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Dirt and Debarking: Kicking Off a Year of Making Change

We began our Changemaker’s first overnight trip with a classic Colorado plot twist: rain. On Friday evening, our van rolled into Granby under the darkness of night and the promise of precipitation. Students sprang into action, pitching tents in the drizzle and laughing while we all worked to flip a rain fly right side out… Read more »

Angevine Field Day at Staunton: On Target for a Great Semester!

On Friday, September 5, Ms. Grillo’s middle school CAP class hit the road for a full day at Staunton State Park. The goal: strengthen friendships, build outdoor confidence, and—most importantly—have fun. The morning at Angevine started with preparation and lively car games. On the hour drive to Staunton, one car group discovered 141 things they… Read more »

Building Intergenerational Bonds Outdoors with Casa de la Esperanza

An Intergenerational Program for Teens, Parents, and Kids at Casa de la Esperanza Helps Families Connect, Camp, and Grow Together. Written by Senior CAP Instructor Erin Angel. We want to share with you some of the magic of the Casa de la Esperanza (Casa) Familias Unidas en la Naturaleza (FUN) Intergenerational Program and how it… Read more »

More Than a Watershed: A Week of Firsts, Friendships, and Fresh Perspectives

In the DSST/LHC Watershed Program, Students Experience Outdoor Adventure and Meaningful Growth Alongside Inspiring Youth Leaders. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. In this year’s DSST/LHC Watershed program, students from both DSST: Cole Middle School and three assistant instructors from Lincoln Hills Cares (LHC) explored a variety of activities in order to deepen their… Read more »

LYC Overnight: Skittles in the Dark and Camouflage in the Pines

Longmont Youth Center Students Learn, Play, and Explore—Plus Test their Taste Buds with Skittles Science—on an Overnight Trip in Bailey, CO. Written by CI Field Instructor Carly Winner. The Longmont Youth Center middle school students had a fascinating exploratory overnight trip. From starting the day off with a large camp set-up, including a tarp city… Read more »

DMLK: Brave Hearts and Bear Hangs

Middle Schoolers from Dr. MLK Jr. Early College Step Into the Outdoors—with Courage, Creativity, and Some Impressive Bear Hangs. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. Recently, students from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College spent the week immersing themselves in outdoor activities from archery to rock climbing to camping in the foothills. On… Read more »

Hook, Line, and Llamas? Sims Fayola Had a Reel-y Good Time Fishing!

Written by Senior Instructor and Associate Director Chelsea Tossing. This week, we traded city sounds for mountain breezes, trout ponds, and surprise pack llama sightings during two days of fishing clinics with the middle school students from Sims-Fayola at Staunton State Park. With rods in hand, students dove into the art of casting, baiting hooks,… Read more »

A Week in the Wild: RiseUp Community School Explores Colorado’s Waters

Exploring Colorado’s Water Systems Combined Science, Service, and Outdoor Adventure. Written by Hailey Schmidt and Caroline Paul. This June, a group of high school students from RiseUp Community School in Denver, CO, headed to the mountains for an unforgettable five-day camping expedition at the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) in Leadville, Colorado. The trip, designed… Read more »

Reflecting on AXL Academy’s Spring Trimester of Adventure

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 »

Longmont Youth Center Overnight Adventure

Teens from Longmont Youth Center Brought Curiosity, Courage, and Joy to the Overnight Trip. Written by CAP Instructor Sara Grillo. Earlier this summer, Cottonwood Institute teamed up with teens from the Longmont Youth Center for an overnight adventure full of learning, laughter, and time in nature. We kicked off the trip early in the morning,… Read more »

Cottonwood Institute
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