14er Selfie at DIA with Ford David Mike

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14ers Watercolor Exhibit Lands At Denver International Airport

  We are excited to announce that the 14ers Portraits watercolor collection by Mike Wilson are now on exhibit at Denver International Airport (DEN) to benefit Cottonwood Institute from March – September 2024. Local artist, Mike Wilson, generously donated his beautiful collection of 53 watercolors of all of the 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet) in… Read more »

Base Camp Bash

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Base Camp Bash 2024: A Night of Wild Wonder

In a nutshell, 2024’s Base Camp Bash did not fall short of its theme as a “A Night of Wild Wonder.” On the evening of March 2nd, as attendees entered Upper Larimer event space in RiNo, they were greeted with a variety of sensory experiences: the scent of hundreds of fresh cut flowers, the sound… Read more »

An AXL Academy 8th grader poses in snow gear: a hat, goggles, and face mask

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A Snowy Overnight Adventure with AXL Academy 8th Graders

Students Enjoy Snowball Fights, Baseball, and Moonlit Walks on a Trip to Cal-Wood Education Center. Written by Caroline Paul. AXL Academy 8th graders spent an extraordinary overnight trip at Cal-Wood Education Center near Jamestown, Colorado. What started as exceptionally warm leaned its way to a beautiful overnight snowfall. AXL students spent the early afternoon learning… Read more »

CI Staff play a game of of Nutty Squirrels

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Cottonwood Winter Training: Connecting with Nature

A day of community building, thoughtful discussion, and hands-on learning to start the year intentionally. Written by Iona Kelly. On January 7th, 2024 Cottonwood Institute held an Instructor Winter Training day in the beautiful Camp Patiya. It was held with a focus on our various programs and how to support the creation of opportunities for… Read more »

A Centaurus High School student roasts a marshmallow on a fire they built with their class

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Centaurus High School Students Take a Tasty Test

CAP Outdoor Class students at Centaurus High School learn to build fires and use them to roast marshmallows as part of their final exam to evaluate outdoor skills. Written by CAP Instructor Erin Angel. How do you like your marshmallow? Lightly toasted? Golden brown? Burnt beyond all recognition? The Centaurus High School CAP Outdoor Class… Read more »

An Angevine Middle School student measures lumber to help build a Gaga Ball pit at their school

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Angevine Middle School Students go Gaga for Gaga Ball

Students at Angevine Middle School take action to promote outdoor play at their school. Written by CAP Instructor Erin Angel. Everyone who plays Gaga Ball loves Gaga Ball! After spending hours playing the game during our fall campout at Cheley Outpost Camp, the Angevine Middle School CAP Outdoor Class decided to share this fun game… Read more »

Elisha Roberts

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Board Spotlight: Elisha Roberts

We are excited to introduce you to our newest Cottonwood Institute (CI) Board Member, Elisha Roberts, who joined the CI Board in October 2023. Read on to learn more about Elisha! What is your story? Where did you grow up and how did you get to where you are today? I was born and raised… Read more »

An AXL Academy 8th grade student picks up a rock while exploring Pelican Ponds Open Space

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AXL Academy’s Adventurous Winter Days

Scaling New Heights and Navigating Nature: AXL Academy Students’ Adventurous Winter Field Days. Written by Cottonwood Field Instructor Kira Taggart. In early December, AXL 7th and 8th graders went on their winter field days to The Spot Climbing Gym and Pelican Pond Open Space. We had two fun days where students learned the basics of… Read more »

A Changemaker student sitting in a peaceful meadow

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Nurturing Inclusivity in Education

Creating Affirmative Spaces: Advancing Understanding and Support for Gender Diversity in Outdoor Learning. Written by Cottonwood Field Instructor M Tormasi. Creating magical moments for students that promote nature connection, curiosity, and self-confidence begins with creating supportive and positive educational environments. Cottonwood Institute instructors utilize numerous strategies to establish safe spaces for learning, as they are… Read more »