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Restoration, Community, and a Heartfelt Farewell

A Night of Habitat Restoration Work Became a Tribute to Chelsea’s Time at Cottonwood. Written by New Vista CAP Instructor Lori Powell. Cottonwood staff, instructors, board members, Changemaker students, and Alumni recently gathered on an unseasonably warm November evening to take action for local habitat restoration—and to share a heartfelt farewell to Associate Director Chelsea… Read more »

AXL students picking up trash

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 »

Donuts, Dyeing, and Donations: New Vista Action Project Tackles Fast Fashion

From Donuts to Donations: A Recipe for Student Engagement. Written by New Vista CAP Instructor Lori Powell. As the Fall CAP class at New Vista High School wrapped up, students shifted from learning about environmental issues to taking action. After brainstorming a range of ideas—from wildfires and floods to sustainable agriculture and water use—one topic… Read more »

Upcycling Clothing Allows NVHS Students’ Creativity to Shine

Combating Clothing Waste with Upcycling Projects was a Unique Way to Close Out the School Year. Written by NVHS CAP Instructor Lori Powell. It was obvious from early on in the spring quarter that the New Vista High School Community Adventure Program (CAP) students were a creative bunch. Creativity was expressed throughout the class in… Read more »

Angevine Students Take Action for Wildlife With Seed Bombs and a Bake Sale

Making Seed Bombs and Organizing a Bake Sale Provided a Valuable Hands-On Learning Experience. Written by Angevine Middle School CAP Instructor Sara Grillo. This spring, our Angevine Middle School CAP students set out to support wildlife — and found creative, hands-on ways to do just that. Through seed bombs and a student-led bake sale, they… Read more »

Student Passions Guided Centaurus High School’s CAP Class Projects

A Passion for Food Facilitated Connecting Students with Each Other and the Natural World. Written by Senior CAP Instructor Erin Angel. The Centaurus High School Community Adventure Program (CAP) Class wrapped up another super semester in December, with their shared passion for food guiding some of their activities. The class, which began with only four… Read more »

Angevine Middle School’s CAP Program: A Semester of Growth, Laughter, and Connections

Building Strong Connections Through Outdoor Adventure. Written by CAP Instructor Mel Georgi. As the semester comes to a close, the Community Adventure Program (CAP) at Angevine Middle School has proven to be a transformative experience for students and myself; filled with growth, learning, and meaningful connections. From their first class to their final outdoor adventure,… Read more »

New Vista High School CAP Class Tackles Wildfire Preparedness

New Vista High School CAP Class Ignites Action! Written by CAP Instructor Sadie Norton. Wildfire Preparedness: Is Your Home Ready? Take the Test! The Prelude: This quarter’s CAP Class had quite the learning journey this Spring. Throughout the quarter, we spent time connecting to nature, gaining an appreciation for the beauty in the world around… Read more »

A Changemaker student practices ancestral skills at the ancestral skills gathering at Ollin Farms

Changemakers Spark Ancestral Skills Revival: Reconnecting Community Through Fire, Shelter & Crafts

Students Lead Frigid-Weather Gathering, Fostering Sustainability & Connection to Heritage. Written by Associate Director and Senior Instructor Chelsea Tossing. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, our Changemaker students have been craving to reconnect themselves and their community with ancestral skills. This past weekend, our Changemaker Outdoor Leadership Program welcomed 40 eager members of the… Read more »

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