AXL Field Day full of discoveries!

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Year In Review: Impact Report 2023-24

Looking back on the impact of our past school year of programming at Cottonwood Institute (August 2023-July 2024), we are overwhelmed by the life-changing experiences that were created for over 530 students. Across 12 Program Partners, 29 Programs were delivered where Instructors and students learned how to navigate the challenges of pushing themselves out of… Read more »

A Lincoln Hills Cares Watershed Program participant shows a little frog in their hand

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Lincoln Hills Cares: Roaring Adventure and Lasting Impact

Growth, Discovery, and Community on the Colorado River. Written by CI Field Instructor Eeland Stribling. For the second year in a row, we had the pleasure of taking a group of students from Lincoln Hills Cares on an unforgettable adventure. While last year’s trip was fantastic, this year managed to top it in so many… Read more »

Changemaker instructor and students pose with plans as moustaches

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Changemaker Program Year In Review 2023-24

And just like that, another inspiring cohort of Changemaker Outdoor Leadership Corps (a.k.a. Changemaker) students wrapped up an incredible year. Let’s take a look back to see what the Changemaker students accomplished for the 2023-24 programming year: This past fall, Changemakers hiked the Boulder Flatirons and enjoyed a September sunset picnic giving their program year… Read more »

A DMLK student caught a fish!

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DMLK Explorers: From Classroom to Campground

Discovering Nature, Building Community, and Making Memories. Written by Assistant Instructor Sasha Trask. Day 1 – Get-to-know-you and basic skills! We started off our first day of the Explore Outside program at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College (DMLK).  After a cool, cloudy morning of games, we headed off to Barr Lake State Park…. Read more »

A RiseUp Community High School student rafting on the Arkansas River during the Watershed Project trip

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RiseUp Makes a Splash! A Week of Rafting, Reflection, and Recharging in the Colorado Mountains

From Fish Hatcheries to Fierce Rapids, RiseUp Community High School Students Navigate Nature and Themselves in Leadville. Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. A small group of RiseUp Community High School students spent a wonderful week with Cottonwood Institute, learning about watersheds, getting to know each other better, and experiencing nature’s joys in the… Read more »

AXL 8th grade student holding a bullsnake he found on the overnight trip

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Bullsnakes, Bonfires, and Baby Salamanders: AXL Academy 8th Grade CAP Students Say Farewell with Epic Camping Trip!

AXL Academy 8th Graders Explore, Learn, and Make Memories on Unforgettable Adventure. Written by CI Field Instructor Caroline Paul. That’s a wrap on another great year of Community Adventure Program (CAP) Class at Aurora’s Expeditionary Learning Academy (AXL)! The 8th graders took their final camping trip before their big high school graduation, which was certainly… Read more »