New Vista Students Explored Climate Solutions Through the Cycle of Hope and Hands-On Action
Written by Lori Powell, New Vista CAP Instructor and Communications & Administrative Coordinator. The New Vista High School spring Community Adventure Program (CAP) class kicked off the quarter with a powerful learning experience. On the afternoon of the first day of class, filmmaker and photographer James Balog, known for his work on the acclaimed documentary Chasing Ice, visited the school to present his new film, Chasing Time. The film sparked important conversations among students, many of whom left wondering what they could do in response to the challenges of climate change. In CAP class, we used this opportunity to explore the concepts of the Cycle of Hope and the Cycle of Cynicism. One key lesson was that hope is built through learning. While cynicism can leave people feeling powerless, hope grows when we seek reliable information, identify practical solutions, and take meaningful action.
CAP class provided students with a unique opportunity to do exactly that. Throughout the quarter, students explored environmental topics that interested them and worked together to identify ways they could make a positive impact. Early in the quarter, two opportunities emerged as “mini action projects” that helped students practice planning and carrying out community initiatives.
The first opportunity involved supporting an event at the school hosted by Geo Sapiens, a nonprofit organization focused on helping people understand how virtually any career can contribute to environmental solutions. Students promoted the event through announcements, flyers, and community outreach. They also formed an ambassador team that welcomed attendees and later shared what they learned with the class.
The second project centered on BVSD’s Bike & Roll Day. Students wanted to encourage alternative transportation to school and quickly realized that offering snacks could boost participation. Donuts and burritos proved to be a highly effective motivator. Students promoted the event, organized food incentives, and staffed tables outside the school to reward participants.
As the quarter progressed, students began discussing ideas for a larger final action project. After researching environmental issues and reflecting on previous experiences, they chose to support the Agriculture class in developing the school’s on-campus farm. While there was initially discussion about many possible project topics, the decision was ultimately an obvious one. Earlier in the quarter, students had enjoyed hands-on service work at Ollin Farms and were eager to continue contributing to a similar project closer to home. There was no shortage of work to be done, and the partnership provided meaningful opportunities for both classes to collaborate.
Students also found a creative way to connect another favorite activity to the project. After realizing how much they enjoyed whittling during class field trips to Lake Waneka and Heil Valley Ranch, they decided to put their new skills to use by creating durable wooden plant markers for the farm’s garden beds. On days following a significant amount of moisture (from both rain and snow), when working in the field could have compacted the soil, whittling allowed students to continue supporting the project.
Beyond the environmental impact, the class helped students build stronger relationships with one another. As one student reflected: “I really got to connect with my friends and peers in a way that no other class has come close to. I started this class with one friend and I finished with a whole friend group within the class.”
“I really got to connect with my friends and peers in a way that no other class has come close to. I started this class with one friend and I finished with a whole friend group within the class.”
— New Vista CAP student
By the end of the quarter, it was clear that the class had achieved its goals of connecting with each other and connecting with the natural world. Through learning, service, and shared experiences, students discovered that hope grows when people come together and take action. We look forward to seeing how the school farm continues to foster those connections for years to come.
A big thanks to the funders and supporters that make the CAP class possible, including: Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Patagonia, PeyBack Foundation, Strear Family Foundation, Thorne Nature Experience, Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
If you’re also passionate about supporting students to feel hopeful and take action in their communities, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
