Interim at Colorado Academy provides opportunities to get out of the classroom to learn by doing, through exposure to new ideas, experiences, and environments. Interim trips span the gamut from artistic pursuits and community engagement to wilderness expeditions. Immersion in a unifying trip concept broadens students’ skills, knowledge, and awareness.
All 2024 Colorado Academy Middle School Interims will take place Monday, May 6-Friday, May 10.
INTERIM GOALS
- To practice physical and emotional resilience
- To cultivate student agency through trip planning and leadership
- To practice community values and service to others
- To learn via exploration and personal initiative
- To collaborate and problem-solve
INTERIM FORMS & WAIVERS
Registration Forms: Once families have reviewed the trip options and had a discussion about which trips would be a good fit, students will complete their registration during Long Advisory on Tuesday, February 13. Each student should put their choices in order from 1 to 14, and each student will be required to sign at the bottom of the registration that they have reviewed the trip options with their families.
Interim Waivers: Parents will need to complete the Interim Waiver by Friday, March 15.
At this time, we do not need any of the trip-specific waivers signed. We will collect those after Interim placements have been completed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Attendance on Interim is mandatory. Please do not schedule appointments during Interim.
- Interim registration is final, and changes are made only for medical emergencies.
- Interim rosters will be shared in March.
- Take into account the general health of your child. Some medical conditions or poor fitness should lead you to place certain programs as a low choice. To participate in water Interims, students must be able to swim.
- Students should not repeat an Interim.
- The cost of Interim is included in tuition. In some cases, students are required to provide their own specialized equipment (e.g., skis).
- Please review all materials and discuss possible options with your child. If you have any questions that I can be helpful with, please do not hesitate to contact me at abby.page@coloradoacademy.org.
- To view trips, click the quick links below or simply scroll down.
Interim Quick Links
Eighth Grade REDI Lab
TRIP LEADERS: THANH LUONG & JASON KOZA; TOM THORPE & REDI LAB FACULTY
TRIP TYPE: HYBRID (3 DAYS IN ESTES PARK, OTHER DAYS AT COLEMAN CENTER IN DENVER)
LOCATIONS: DENVER & ESTES PARK, COLORADO
LEVEL: LOW INTENSITY (SITTING, STANDING, AND LIGHT WALKING)
VENDORS: REDI LAB & CHELEY COLORADO CAMPS
The REDI Lab is offering a new learning experience during Interim and Capstone for Eighth Grade students only. The first two days of the program will be spent at the REDI Lab Coleman Center getting exposed to the process, beginning to think about project ideas, and building intentional community. We will spend three days and two nights at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park, Colorado to amplify this work. During the week between Interim and Capstone, students can let their ideas percolate and expand, and then we will return to work together during Capstone. Final Middle School REDI Lab presentations will be delivered on Friday, May 24, at 12 p.m., at the REDI Lab Coleman Center.
ADVENTURE LOOPS
TRIP LEADERS: KATHLEEN KIRKMAN & MEGHAN CAMPAGNA; SARA MONTERROSO & COREY LANS
TRIP TYPE: HYBRID (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; 1 NIGHT CAMPING OVERNIGHT)
LOCATIONS: DENVER, GOLDEN, IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
LEVEL: MEDIUM INTENSITY (MODERATE ACTIVITY UP TO 3 HOURS PER DAY) Students must be able to swim.
VENDORS: VARIOUS
Let every day be a new adventure with this Interim experience! Water sports, zipline, hike, and climb across the Front Range and test your survival skills with a one-night camping trip run by Colorado Mountain Club and their survival skills course. This is an excellent way to try many of the outdoor experiences that Colorado is so famous for!
AMAZING RACE: DENVER EDITION
TRIP LEADERS: LIZ ESTACIO & KATHY ZOLLA
TRIP TYPE: LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCATIONS: DENVER, GOLDEN, IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
LEVEL: MEDIUM INTENSITY (MODERATE ACTIVITY UP TO 3 HOURS PER DAY)
VENDORS: VARIOUS
In Amazing Race Denver, we will be solving puzzles to find our destinations and learn about the history of the areas we live in. Race against the clock and explore Denver in the process for what is sure to be an epic week!
