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Finding Wonder Around Every Corner on the CHSC Overnight

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 »

Finding Joy in the Hills: Angevine’s Overnight Adventure

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 »

Climbing, Cooking, and Creativity: A Memorable New Vista Trip

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 »

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 »

A Winter Trimester of Service and Challenge for AXL Academy

Winter Trimester was Filled with Resilience, Discovery, and Student-Led Impact in the Outdoors for AXL Academy CAP Class Written by AXL CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy Middle Schoolers enjoyed a CAP Winter Trimester full of service projects and adventures that challenged students outside of their comfort zone. We kicked off our trimester with a… Read more »

Backcountry Magic with Peak to Peak’s “Big Blue Booty Bears”

The Peak to Peak Charter School Group Dubbed the “Big Blue Booty Bears” Enjoyed Some Backcountry Magic: An Adventure Full of Teamwork, Silly Skits, and Unexpected Moments. Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. The Big Blue Booty Bears group from Peak to Peak Charter School set off toward Big Dominguez… Read more »

Canyon Backpacking with Peak to Peak’s “Collard Greens”

Canyon Backpacking with the “Collard Greens” Group: Fishing, Fire-Building & Rockfruit Discoveries in Dominguez Canyon Written by CI Field Instructor Shawn Heyland. The Collard Greens group from Peak to Peak Charter School set out on our canyon backpacking adventure on Wednesday afternoon from the Dominguez Canyon Trailhead. Our designated route would take us from the… Read more »

Unique Canyon Campsites with Peak to Peak’s “Purple Elephants”

The “Purple Elephant” Crew Navigated Tricky Routes, Found Perfect Canyon Campsites, and Mastered the Bear Hang on their Backpacking Trip Written by Maeve O’Meara, CI Director of Operations & People. The Peak to Peak Charter School group who called themselves the Purple Elephants set out from the trailhead on Wednesday afternoon with a clear mission:… Read more »

Changemakers Enjoy a Warm, Cozy Sleep in Quinzees

What It Takes to Sleep in Quinzees: A Changemakers Backcountry Journey of Grit, Snow, and Self-Reliance Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Smile and say “Quinzeeeeee!” Changemakers Outdoor Leadership Corps were all smiles when they finally finished building their quinzees in time to scarf down a late dinner and crawl… Read more »

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