The Taylor Mountain Trip Provided the Reminder that Sometimes All You Need is a Forest, a Fire, and Friends. Written by Erin Angel, Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator.
The Changemakers kicked off their fall backpacking trip to Taylor Mountain with a little unexpected mystery. On the hike to our campsite, we were checking out tracks along the trail when Alex pointed out a fresh deer hide to the side of the trail. How did it get there? What took the rest of the deer and left the hide? After some close inspection, the group realized that the cuts were too clean and there was too little blood around, so they deduced that hunters had left it earlier that morning—information later confirmed. Some students immediately eyed the deer forelegs like prized souvenirs, while Erin claimed dibs on the hide itself. A classic Changemakers moment.
We reached the pond and settled into the sunshine for lunch, stretching out and soaking up the warmth before outlining our goals for the day. Once tents were up, the group split in two directions—some students curled up inside their tents for a little downtime, while others set off to look for salamanders. No salamanders were spotted, so it was game time. We practiced fox walking, quietly gliding across the forest floor as prep for a sneaky, laughter-filled round of Camouflage. We played until nearly sunset and then hurried to finish chores before dark. Students divided up the tasks: some filtered water for everyone, others set up the bear hang, and a few gathered firewood and got the fire crackling.
After the pasta dinner and Changemakers staple dessert of Tim Tam Slams, Kay led a game of Mafia around the fire while we roasted s’mores (second dessert). A few games of Imposter and some cozy chatting wrapped up the night.
After a solid, goodish sleep, we woke early for hot drinks and time warming up by the fire. Then we had a special treat—a moose on the far side of the pond, quietly making its way down the hill. After most of us watched the moose, there were still a couple of students sleeping late in their tents. We woke them up by dancing around their tent and doing the Kunja chant louder and louder until we heard their sleepy groans.
After big bowls of hot oatmeal, we stayed around the fire making coal-burned spoons all morning. Everyone was engrossed in blowing on the coals to burn the perfect bowl and then whittling and shaping the handle. At one point Kam summed up why Cottonwood Institute shares ancestral skills: “There is no school, there is no homework. There is only the fire, and spoons.”
“There is no school, there is no homework. There is only the fire, and spoons.”
When was the last time you were that focused and connected?
After lunch, we packed up camp and made our way back toward the pond for more awareness games—Smaug’s Jewels and Predator Prey, as our Taylor Mountain backpacking trip was wrapping up. When we gathered for our closing debrief, Erin asked what everyone had learned over the weekend. Kaia reflected: “Just a short break from daily life can make a big difference.”
And honestly, that felt like the perfect final thought.
“Just a short break from daily life can make a big difference.”
A big thank you to the funders and supporters who help make the Changemakers Program possible, including: Larrk Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Thorne Nature Experience, and Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program.
Changemakers are also raising money for their culminating multi-day backpacking trip next summer, where they design and implement the planning, logistics, itinerary, routes, gear, food, and transportation. They can explore anywhere in Colorado, so the sky is literally the limit. Read more about the 2025 Changemakers trip, and donate today to help make a life-changing experience possible for our 2025-26 Changemakers!
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