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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 »

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Military Kids National Guard Family Overnight

The Aspen leaves just began changing, and this weekend Cottonwood Institute had the chance to see the leaves and enjoy the fall weather camping with four National Guard families in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The group had various outdoor experience but one commonality, as one of the mom’s explained, “My family doesn’t usually camp and my husband… Read more »

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Urban Farm Volunteer Project with Re:Vision

It was a sunny September morning, as a group of bright eye bushy-tailed Cottonwood Institute volunteers gathered at what looked to be an old abandoned warehouse with willing hands, ready to work! Little did we know how far this old warehouse had come in the past year and the vision and passion leading it forward…. Read more »

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Old Friendships Shine and New Friendships Emerge

The sun shined promisingly as a group of adventurous teenage girls met in the Centaurus High School parking lot, ready for a night of backpacking in the woods. The girls knew each other from school, but still had some familiarizing to do as a group. One thing they all had in common was being part… Read more »

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Military Families Appreciate Fire, Fossils, and Fun

Every trip has that seminal moment where you realize what makes it unique from others. This holds true for our last Cottonwood Institute adventure to Sanborn Western Camps in Florissant, CO.  The sole purpose of this weekend excursion was to reach out to military families in the Denver/Colorado Springs area and provide a relaxing, fun, and… Read more »

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A Wolf Lickin’ Good Time with STRIVE Schools

STRIVE Prep – Montbello and STRIVE Prep – Excel took memorable trips out to Mission: Wolf for a wolf lickin’, tree cuttin’, hay stackin’, night hikin’, stargazin’ good time! During our stay at the sanctuary, we had the opportunity to participate in a number of exciting activities; some highlights included team-building games, a night hike… Read more »

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A Perfect Recipe for the Perfect Adventure!

  All recipes call for a variety of ingredients depending on what you are creating.  At Cottonwood Institute, we create adventure, and we had the perfect ingredients for the perfect adventure this past May when we teamed up with Mission: Wolf for Littleton Academy’s third annual fifth grade trip. Over 50 fifth graders made the trek to… Read more »

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Logan School Explores Plants in Paonia!

“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 »

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New Vista Students Help Boulder “Bee” Pesticide Free!

The Community Adventure Program (CAP) at New Vista High School in Boulder just finished up their spring quarter and student-led Action Project, tackling the very pervasive issue of native bee decline in Boulder County.  Each quarter the students decide on a topic of interest for their Action Project and the class works together to figure… Read more »