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A Floofy Day on the Farm with New Vista High School

Written by Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt with help from the New Vista students. The New Vista High School CAP class had a great day at Ollin Farms. They helped plant some succulents and morning glories as well as spread mycelium and mulch. They played a number of games and students enjoyed exploring near the creek…. 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 »

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 »

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 »

Weathering the Wild: New Vista High School’s Adventure with Rain-Snow Mix

The Rain-Snow Mix Encountered at Cal-Wood Enabled Students to Practice Thermoregulation Skills Learned Indoors. Written by CI Field Instructor David Diaz and NVHS CAP Instructor Lori Powell. Cottonwood had the privilege of guiding a group of New Vista High School students on a backcountry adventure to Cal-Wood as part of their Community Adventure Program (CAP)… Read more »

Digging into Service Learning at Ollin Farms

Digging in the Dirt Allowed New Vista High School Students the Opportunity to Connect with the Earth and Each Other. Written by CI Field Instructor Kelsi Massengale. On a bright and sunny Friday morning, students from New Vista High School’s CAP class prepared for their field day with a bit of hacky-sack outside the school… Read more »

Seeing the World through a New Lens: New Vista’s Fall Overnight

Surrounded by the Autumnal aspens who were casting their golden beams of light upon us, New Vista’s CAP Class followed the long and winding road to Camp Cheley in Estes Park, a place we would call home for the next two days. After arriving, we oriented ourselves to this new space, wild and new to… Read more »

Staff Spotlight: New Vista CAP Instructor Lori Powell

Get to know Lori Powell (she/her), our CAP Instructor at New Vista High School! With experience ranging from experiential education to play-based learning, Lori knows how to bring life to a classroom! Learn more about Lori below, and read our other staff and board profiles here! What led you to become an environmental educator? I… Read more »

NVHS Students mulching at Ollin Farms

Soaked Seeds of Change: New Vista Students’ Transformative Day at Ollin Farms

Written by Eeland Stribling, Cottonwood Institute Field Instructor When New Vista High School students stepped onto Ollin Farms for a Cottonwood Institute field day, they expected to learn about sustainable farming. What they didn’t expect was how a day of hands-on experiences would foster seeds of environmental stewardship and community connection. The day began with… 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 »

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