Rocky Mountain Seminar for Educators in Boulder, Colorado. Photo by Christina Rivera Cogswell.

Rocky Mountain Seminar Proposed Itinerary

Below the sandstone cliffs of Boulder’s Flatirons, we will host seminar participants in the Community House and surrounding cottages of the Colorado Chautauqua Association.

Day 1 Fly to Denver International Airport. Please plan to arrive by 3:30 pm for transfer to Boulder. We will begin with a group welcome and introduction to the seminar over dinner, followed by a brief tone-setting activity.
Day 2 This day will be filled with foundational workshops in student-centered programming, risk management, and core curriculum. We begin with an overview of the student experience, demonstrating the emotional, intellectual, and physical growth that can happen in a well-designed experience. We shift our lens to focus on risk management, and on risk as growth. We also examine case-studies from past courses to identify the layers of institutional risk management. That afternoon we explore an intentional course design processes beginning with key learning outcomes and working backwards to develop a progression of carefully facilitated experiences that will foster our outcomes. We explore topics of learning through challenge, “failing forward” and student leadership. We end the day with an optional dinner at a Sherpa’s Nepali Restaurant featuring student voices and time for relaxing and networking with fellow educators.
Day 3 After breakfast, we head into the high country, to the historical mining town of Gold Hill where the roaring fireplaces of a century-old hand built lodge welcome us for the day. Today we focus on developing a toolbox of activities focused on facilitation, pedagogy in action and program components. In the afternoon we embark on an in-depth look at international service learning and community partnerships. We will host participants at the Gold Hill Inn for an optional evening of exquisite local cuisine and blue-grass music.
Day 4 Our final day will be spent back at Chautauqua Park. We wrap up the seminar with time in working groups to summarize our learning, and make a plan for moving forward. We’ll enjoy closing remarks, and depart on a short excursion into the surrounding open space (weather permitting) for a final transference session. After lunch, our seminar will finish up at 1 pm allowing time for travel home. Please book departing flights after 4pm.