Several Cottonwood Institute Staff Members are Stepping into New Roles in Fall 2026, Bringing Fresh Perspectives and Experiences to Students at Our Partner Schools Written by Communications & Administrative Coordinator Lori Powell. When a new school year begins, so do new opportunities for growth, connection, and adventure. This fall, several members of the Cottonwood Institute… Read more »
From Discovering Macroinvertebrates to Sharing One Final Meal Together, CHSC students Wrapped Up the Year with Water Quality Investigations and Play Outdoors Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. Some of the best days don’t need a schedule packed with activities to be unforgettable — they just need good company, a river, and a few… Read more »
Through State Park Outings and Overnight Camping Adventures, AXL Middle School Students Enjoyed a Trimester of Hands-On Experiences with Plants, Animals, and Planting Seeds of Change Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor & Social Media Coordinator Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy Middle Schoolers experienced a spring trimester full of adventure and life lessons, and an opportunity… Read more »
Student-Led Learning Allowed Angevine Middle School Students to Follow their Curiosity, Learn from Community Experts, and Create Lasting Environmental Change on their Campus Written by Angevine Middle School CAP Instructor Sara Grillo. This semester, students in the Community Adventure Program (CAP) at Angevine Middle School took ownership of their learning in a way that made… Read more »
New Vista Students Explored Climate Solutions Through the Cycle of Hope and Hands-On Action Written by Lori Powell, New Vista CAP Instructor and Communications & Administrative Coordinator. The New Vista High School spring Community Adventure Program (CAP) class kicked off the quarter with a powerful learning experience. On the afternoon of the first day of… Read more »
From Fishing at Barr Lake to Navigating a Snowy and Soggy Campsite, AXL Academy 7th Graders Made the Most of Every Moment During this Spring Camping Adventure Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor & Social Media Coordinator Harmony Esqueda. Our 7th grade AXL Academy CAP spring overnight started off strong with our first stop being… Read more »
AXL 8th Grade Students Spent their Final CAP Overnight Making Lasting Memories Through Fishing, Games, and Plenty of Sweet Treats Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor & Social Media Coordinator Harmony Esqueda. For our last CAP camping trip before AXL Academy 8th graders continued onto high school, we anticipated a bittersweet and exciting camping adventure… Read more »
From Fog-Covered Peaks to Nighttime Discoveries, Wonder Shaped Every Part of this First Colorado High School Charter CAP Camping Trip Written by Blaise Miles, CI Field Instructor. Students on Colorado High School Charter‘s first-ever CAP camping trip showed incredible resilience and positivity. Thirty degrees and snowing didn’t stop them from having a great time and… Read more »
Students Discovered Joy in Simple Adventures, Creative Campsites, and Unforgettable Moments Together at Camp Patiya. Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. In late April, Angevine Middle School CAP class embarked on an adventurous and joy-filled overnight trip to Camp Patiya outside of Boulder. We started our day by fishing at Lake Waneka and caught… Read more »
From the Climbing Gym to the Trails of Heil Ranch, New Vista Students Embraced Challenges, Ancestral skills, and a Spirited Mac-n-Cheese Cook-Off Despite a Weather-Related Schedule Change Written by Hailey Schmidt, Cottonwood Institute Field Instructor. The last week of May brought some cold weather to the front range this year, affecting New Vista High School’s… Read more »
