As the Year’s Shortest Day Arrived, Cottonwood Alumni Came Together for a Solstice Hike Rooted in Reflection and Connection
Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. We gathered in the afternoon at Golden Gate Canyon State Park and began our solstice hike to Panorama Point, arriving just in time to watch the solstice sunset—pausing to say goodbye to the darkest part of the year and to welcome the gradual return of the light. After a quiet sit-spot to take it all in, we began our hike back as dusk settled around us, moving together without headlamps, guided by the first stars appearing in the sky.
Back at camp, we built a solstice fire and shared a meal that felt as meaningful as it was delicious. Cherry cobbler baked in a Dutch oven nestled in the coals while we cooked stew inside a hollowed-out pumpkin (by dropping super-heated rocks from the fire into the broth). A meal cooked in the fire seemed very Solstice-y.
As we ate our cobbler, each person wrote down something they were ready to leave behind from this challenging year. One by one, we placed those words into the fire. With each offering, the group held quiet for a few moments of attention and care, sending good intentions to each person as they reflected on what they wanted to rise from the ashes in the year ahead.
This Solstice Hike captured the heart of Cottonwood: gathering outdoors, honoring cycles of change, and supporting one another through growth and transition. We are so proud of our alumni for continuing these traditions and holding space for Cottonwood programs in their lives after high school.
A sincere thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Base Camp Bash, which helped raise the critical funding for our Alumni Engagement programs.
If you are also passionate about getting students outside for unique service-learning experiences, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
