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More Than a Watershed: A Week of Firsts, Friendships, and Fresh Perspectives

In the DSST/LHC Watershed Program, Students Experience Outdoor Adventure and Meaningful Growth Alongside Inspiring Youth Leaders. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. In this year’s DSST/LHC Watershed program, students from both DSST: Cole Middle School and three assistant instructors from Lincoln Hills Cares (LHC) explored a variety of activities in order to deepen their… Read more »

Red Dust & Cliffside Hotels: A Cottonwood Alumni Adventure in New Mexico

Exploring Ancient Cliffside Dwellings, Volunteering Along the Rio Grande, and Uncovering the Layers of History in New Mexico’s Red Earth. Written by Changemaker Alum Lahja Wise. As a Changemaker Alum, I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to continue learning from and working with Cottonwood. That all culminated in a final trip that kicked… Read more »

LYC Overnight: Skittles in the Dark and Camouflage in the Pines

Longmont Youth Center Students Learn, Play, and Explore—Plus Test their Taste Buds with Skittles Science—on an Overnight Trip in Bailey, CO. Written by CI Field Instructor Carly Winner. The Longmont Youth Center middle school students had a fascinating exploratory overnight trip. From starting the day off with a large camp set-up, including a tarp city… Read more »

DMLK: Brave Hearts and Bear Hangs

Middle Schoolers from Dr. MLK Jr. Early College Step Into the Outdoors—with Courage, Creativity, and Some Impressive Bear Hangs. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles. Recently, students from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College spent the week immersing themselves in outdoor activities from archery to rock climbing to camping in the foothills. On… Read more »

A Week in the Wild: RiseUp Community School Explores Colorado’s Waters

Exploring Colorado’s Water Systems Combined Science, Service, and Outdoor Adventure. Written by Hailey Schmidt and Caroline Paul. This June, a group of high school students from RiseUp Community School in Denver, CO, headed to the mountains for an unforgettable five-day camping expedition at the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) in Leadville, Colorado. The trip, designed… Read more »

Longmont Youth Center Overnight Adventure

Teens from Longmont Youth Center Brought Curiosity, Courage, and Joy to the Overnight Trip. Written by CAP Instructor Sara Grillo. Earlier this summer, Cottonwood Institute teamed up with teens from the Longmont Youth Center for an overnight adventure full of learning, laughter, and time in nature. We kicked off the trip early in the morning,… Read more »

Into the Labyrinth: Changemakers Summer Trip 2025

Experiences in Labyrinth Canyon and with Regenerative Agriculture Provided Changemakers with Opportunities to Show Grit, Growth, and Share Plenty of Laughs. Written by Changemakers Senior Instructor Chelsea Tossing. We spent our first day in Dinosaur National Monument trying to find fish scales and instead discovered a thousand similar lizards. We sat on warm rocks, crawled… Read more »

Weathering the Wild: New Vista High School’s Adventure with Rain-Snow Mix

The Rain-Snow Mix Encountered at Cal-Wood Enabled Students to Practice Thermoregulation Skills Learned Indoors. Written by CI Field Instructor David Diaz and NVHS CAP Instructor Lori Powell. Cottonwood had the privilege of guiding a group of New Vista High School students on a backcountry adventure to Cal-Wood as part of their Community Adventure Program (CAP)… Read more »

Angevine Middle School’s CAP Class Spring Overnight at Cheley

Cheley Outpost provided a solid base camp for Angevine Middle School students to learn outdoor skills and explore the natural surroundings. Written by CI Field Instructor David Goldsmith. After weeks of planning and learning in the classroom, Angevine Middle School’s CAP class set out for their overnight expedition at Cheley Outpost. We unloaded upon arrival… Read more »

Wilderness Canyon Backpacking with Peak to Peak Charter School

Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Provided a Unique Setting for Peak to Peak Students to Embrace Adventure while Backpacking through in Both Directions. Written by CI Field Instructor David Goldsmith. After a tempestuously windy night, the Peak to Peak Charter School group set out for Bear Family Ranch – our home for the next two nights. With… Read more »

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