From Whittling Spoons to Planting Trees, Students Built Skills and Memories in the Colorado Foothills. Written by CI Field Instructor David Goldsmith.
Our latest overnight adventure began at New Vista High School, where excitement buzzed as students gathered their gear and met the instructors who would guide us through the trip. After piling into the vans, our first stop was Buckingham Park. There, beside the rushing creek, we paused to soak in the crisp mountain air, share our anticipation for the days ahead, and reflect on the adventure to come.
From the park, we wound our way up to Cal-Wood. Upon arrival, our instructors gave a thorough safety orientation before Cal-Wood staff gave an overview of the site, offering a sense of the land we would call home for the night. With orientation complete, we turned our attention to camp setup. Using our knowledge of the 5 W’s of tent setup, students scattered across the meadow and got to work. Soon, we were ready for the grand reveal: an “MTV, Welcome to My Crib” showcase of our camp creations. From a sturdy tarp tent to a sprawling “megatent city” and a collection of cozy, dispersed tents, every setup showed off teamwork and ingenuity.
After lunch, we met Cal-Wood’s Volunteer Coordinator, Angie, who guided us into a burn scar left by a wildfire years before. Armed with shovels and saplings, we paired up to plant Ponderosa pines and Douglas firs, contributing to the slow but vital recovery of the forest. Planting trees in pairs brought out the competitive spirit in some, and some friendly competition enabled us to efficiently find just the right spot for each small sapling. By the time we returned to camp, 100 trees stood freshly planted—an effort that left us feeling proud and connected to the land.
Back at camp, we broke out our knives and sticks for some mindful whittling. Students worked diligently on spoon-making – with shavings at our feet and woodchips flying, creativity took root. We then shifted into evening mode, preparing carnitas and bean tacos for dinner. We gathered to eat together, laughter echoing through the meadow, before sweetening the night with classic s’mores. Our day closed with a headlamp-free night hike, a quiet sit spot under the stars, and a playful game of “make each other’s heads disappear” in the dark—a fitting blend of reflection and fun. With full bellies and tired legs, we tucked into our tents and let the night sounds of Cal-Wood lull us to sleep.
Morning greeted us with sunshine and the smell of camp breakfast. Students fried eggs and built bagel sandwiches, fueling up while sharing how their first night in the tents went. Once breakfast was cleared, we struck camp, packed our gear, and loaded the vans, leaving the site as we found it.
Before heading home, we enjoyed a few final activities at the Cal-Wood pond. Some cast fishing lines or returned to whittling projects, followed by a high-energy game of Camouflage, diving into brush to avoid being spotted by leader Erin. Finally, we circled up for a thoughtful debrief, sharing highlights and offering gratitude to our “secret buddies,” wrapping up the trip with warmth and connection.
From planting trees in a recovering forest to laughing over disappearing heads, this overnight at Cal-Wood gave us new skills, stronger friendships, and memories rooted deep in the Colorado foothills.
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.
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