As the wind whips through the trees, a group of energetic people excitedly emerge from a van. Dressed to the nines in their outdoor gear, they eagerly unpack the van, load up the sled, and take off into the whirling whiteness of the Colorado mountains. Everyone ready for a day of fun and making connections!Cottonwood… Read more »
Recently the Angevine Middle School CAP class experienced a wild and wonderful winter field day at Caribou Ranch Open Space. One of our aims was tracking, which was made difficult due to extremely high winds and lack of snow but we did see fresh coyote tracks! While we were enjoying lunch, a mini-blizzard came through;… Read more »
STRIVE Prep -Westwood CAP students visited Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park for their winter field day this year. Situated at 9000’ and still partially covered in ice with snow around its perimeter, this mountain lake was a wintry retreat from the city! What a contrast from Garfield Lake, the local lake in the Westwood… Read more »
Though the snow was sparse, STRIVE Prep – RISE CAP students had a fun winter adventure at Mud Lake Open Space. We started the day by struggling to put on snow pants, extra layers, and snowshoes, which was an entertaining experience for all. When we arrived at our destination, we packed up our sled, grabbed… Read more »
On a chilly winter’s morning, the 2nd trimester CAP class at AXL Academy set out for their first winter excursion together. Upon arriving to school, the students were instructed to choose layers for the day and make lunch. After an hour of packing, the 13 students, and 2 instructors piled into the van to make… Read more »
The two CAP classes from Denver Green School (DGS) recently went on our first trip of the semester; A Winter Field Day at Caribou Ranch. We took 17 students, Keith Truitt from DGS, CAP Instructor Colleen, and 4 other Cottonwood Institute instructors. We drove up into the mountains to do some snowshoeing and winter activities…. Read more »
Late in January, during their very first CAP meeting, STRIVE Prep – Westwood students discussed what they wanted to get from their participation in the Cottonwood Institute’s Community Adventure Program. They said things like “Learn about Nature!” “Go camping and hiking!” “Learn survival skills and how to make a fire!” “Go snowshoeing!” “Make s’mores!” They… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute (CI) headed to the mountains to explore with an enthusiastic, down-to-earth, bunch of new and well-versed instructors! Our annual instructor training was held at Calwood Education Center outside of Jamestown, CO and was full of laughs, learning, sharing, and friendships in the making. “The CI instructor training was a wonderful reminder of why… Read more »
This is a message from the Fall 2013 Community Adventure Program (CAP) located out of New Vista High School in Boulder, Colorado! The Fall 2013 CAP class is striving to better their community through focused environmental practices and ethics. By winterizing New Vista High School, they hope to set an example that will spread value, attention,… Read more »
The sun peaked in on the Cottonwood Institute instructors as they trekked up the steepest part of the hike to Francie’s Cabin, near Breckenridge, CO. Within minutes the temperature change took them from cold to sweating, shedding their early morning layers. A short time later they broke into a clearing just below the hut, revealing… Read more »
