NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 2025

CONTACT: Eric Carlson, ecarlson@revcenter.org, (541) 910-1893

High school students and K-12 teachers interested in learning more about culture, the environment, and science are encouraged to apply to one of the following:

• Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute for high school students - June 15-20, 2025

• Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute for educators wanting professional development units - June 15-20, 2025 or June 22-25, 2025

This is the 12th year of the Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute, held each summer at Cottonwood Canyon State Park near Wasco. The institute is a week-long residential field studies program with course options in storytelling and natural resources. 

“Overall, it’s just a great experience, and definitely worth your time,” said a previous student participant.

Another student said, “CCSI has improved my ability to make better friends and taught me expectations about how life is. It’s also taught me about jobs I might be looking forward to.”

High school students earn college credit for the program while living and learning at the Cottonwood Canyon State Park along the John Day River. The cost of the program is $350 per student, plus a $25 registration fee. Please visit www.eou.edu/cottonwood-crossing/ to learn more and register.

Videos about CCSI and CCTI can be found at www.youtube.com/@eourevcenter.

This is the fourth year of the Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute, where teachers can choose to attend either the same week as the high school students or for a few days after, without high school students. 

Teachers who attend will receive a stipend and professional development units. Additional funds are available to cover transportation costs for teachers bringing students with them. For more information, contact Eric Carlson at ecarlson@revcenter.

CCTI is an intensive four-day long residential place-based field studies program for teachers from throughout Oregon. Participants choose from course options where they learn about locally significant cultural or natural resources. Projects are led by EOU faculty, and other regional professionals.

“If someone were to come to me wondering if they should attend this, I would say ‘Go for it!’ This is the best professional development I’ve ever attended as a teacher. I got to learn real skills, I’m taking home something I built.,” said a former participating teacher.

During this week, teachers engage in hands-on learning through projects. CCTI encourages collaborative time with colleagues to identify and problem-solve challenges when using these techniques and skills with students.

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