CAP Program Elective The CAP Program is an award-winning elective class offered during the school day for academic credit. During CAP, students meet in class 3-5 days per week, challenge themselves on hikes and overnight camping trips, explore inspiring solutions to hyper-local environmental issues, choose an issue to address as a class, and collaborate… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute (CI) programs at New Vista High School have seen a few changes lately as student interest has shifted. The great thing about CI’s student directed programming is that it can shift with the students so their passions still lead the way! Below are descriptions of two new groups forming and getting projects underway… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute (CI) is wrapping up another phenomenal programming year and is excited to report about the life-changing impact its programs are having on its students. Thanks to a generous grant, CI was able to work with Maggie Miller Consulting to help improve CI’s evaluation methods, measure progress towards its short-term outcomes, and share program… Read more »
CAP CAP is an award-winning enrichment class offered during the school day for academic credit. During CAP, students go on hikes, overnight camping trips, learn about and discuss local environmental issues, choose an issue to address as a class, and collaborate with other local organizations to design and implement a student-directed Action Project to positively… Read more »
The Cottonwood Institute had an amazing opportunity to work with Colorado Youth for a Change (CYC) during a four day program. Led by Cottonwood Institute instructors Deb and Jessi, the program began with two day hikes and culminated in an overnight backpacking trip at White Ranch Open Space Park outside of Golden, Colorado. Colorado Youth… Read more »
Students spent Monday and Tuesday of this week learning about, and making medicinals out of a wide variety of wild plant species. We spent Monday working with oils, and infusing them with the medicinal properties of the herbs we used. From left to right, (above) students infused Thyme, Lavender, St. John’s Wort, and Lemon. … 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 »
Good News: Cottonwood Institute is celebrating its 20th birthday on September 27th, 2024 – Look out! Cottonwood has served over 7,185 students over the years breaking down barriers to connect more kids to nature and inspiring them to become changemakers in their communities. Challenge: Cottonwood had another outstanding programming year as highlighted in our Impact… Read more »
What can make a day spent playing golf at the Harvard Gulch Golf Invitational, surrounded by friends, raising money for a good cause more fun? Why, adding costumes, croquet mallets, hockey sticks, and prizes of course! This year’s Harvard Gulch Golf Invitational to benefit Cottonwood Institute was a fantastic success! Collectively we raised over $12,000… Read more »
