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Environmental Programs

Colorado Wildfire Project

Creative Ways To DonateColorado 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 reduce unnaturally destructive wildfires. We will practice minimum impact camping skills and survival skills, including proper fire-building techniques and signal fires. Finally, we will experience what it is like to be a wildland firefighter, participate in part of the training that they do, and practice using some of the gear that helps keep them safe.

Program Objectives

Through Environmental Education & Service Learning, the Colorado Wildfire Project aims to:

  • Understand forest ecology as well as fire impacts and mitigation efforts in Colorado
  • Gain a broader understanding of environmental issues pertinent to Colorado from a stakeholder perspective
  • Provide an opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills
  • Develop essential camping and wilderness skills
  • Develop 21st century skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and leadership

Program Activities May Include:

Camping Skills & Nature Awareness

  • Hiking
  • Wilderness Survival Skills
  • Primitive Fire Building
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Sensory Awareness Games
  • Sit Spots
  • Journaling
  • Forest Ecology Lessons

Leadership & Team Building

  • Collaboration Skills
  • Group Decision-Making
  • Communication Styles
  • Character Strength Building
  • Leadership Opportunities
  • Team Building Games and Activities
  • Group Living

Service Learning

  • Trail and Fence Maintenance
  • Horse Care
  • Landscaping
  • Building Maintenance
  • Construction Projects
  • Gathering Firewood
  • Building Fire Bunkers

AXL winter field day snowHigh-Impact Curriculum

Utilizes best practices in education, 21st Century Skills, Environmental Education, Service Learning, & Leadership Development.

The Colorado Wildfire Project can be tailored to meet curriculum needs through use of a custom student journal and guide, including exercises for before, during, and after the program. Curriculum reinforces Colorado academic standards, such as:

  • SC10-GR.8-S.2-GLE.1: Human activities can deliberately or inadvertently alter ecosystems and their resiliency
  • RWC10-GR.12-S.1-GLE.2: Effective collaborative groups accomplish goals
  • PE09-GR.7-S.3-GLE.: Demonstrate inclusiveness in and out of classroom settings
  • PE09-GR.HS-S.1-GLE.3: Apply rules, principles, problem-solving skills, and concepts to traditional and nontraditional movement settings

For more information or to book a program, contact Teagan Papke, Program Director, at 303.447.1076 x701 or via Email.