For many years Cottonwood Institute (CI) has partnered with military youth and family programs to provide outings for kids and families serving in the U.S. Military. This year, CI is offering three programs as part of a series of engagements with the Colorado Army National Guard for our Military Kids Project 2017. On Saturday March 25th, 2017… Read more »
Posts By: Madeline Bachner
Community Adventure Program Curriculum Approved By BVSD
In August 2016, Cottonwood Institute (CI) took on a very important last minute project to officially have our Community Adventure Program (CAP) curriculum approved by the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education. This has been a long time coming and will open opportunities for work with more schools in Boulder County. Curriculum approval was… Read more »
A Truly “Trashy” Halloween! From the Earth Task Force
On Monday, Earth Task Force (ETF) held a contest, called ”Trashy” Halloween, to raise awareness about upcycling, recycling, and reuse. Each advisory classroom was required to make a costume made only of recycled materials with an environmental theme. They then competed to see who had the best and most creative costume the day of Halloween…. Read more »
Honey Raised Some Money for the Earth Task Force
The Earth Task Force (ETF) held a bake sale of yummy pastries that all contained honey to promote pollinators. ETF students decided to do this for the pollinators that are in danger of becoming extinct and the team wanted to earn money to give to an organization that helps pollinators. They also wanted to help… Read more »
Westwood CAP Field Day at Garfield Lake Park
The Community Adventure Program (CAP) students at STRIVE Prep – Westwood were so excited about their upcoming overnight camping trip that they just couldn’t wait to spend a day outdoors! Cottonwood was happy to accommodate this request by scheduling a day trip at a local park. On April 9th, four students, two instructors, and a STRIVE teacher spent six… Read more »
Spring Training Cottonwood Institute Style: Instructor Training 2016
March 2016 brings in instructors new and seasoned with Cottonwood Institute. As we roll into April and a busy prep season for trips, we cannot forget the instructor training that set it all up. Over the course of two evenings and two very full weekend days, the CI instructor training unfolded, forming new bonds while… Read more »
Earth Task Force Turns Trash into Tradition with “Trashy” Halloween Costume Competition
On October 30th Earth Task Force (ETF) an environmental club at New Vista High School, hosted the very first ‘Trashy’ Halloween Costume Contest event. The event was aimed at raising awareness and pushing students to think about the impacts people have on the environment. Advisories (community based classes that students participate in daily) competed against… Read more »
STRIVE Prep Federal Backpacking Adventure
Over the course of two gorgeous days this fall, a small group from STRIVE Prep – Federal experienced a Cottonwood Institute backpacking adventure at White Ranch Open Space. Students were amazed at how much stuff there was to pack up for two days, how heavy the packs were, and how long it took to get it all in… Read more »
Race to Reuse: New Vista Recycle Relay
During late October, the student-led New Vista High School club called Earth Task Force (ETF) ran a competition focused on creating student awareness about the school waste stream. Each of the school advisories (home rooms) participated in a race to sort out a bucket of various waste found around the school. This included Starbucks cups,… Read more »
STRIVE Sunnyside CAP Class Writes About Their Trip
This past weekend, the Community Adventure Program (CAP) students of STRIVE Preparatory Schools – Sunnyside, made the journey to Cal-Wood to spend the weekend camping with their Cottonwood Institute course. They saw and learned a ton about their environment. They thought it was really cool when they found out pine needles were edible. They loved… Read more »