Thank you for trusting Cottonwood Institute (CI) with your child on our programs. Each of our programs feature at least 1 day-trip or an overnight camping trip. Below you will find some basic information to help guide you. Each trip has specific dates, times, locations, and links to register. Please contact your teacher, instructor, or CI staff for those specifics by calling 303.447.1076 x701 or via email at madeline@cottonwoodinstitute.org
CI Course Information
Click here for the basic course information.
FAQs
Click here for a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Equipment List:
In order to participate in a Cottonwood Institute (CI) course, you will need to purchase, rent, or borrow the equipment listed below. Having the proper gear will make for a much more comfortable experience, so please ask us if you have any questions. Students are responsible for carrying their own personal equipment during our course, so pack light. If something is not on the equipment list, they probably do not need it during our course. Personal items they need before and after their course (like electronics) will be stored in our locked van, but will not be accessible once our course begins. Please do not buy expensive gear to come on this trip, use what you have and ask about renting or borrowing from our extensive gear supply!
For All Trips, students need to bring the following:
- Hiking Boots or sturdy flat shoes with treads for walking
- If you are attending a spring or winter trip you will want warmer insulated winter boots
- Two 32 ounce water bottles (reusable and filled with potable water)
- 2-3 pairs of wool socks (or synthetic/wool mix, no cotton!) (1 pair / day on longer trips)
- Long pants (hiking pants, jeans or carharts will work)
- Fleece pants (warm non-cotton layer that fits under long pants)
- Long underwear tops and bottoms (synthetic or wool, no cotton!)
- Long sleeved shirt (for sun/extra layer)
- Sweater, pullover or jacket (wool or fleece, no cotton hoodies except in tent!)
- Down or Synthetic Warm layer (puffy jacket)
- Rain gear tops and bottoms
- If you are attending a winter or spring trip bring a winter coat or ski jacket if you have one (a rain jacket with layers under it can work but if you have a winter coat, that is even better.)
- Sunhat (optional)
- Wool hat (warm synthetic hat works)
- Gloves to keep fingers warm in the cold and/or for handling wood in service projects
- Headlamp or Flashlight
- Bandana
- Small plastic/lightweight bowl and spoon (Tupperware works, please bring reusable not
disposable) - Insulated mug or cup (optional)
- Toothbrush and tooth paste
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and Chapstick
- Journal and pen (if instructor confirms)
- Personal Medications (will be held by CI instructors on trip, but please don’t forget them)
- Change of underwear for each day of the trip.
- Toilet Paper (optional)
- Camera (optional), not phones!
- Small knife for carving (optional)
- Small musical instrument (optional)
- Absolutely no electronics! Nothing with an on/off switch except your headlamp and camera. (Instructors will have a cell phone in case of emergency, you will not need yours for any reason! Please be willing to try a new experience for a day and a half!)
Most Cottonwood Institute trips supply tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. Some of our trips ask you to bring your own. Please double check with your teacher/instructor about this. CI can always help with rental gear on a first come, first served basis.
