The Cottonwood Institute had an amazing opportunity to work with Colorado Youth for a Change (CYC) during a four day program. Led by Cottonwood Institute instructors Deb and Jessi, the program began with two day hikes and culminated in an overnight backpacking trip at White Ranch Open Space Park outside of Golden, Colorado. Colorado Youth… Read more »
Posts By: Ford Church
Our Impact: A Mid-Year Update From The Cottonwood Institute
We hope everyone has been having an extraordinary summer! We have been busy this year and wanted to send out a quick mid-year update about what we have been up to, our impact so far this year, and a few projects we have been working on. Impact. So far this year, we have been able… Read more »
Out of the Office and into the Soil: Volunteer Day at the Learning Garden!
On a sunny morning in July, the Learning Garden at New Vista High School pulled Cottonwood Institute staff away from their computers and dove into the soil. Cottonwood Institute staff, donors, students, and friends volunteered their morning to work side by side to pull weeds, harvest food, and plant root veggies. They harvested heaps of healthy… Read more »
A Tournament of Epic Proportions
Epic. Noble. Empowering. Bragging Rights. Smiles. Koozies. What’s that? The Cornhole Throwdown? Yes, folks. The 4th annual Cornhole Throwdown is coming up this August 24th at Congress Park in Denver. The Throwdown is an annual event for people who want to enjoy a delightful Saturday afternoon in the park playing some Cornhole with friends, while supporting… Read more »
Elk, Camping, and Reflection at New Vista High School
The Community Adventure Program (CAP) at New Vista High School wrapped up it’s quarter a couple of weeks ago! The quarter flew by, filled with field trips, guest speakers, hikes, camping trips, and students taking action to have a positive impact on their communities. Here are a few highlights from the quarter, focusing on the… Read more »
And The 2013 Ripple Effect Award Goes To…Camille Lauer!
On April 20th at the Base Camp Bash, Cottonwood Institute awarded Camille Lauer with the 2013 Ripple Effect Award! The Ripple Effect Award is awarded to an outstanding Cottonwood Institute student each year. Local artist Bryan Buikema created the beautiful award piece, which will be displayed at the recipient’s school each year. Below, take a… Read more »
Graveyard Poetry, Pre-Calculus, and Shoveling April Snow For May Flowers In The Learning Garden
Although snow covered much of the compost when students arrived at school earlier this spring, but that didn’t stop a brave and motivated group of New Vista High School advisory students from shoveling and moving compost, clearing our gardens out of a foot of snow, digging weeds and spreading compost over all of our gardens!… Read more »
Exploring, Water Quality, And Camping: Casa de la Esperanza Youth Impact Their Community
What a difference a few weeks made for the children of Casa de la Esperanza! The Cottonwood Institute worked with Casa youth between the ages of eight to twelve years old once a week this spring to explore the natural world, learn about local environmental issues, and take action to tackle an issue affecting their… Read more »
Earth Task Force helps New Vista High School Become First Green Star School!
Citizens of the United States represent about 5% of the world’s population but produce 30% of the world’s garbage. The Earth Task Force (ETF) was shocked by this amount of waste production. For years the ETF has searched for ways to reduce waste production at New Vista High School (NVHS) and save precious natural resources. Past… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute Hosts Most Successful Bash Ever!
It is incredible what is possible when the community pulls together to support a good cause. Approximately 250 people and local businesses rallied together to donate money, silent auction items, food, and spirits to help make the 2013 Base Camp Bash our most successful event ever! So how much money did we raise? We raised… Read more »
