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 »
Have you ever been concerned with a local environmental issue, but didn’t think you had the tools to tackle it? STRIVE Preparatory Schools Westwood campus students rolled up their sleeves and put their skills to the test through Cottonwood Institute’s Community Adventure Program (CAP). STRIVE Westwood students that participated in the CAP class this spring… Read more »
As the bright sun rose last Friday, March 20, 2015, four vans of excited and passionate Johnson & Wales University (JWU) students headed over to the Alliance Center to spend their day diving into the many layers of sustainability as they embarked on the 5th Annual Sustainability Summit hosted by Cottonwood Institute. When students arrived,… Read more »
We are thrilled to have Taryn Longberry join the Cottonwood Institute team and we are moving forward full steam ahead! In addition to taking over the Program Coordinator position, she is gearing up for teaching her first quarter as Community Adventure Program Coordinator (CAP) at New Vista High School in Boulder, CO. We are proud… Read more »
Working With Cottonwood Institute At Cottonwood Institute, we strive to provide a supportive environment where all our staff and instructors can learn, grow, and thrive so our students can do the same. Check out our current outdoor education job openings and apply below! Outdoor and Environmental Education Instructor Job Openings: Part-Time Field Instructors: We are… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute is known for our fun and creative events, which help raise critical funding to support our programs each year. Check out what we have coming up in 2025, Download our 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities, and reach out to Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director for more information at 303.447.1076 x700. Want to get notified… 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 »
Full-Time Staff FORD CHURCH, (he/Him) M.A., Founder and Executive Director Ford is ultimately responsible for the success of the Cottonwood Institute. Ford has 24 years of professional experience working for a variety of nonprofit environmental education organizations, for-profit outdoor companies, and public schools in Colorado. Ford received a M.A. in Adventure Education… Read more »
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” – John Muir New and returning instructors met up on a sunny Saturday morning… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute was excited to collaborate with the College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) in a unique Fire and Flood Project exploring the foothills and gaining a deeper understanding of fire, water, and flood issues in Colorado. After an early morning pick-up at DIA, a group of 17 from Wisconsin, began their trip… Read more »
