Winter Trimester was Filled with Resilience, Discovery, and Student-Led Impact in the Outdoors for AXL Academy CAP Class
Written by AXL CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy Middle Schoolers enjoyed a CAP Winter Trimester full of service projects and adventures that challenged students outside of their comfort zone.
We kicked off our trimester with a local trip to Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, where students eagerly set out on a trash hunt around the reservoir for microplastics. Little did we know, we would come across much more than that, including: paddleboard fins, steak bones, fishing line, sandals, costume jewelry, clothes, bottles, and cans galore. Students were initially motivated to win a prize for the group that collected the most trash, and eventually became self-motivated by the chance to explore and admire the landscape and wildlife around us. Along the way, we came across beaver chew, feathers, seashells, crawfish claws, and a bald eagle that swirled above us the whole afternoon.
Students paused to reflect on the ways that pollution affects local wildlife as they learned about the pronghorn, prairie falcons, deer, salamanders, that live in and around Cherry Creek State Park and local prairie lands. Between both 7th and 8th grade classes, we collectively gathered around twenty 5-gallon buckets of trash. Everyone later reflected on how our trash service project was the most exciting part of their field day.
However, the fun did not stop there – we then headed over to the archery range where some students sharpened their skills, while others nervously picked up a bow and arrow for the first time. Students cheered each other on and supported other students through their nervousness and jitters.
Although this winter did not provide enough snow for a winter camping trip filled with snowball fights, snowshoeing, or igloo and snow angel-making, we made the best of the circumstances we were given. We set out to Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, where students had the opportunity to try the low-ropes course on site. Students were tasked with different challenges at each station, including Ants on a Log, Whale Watcher, and the Spider Web. Each station required coordinated efforts from the students, as well as trust and communication. Some stations were more challenging than others, with students on the brink of giving up at times. Everyone pushed through and felt proud of themselves afterwards.
8th-grade CAP students also had the opportunity to participate in a seed preparation service project to support wildlife restoration efforts at Cal-Wood. Students took their time meticulously separating Golden Banner seeds from their pods so that other groups of students can sow these seeds across the landscape in the spring.
Every trimester, CAP students decide on an Action Project to devote their time and creative energy to, with the intention of addressing a local environmental issue to support their community. This winter trimester, 7th-grade CAP students were excited to showcase their family and cultural recipes in a CAP Cookbook. Students interviewed their families about the meaning and memories behind their favorite family recipes. The cookbook also included tips on reducing food waste, as well as a guide on how to compost. 8th-grade CAP students wrote a CAP Class Newspaper where they interviewed each other about their experiences on our field days and overnights, as well as the service projects we participated in.
Our CAP class persevered through various trials and challenges this trimester, and everyone grew closer together, feeling proud of what can be accomplished when we work together.
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’re also passionate about helping students get outdoors and take action to make change in their communities, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
