Base Camp Bash

I am happy to report that the 2010 Base Camp Bash was a complete success this year. We successfully met our goal to raise $20,000 to help support our Cesar Chavez Organic Gardening Project, Three Trees and a River Project, and Community Adventure Program. Thank you so much to all the businesses that donated fabulous silent auction items, the volunteers who donated their blood sweat and tears to pull of this event, and to everyone who came to the event or supported us even if you couldn’t make it. And I also want to give a shout out to Mother Nature for not sending us a blizzard or locusts this year;)

To check out the 2010 Base Camp Bash Slide Show: Click Here.

2010 BASE CAMP BASH INFORMATION:

Leading The Way!

Set your GPS coordinates, orient your map, and save the date for our 5th Annual Base Camp Bash Fundraising Event on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 7 - 10pm at the Rox Room at Lodo’s Bar and Grill in downtown Denver to benefit the Cottonwood Institute!

Come enjoy a glass of wine, delicious appetizers, live music, bid on fabulous trips, mountain getaways, outdoor gear, concert and event tickets, and night on the town packages. You can also challenge your friends to a Shawn White Snowboard Wii Competition and learn more about how we are leading the way and “changing the world, one adventure at a time!”

This year the Base Camp Bash will help support the following exciting projects for 2010: Cesar Chavez Organic Gardening Project, Three Trees and a River Project, and the Community Adventure Program that help diverse youth in the Denver/Boulder area explore the outdoors, raise their awareness of local environmental issues, and empower them to take action to help solve those issues.

Our goal this year is to raise over $20,000, but with your help we can smash this goal!

TICKETS: Tickets are $35 and can be purchased directly through the Cottonwood Institute, by clicking the Buy Now button below, or at the door. If you prefer to buy tickets by mail, please send a check made payable to Cottonwood Institute to: PO Box 7067, Denver, CO 80207 or call 303.447.1076. Once we receive your payment, you will be added to our guest list and this will be considered your RSVP. To walk our talk in terms of environmental sustainability, we will not issue paper tickets.

CAN’T ATTEND, BUT STILL WANT TO HELP?

Consider making a donation to our Base Camp Bash 2010 Campaign! Please help us give diverse students the opportunity to explore the outdoors by donating $20.10, $201.0, or $2,010. To make a make a secure, tax-deductible donation, click the Donate button below:

SILENT AUCTION PRE-BIDDING: - NEW ITEMS UPDATED WEEKLY!

If you can’t attend the Base Camp Bash in person, but would like to pre-bid on one of the following silent auction items, please contact April Pishna at 303.916.6081 or Click Here to email your bid. Pre-bids must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday, April 15, 2010. Pre-bids will start the bidding at the silent auction at the Base Camp Bash on Friday, April 16, 2010, so if you really want something bid high! Here is our list of fabulous items:

VACATION PACKAGES:

• New Orleans Vacation: Come celebrate the culture and heritage of one of America’s most fabulous cities and the home of the 2010 Super Bowl Champions! Enjoy a 2 night stay at the luxurious Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the French Quarter. This package also includes restaurant gift certificates to Arnaud’s and the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group. Local New Orleans residents will take you on a personal tour of the city, will take you to lunch, and will take you on an insider shopping spree to all of their favorite shops with shopping gift certificates included along the way. Value: $1,500. Opening Bid: $500.
• Private 1-Day Cottonwood Institute Survival Course: Round up 10 friends or colleagues and head to the hills for the day for a private survival course with the Cottonwood Institute to practice wilderness survival skills, including: interactive survival scenarios, survival priorities, natural shelters, survival fires, rescue techniques, and learn how to make your own survival kit. Value: $1,000. Opening Bid: $300.
• Colorado Mountain Getaway: Are you in need a peaceful and relaxing weekend mountain getaway? Enjoy a 2 night stay at the incredible Ritz Carlton: Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Please Note: Airfare is not included, blackout dates may apply. Value: $700. Opening Bid: $250.
• Estes Park Escape: When you need to escape the city, retreat for a two night stay at Lazy R Cottages in any deluxe two bedroom cabin with hot tub to soak away your stress and relax! This package includes a $50 gift card to the Rock Inn for food, drinks, and live music! Value: $700. Opening Bid: $250.
• Black Hawk Casino Staycation: The Isle of Capri Casino in Black Hawk, CO generously donated a 1-night stay and Calypso’s buffet for 2. Black Hawk casinos are now open 24-hours so you can celebrate vegas-style in Colorado! Please Note: Airfare is not included, blackout dates may apply. Value: $130. Opening Bid: $50.

