The mountains were blanketed in a fresh snow, but the sun was shining and spirits were high when a Logan School class set out to learn about fire ecology and floods in the Rockies. The class of nineteen 3rd and 4th graders wound through hairpin turns on dirt roads where they could see first-hand the… Read more »
With a weather report of clear skies and sunny days, Cottonwood Institute teamed up with Colorado Youth For A Change and Colorado High School Charter for an all-girls overnight trip to White Ranch Open Space. After learning how to pack a backpack (and strap a three-foot teddy bear to the side!), they set out with giggles and bubbling excitement…. Read more »
Everyone was packed and ready for a wet and rainy weekend of camping when thirteen 7th and 8th graders departed The Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) in Stapleton on a grey Saturday morning. While many expectations were filled and exceeded, the rain held off to deliver a sunny weekend with lots of learning, laughing… Read more »
“Do not try this at home.” The instructions were crystal clear, and meant to be taken with the utmost seriousness. Yet for some odd reason, we as a crowd could not help but chuckle collectively, as we sat under the setting sun watching our friends perform stunning break-dance moves such as “The Grinder.” It was the perfect way… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute was excited to collaborate with the College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) in a unique Fire and Flood Project exploring the foothills and gaining a deeper understanding of fire, water, and flood issues in Colorado. After an early morning pick-up at DIA, a group of 17 from Wisconsin, began their trip… Read more »
In late June, several families and individuals from Casa de la Esperanza joined the Cottonwood Institute on an overnight adventure to Cal-Wood in Jamestown, CO. This family overnight trip was preceded by Cottonwood’s work with Casa de la Esperanza youth in the mini-CAP program this spring. This weekend together was a great opportunity for students… Read more »
Colorado Academy Upper School joined Cottonwood Institute for a week at Mission:Wolf this spring. This unique and unassuming space in the wilds of Southern Colorado houses around 40 wolves and educates the public on wolf behavior, habitat, and the ongoing needs for management of these amazing creatures in the wild. Their mission to inspire “individuals… Read more »
Colorado Academy (CA) and Cottonwood Institute teamed up to provide a Wildland Firefighting course for the middle school interim trips. The Wildland Firefighting course took place at the base of Mt. Shavano peak near Salida, CO. The group stayed at Angel of Shavano Campground and spent time at the Colorado Firecamp learning about fire mitigation… Read more »
Connections with people, animals, and nature once again brought Cottonwood Institute and Mission: Wolf (M:W) together. During the month of May, Cottonwood Institute delivered two incredible courses for Littleton Academy, serving nearly 50 students. M:W is located near the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountain range just outside of Westcliffe, Colorado. It is a wolf sanctuary… Read more »
Johnson and Wales University (JWU) worked with the Cottonwood Institute for the third year in a row to offer another great Environmental Leadership Summit. Eyes were opened, ideas were hatched and questions raised as the day got underway with excellent speakers and hands on activities. By the end of the day, 21 students had participated… Read more »
