Centaurus High School Students Gained Knowledge and Skills Through Indoor Activities and Outdoor Explorations. Written by Senior CAP Instructor Erin Angel.
Thank you all for a great semester of CAP class at Centaurus High School! Looking back, we did so much fun and interesting stuff.
We started the semester with creating our own utopian society, which led to our class creating our community rules and norms. We started learning about animal tracks with our Track of the Day and learned survival skills and outdoor skills to get ready for our snowshoeing trip to Caribou Ranch. We built an amazing snow shelter and a snowman to guard the entrance.
After reflecting on our amazing trip, we learned about the endangered and threatened plant and animal species that live in Boulder County and what factors are contributing to these species being threatened. We learned about other environmental issues, too. Like when we made fruit salad and tallied how far our food had to travel to get to our plates. Or when we learned about how much energy and resources go into the stuff we think we need to own, while costumed and reading The Lorax.
Then we started thinking about what environmental issues were important to us and how we could help. The class decided that improving habitat for birds and pollinators was important and would be fun. We researched and planted native plants and seeds in the school garden. We made bee-shaped garden signs to tell people about the importance of pollinators. And we built some really cool insect hotels that make great homes for pollinators.
Our second trip was supposed to be an overnight camping trip, but the weather was so cold and rainy that we switched to two fun day trips (and I am sure glad we didn’t have to sleep in a snowstorm)! We picnicked at Waneka Lake and went rock climbing at The Spot. The next day we hiked at Chautauqua and played lots of games, ending the day with a piñata for the twins’ birthday.
We topped off the Centaurus High CAP class semester with a CAP Olympics, where we identified and collected wild edible plants near the school. Rylin dominated the knot-tying competition. We fiercely battled in Capture the Flag and CAP Trivia competitions. We ended our class with a team fire-building competition and s’mores!
A big thanks to the funders and supporters that make the CAP Class possible, including: Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Patagonia, PeyBack Foundation, Strear Family Foundation, Thorne Nature Experience, Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
If you, too, are passionate about supporting students in learning and exploring outdoors, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