OUTDOOR ITEMS:

• Mountain Hardware has generously donated a 3-season Twin Arch 2 tent! Value: $200. Opening Bid: $75.
• The Patagonia Store in Boulder donated a Men’s Lightweight R4 Jacket. Value: $225. Opening Bid: $50.
• The Patagonia Store in Boulder donated a Women’s Lightweight R4 Jacket. Value: $225. Opening Bid: $50.
• Les Stroud, a.k.a. Survivorman, has donated the ultimate survival library! This 5 item set includes: DVD Set of Survivorman Seasons 1, 2, and 3, Stranded DVD, Off The Grid DVD, Snowshoes & Solitude DVD, and a copy of his book Survive! Value: $160. Opening Bid: $50.
• Cody Lundin, urban and wilderness survival expert from the Aboriginal Living Skills School, donated a signed copy of his books 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive! and When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive when Disaster Strikes. Value: $45. Opening Bid: $20.
• Aron Ralston, the famous adventurer who had to cut his own arm off to survive, donated a signed copy of his book Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Value: $20. Opening Bid: $10.
• Russell Cutts with Wyldecraft has donated a handcrafted Paleokit. Think survival kit from the Stone-Age. This one of a kind primitive survival kit contains everything you need to survive, including: a friction fire set, flint, tinder, a digging stick, and a rock sling for hunting. Value: $65. Opening Bid: $25.
• PlanIt Green Promotions is donating an eco-gear package for men, including a recycled full zip fleece jacket, a 100% recycled canvass tote, and an Eco Logic mug made of 100% biodegradable corn plastic. Value: $65. Opening Bid: $25.
• PlanIt Green Promotions is donating an eco-gear package for women, including a recycled full zip fleece jacket, a 100% recycled canvass tote, and an Eco Logic mug made of 100% biodegradable corn plastic. Value: $65. Opening Bid: $25.
• Two Knobby Tires eco-friendly outdoor gear donated a Recycled Bicycle Tire Dog Collar And Leash Set. Value: $54. Opening Bid: $15.
• Two Knobby Tires eco-friendly outdoor gear donated a Recycled PET Lightweight Backpack and Reusable Shopping Bag set. Value: $30. Opening Bid: $10.
• Boulder Rock Club donated 2 indoor climbing passes. Value: $35. Opening Bid: $10.
• Mora of Sweden has donated their brand new Bushcraft Series Survival Knife with Triflex blade. Value: $30. Opening Bid: $10.

MUSIC, TICKETS, AND EVENTS:

• 2 Full Festival Passes to the 2009 Boulder Adventure Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado. Value: $150. Opening Bid: $50.
• SkyVenture Colorado has donated 1 first class ticket for indoor skydiving in their vertical wind tunnel. Value: $78. Opening Bid: $25.
• We have 2 great tickets to an upcoming Colorado Rockies home game at Coors Field. Check out the Rockies vs. Blue Jays on Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 6:40pm. The seats are located in Sec 125, Row 14 and have a phenomenal view of the action. Value $70. Opening Bid: $20.
• The Fox Theater in Boulder, CO is donating 2 tickets + a VIP Balcony Upgrade to Madlib (DJ Set) and Alex B on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2010. Value: $96. Opening Bid: $30.
• The Fox Theater in Boulder, CO is donating 2 tickets + a VIP Balcony Upgrade to 30DB, featuring Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String Band and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars on May 19, 2010. Value: $90. Opening Bid: $30.
• AEG Live donated 2 tickets to an upcoming show at the Bluebird Theater in Denver from April 2010 - October 2010. Value: $50. Opening Bid: $15.
• AEG Live donated 2 tickets to an upcoming show at the Ogden Theater in Denver from April 2010 - October 2010. Value: $50. Opening Bid: $15.
• Etown is a weekly radio show filmed in front of a live studio audience that features live music and conversations about the world around us. Etown has generously donated 2 tickets to an upcoming performance at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado. Value: $30. Opening Bid: $10.
• The Colorado Shakespeare Festival has generously donated 2 tickets for the Festival’s 2010 season. Value: $76. Opening Bid: $25.
• The Denver Botanic Gardens is donating 2 tickets to an upcoming workshop called Redefining The Well Adapted Regional Garden on Friday, May 21, 2010 from 7-9pm at the York Street location. This also includes a small gift card for coffee and dessert before the event and free admission to any one private garden during an Open Day. Value: $60. Opening Bid: $15.

