On a warm September evening, some of our Cottonwood Institute community gathered at Woods Boss Brewing Company in Denver to raise a glass, connect, and enjoy some time together outside of the classroom and the field. Our 2025 Happy Hour was a chance to connect with friends, supporters, and new faces over good beer and… Read more »
On Saturday, July 26th, McGregor Square was buzzing with energy, friendly competition, and community connection as we gathered for the 2025 Cottonwood Throwdown, our annual cornhole tournament and fundraiser to support Cottonwood Institute students. With breakfast drinks in hand and the boards set, it was the perfect summer day to show up, play hard, and… Read more »
Beats on the Creek 2025 was one for the books. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Coohills, a lineup of amazing local bands, and a community that showed up week after week, we wrapped up a successful season full of music, good food, and meaningful connection, all in support of Cottonwood Institute’s students and outdoor… Read more »
An Intergenerational Program for Teens, Parents, and Kids at Casa de la Esperanza Helps Families Connect, Camp, and Grow Together. Written by Senior CAP Instructor Erin Angel. We want to share with you some of the magic of the Casa de la Esperanza (Casa) Familias Unidas en la Naturaleza (FUN) Intergenerational Program and how it… Read more »
In the DSST/LHC Watershed Program, Students Experience Outdoor Adventure and Meaningful Growth Alongside Inspiring Youth Leaders. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. In this year’s DSST/LHC Watershed program, students from both DSST: Cole Middle School and three assistant instructors from Lincoln Hills Cares (LHC) explored a variety of activities in order to deepen their… Read more »
Exploring Ancient Cliffside Dwellings, Volunteering Along the Rio Grande, and Uncovering the Layers of History in New Mexico’s Red Earth. Written by Changemaker Alum Lahja Wise. As a Changemaker Alum, I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to continue learning from and working with Cottonwood. That all culminated in a final trip that kicked… Read more »
Longmont Youth Center Students Learn, Play, and Explore—Plus Test their Taste Buds with Skittles Science—on an Overnight Trip in Bailey, CO. Written by CI Field Instructor Carly Winner. The Longmont Youth Center middle school students had a fascinating exploratory overnight trip. From starting the day off with a large camp set-up, including a tarp city… Read more »
Middle Schoolers from Dr. MLK Jr. Early College Step Into the Outdoors—with Courage, Creativity, and Some Impressive Bear Hangs. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. Recently, students from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College spent the week immersing themselves in outdoor activities from archery to rock climbing to camping in the foothills. On… Read more »
Written by Senior Instructor and Associate Director Chelsea Tossing. This week, we traded city sounds for mountain breezes, trout ponds, and surprise pack llama sightings during two days of fishing clinics with the middle school students from Sims-Fayola at Staunton State Park. With rods in hand, students dove into the art of casting, baiting hooks,… Read more »
Exploring Colorado’s Water Systems Combined Science, Service, and Outdoor Adventure. Written by Hailey Schmidt and Caroline Paul. This June, a group of high school students from RiseUp Community School in Denver, CO, headed to the mountains for an unforgettable five-day camping expedition at the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) in Leadville, Colorado. The trip, designed… Read more »
