We recently caught up with Chandra Galbiati Thomas, a rock star CAP Alumni from the early days of Cottonwood Institute at New Vista High School. See what she’s been up to since her high schools days romping in the outdoors!

“I currently live in New York City, working as a software engineer for Peloton. One doesn’t usually think about hiking in the concrete jungle, but the outdoors are more accessible than one might expect, with lots of hiking right off public transit. You can even get to the Appalachian trail on the commuter rail!

I participated in the Community Adventure Program at New Vista High School in its first years. My parents are both avid outdoor enthusiasts, and I had been hiking and camping all my life. However, CAP brought together passion for the outdoors, learning, and activism in a unique way that helped kindle my own passion for both the outdoors and activism. Learning about ecology while on the trail helped me learn more deeply – I still remember much of what I learned about local ecosystems and responsible trekking etiquette. Furthermore, structuring activism and service around research and passion helped me feel like I could be an agent of change. For several years, I worked as a science teacher, and my experiences in CAP helped shape my own teaching, as I attempted to infuse my students’ learning with passion and striving to change the world, whether it be genetic engineering or climate change.

Additionally, the survival skills that I learned make me more comfortable adventuring, and bringing others into the wilderness. While I hope to never get caught in an avalanche, as a backcountry skier, it is a distinct possibility, and I feel safer knowing how avalanches are triggered, how to assess safety, and what to do if I get caught in one.”

-Written by Chandra Galbiati Thomas, CAP alumni