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 »
AXL Academy Middle Schoolers Enjoyed a Spring Trimester full of Fishing, Planting, Creating, and Adventuring! Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 7th graders started the spring trimester by practicing survival skills and learning all about safety in the outdoors. In teams, students competed in “CAP Camp Olympics” where they learned how… Read more »
Windy and Snowy Conditions Punctuated the Overnight Trip to Cheley for the AXL 8th Graders. Written by CI Field Instructor David Goldsmith. On a windy Thursday morning, AXL Academy 8th graders met once again, but this time, for their last CAP overnight before migrating to high school. Before setting off in the caravan to Cheley… Read more »
Archery, Fishing, Games and a Campfire Were Highlights of the Overnight Trip. Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 7th grade CAP students eagerly gathered on the morning of their overnight to kick off our trip with archery. We headed out on the road to get to Staunton State Park early for… Read more »
Fire-building Skills Proved Useful During a Chilly Spring Fishing Adventure. Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 8th graders in CAP class gathered on a frigid early Friday morning to head out on our fishing adventure. We piled in the vans for our hour-long drive to Colorado Youth Outdoors in Fort Collins…. Read more »
Snowshoeing Facilitated Outdoor Learning in the Deep Snow at Cal-Wood. Written by AXL CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 7th graders spent their winter Community Adventure Program (CAP) overnight trip at Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, Colorado. The trip was off to a rocky start when the vans got stuck in a patch of snow… Read more »
Natural and Archeological Wonders at Roxborough Provide Students with a Unique Winter Field Day. Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. 7th grade Community Adventure Program (CAP) students from Aurora Expeditionary Learning Academy (AXL Academy) set off for an exciting field trip to Roxborough State Park. The park contains stunning red rock formations that… Read more »
Students Enjoyed the Thrills of Sledding in Addition to Perfecting their Fire-Building Skills on their Winter Overnight Trip. Written by CI Field Instructor Caroline Paul. Another Community Adventure Program (CAP) overnight is in the books for the 8th graders at Aurora Expeditionary Learning Academy (AXL Academy). AXL Academy uses trimesters, so their CAP students are… Read more »
From Fishing and Whittling to Shelter Building and Wading: CAP Students Enjoyed a Sunny Escape. Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. On a brisk, sunny December afternoon, AXL Academy 8th graders in the Community Adventure Program (CAP) class explored Chatfield State Park for a day full of adventure. As we started on a… Read more »
Written by Cottonwood CAP Instructor at AXL Academy, Harmony Esqueda The CAP class at AXL Academy enjoyed a beautiful spring field day at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Students started off the day by checking out the visitor center. We found a plethora of fun facts and interactive educational material to see, read, and feel…. Read more »
