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Dam Work, Good Fun: Alumni Build Beaver Dam Analogs

Cottonwood Alumni Mix Laughter, Labor, and a Little Mud While Building Beaver Dam Analogs at Caribou Ranch. Written by CI Senior Instructor Erin Angel. “This is exactly where I am supposed to be. I’m in the middle of midterms, and this is just what I needed.” -Cottonwood Alumna gazing at golden aspens after working hard… Read more »

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Top 10 Ways to Make a Difference and Double Your Impact by December 31st

Read Our Top 10 End-of-Year Suggestions to Help Cottonwood Unlock a $25,000 Match to Support Award-Winning Programs. As we wrap up 2025 and dream about what the future holds, I am incredibly grateful for our Cottonwood Institute community of students, parents, program partners, staff, instructors, donors, sponsors, and funders who have supported us the past… Read more »

AXL students picking up trash

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It’s Spooky Season but Change Doesn’t Have to Be Scary! 5 Simple Ways to Make Change in Your Community

At Cottonwood Institute, we believe in fostering the next generation of changemakers, which is why action projects are a crucial component to our CAP (Community Adventure Program) classes. These projects are hands-on initiatives where students identify an environmental issue they care about and work together to lead meaningful activities with local impact. CAP fosters leadership,… Read more »

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First Time Camping: New Skills and Stories Made the AXL Trip Memorable

From Fire-Making to Folklore, AXL 7th Grade Students Experience the Magic of their First Time Camping. Written by AXL CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 7th graders prepped nervously leading up to their overnight CAP trip, asking many questions about tents, wildlife, trip location, etc. We practiced how to set up tents in class and students… Read more »

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Planting Trees and Making Memories: An NVHS Adventure in the Foothills

From Whittling Spoons to Planting Trees, Students Built Skills and Memories in the Colorado Foothills. Written by CI Field Instructor David Goldsmith. Our latest overnight adventure began at New Vista High School, where excitement buzzed as students gathered their gear and met the instructors who would guide us through the trip. After piling into the… Read more »

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Turning Over a New Leaf with AXL Academy 8th Graders

AXL Students Appreciate Opportunities for “Turning Over a New Leaf” During their Overnight Camping Trip at Cheley. Written by CI Field Instructor Monique Murillo. Stirring with nervous excitement, Ms. Esqueda’s AXL Academy 8th-grade CAP class students gathered around to prepare for their overnight trip, checking gear and playing a few games in front of the… Read more »

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AXL 8th Grade Students Conquer the Vertical World at Staunton

From Anxious First Steps to Triumphant High-Fives, AXL 8th Graders Discovered their Inner Strength on the Vertical Rock. Written by CI Field Instructor Shawn Heyland. Rock climbing isn’t for the faint of heart, and Ms. E’s 8th-grade AXL CAP class showed up at school on Friday with bravery and resilience. The goal for the day… Read more »

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