Coyote or Kangaroo Rat: New Vista CAP Students Experience the Thrill of the Hunt (and the Joy of Play) at Betasso Preserve Field Day. Written by Instructor Amy Atkins. Do you ever wonder what it feels like to be a kangaroo rat? (Maybe right now, your brain took a hard right detour, and you are… Read more »
From Survival Skills to Community Impact: A Journey of Growth and Connection at RiseUp Community High School. Written by Logistics Manager Maeve O’Meara. This January, in the heart of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, RiseUp Community High School welcomed Cottonwood Institute to offer students a unique opportunity for growth and connection. For the first time ever,… Read more »
Inspiring the Next Wave of Environmental Stewards: How This Collaborative Event Is Helping Shape the Future of Outdoor and Environmental Advocacy. Written by Associate Director & Senior Instructor Chelsea Tossing. With a shared vision of empowering young people and fostering a deeper connection with nature, Cottonwood Institute and Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) brought together… Read more »
Our high school Changemakers gathered on a unseasonably balmy weekend in January 2024 to receive their Wilderness First Aid and CPR Training from Backcountry Pulse, an amazing Latina owned small business based in Colorado. The Changemakers are developing their leadership and trip leading skills, so it is important for them to have Wilderness First Aid… Read more »
Students Enjoy Snowball Fights, Baseball, and Moonlit Walks on a Trip to Cal-Wood Education Center. Written by Caroline Paul. AXL Academy 8th graders spent an extraordinary overnight trip at Cal-Wood Education Center near Jamestown, Colorado. What started as exceptionally warm leaned its way to a beautiful overnight snowfall. AXL students spent the early afternoon learning… Read more »
A day of community building, thoughtful discussion, and hands-on learning to start the year intentionally. Written by Iona Kelly. On January 7th, 2024 Cottonwood Institute held an Instructor Winter Training day in the beautiful Camp Patiya. It was held with a focus on our various programs and how to support the creation of opportunities for… Read more »
CAP Outdoor Class students at Centaurus High School learn to build fires and use them to roast marshmallows as part of their final exam to evaluate outdoor skills. Written by CAP Instructor Erin Angel. How do you like your marshmallow? Lightly toasted? Golden brown? Burnt beyond all recognition? The Centaurus High School CAP Outdoor Class… Read more »
Students at Angevine Middle School take action to promote outdoor play at their school. Written by CAP Instructor Erin Angel. Everyone who plays Gaga Ball loves Gaga Ball! After spending hours playing the game during our fall campout at Cheley Outpost Camp, the Angevine Middle School CAP Outdoor Class decided to share this fun game… Read more »
Scaling New Heights and Navigating Nature: AXL Academy Students’ Adventurous Winter Field Days. Written by Cottonwood Field Instructor Kira Taggart. In early December, AXL 7th and 8th graders went on their winter field days to The Spot Climbing Gym and Pelican Pond Open Space. We had two fun days where students learned the basics of… Read more »
How the Changemaker Outdoor Leadership Corps Discovered Magic Stewarding Colorado’s Land. Written by Senior CAP Instructor Erin Angel. The Changemaker Outdoor Leadership Corps spent two crisp, golden days together enjoying a break from the pressures of the “real world.” We gathered under the bright autumn sun at Reynolds Ranch to work with the inspiring Ranger… Read more »
