the amount of class time spent on such subjects as social studies and science. Many teachers and parents also report that field trips and time devoted to outdoor learning activities have been cut to give more time to tested subjects.” Source: No Child Left Inside.

Solution: The Cottonwood Institute makes our engaging programs accessible to public schools by providing the curriculum, professional instructors, equipment, and outside funding from generous individuals, businesses, and grants.

Childhood Obesity:

Problem: “Obesity in kids is now epidemic in the United States. The number of children who are overweight has doubled in the last two to three decades; currently one child in five is overweight. The increase is in both children and adolescents, and in all age, race and gender groups.” Source: National Institute of Health.

Solution: Cottonwood Institute courses make the outdoors accessible through hikes, field trips, and overnight camping trips throughout the year.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Cottonwood Institute, please Click Here or mail a check made payable to Cottonwood Institute: PO Box 7067, Denver, CO 80207.

• Patrick Doyle, a writer for 5280 Magazine in Denver, wrote the Colorado Survival Guide in the March 2009 issue and featured the Cottonwood Institute an our Official Survival Kit. To download a copy of the article, Click Here.
• Robbie Knight from 99.5FM The Mountain posted a Podcast on her Green Report on January 23, 2009. To hear the full podcast, scroll down to 1/23/09 and click PODCAST - Ford Church of the Cottonwood Institute.
• Doug McPherson, from DU Today wrote an article about Ford Church and the Cottonwood Institute on January 23, 2009. To read the full article, Click Here.
• Will Shoemaker with the Gunnison Country Times wrote an article called “Winter Survival 101″ on January 8, 2009. To download a copy of the article, Click Here.
• Katie Kelley, a freelance writer in Denver, CO, recently posted an article on the Colorado Travel Examiner called “Man Vs. Wild: Surviving Colorado’s Wilderness on November 28, 2008. To read the full article, Click Here.
• Eric Paulsen, from WWL-TV in New Orleans, LA, recently interviewed Cottonwood Institute founder and executive director to educate people about how they can reduce their environmental footprint. To stream the video online, Click Here.
• Jennifer Bronson, Staff Writer for the Daily Camera, wrote an article about the Spring 2008 New Vista High School CAP Action Project called “Students Get Dirty In Lafayette Learning About Locally Grown Food” on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. To download a copy of the article, Click Here.
• The Cottonwood Institute was interviewed by Entercom Radio’s wonderful and environmentally conscious Jill West during her Colorado Today Public Affairs radio show on Sunday, May 4th, 2008. Please Click Here to play the podcast!
• Debra Goldyn, a freelance writer for the Colorado Daily, wrote an article about the Cottonwood Institute and the Community Adventure Program called Rocky Mountain High on Sunday, March 2, 2008. To download a copy of the article, Click Here.
• The Daily Camera in Boulder, CO featured the Cottonwood Institute in their Nonprofit Spotlight section on Monday, February 1, 2008. To download a copy of the article, Click Here.
• On Tuesday, December 18, 2007, Ward Lucas from 9News interviewed Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director of the Cottonwood Institute, on the 10:00pm news about how to put together a survival kit for your car. To watch the segment, Click Here.
• Carol Conzelman with Boulder’s premiere community radio station KGNU 88.5 FM interviewed Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director of the Cottonwood Institute, on Wednesday, December 12, 2007. To listen to the 3 minute segment, Click Here.
• The Cottonwood Institute Survival Skills Clinics gained attention in a Campus Press article that appeared on December 4, 2007 called Making Sense Of Survival by Anya Semenoff.
• Nicole Danna from the Colorado Daily wrote an article called It’s In The Bag about the Community Adventure Program’s environmental service project at P.S.1 Charter School in Denver, CO.
• Community Adventure Program students at New Vista High School were recognized in an article by Amy Bounds from the Daily Camera for their environmental service project to build a greenhouse. The article appeared on October 7, 2007 and it is called New Vista Builds Greenhouse.

