“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” – John Muir

New and returning instructors met up on a sunny Saturday morning in August to head to the hills together, spending the day learning and freshening up on Cottonwood Institute’s core curriculum at CI’s Fall Instructor Training. After quick introductions in Boulder, the crew of 8 educators packed into a couple of cars and caravanned up Left Hand Canyon to Cal-Wood Education Center. As they drove through Jamestown, the instructors were struck by how the town remained devastated by the floods from almost a year ago. Over the past year, Cottonwood Institute has spent more time on programs focusing on the ecological and social impacts of natural disasters. Seeing the affects on the town and landscape of Jamestown inspired valuable discussions among the instructors for how to continue incorporating lessons on preparation, response, and recovery in the wake of wildfires and floods.

Once at Cal-Wood, the day was jam-packed with games, activities, lessons, and discussions to prepare the instructors for fall programs and beyond. Here are a few of the highlights: CI Instructor Rachael Jaffe led an attunement called “Connections” to help everyone get to know each other; Program Coordinator Katie Craig guided the group through a 360 degree awareness activity; Program Director Madeline Bachner led exhilarating games of “Ninja!” and “PDQ”; CI Instructor Jessi Burg guided the group in a relaxing sit spot and a fun game of Camouflage; CI Instructor Sandy Chervenak taught the group new ways to help students “bust a coal” with bowdrills; and everyone contributed towards providing ideas for new ways to reflect and debrief with groups.

A big high five and thank you to all of the instructors who contributed to such a fun, inspiring, empowering, and educational one-day training. Cottonwood Institute is fortunate to have such an amazing group of instructors!

Check out more pictures from our instructor training weekend here: https://instructortraining.shutterfly.com/