The Cortes Island Academy (CIA) is a pilot program of School District 72 in collaboration with Cortes Island Community Foundation, Folk University, and the people of Cortes Island. The CIA program runs every September - January.

Cortes Kayaks is leading a five week course; Outdoor Adventure Leadership through CIA. This five week course will give students a leadership and PE credit through School District 72. We believe that the ecology of Cortes Island provides an incredibly rich learning environment which engages many disciplines. This course will equip youth with practical skills for outdoor safety and recreation while also developing a basis of curiosity and scientific tools for observing the ecosystems around us. Our place based curriculum aims to develop critical thinking skills, oral communication, presentation skills, cooperation, leadership skills, and decision making. Each week we will have a new theme to act as a lens for our planned activities. Each day in the field we will assign two leaders of the day, who will have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills through facilitating activities for the rest of the group. Our learning will culminate in two student-led back-country camping trips. This place-based learning experience is designed to deepen relationships with nature, build confidence, provide leadership and learning opportunities and, most importantly, have fun.