So much has happened to high school students this year. During a time in life where they are supposed to be seeking out new opportunities and finding themselves, their wings have been clipped and they are stuck in the nest, disengaged from the world around them. So much change is happening in the world that… Read more »
We are all changemakers; knowingly or unknowingly, the effects of our actions ripple out, changing the world in large and small ways each day. Every year since 2013 at the Base Camp Bash, Cottonwood Institute recognizes the ways our students make change in their schools, their communities, and the world. The Ripple Effect Award celebrates… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute is tracking the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we look forward to resuming our field programs and getting back outside as soon as it is safe to do so. Until then, we are working hard to support our Front Range communities so that students can continue to build their connection to the natural… Read more »
These are trying times and we recognize that our community members are at risk of experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis. Our team at Cottonwood Institute has gathered a list of resources which can be useful to people in their time of need. Please feel free to share this information with your friends,… Read more »
We’ve reached the end of another year at Cottonwood Institute! 2019 was a big one for us (our fifteenth!), and we’re so proud of everything our students, instructors, volunteers, alumni, partners, and community members accomplished this year. Check out ten of our most inspiring stories from 2019 — we think you’ll be amazed! 10…. Read more »
Learning Edge… Students are challenged to find and dance along their learning edge as part of the CAP class at New Vista High School. It’s that moment when you get butterflies in your stomach, and then, when you finally accomplish the task, you feel a great sense of accomplishment. It may be preparing for the… Read more »
Most of the time, we use our Alumni Spotlight to catch up with Cottonwood Institute alumni a few years after they’ve completed their CAP class, to see how they’ve been using what they learned in CAP to make a difference in their world. We didn’t need to wait that long to speak to Lindsey Machado;… Read more »
The Centaurus CAP class’ spring backpacking trip to Cal-Wood was a twofer, or actually a threefer: first, the group had fun, they accomplished some much needed tree thinning for their service project, and the topper on this trifecta was getting a major step of their action project accomplished—collecting over 250 rooted seedling trees for replanting…. Read more »
As we continue to bask in the glow of last month’s Base Camp Bash, we’ve spent quite a bit of time reflecting on all of the amazing things Cottonwood Institute students have done this year. Our Ripple Effect Award Honorees Osiel Gomez and Pedro Guerra led the charge, educating their communities on the harms of… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute (CI) continued its partnership with Re:Vision to help make the 4th annual Urban Farm Volunteer Project a success! 15 rock star volunteers gathered on a chilly fall Saturday morning, all with different connections to CI, but a shared interest in giving back their time to Re:Vision! CI Instructors, Advisory Board Members, Staff,… Read more »