School Treks:
3-5 Day Overnight Treks
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions partners with schools to deliver hands-on, inquiry-driven learning in the field. Guided by expert educators, students engage directly with all aspects of their surrounding environment. Each program is designed to promote critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth outdoors, with the opportunity to integrate specific academic goals.
Our 3-5 Day Overnight Treks are open to classrooms across the Southwest from elementary to high school. Treks feature classroom visits and overnight camping.
Focus:
Awakening confidence and community in the Outdoors
Program Overview & Sample Itinerary
Our 3-day and 5-day treks blend educational topics with outdoor adventure, encouraging students to stretch both their minds and bodies. Along the way, our programming emphasizes pushing personal limits and working together through immersive outdoor experiences. Led by our experienced guides, these treks foster a supportive environment where students can challenge themselves, deepen their understanding of local ecosystems, and discover their own potential.
Note: Overnight treks are minimum 3-days and 2-nights.
Day 1: Pre-Trek Classroom Lessons
Classroom presentations and orientation to Cottonwood Gulch. Ensuring students are prepared for the upcoming adventure.
Day 2: Embark on Overnight Trek
An outdoor introduction to place-based learning and essential outdoor skills. Asking scientific questions about watersheds and fire ecology. Opening evening campfire.
Day 3: Overnight Trekking
Hiking adventures while exploring watershed dynamics with hands on activities. Afternoon nature journaling followed by evening campfire community building.
Day 4: Overnight Trekking
Challenge adventure day, rock climbing with instructors. Evening reflection around the campfire and optional night hike.
Day 5: Emerge and Return
Final day hike with a closing reflection on our shared experience. Return to campus.
Praise from Administrators
“Cottonwood Gulch does an exemplary job providing hands-on learning experiences that are both educational and inspiring to students. By taking students out of the classroom and into nature, Cottonwood Gulch offers a unique opportunity for experiential learning that is both impactful and memorable.”
LOGISTICS
Age:
Elementary - High School
Date:
Spring - Fall
Pricing:
$100-200 per student per day (chaperones do not pay)
Reduced tuition may be available for Title One schools.
Transportation:
Options vary. Contact us for details.
Chaperones:
1-16 average ratio chaperones to students
subject to change depending on age groups and overnights
EXPERIENCE
Our program is designed to take your entire class or multiple classes from a school in groups of 35 on an outdoor learning experience they’ll never forget.
Activities may include moderate hiking on dirt trails with day packs,sleeping in cabins or tents, and can include adventure options at additional cost such as biking, climbing, intense hiking tails, backpacking.
During excursions students experience creative activities such as: field science, art, geology, environmental restoration and service learning.
INFORMATION
HQ Office:
9223 4th St NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
CGE Basecamp Location:
659 Highway 612
Thoreau, NM 87323
Office Hours / Phone:
M-F between 9-5 MT
(505) 248-0563
School Programs Lead:
Theresa Lewis
theresa.lewis@cottonwoodgulch.org