CANOE LABYRINTH CANYON
TRIP LEADERS: ERIC AUGUSTIN & ELLIE DORSCH
TRIP TYPE: AWAY (AWAY FROM DENVER FOR 5 DAYS; WILL RETURN LATE EVENING ON FRIDAY)
LOCATION: GREEN RIVER, UTAH
LEVEL: HIGH INTENSITY (ACTIVE 5+ HOURS PER DAY, IN THE OUTDOORS, WITH PERIODS OF INTENSE EXERTION) | MUST BE ABLE TO SWIM
VENDOR: CENTENNIAL CANOE
Students will canoe down 48 miles of the historic Green River. John Wesley Powell explored the Green River, a main tributary of the Colorado River, in 1869 as the first part of his epic journey down the Colorado River. This is one of the longest-running Middle School Interims, as it provides students a rich experience that is at the core of the Interim program.
CEDAR MESA BACKPACKING
TRIP LEADERS: OLIVIA WALL & JARED KATZMAN
TRIP TYPE: AWAY (AWAY FROM DENVER FOR 5 DAYS)
LOCATION: CEDAR MESA, UTAH
LEVEL: HIGH INTENSITY (ACTIVE 5+ HOURS PER DAY, IN THE OUTDOORS, WITH PERIODS OF INTENSE EXERTION)
VENDOR: KENT MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE CENTER
Edward Abbey, the famed environmentalist, reminds us that “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” Explore, backpack, and canyoneer the beautiful canyons of Utah’s Cedar Mesa and build lifelong friendships along the way. We will backpack each day, camp under the stars, explore well-preserved Native American archaeological sites, and we’ll even stop by Glenwood Springs for a dip in the pool on our way home. A five-day backpacking trip in the wilderness is something that people only dream of doing, so come join us and create memories to share for years to come!
CREATIVE COOKING
TRIP LEADERS: PEGGY BUTLER & DANIELLE KELLY
TRIP TYPE: LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCATION: DENVER, COLORADO
LEVEL: LOW INTENSITY (SITTING, STANDING, AND LIGHT WALKING)
VENDOR: LITTLE KITCHEN ACADEMY
Do you want to razzle and dazzle your friends and family by cooking yummy meals using basic cooking ingredients? Are you tired of heating up tasteless frozen snacks in the microwave? Then this is the Interim for you!
ENVIRO EXPLORERS
TRIP LEADERS: SUE COUNTERMAN
TRIP TYPE: LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCATION: DENVER, COLORADO
LEVEL: LOW INTENSITY (SITTING, STANDING, AND LIGHT WALKING)
VENDORS: VARIOUS
Spend a day at a wild animal sanctuary helping to rehabilitate animals; work with the Denver Audubon Society with bird-banding and learning about rescued birds; unleash your inner environmentalist in ways you never even dreamed of!
FLY FISHING FUN
TRIP LEADER: MATT OLMSTEAD
TRIP TYPE: HYBRID (AWAY FROM DENVER FOR AT LEAST 1 NIGHT)
LOCATIONS: DENVER, DECKERS, BAILEY, AND PINECLIFFE, COLORADO
LEVEL: MEDIUM INTENSITY (MODERATE ACTIVITY UP TO 3 HOURS PER DAY)
VENDOR: N/A
On the Fly Fishing Interim, students will learn the art of fly fishing. We will explore Colorado, engaging different river types, habitats, and river ecology, while introducing students to the importance of fisheries and water resources in the West today. Students will learn to evaluate fishing conditions, travel safely in the backcountry, and discover fishing hotspots close to home.
FRONT RANGE ROCK CLIMBERS
TRIP LEADERS: DONNA FARRELL & ERIN GALVIN
TRIP TYPE: LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCATIONS: GOLDEN AND JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE PARKS, COLORADO
LEVEL: MEDIUM INTENSITY (MODERATE ACTIVITY UP TO 5 HOURS PER DAY)
VENDOR: COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB
Join us for a week of rock climbing! Students will start the week at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden and learn to slackline, belay, and climb. The week will continue as we climb, belay, and boulder in indoor and outdoor settings. Students will climb in Front Range Open Space rock climbing locations and Movement Rock Climbing Gym. They will also attend a yoga class at Movement Gym. This interim can support beginning climbers and provide challenges to experienced and intermediate climbers!
