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Explore State Parks with the Keep Colorado Wild Pass

Did you know that starting in 2023, Coloradans can get a Keep Colorado Wild Pass for $29 when they register their car? This pass provides entry to all Colorado state parks and supports important conservation work throughout the state. Through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, funding from the pass will go towards state park maintenance, backcountry… Read more »

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Staff Spotlight: Field Instructor Sadie Norton

Get to know Sadie Norton (she/her), who has been a field instructor with Cottonwood Institute since the winter of 2021-22! Sadie brings light and warmth into every space (indoor or outdoor) she enters, and developed her love of experiential education at the Kent State University Outdoor Adventure Center, YMCA Camp Fitch, Outward Bound, NOLS, and… Read more »

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Staff Spotlight: CAP Instructor Tucker Knight

We are so excited to formally welcome Tucker Knight (they/them) to the CI team! Tucker has been field instructing with us since the summer, and they are teaching CAP Class at STRIVE Prep Westwood this fall. Tucker brings a range of experiences to the team, from working one-on-one with students last school year, to creating… Read more »

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Staff Spotlight: Senior Instructor Erin Angel

We are excited to do a little bragging about our amazing Cottonwood Institute (Cottonwood) Senior Instructor, Erin Angel (she/her)! Erin is a woman of many talents, interests, and passions, and we are excited for you to get to know her better! Erin teaches Cottonwood’s core CAP Class and Changemaker Program in Boulder County. Erin helps… Read more »

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Ripple Effect Award

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 »

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Colorado Wildfire Project

Colorado Wildfire Project During this program, we will camp on-site and take a deep dive into learning about wildfires in Colorado. The curriculum explores how wildfires impact soil and land health, and investigates fire ecology and erosion. Students will check out new and old wildfire burn areas, and complete wildfire mitigation Action Projects to help… Read more »

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Outdoor Skills Programs

Multi-day outdoor skills programs for middle and high schools. Cottonwood Institute collaborates with schools and youth organizations along the Colorado Front Range—primarily for middle and high school students—to provide high quality, high impact environmental education and service-learning programs. We run multi-day outdoor skills programs close to home in the Front Range or at one of… Read more »

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Snow Much Fun for AXL

AXL Academy students came back from their day off to go play in the sun and snow at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Written by Carly Winner. Check out photos here! Escrito en español más abajo After snowing over ten inches in the beginning of the week, AXL Academy students came back from their day… Read more »

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Angevine students out of their shells!

Angevine Middle School students came out of their shells and bonded on their winter field day. Escrito en español más abajo Written by Field Instructor Barbara Ramsdell. See photos here! Eleven students from Angevine Middle School’s CAP class set out on Friday, January 28th for their first winter field day at Caribou Ranch Open Space…. Read more »

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A Skeletal Surprise for Changemakers

The Changemakers winter field day featured a skeletal surprise,  quinzhee, avalanche training, and plenty of falls in the snow! Written by Chelsea Tossing. Check out more photos here. Escrito en español más abajo If you’ve ever been to Brainard Lake in the winter, you know how absolutely beautiful it is; endless miles of trails take… Read more »