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The Best Time To Donate To Cottonwood Institute

  When Is The Best Time To Donate To Cottonwood Institute? All of the giving days are upon us! With Giving Tuesday, Colorado Give Day, the holidays, and the end of the year, you may be wondering when is the best time to donate? Every organization is different, but for Cottonwood Institute (Cottonwood), it is… Read more »

AXL Field Day full of discoveries!

Year In Review: Impact Report 2023-24

Looking back on the impact of our past school year of programming at Cottonwood Institute (August 2023-July 2024), we are overwhelmed by the life-changing experiences that were created for over 530 students. Across 12 Program Partners, 29 Programs were delivered where Instructors and students learned how to navigate the challenges of pushing themselves out of… Read more »

A Casa De La Esperanza teen views wildlife!

Cottonwood Institute 20th Birthday Campaign

Good News: Cottonwood Institute is celebrating its 20th birthday on September 27th, 2024 – Look out! Cottonwood has served over 7,185 students over the years breaking down barriers to connect more kids to nature and inspiring them to become changemakers in their communities. Challenge: Cottonwood had another outstanding programming year as highlighted in our Impact… Read more »

A DMLK student caught a fish!

DMLK Explorers: From Classroom to Campground

Discovering Nature, Building Community, and Making Memories. Written by Assistant Instructor Sasha Trask. Day 1 – Get-to-know-you and basic skills! We started off our first day of the Explore Outside program at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College (DMLK).  After a cool, cloudy morning of games, we headed off to Barr Lake State Park…. Read more »

A RiseUp Community High School student rafting on the Arkansas River during the Watershed Project trip

RiseUp Makes a Splash! A Week of Rafting, Reflection, and Recharging in the Colorado Mountains

From Fish Hatcheries to Fierce Rapids, RiseUp Community High School Students Navigate Nature and Themselves in Leadville. Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. A small group of RiseUp Community High School students spent a wonderful week with Cottonwood Institute, learning about watersheds, getting to know each other better, and experiencing nature’s joys in the… Read more »

AXL 8th grade student holding a bullsnake he found on the overnight trip

Bullsnakes, Bonfires, and Baby Salamanders: AXL Academy 8th Grade CAP Students Say Farewell with Epic Camping Trip!

AXL Academy 8th Graders Explore, Learn, and Make Memories on Unforgettable Adventure. Written by CI Field Instructor Caroline Paul. That’s a wrap on another great year of Community Adventure Program (CAP) Class at Aurora’s Expeditionary Learning Academy (AXL)! The 8th graders took their final camping trip before their big high school graduation, which was certainly… Read more »

A student speaks at the Outdoor and Environmental Opportunity Fair

Together for Tomorrow: A Cottonwood-ELK Collaboration Sparks Youth Enthusiasm for Environmental Careers

Inspiring the Next Wave of Environmental Stewards: How This Collaborative Event Is Helping Shape the Future of Outdoor and Environmental Advocacy. Written by Associate Director & Senior Instructor Chelsea Tossing. With a shared vision of empowering young people and fostering a deeper connection with nature, Cottonwood Institute and Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) brought together… Read more »

14er Selfie at DIA with Ford David Mike

14ers Watercolor Exhibit Lands At Denver International Airport

  We are excited to announce that the 14ers Portraits watercolor collection by Mike Wilson are now on exhibit at Denver International Airport (DEN) to benefit Cottonwood Institute from March – September 2024. Local artist, Mike Wilson, generously donated his beautiful collection of 53 watercolors of all of the 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet) in… Read more »

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