As the cold of late Autumn wraps its long arms around us, our inner and outer world begin to slow, settling in for Winter. May we use this time to reflect on what we are grateful for, and recall the warm memories of a once busy summer. Written by Cottonwood Field Instructor, Caroline Paul, July… Read more »
Written by Cottonwood CAP Instructor at AXL Academy, Harmony Esqueda The CAP class at AXL Academy enjoyed a beautiful spring field day at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Students started off the day by checking out the visitor center which had a plethora of fun facts and interactive educational material for the students to see,… Read more »
Surrounded by the Autumnal aspens who were casting their golden beams of light upon us, New Vista’s CAP Class followed the long and winding road to Camp Cheley in Estes Park, a place we would call home for the next two days. After arriving, we oriented ourselves to this new space, wild and new to… Read more »
Written By Field Instructor, Caroline Paul The Aspens at Golden Gate Canyon State Park put on a show for AXL Academy’s 8th graders last week. The first field day of the school year kicked off with beautiful fall colors only 25 minutes west of Golden, CO. This 8th grade class is particularly special because 85%… Read more »
Written By Senior Field Instructor, Amy Kopkin Atkins As you can imagine, asking an 8th grader to part with their phone, is like asking a 3 year old to part from their favorite stuffie. They try denial, “Oh Miss, I didn’t bring it with me today,” or they try to appeal to a sense of… Read more »
Written by Eeland Stribling, Cottonwood Institute Field Instructor When New Vista High School students stepped onto Ollin Farms for a Cottonwood Institute field day, they expected to learn about sustainable farming. What they didn’t expect was how a day of hands-on experiences would foster seeds of environmental stewardship and community connection. The day began with… Read more »
From fire-building contests to fishing expeditions, these students embraced the wonders of the great outdoors at Cheley. – Written by Eeland Stribling, Cottonwood Institute Field Instructor Under the vast Colorado sky, a group of excited 7th grade students recently embarked on an unforgettable overnight adventure at Cheley. As the crisp mountain air filled their lungs,… Read more »
Looking back on the impact of our past school year of programming at Cottonwood Institute (August 2023-July 2024), we are overwhelmed by the life-changing experiences that were created for over 530 students. Across 12 Program Partners, 29 Programs were delivered where Instructors and students learned how to navigate the challenges of pushing themselves out of… Read more »
Growth, Discovery, and Community on the Colorado River. Written by CI Field Instructor Eeland Stribling. For the second year in a row, we had the pleasure of taking a group of students from Lincoln Hills Cares on an unforgettable adventure. While last year’s trip was fantastic, this year managed to top it in so many… Read more »
Summer fun and learning: a new partnership begins. Written by CI Instructor Erin Angel. During the dog days of summer, Cottonwood Institute embarked on an exciting new venture: our first-ever trip with the Longmont Youth Center. This adventure was the perfect blend of learning, fun, and exploration, setting the stage for what we hope will… Read more »
