The Angevine Middle School CAP class has always worked together fairly well. When these eighth graders arrived at Cal-Wood Education Center last weekend, most of them had been in classes together for years and in CAP class they had worked through a lot of grroup teambuilding and games. Like most middle school students, though, they tended… Read more »
There are many signs of early spring in March in the Front Range. As we anticipate more snow in the mountains, crocuses emerge in town, the days start lengthen, and lakes begin to thaw. Cottonwood Institute (CI) spring instructor training indicates the shift in season. CI instructors transition from winter field-days to spring overnights next… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute Community Adventure Program students at Angevine Middle School in Lafayette, CO were excited to have the Daily Camera in Boulder, CO cover their Action Project about Alternative Protein (a.k.a. eating crickets) – Yum! “Before we can get students to care about the environment, we have to teach them to love the environment,” said… Read more »
The KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy CAP students experienced personal and physical challenges on their class overnight trip to Cal-Wood. Despite the difficulties, together we ultimately gained first-hand experience in the importance that teamwork has on the ultimate success of the group. The freshman crew of KIPP students started their Cal-wood camping trip off by exploring the nature area at Rocky… Read more »
Surrounded by the mountain beauty at Cal-wood Education Center in Jamestown, CO, new and veteran Cottonwood Institute instructors came together for an amazing spring staff training. We were lucky to have beautiful warm weather, sunshine and clear skies all weekend! We spent the days learning from one another. Upon arrival, we practiced essential camping skills, such as… Read more »
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) announced that the Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza (NKJN) Coalition in Lafayette, CO, which Cottonwood Institute is a lead partner for, won a $2.8M Inspire Initiative grant! NKJN will focus on a one-square mile area, in a network of public schools serving the lowest income children in the Boulder Valley School District…. Read more »
It all started out a week before our trip. During class we went outside and had a 10 Hiking Essentials Relay Race, with each team racing toward a pile of random supplies and stuffing items inside. Points were awarded for speed and relevance of the items that ended up in the packs. (Do you really… Read more »
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 »
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 »
March 2016 brings in instructors new and seasoned with Cottonwood Institute. As we roll into April and a busy prep season for trips, we cannot forget the instructor training that set it all up. Over the course of two evenings and two very full weekend days, the CI instructor training unfolded, forming new bonds while… Read more »
