News

April 2021 Newsletter

April 22, 2021

Cooper reflects on a year of challenges and growth, we announce 2 new summer projects - a Nature Play Space for our youngest learners, and a Demonstration Garden for all ages in partnership with UArizona Compost Cats, a Staff Alum Profile of Zeph Migeni and our new Camp Cooper Wish List.

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Staff Alum Spotlight: Zephaniah Migeni

April 21, 2021

Kenyan environmental consultant, Zephaniah "Zeph" Migeni conducted an externship at the Cooper Center in 2010-2011 and has since returned to Kenya to marry and continue his work for the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education.  Learn more about Zeph's work, past and present.

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Cooper featured in The Desert Leaf

March 25, 2021

We're always grateful for local media coverage.  We have been working hard in the last 12 months to address the necessary changes in our programming, while ramping up fundraising for our physical facility, Camp Cooper.  We are grateful to journalist Jan Henrikson for a wonderful piece which can be found on pages 52-53 of the April 2021 edition of the Desert Leaf magazine.

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Early Childhood Playspace Groundbreaking This Summer

March 22, 2021

In 2019, we began piloting environmental learning programs for our youngest learners and we welcomed record turnout to our annual Preschool Nature Day. Aware that our facility and terrain are too rugged for young children, we began to envision an area that would be safe to explore while maintaining our unique Sonoran desert character and our ethos of hands-on learning. Thanks to the support of Ohio Children's Foundation, we are excited to break ground on the Camp Cooper Nature Play Space this summer!

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Cooper Facilities Fundraising Exceeds Expectations

March 12, 2021

That's right! Our goal of raising $500,000 to build new bathroom and shower facilities was met, and exceeded, last week thanks to donations large and small from our dedicated Camp Cooper supporters.

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March 2021 Newsletter

March 12, 2021

That's right! Our goal of raising $500,000 to build new bathroom and shower facilities was met, and exceeded, last week thanks to donations large and small from our dedicated Camp Cooper supporters. With your help, we have raised $579,155 for construction, which doesn't include $39,575 originally raised for planning and design. All told, we have raised $618,730 for new bathrooms & showers - a record-breaking investment in our facility.  Thank you!

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Cooper Educators Read To 1300 Students in 90 Classrooms

March 5, 2021

Tuesday (3/2/2021) was Read Across America Day, and we teamed up with Tucson Unified School District to perform The Three Little Javelinas, by Susan Lowell - a Southwest take on The Three Little Pigs.

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Only $14,781 Left To Raise

March 4, 2021

 While we have raised more than $485,000 towards our goal of $500,000...$14,781 remains to be raised to close this fundraising round and turn our attention to construction. 

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In Memory of Steve Goulding

Feb. 22, 2021

Cooper Center and the world have lost an incredible human being to Covid-19. Steve Goulding, known by his nature name "Tall Coyote" when at Camp Cooper, passed away in January after a long battle with the virus.

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February 2021 Newsletter

Feb. 19, 2021

With more than 80% of funds secured, we are within reach of our goal to raise $500,000 by March 1, 2021. We have raised $389,350 to date, and we have to raise just over $96,000 to put us over the top. We have been fortunate to garner the attention of Tucson's media outlets in 2021, further spreading the news about Camp Cooper's "Extreme Makeover." In addition to an interview on NPR's Arizona Spotlight, we have received generous coverage on KGUN9s Morning Blend and print coverage in The Tucson Weekly.

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Colin Waite Interviewed on KGUN 9 Morning Blend

Feb. 15, 2021

On Jan. 22, 2021, Cooper Center director Colin Waite was interviewed by Alex Steiniger, co-host of KGUN9s Morning Blend.  Although not discussed in the video, Steiniger is a TUSD alum, having gradudated from Sabino High School. IN this interview, Steineger digs into the reasons behind the coming improvements to the Camp Cooper facility, and how Camp Cooper has adapted to and grown during the pandemic.

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National Read To Me Day

Feb. 15, 2021

Teachers and students, join our staff on Tuesday March 2, for a special reading of The Three Little Javelinas.  Paige (Herb), Mariah (Butterfly) and Brittne (Cliff) will bring this classic book to life. To join in on the fun, we will be using Microsoft Teams meeting, this way teachers who use Zoom or Google Classroom can be in their regular class meeting, click on the event link and share their screen!

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