Cottonwood Institute is grateful to receive a $15,000 grant from Xcel Energy Foundation for the second year in a row! This gift will help support our CAP Classes at AXL Academy, Angevine Middle School, Centaurus High School, New Vista High School, and STRIVE Prep – Westwood during the 2022-23 school year. Because of the continuing… Read more »
With bluegrass music, craft cocktails, Yeti hats, cotton candy, Ripple Effect Awards, and so much more, the 2022 Base Camp Bash was definitely bodacious and bustling. The Base Camp Bash is the main fundraising event for Cottonwood Institute and raises approximately 20% of our annual operating budget – no pressure! Having said that, we are… Read more »
Find out what students thought of CAP Class during fall 2021! Written by Curriculum Manager Chelsea Tossing (Escrito en español más abajo) Our 2021 CAP classes have wrapped, and it’s been an eventful semester here at CI! After COVID put a pause on our field experiences during the 2020-21 school year, we were thrilled to… Read more »
For the past year, Cottonwood Institute has been lucky enough to partner with We Ride 4, a local cycling club in Denver, CO. We Ride 4 strives to create an experience-based cycling community that shares a passion for riding and socializing. Their membership dues go toward supporting non-profits that benefit children through better health, activities,… Read more »
Elevations Foundation chose Cottonwood Institute as one of their 2021-2022 Community Grantees! This grant will enable Cottonwood to continue to strengthen Community Adventure Program (CAP), our core educational program. CAP is a class offered during the school day for academic credit in middle and high schools across the Front Range, including in Boulder, Lafayette, Aurora,… Read more »
Giving Tuesday and Colorado Gives Day are coming up quickly! Your support during these local and international giving days can help Cottonwood Institute unlock a $20,000 match from three generous families. When you set up a Seedling Monthly Giving Donation at any level by December 31, 2021, you will help unlock a $20,000 match to… Read more »
Local Denver artist Mike Wilson did something extraordinary. He painted watercolors of 53 of the highest peaks in Colorado, known as “14ers” for their height of over 14,000 feet above sea level – and donated the entire collection to Cottonwood Institute. Our online 14ers Artwork Store is now open so that outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado… Read more »
As Cottonwood Institute (CI) wraps up its 17th year of operation, I wanted to take a moment to reflect about the challenges and successes of this past year. We are now highly skilled at being flexible, designing creative back up to the back up plans, and are ready to tackle any challenges and opportunities… Read more »
Denver artist Mike Wilson, who has painted magnificent watercolors of the highest peaks in Colorado, has joined forces with Cottonwood Institute, an award-winning 501(c)3 educational non-profit organization based in Denver, in an effort to break down barriers to get more underrepresented kids outdoors and inspire them to be leaders for the environment. Wilson’s and Cottonwood’s… Read more »
Written by CI Cap Instructor Carly Winner My students from the Aurora Expeditionary Learning Academy (AXL) CAP Class ventured to Cherry Creek State Park on September 10th to brave the heat and enjoy the fresh air. Our first adventure of the school year focused on team building activities, exploring, and enjoying our time outdoors. In preparation for… Read more »
