DCS Montessori embarked on the Wildfire Project with Cottonwood Institute this May to learn about the past, present, and future of wildfires in Colorado. Written by Field Instructor Tucker Knight. DCS Montessori partnered with Cottonwood Institute for a week of wildfire education and exploration at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, located near Red Feather Lakes northwest… Read more »
Centaurus High School students explore questions about fire and visit a wildland fire station on their overnight. Written by Field Instructor Jarrod Gaut. Becalmed atop a hill, the group surveys a wide and snowy vista. The wind whispers hello as it heralds a frosty moisture. Clouds marshal themselves above snowy peaks and hurry towards the… Read more »
AXL Academy students build a quinzhee and roll down hills in the snow on their winter overnight at Calwood. Written by Field Instructor Jarrod Gaut. Escrito en español más abajo. How do you move a ping pong ball into a bucket twenty feet away without touching it? You scoop it in your shoe! This… Read more »
Cottonwood Instructors Jessie and Ruthie joined Boulder County for a Lefthand Outdoor Challenge winter skills day at Caribou Ranch. Written by Ruthie Cartwright. We’ll invite you into the same scene that we offered the Lefthand Outdoor Challenge students on Saturday: imagine that we just sat down to take a break after a long snowshoe hike…. Read more »
It’s time to build a quinzhee! Written by Field Instructor Jarrod Gaut. Escrito en español más abajo. The marvelous CAP class at Centaurus High were ready; they donned their snowshoes and trudged out to Caribou Ranch lugging their snow shovels. Complete professionals, and hard set to their task, they piled up snow as tall as… Read more »
A double field day exploring Golden, Colorado. Written by Field Instructor Jessie Colin. Escrito en español más abajo. The first snow in Colorado is a special time as it signals the changing of the seasons, and this was the backdrop of STRIVE Prep Westwood’s double field day. We had originally planned an overnight, but with… Read more »
Did you know that starting in 2023, Coloradans can get a Keep Colorado Wild Pass for $29 when they register their car? This pass provides entry to all Colorado state parks and supports important conservation work throughout the state. Through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, funding from the pass will go towards state park maintenance, backcountry… Read more »
Get to know Sadie Norton (she/her), who has been a field instructor with Cottonwood Institute since the winter of 2021-22! Sadie brings light and warmth into every space (indoor or outdoor) she enters, and developed her love of experiential education at the Kent State University Outdoor Adventure Center, YMCA Camp Fitch, Outward Bound, NOLS, and… Read more »
We are so excited to formally welcome Tucker Knight (they/them) to the CI team! Tucker has been field instructing with us since the summer, and they are teaching CAP Class at STRIVE Prep Westwood this fall. Tucker brings a range of experiences to the team, from working one-on-one with students last school year, to creating… Read more »
We are excited to do a little bragging about our amazing Cottonwood Institute (Cottonwood) Senior Instructor, Erin Angel (she/her)! Erin is a woman of many talents, interests, and passions, and we are excited for you to get to know her better! Erin teaches Cottonwood’s core CAP Class and Changemaker Program in Boulder County. Erin helps… Read more »
