Conor Keane survival day

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Survival Skills Day with the Keane Crew

When Conor Keane raised his paddle to win a survival skills training with Cottonwood Institute, he didn’t know that later he would be up to his forearms in soil and pine needles.  Conor is part of We Ride 4, a recreational bike organization that raises money and awareness for awesome non-profits like Cottonwood Institute. He… Read more »

DCS Montessori

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Wild Times and Wildfire Learning with DCS Montessori

Cottonwood Institute and DCS Montessori explored Cal-wood through the lens of wildfire for 4 days and 3 nights. Highlights included completing a wildfire mitigation Action Project to help reduce unnaturally destructive wildfires, practicing proper fire-building techniques, playing games, and adventuring around the woods. The group was fortunate to be joined by various experts that taught… Read more »

CAP wildfire project

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CAP Fire Mitigation Action Project

Written by CAP Instructor & Curriculum Manager Chelsea Tossing If you live anywhere in the drought-stricken west, wildfire has almost definitely been on your mind these past few years. With three out of the four of Colorado’s largest wildfires ravaging the state in 2020 and both the Marshall fire and the NCAR fire impacting our… Read more »

William Smith overnight

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William Smith’s First Ever Overnight with Cottonwood Institute!

Cottonwood Institute had their first overnight trip (EVER!) with William Smith High School in late April. 15 students headed out to Camp Patiya outside of Boulder. The group was excited to get started and began to assess the area for hazards, areas to play, kitchen set up, and more.  Students set up their campsites and… Read more »

AXL overnight

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AXL’s Last Overnight of 2022!

Escrito en español más abajo. Check out more photos here! AXL Academy students got to experience two overnights in one trimester! Their second overnight was at Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown. The group was prepared for all that came at them as their overnight in April was cold, snowy, and full of new experiences! The pro… Read more »

AXL camouflage overnight

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Camouflage, animal tracks, and smores at AXL’s overnight

Escrito en español más abajo. Written by CAP Instructor Carly Winner. Check out more photos here! The third and final trimester group of the 2021-2022 school year at AXL Academy had their first overnight in the middle of April! The group of seventh graders explored Camp Patiya in the mountains outside of Boulder. After following… Read more »

Changemakers native pollinators Earth Day

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Changemakers give away native plants for Earth Day

Escrito en español más abajo. Early on Saturday morning, we all Changemakers met up behind the Lafayette Recreation Center to start preparing our booth for the annual Lafayette Earth Day festival. For our booth, we decided that we would inform people passing by of different native plants that they can plant in their own backyards… Read more »

Erin Angel Base Camp Bash 2022

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Staff Spotlight: Senior Instructor Erin Angel

We are excited to do a little bragging about our amazing Cottonwood Institute (Cottonwood) Senior Instructor, Erin Angel (she/her)! Erin is a woman of many talents, interests, and passions, and we are excited for you to get to know her better! Erin teaches Cottonwood’s core CAP Class and Changemaker Program in Boulder County. Erin helps… Read more »

Darrius Glapion Base Camp Bash Ripple Effect Award Winner 2022

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Base Camp Bash 2022 was Bodacious & Bustling!

With bluegrass music, craft cocktails, Yeti hats, cotton candy, Ripple Effect Awards, and so much more, the 2022 Base Camp Bash was definitely bodacious and bustling. The Base Camp Bash is the main fundraising event for Cottonwood Institute and raises approximately 20% of our annual operating budget – no pressure! Having said that, we are… Read more »

LYC overnight

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Lafayette Youth Corps Spring Overnight!

Lafayette Youth Corps had a spring overnight in Estes Park! The group went hiking, practiced their wilderness first aid skills, and made slash and burn piles for wildfire management. Written by CAP Instructor Carly Winner. Check out more photos here! Escrito en español más abajo. The first weekend in April was our closing program with… Read more »

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