New Vista CAP students contemplate methods and themes surrounding fire while trying to build their own palm-sized fires. Written by Field Instructor Ruthie Cartwright. Silence. For the first time since our New Vista CAP class headed out this morning on our first overnight to Cal-wood. Silence from a group of twelve high school students. No… Read more »
Students explore perspectives from different stakeholders in the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project to understand broader water issues. Written by CI Field Instructor Amy Atkins. See more photos here! In our current polarized cultural climate, it is often difficult to empathize with people who have different viewpoints from ours. Polarization also furthers confirmation bias, an idea… Read more »
Written by Program Relationships Manager Teagan Papke. “Almost 20 years later, I have been getting hit hard with the deep realization of how important the lessons that I learned through the Community Adventure Program (CAP) really were. I realize now how so many humans really don’t understand the ideas of basic survival, Leave No Trace,… Read more »
Nondiscrimination Statement Cottonwood Institute (CI) does not discriminate against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, native language, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, gender, veteran status, military status, political service, affiliation, or disability. JEDI at Cottonwood Institute Justice, equity, diversity,… Read more »
Written by Curriculum Manager Chelsea Tossing (Escrito en español más abajo) We don’t know about you, but here at CI it’s certainly hard to believe we’re nearing the end of the summer months! As we crest into the end of the summer program season and start of the school year, we wanted to take a moment… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute is grateful to receive a $15,000 grant from Xcel Energy Foundation for the second year in a row! This gift will help support our CAP Classes at AXL Academy, Angevine Middle School, Centaurus High School, New Vista High School, and STRIVE Prep – Westwood during the 2022-23 school year. Because of the continuing… Read more »
Written by CAP Instructor & Curriculum Manager Chelsea Tossing If you live anywhere in the drought-stricken west, wildfire has almost definitely been on your mind these past few years. With three out of the four of Colorado’s largest wildfires ravaging the state in 2020 and both the Marshall fire and the NCAR fire impacting our… Read more »
With bluegrass music, craft cocktails, Yeti hats, cotton candy, Ripple Effect Awards, and so much more, the 2022 Base Camp Bash was definitely bodacious and bustling. The Base Camp Bash is the main fundraising event for Cottonwood Institute and raises approximately 20% of our annual operating budget – no pressure! Having said that, we are… Read more »
“The stories we tell will determine whether our society declines and self-destructs or whether we can heal and thrive”. – Favianna Rodriguez Movies have power. Remember back to the last time you were in a darkened theater? The anticipation you felt as you waded through the commercials and previews – the savory scent of buttered… Read more »
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 »