• Steve Spangler, 9News Science Guy, invited Ford Church to teach him friction fire on the 4:00pm news. To view the segment online and check out the lesson plan, Click Here.
• Paula Pant, Your Town Correspondent for the Colorado Daily, wrote an article about the Community Adventure Program called Students Studying Streams: Teens Tackle Pollution in Boulder Creek, which appeared on May 15, 2006.
• Joanna Allerhand, Daily Camera Staff Writer, wrote an article about the Community Adventure Program’s 4-Days in May Action Project addressing water pollution with her May 7, 2006 article called Students Seek Cleaner Creek.
• Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director of the Cottonwood Institute, was interviewed by Host Richard Mauro on the KRFC 88.9 FM radio show Transparent Settlement. To download the show in an MP3 format, Click Here.
• An article about Cottonwood Institute’s affiliate marketing program appeared in the business section of the Daily Camera on January 9, 2006 called Applying Business Lessons: Non-Profits Implement Private Sector Strategies to Support Themselves, by Kathleen Jones.
• Students in the 1st Quarter, 2005 Community Adventure Program wrote an article called My Hero Zero - High School Students Promote Zero Waste!, written by Gillan Warren, Community Adventure Program Student, edited by Ford Church, Cottonwood Institute Founder and Executive Director.
• An article about the Cottonwood Institute appeared in the Spring 2005 issue of Transitions, the Prescott College alumni magazine, called Program Blends Adventure, Service, by Sten Carlson.
• The Cottonwood Institute was featured in the Boulder Daily Camera on April 5, 2005 called Classes Use Nature to Teach Teens, by Aimee Heckel.
• The Cottonwood Institute was mentioned in an on-line article that appeared on March 28, 2005 called Craigslist: A Community with a Conscience, by Arin Hailey.
• The Cottonwood Institute was mentioned in the Denver Post on March 1, 2005 in an article called Survival of the Warmest, by Jack Cox.
• The Community Adventure Program was featured in the Boulder Daily Camera on December 21, 2003 in an article called Boulder Outdoorsman Creates Buzz With Adventure Program, by Chris Barge.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ford Church, M. A., Founder and Executive Director
Phone: 303.447.1076
Email: Click Here.

Registering for a Cottonwood Institute course is easy! Before you register for a Cottonwood Institute course, please:

1. Review our 2009 Course Schedule to pick the best course for you.
2. Review What To Expect On A CI Course
3. Read our Registration Policies
4. Download the appropriate Registration Form
5. Mail your Registration Form and course payment/deposit to:

Cottonwood Institute
PO Box 7067
Denver, CO 80207

We register participants on a first come, first serve basis and each course is limited to 12 participants. Most courses are only offered once a year and our courses can fill up quickly so make your plans today! If you have any questions about what course is right for you or if you have any concerns about participating in a Cottonwood Institute course, please call us at 303.447.1076 or send us an Email.

Course Information Packet:
Once we receive your deposit and have secured your spot in your course, we will send you a detailed course information packet with all the important information about your course, including, but not limited to:

• Course description
• Course itinerary
• Equipment list
• Transportation and lodging information
• Food and diet information
• Physical conditioning information
• Invoice
• * Assumption of Risk and Release Form
• * Medical and Health History Form
• * Health Care Practitioner Approval Form
• * Travel Information Form

*These forms must be completed and returned within 14 days of receipt to maintain your enrolled status in your course. If you register for a course less than 14 days before your course start date, please complete these forms and mail them in as soon as possible. All forms must me mailed to:

Cottonwood Institute
PO Box 7067
Denver, CO 80207

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not turn in your course paperwork on time or pay your tuition balance on time, you may be place on a Waiting List, which may jeopardize your spot in your course. Please fill out all of the required information as completely as possible and return your final payment for your course tuition on time to make sure your spot is secure!

Additional Expenses:
Your course tuition covers professional instruction, group gear and equipment, and all meals once your course has begun. Your course tuition does not include personal equipment or travel and lodging expenses before and after your course starts. Your course information packet indicates what travel and lodging arrangements you will need to make as well as what personal gear you are responsible for buying, renting, or borrowing for your course so please make sure you have everything you need for your course. Participants may also want to bring spending cash for making purchases when we are traveling to and from our course site location. If you are receiving high school or college credit, you must pay the granting institution directly for school credit.

Scholarships:
Click Here for more information about Cottonwood Institute scholarships.

At cottonwoodinstitute.org/blog, cottonwoodinstitute.org/nvhs, cottonwoodinstitute.org/ps1, and cottonwoodinstitute.org/manual (“CI Blog”) we seek to build an online community centered around facilitating the advancement of knowledge and information sharing surrounding the latest trends, research, news, statistics, and information related to CI Services, experiential education, and service learning.

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These Community and Commenting Guidelines were last revised on November 3, 2008.

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This Privacy Notice was last revised on March 31, 2008