Summer Treks
By Jordan Stone, Executive Director, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions I first arrived at Cottonwood Gulch in 2007 as a road cook for our Prairie Trek expedition. That summer job, so long ago now, became a calling that has spanned nearly two decades, culminating in my leadership during our centennial year. Now, each day, working as the…
Parents searching for the right summer experience for their children often face a difficult balance. They want a program that delivers real growth—confidence, independence, friendship, and connection to nature—while fitting within their family’s budget. At Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, our model of sliding scale tuition outdoor programs, known as “Pick Your Price,” was created to help…
The fact is, research supports the socialization in outdoor learning programs during a child’s formative years. Even the most loving and attentive parents sometimes forget the importance of early childhood socialization away from home. Parents want the best for their children’s social and emotional growth. While home provides essential love and security, it’s also crucial…
For many families, finding the right summer program for children or teens involves balancing two important questions, insofar as finding an affordable summer program for kids: Will this be a meaningful experience? And can we realistically afford it? At Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, accessibility has long been part of the answer. Through a combination of sliding scale…
Leadership is often talked about in classrooms, sports teams, and extracurricular activities. What’s often left out of the conversation is how leadership wilderness programs for teens helps them become tomorrow’s leaders. Some of the most meaningful leadership lessons happen far from screens, schedules, and everyday routines. They happen while navigating a trail with a group.…
Today’s children and teens are growing up in a world that is more connected than ever before. In many ways this affords them advantages in learning and exposure to a world of far greater scale than their forebears. But, there’s also a downside to this all-encompassing digital reality. For this reason we feel Cottonwood’s Summer…
Last post, we shared an article written by an alum discussing how time in the wilderness can shape a life. Summer treks for teens is a personality-shaping event for young people. For many families, that kind of experience is exactly what they are looking for in a summer program. The question that often follows is…
Every so often, a story captures what makes a summer experience truly meaningful. A recent feature in Tumbleweeds Magazine explores exactly that, a Cottonwood Gulch summer camp experience seen through the lens of fond memory. In the article Wilderness Changed My Life, the author reflects on their time in the Southwest and how immersion in…
Signing your child up for a summer camp or outdoor trek is an exciting step to gearing up for a successful summer of adventures! Whether your trekker is a first-time participant or returning for another season with us at Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, understanding the summer trek registration steps can make everything feel more manageable. At…
What can you find in our Family Trek packing list? Preparing weeks or months ahead for your Family Trek is part of the adventure and fun of exploring the out of doors. Thoughtful packing can make the difference between a trip that feels stressful and one that feels comfortable, organized, and fun. That is why…