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Wilderness Reflections from STRIVE Prep – RISE

For Cottonwood Institute‘s Community Adventure Program (CAP) students at STRIVE Prep – RISE, the second overnight at the Cheley backcountry outpost was a weekend packed full of new experiences. Read what one of the students had to say about their weekend below! My trip to the mountains with my class was awesome!!!! We got to do many… Read more »

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A Windy Autumn Backpacking Trip with STRIVE Prep – Federal

During the first week of October, a select few students from STRIVE Prep – Federal braved the cold and the wind for an experience like no other! Ten middle schoolers, along with two STRIVE teachers and two Cottonwood instructors, spent two days at White Ranch Open Space, just west of Golden, CO. The first impressions… Read more »

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A Tale of the Ages: STRIVE Prep – Excel Overnight

A unique feature of the Community Adventure Program (CAP) class at STRIVE Prep – Excel is the age diversity of the participants. Half of them are Seniors, driving cars and getting ready for college. The other half are Freshmen, just out of middle school and testing their new high school identities. (Then there is one Sophomore,… Read more »

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Growing Food for the Community: STRIVE Prep-Westwood

Cottonwood Institute’s Community Adventure Program (CAP) students at STRIVE Prep – Westwood got the worm this time when they worked alongside Re:Vision team member Joseph Teipel to plant three fruit trees for the neighborhood food co-op. With lots of great ideas to consider, all focused around food scarcity, we worked through the logistical limitations of a successful action… Read more »

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Peaceful Power: STRIVE Prep-Westwood Overnight

Recently, CAP (Community Adventure Program) students from STRIVE Prep-Westwood had the opportunity to use all of the skills and lessons they’ve learned over the course of the semester in one spectacular, culminating event: an overnight camping trip at Cal-Wood Education Center. We spent the weekend exploring old mines, hiking up mountains, building fires and watching stars, all while braving the… Read more »

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Facing Fears and Shining Bright: STRIVE Prep-Montbello Overnight

On the first purely sunny weekend this Spring, STRIVE Prep Montbello students made the most of it as they joined another STRIVE campus for a fun-filled and adventurous overnight camping trip as part of their respective CAP classes. On the way up to Cal-Wood Education Center, they got to see some of the powerful damage wreaked by the flood in Lefthand Canyon,… Read more »

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2016 Base Camp Bash Shatters Fundraising Goal

Excitement was in the air as the 2016 Base Camp Bash kicked off on Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 at the Posner Center in Denver, CO to benefit Cottonwood Institute (CI). CI shattered its fundraising goal and grossed over $77,000 from the Bash! The VIP Party kicked off the night and guests were greeted by the… Read more »

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Fire Fury and Snow Flurries with STRIVE Prep – Excel

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… Read more »

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STRIVE Prep Sunnyside’s Upcycled Art Project

The Middle School students at STRIVE Prep – Sunnyside are creative visionaries. Their interests in art, writing and self-expression have allowed them to cultivate an authentic experience through the Cottonwood Institute’s Community Adventure Program at their school during fall of 2015. After spending several weeks on team-building initiatives, nature awareness activities, and an exciting overnight camping trip… Read more »

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Top 10 Inspiring Stories From 2015

It’s been another incredible year and we are excited to announce Cottonwood Institute’s annual top 10 inspiring stories from 2015. Thanks to all who voted on our Cottonwood Institute Facebook Page! So what were our students up to this year? Check it out: Cottonwood Institute Programs Have Life-Changing Impact Cottonwood Institute Partners With Great Outdoors… Read more »