RESTAURANTS, FOOD, AND BEVERAGES:

• Jim and Sue Waters are donating 6 bottles of carefully selected wines from their private collection, including: 1. Waters, 2006, Interlude, Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. 2. Chateau Fontcaille Bellevue, 2007 Bordeaux Superieur, France. 3. Calina Reserve, 2000, Cabernet Savignon-Carmenere, Maule Valley, California. 4. Wallace Brook, 2005, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. 5. Rodolfo Sadler, 2008, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina. 6. Pillastro, 2007, Primitivo, Puglia, Italy. Value: $250+ Opening Bid: $75.
• The Kitchen in Boulder, CO is donating dinner for two and a $50 bottle wine for their Community Night starting at 7pm every Monday night. Value: $120. Opening Bid: $40.
• Chipotle has donated a gift certificate for a burrito party for 10, including chips, guac, and a drink for everyone! Value: $100. Opening Bid: $30.
• Snooze, which happens to be one of the best breakfast joints in Denver, has donated a $50 gift certificate for breakfast for four and a fashionable Snooze baseball hat and fresh whole bean coffee. You have to try their upside down pineapple pancake! Value: $85. Opening Bid: $25.
• Tastes Wine Bar and Bistro is donating 2 tickets to an upcoming wine tasting class at their Highlands or Uptown locations. Value: $80. Opening Bid: $25.
• Tables in Denver, Colorado has donated a gift certificate to their amazing restaurant in the Park Hill neighborhood. Value: $75. Opening Bid: $25.
• Lodo’s Bar and Grill has donated a $25 bar tab, so come on back! Value: $25. Opening Bid: $10.
• Mountain Sun Gift Package For Him: $25 gift certificate for their delicious brew and food good at all Boulder/Denver locations and a Mountain Sun T-shirt. Value: $35. Opening Bid: $15.
• Mountain Sun Gift Package For Her: $25 gift certificate for their delicious brew and food good at all Boulder/Denver locations and a Mountain Sun T-shirt. Value: $35. Opening Bid: $15.
• Hapa Sushi in Boulder and Denver, CO donated a gift card for their amazing sushi. Value: $50. Opening Bid: $15.
• Olivea Restaurant in Denver, CO is donating a gift card to their upscale restaurant serving cuisines inspired by Spain, Italy, and Southern France. Value: $40. Opening Bid: $10.
• A gift certificate to Cake Crumbs the best bakery in Denver, Colorado. Value: $30. Opening Bid: $10.
• Vita has donated a gift card that can be used at Vita in Denver, Colorado or Blue River Bistro in Breckenridge, Colorado. Check out Vita’s 1/2 off bottle of wine night on Tuesdays! Value: $50. Opening Bid: $15.
• Fluid Coffee Bar in Denver, Colorado has put together a Fluid Sustainability gift basket for coffee-lovers, which includes an eco-friendly French Press, a $15 gift card to enjoy the best coffee in Denver, and a Mission Wear bag to carry everything. Value: $75. Opening Bid: $25.

GROUP ACTIVITIES:

