Program Overview
Cal-Wood provides school groups with residential environmental education programs at our private 1,200-acre outdoor learning center. Schools from the Front Range can attend programs one to five days in length throughout the entire year, including winters. We work with students of all grade levels in both public and private schools, primarily from the Denver metro area. More than a field trip, Cal-Wood is an opportunity for teachers to meet Colorado Academic Content Standards in a spectacular outdoor setting. Moreover, team-building and guided discovery activities enhance the overall program to create a unique and exciting approach to the learning experience. We collaborate with teachers to design a unique program that reflects the needs and abilities of their students. No two Cal-wood programs are the same!
The Educational Setting
Cal-Wood is 15 miles northwest of Boulder nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies at elevation 7,800 feet. Surrounded by Arapahoe/Roosevelt National Forest, we are pleasantly secluded yet a short drive from the metro Denver area. Students immerse themselves in a landscape rich with forests, grasslands, meadows, ponds, streams, rocky outcrops, stunning continental divide views and abundant wildlife. Cal-Wood's land and facilities offer tremendous opportunity for hands-on studies in diverse academic offerings.
Our Educational Approach
Cal-Wood School Programs are customized for each student group. Initially, we facilitate the students' comfort in their new surroundings, fostering a sense of place. Sensory awareness activities hone their observation/focusing skills. Then we explore specific academic topics and activities previously chosen by the teacher(s). An inquiry-based, experiential approach to teaching these topics promotes true interdisciplinary learning, weaving together science, mathematics, geography, language arts, visual arts, history and physical education. This approach, coupled with the dynamic learning environment, allows students of varying levels and learning styles to thrive. Students learn that they are tied to the topics and natural resources about which they learn at Cal-Wood, leading to an appreciation for resource conservation. Cal-Wood’s instructors strive to relate the lessons gained in our outdoor classroom back to the students’ school experience, homes and communities.
Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students
Sheltered Instruction is a technique used by Cal-Wood staff to engage and involve second-language learners. This strategy helps students with limited English understand new concepts while they are expanding their English vocabulary. For bilingual schools, we also offer instruction in Spanish.
