Cairn Corner: Cairn Students 'Crush' Final Project with Crusher Fine at Environmental Learning for Kids

Alex Schupp • May 1, 2025

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Cairn Students Complete Their Final Project

Cairn students, mentors, and family members gathered on Saturday for their last event of the season at their chosen Final Project site, Environmental Learning for Kids, on Global Youth Service Day.

Throughout the event, students fulfilled their different leadership roles that they have been preparing for since December. These leadership roles stem from VOC's own volunteer leadership structure, including Tool Managers, Crew Leaders, Technical Advisors, etc. Students recruited family members to join them in improving the park right outside ELK's headquarters in the Montbello neighborhood in Northeast Denver.

The Montbello Open Space Park is co-managed by Denver Parks & Recreation and ELK to provide a small trail system and outdoor classroom area amidst this urban landscape. Volunteers spent the warm Spring day spreading 50 tons of crusher fine material along their 2,300 feet trail system to allow this urban park to sustain the high number of visitors who come to enjoy it, including ELK program participants and the Montbello community alike.

Shout out to the ELK volunteers who also worked alongside our Cairn students to beautify this park!

After the project was finished, students had a small graduation ceremony where they received certificates and an End-of-Year gift (selected by one of our third-year Cairn students). Cairn students who were also graduating high school this year shared in their next steps and all were celebrated for their accomplishments from the Cairn program season!

A sincere thank you to our Cairn mentors who guided these students throughout the program season as well. This program would not be nearly as impactful without their time and energy! We appreciate all parents and guardians for supporting their students to participate in our Cairn Program throughout the year. A huge thanks to Damian Garcia with Environmental Learning for Kids for being a supportive partner of the program and hosting our Final Project!
An additional thank you to James Tsui, the volunteer photographer who has captured all of the beautiful photos you see above.

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