I DIG DENVER
TRIP LEADERS: BECCI MARZONIE & REBECCA SILVA
TRIP TYPE: LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCATIONS: MEOW WOLF; DENVER ART MUSEUM; MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART; RiNo ART WALK; IDAHO SPRINGS; GOLDEN, COLORADO
LEVEL: LOW INTENSITY (SITTING, STANDING, AND LIGHT WALKING)
VENDOR: N/A
I Dig Denver is an in-town experience. If you find your city “boring,” you’ll get to explore some unique Denver experiences. We’ll go to places around Denver, such as Meow Wolf and other museums, where you can immerse yourself in art installations. We also plan on trying the different cuisines scenes Denver has to offer, from Native American food to exploring Asian cuisines. Are you ready to fall in love with your city?!
RAD RIVER ADVENTURE
TRIP LEADERS: FORBES CONE & BRIAN LIST
TRIP TYPE: AWAY (AWAY FROM DENVER FOR 5 DAYS)
LOCATION: DOTSERO, COLORADO
LEVEL: HIGH INTENSITY (ACTIVE 5+ HOURS PER DAY, IN THE OUTDOORS, WITH PERIODS OF INTENSE EXERTION)
VENDOR: COLORADO RIVER SCHOOL
This exciting five-day kayaking/paddling Interim will navigate stretches of the Upper Colorado River near Kremmling, Colorado. The week begins with learning paddle strokes, bracing, self-rescue, and T-rescue on slow-moving water. Each day, the group will put their skills into practice to navigate moving water and rapids on the Colorado River. River safety, scouting, self-rescue, and reading whitewater will promote respect for our rivers, all while having a blast!
RMNP ADVENTURE
TRIP LEADERS: JESSICA CAMPBELL & JOSE MALAGON
TRIP TYPE: AWAY (AWAY FROM DENVER FOR 5 DAYS)
LOCATION: ESTES PARK, COLORADO
LEVEL: HIGH INTENSITY (ACTIVE 5+ HOURS PER DAY, IN THE OUTDOORS, WITH PERIODS OF INTENSE EXERTION)
VENDOR: KENT MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE CENTER
Come explore the world-famous town of Estes Park, Colorado, known as the “Gateway to the Rockies.” Spend your nights staying in the YMCA of the Rockies Lodge and dedicate your days to day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park!
SUGAR RUSH
TRIP LEADERS: LAURA FARMER & MARY LEYVA
TRIP TYPE: LOCAL (DENVER-BASED ALL WEEK; NO OVERNIGHT)
LOCATION: DENVER, COLORADO
LEVEL: LOW INTENSITY (SITTING, STANDING, AND LIGHT WALKING)
VENDOR: UNCORKED KITCHEN
Have you ever wanted to bake your own bread or make delicious confectionary creations? We will spend each morning with a pastry chef at Uncorked Kitchen who will teach the skills that you will need to bake incredible treats, including cookies, pies, cream puffs, custard, and bread. After lunch each day, we’ll enjoy tours of local bakeries including Rebel Bread, Rosenberg’s Bagels, and Dry Storage of Boulder. Join us for a wonderful week of learning and tasting!
WILD RIDE IN MOAB
TRIP LEADERS: NICK MALICK, ABBY PAGE, & STORY WOLF-TINSMAN
TRIP TYPE: AWAY (AWAY FROM DENVER FOR 5 DAYS)
LOCATION: MOAB, UTAH
LEVEL: HIGH INTENSITY (ACTIVE 5+ HOURS PER DAY, IN THE OUTDOORS, WITH PERIODS OF INTENSE EXERTION)
VENDOR: RED RIVER ADVENTURES
Come have fun with us in one of America’s best-known playgrounds—Moab, Utah. This multi-element trip includes hikes in Arches National Park and technical rock climbing and rafting down the Colorado River. No rafting, hiking, or climbing experience is necessary, but a great attitude and teamwork are essential. Participants must be able to swim.