Students Explored Wildfire Impacts, Built Community, and Got Hands-On with Wildfire Education During a Three-Day Adventure with Horizons at Colorado Academy
Written by Sara Grillo, CAP Instructor & Events Coordinator. Our three-day, two-night adventure with Horizons at Colorado Academy focused on wildfires, a particularly relevant topic this summer as fires continue to impact communities across Colorado. We even experienced some of those impacts ourselves, with a campsite in a wildfire burn scar and thick wildfire smoke settling around our campsite as winds carried it from far away into the area.
We started at the school, where students immediately jumped in to help prepare lunch and sandwiches for the trip. They were chatting with instructors, helping each other out, and showing us right away just how friendly and inclusive this group is. From there, we headed to Cal-Wood and worked together to fire-line all of our gear out of the vehicle before gathering for our first opening circle over lunch. A name game with some tossing of stuffed animals helped everyone get to know each other, and then it was time to set up camp.
Once students had learned how to set up their tents and settled into their new homes for the trip, we did an activity focused on getting to know each other and respecting one another’s comfort zones. Together, we created expectations for how we wanted to treat and support each other throughout the trip. Then it was time for a game of wits, where students had to figure out how to cross a “burning forest” and survive a wildfire! We ended the day with dinner, cooler evening temperatures, and s’mores around the campfire.
The next morning started with breakfast and some high-energy games. Mass Paranoia got everyone moving (basically Capture the Flag times 100!), followed by Predator-Prey, where students had to find each other using only sound while completely blindfolded.
Then we got hands-on with our wildfire-focused service project. Cal-Wood is experimenting with using mushroom mycelium to help break down slash piles without burning them, and our students got to be part of this brand-new experiment. We made “mycelium burritos” by wrapping mushroom-inoculated material in burlap, then tucked them deep into the slash piles and hoped for some rain over the next couple of weeks. It was pretty amazing to have our group participate in something Cal-Wood is experimenting with for the first time. A huge thank you to Cal-Wood for letting our students get their hands dirty and be part of the science!
The rest of the day was filled with games of Camouflage, exploring the historic homestead on-site, learning about Leave No Trace, and, of course, more games. We ended the night with Sardines and Ghosts in the Graveyard, with students still wanting to keep playing long after it was time for bed.
Our final morning was quieter. After breakfast and one last opening circle, we took a final “sit spot”, giving everyone a chance to slow down, sit with their own thoughts, and connect with the nature around them. Then we packed up camp and headed home.
In just three days, students learned about wildfire and forest management while building relationships, practicing teamwork, stepping outside their comfort zones, and contributing to a real-world conservation project.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Cottonwood Institute donors, sponsors, and event attendees—your support makes transformative experiences like this possible.
If you’re also passionate about getting students outside for hands-on experiences learning about wildfire, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
