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 »
Between the Ripple Effect Award, Alumni Spotlights, and our community events, we spend a lot of time highlighting the amazing things going on in the Cottonwood Institute community (and there are lots of them)! We thought it might be fun to change it up a bit and share some more about what goes on inside… Read more »
2020 has been a year of learning and adjusting for many, including us at Cottonwood Institute. Normally we would be in high gear getting ready for The Throwdown, our annual charity cornhole tournament. However, due to the present circumstances, we have decided to cancel all of our in person events for 2020. But, never… Read more »
The Pitch: Summer is upon us and it is time to get outdoors and get movin’ y’all! Cottonwood Institute (CI) is excited to host an old school Move-A-Thon with a modern twist from July 6, 2020 – August 8, 2020 to benefit our students and programs. Register Today For Free: For the Virtual Move-A-Thon… Read more »
The beginning of March is an exciting time for Cottonwood Institute (CI) CAP Programs at Centaurus High School (CHS) and Angevine Middle School (AMS). We play creative games and brainstorming games as we come up with ideas for how to solve problems in our communities. Students form coalitions to lobby other students on their… Read more »
If you’re familiar with the Leave No Trace framework, you may have heard of the first principle: “Plan Ahead & Prepare.” At Cottonwood Institute (CI), we use wilderness as a tool for teaching skills that we hope transcend a weekend on the trail— from navigating weather to finding water, we try to instill in our… Read more »
Earth Day Stay-At-Home Challenge Just because you are stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t do something to save the planet. Here are some great activities collected by the CAP Class at Angevine Middle School, and CAP instructor Erin Angel! Choose at least one challenge from each category and complete it. Each category contains some… Read more »
We hope you and your loved ones are safe, happy and healthy during these uncertain times. Usually around this time of year, the CI staff are busy working to put on our annual Base Camp Bash, but due to the present circumstances, we’ve had to postpone our in person event to September. In the meantime,… Read more »
With schools transitioning to distance learning and students spending (understandably) less time outside, Cottonwood Institute has been faced with the tough question of how to make environmental education accessible and relevant in a time when we can’t do many of the things that normally make up a CAP Class. Fortunately, our team has quite a… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute is committed to providing online resources to connect students with nature virtually, teach essential outdoor skills, and connect students with hyper-local environmental issues and solutions. Please use, enjoy, and share these resources we love! Nature Connection: 360-Degree Tours of our National Parks: Interactive National Parks tours. Google Earth has them as well!… Read more »
