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No Snow, No Problem for AXL 8th: Enjoying Low Ropes & Service

Low Ropes Course Activities and a Service Project Kept AXL 8th Graders Engaged During Their Winter CAP Overnight at Cal-Wood Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 8th graders were eager for another winter overnight CAP trip, expecting and excited for the same winter activities as last year, including snowshoeing, snow ball… Read more »

A Brainard Lake Quinzee Adventure with Angevine Middle School

Angevine Middle School Students Discover the Joy of Snow Through a Brainard Lake Quinzee Construction Adventure Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. Earlier this February, the Angevine Middle School (AMS) CAP class was able to enjoy a wintery excursion despite the unseasonably warm weather. Up at Brainard Lake, the sun was out, the birds… Read more »

Changemakers Build Responsibility Through Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness First Aid: Changemakers Gain Skills for Caring for Others in Wild Places and Beyond Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. On a cold January weekend, while most people were staying cozy indoors watching the Broncos, Changemaker students—and a few hardy Cottonwood staff—were outside doing something pretty powerful: learning how… Read more »

Staff Winter Training: Preparing for Cold, Wind, and Wonder

Our Winter Training Brought Staff to Brainard Lake for Snow Shelters, Wilderness Medicine Scenarios, and Joyful Learning in Winter Conditions Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. Cottonwood Institute staff kicked off 2026 with a chilly and fun-filled winter training. Though the wintery weather has been lacking in the front range this season, we were… Read more »

Showing Up for Social Justice: Alumni at Denver’s MLK Marade

A Day of Service, Gratitude, and Community Rooted in Social Justice and Collective Action Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Cottonwood alumni, Changemakers, and family members came together to turn inspiration into action. Nine of us gathered at Denver’s City Park to listen… Read more »

Alumni Solstice Hike Honors Connection and Transition

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… Read more »

Alumni Enjoy an Opt Outside Hike on Black Friday

While Many People were Recovering from Thanksgiving Dinner—or Braving Crowded Stores—Cottonwood Institute Alumni Chose a Different Kind of Black Friday Tradition: an Opt Outside Hike. Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. The day after Thanksgiving, Cottonwood alumni gathered in beautiful Eldorado Canyon for a hike, games, and time to simply… Read more »

Angevine’s Semester of Exploring, Curiosity, and Making Small Changes

Curiosity Guided Students from Classroom Questions to Real-World Action at Angevine During Fall Semester. Written by Angevine Middle School CAP Instructor Sara Grillo. As the semester wraps up, it’s fun to look back at just how much we fit into our time together during our Fall CAP class at Angevine Middle School. It was a… Read more »

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