The act of making a fire connects us back to our ancestors of more than 100,000 years ago. Huddling around a fire for warmth, sustenance and community is something that too few of us get to experience in our modern world. But on a snowy day at the end of January, in a sheltered grove of trees at Caribou Ranch Open Space, students from STRIVE Prep – Excel school shared in this ancient custom. Two young women used a striker for the first time, starting a fire which we fed with twigs. As we waited for water to heat, we discussed how women have been keepers of the fire for millennia and how peaceful it was just to watch the flames.

Being high school students, this peace didn’t last overly long. Fueled by hot cocoa, they went back to digging the quinzhee (a type of snow shelter) and a trench shelter. They took turns tunneling out the quinzhee and relaxing in the trench shelter – “It’s so comfortable!” Whilst others made fanciful snow creatures to watch over our efforts. A gnarled branch dotted with pine cones was planted by the door to mark the entrance.

No one was tired and everyone wanted to stay longer in our winter snow haven when it was time to go. There was just enough time left for a few commemorative photos as the snowflakes filled the air around us. Regretfully, and then gleefully, the students collapsed the shelter, jumping and stomping and flailing with snow shovels, snow flying everywhere. Everyone packed up, shouldered their packs and put on their snowshoes. Our snow creatures looked on as we pulled the sled up the trail and out of sight.

The Cottonwood Institute’s Community Adventure Program (CAP) is an amazing program offered in schools around the Denver/Boulder area. The students at STRIVE Prep – Excel are a great bunch of high school students who have the choice between an extended free lunch hour or going to CAP class. These students choose CAP! In the class we are learning about environmental issues and brainstorming ways to solve problems. Then we design our own service learning project to address an issue that really speaks to us. The students also develop leadership skills and learn outdoor skills to put into practice during our outdoor trips.

Written by CAP Instructor: Erin Angel