• We have set up a private tour and tasting at Stranahans Colorado Whiskey at their distillery in downtown Denver. This package also includes a bottle of Stranahans Whiskey and 6 Red Rocks Private Reserve Exotic Rare Corojo Cigars specifically chosen to pair well with whiskey and a Colibri Talon windproof jet flame lighter, donated by ThePerfectCigar.com. Value: $250. Opening Bid: $75.
• We have arranged a private limo to take you and up to 6 friends on a brewery tour to sample some of Colorado’s best beers for up to 6 hours. Your tour will include a brewery tour and tasting at Oskar Blues in Lyons, CO, the Southern Sun in Boulder, CO, and Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, CO. This is a perfect guys or girls night out, so live it up! Value: $600. Opening Bid: $150.
• For comedy lovers out there, Mile High Sci-Fi is donating 6 tickets, beers, and popcorn for an upcoming movie. Mile Hi Sci Fi won Westword’s “Best way to watch a bad movie” and they are known for “giving your favorite crappy movies the comedy smack down since 1923.” Value: $100. Opening Bid: $30.
• Elitch Gardens in Denver, CO has donated 4 passes this spring or summer. Value: $120. Opening Bid: $40.
• The Blues Jean Bar is donating an after hours private shopping experience for up to 30 people at their Cherry Creek store, including wine and beer! Get ready for drinks, denim, and discounts for this girls night out! Value: Up to $750. Opening Bid: $50.
• Julie Campilio, Professional Yoga Instructor, is donating a private yoga session for up to 10 people at your private home. This package also includes 4 bottles of wine (2 red and 2 white) for a post yoga session glass of wine. Value: $150. Opening Bid: $30.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY:

• The Redirect Guide donated a spa party for 4 friends to MoonDance Botanicals in Denver, CO to use for their Fresh Fabulous Face or Foot Pampering treatments. Value: $75. Opening Bid: $25.
• The Redirect Guide donated a $25 gift certificate to MoonDance Botanicals in Denver, CO to use towards products, spa treatments, massages, or classes. Value: $25. Opening Bid: $10.
• One hour massage therapy session from Deborah Currier, CMT. Value: $55. Opening Bid: $20.

ART:

• Framed scenic outdoor photo original from Pishna Photos. Value: $250. Opening Bid: $50.
• Paul Van Horn from Wilderness Survival Arts donated a handcrafted Red Osier Dogwood Berry Basket. Value: $120. Opening Bid: $25.
• “Be Nice or Leave” signs and folk art from Dr. Bob in New Orleans, Louisiana. Value: $75. Opening Bid: $25.
• Hand blown wine glasses by Terri Walker in New Orleans, Louisiana. Value: $360. Opening Bid: $50.
• Lissa Mokrohisky donated two framed collages, the perfect way to make any room pop! Value: $55. Opening Bid: $20.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES:

• A free Infrared Home Energy Audit from Xcel Energy. Value. $120. Opening Bid: $40.
• Door to Door Organics is donating a box of fresh organic fruit and veggies right to your door. Value: $36. Opening Bid: $10.

OTHER FABULOUS ITEMS:

• Pampered Pooch Package, including: doggie bed, bowls and place mat, leash, bath towl, 2 books, tons of toys and much, much more! This is the perfect “starter kit” if you are planning to get a new dog or a great way to spoil your pooch. Value: $210. Opening Bid: $50.
• Linda Bjork donated a Birthday Boy Party Package for 6, a perfect gift for the next birthday party you need to throw. Includes laser top toys, puppets, decorate your own sports plaque, sling shot games, key chains, pencil sharpeners, and more. Value: $100. Opening Bid: $20.
• Linda Bjork donated a Birthday Girl Party Package for 6, also a perfect gift for the next birthday party you need to throw. Includes puppets, friendship bracelet kits, soap sets, pencil sharpeners, sling shot games, stuffed animals. Value. $100. Opening Bid: $20.
• Linda Bjork donated a Baby Boy Gift Package, a perfect gift for the next baby shower you have to attend. Includes 2 receiving blankets, blocks, 4 embroidered clothe diapers, sleeper, and socks. Value. $75. Opening Bid: $15.
• Linda Bjork donated a Baby Girl Gift Package, a perfect gift for the next baby shower you have to attend. Includes diaper bag, towel and washcloth set, receiving blanket, and hooded towel set. Value. $75. Opening Bid: $15.
• Linda Bjork also donated a Boys and Girls Travel Activity Basket, which is great if you have kids, if you are a grandparent, or if you need to entertain visitors with kids. This basket includes, Playdough, bracelets, laser toys, building set, doll, sports plaque, pirate chest, and more! Value: $200. Opening Bid: $50.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY:

To walk our talk in terms of environmental sustainability, the 2010 Base Camp Bash will be a Zero Waste event! We will also use the event as an opportunity to inspire attendees to reduce their environmental footprint. In addition, we are also purchasing renewable energy certificates to help offset our energy use the night of the event.

2009 Base Camp Bash Slide Show: Click Here.