HOW WILDLIFE TRAVEL is an EXCELLENT EDUCATOR

Passport House Party | Sunday, October 19 | 4:30 pm

The DCIS Foundation board is a curious and thoughtful group, always asking new questions about “why we travel.” That spirit inspired us to create PASSPORT HOUSE PARTY — a special event just for past donors who share our belief in the power of educational travel. Hosted in a welcoming Denver home, this intimate evening offers time to mingle, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, and connect through conversation in a relaxed setting.

The featured speaker for our first PASSPORT HOUSE PARTY is Sheridan Samano. A trailblazer in conservation-driven travel, creating life-changing opportunities for people to connect deeply with wildlife, wild places, and one another. She is the co-founder of Reefs to Rockies, a Colorado-based travel company celebrating its 20th anniversary. Sheridan has led immersive journeys across the globe — from the Great Plains to the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego — and recently launched Her Wildlife Expeditions, empowering women through wildlife-focused adventures.

Sheridan has also worked with students, witnessing the transformative growth that comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone and experiencing life abroad. At the PASSPORT HOUSE PARTY, Sheridan will share powerful stories of how travel shapes lives — her own, and those of students and travelers who discovered new perspectives through nature and exploration.

Tickets & Information* (includes wine/beverages and hors d’oeuvres):

Individual: $165 (the price of a passport😊)

Couple: $300

Location: Cherry Creek area, Denver home (exact address will be emailed to ticket holders before the event)

Date/Time: Sunday, October 19 at 4:30 pm

*Our host is covering all costs, so 100% of proceeds go to help us achieve our mission: to advocate for and financially support immersive student educational travel, whether local, national, or international.

Your participation fuels our goals to give more students the chance to explore the world. Hey friends, let’s get more students traveling!

Photos courtesy of Sheridan Samano from her trips to: Canada, Namibia, Tanzania, Chile, and Uganda.

TICKETS

Remembering GALA 2025: Why We Travel.

In one unforgettable night, we raised $56,912 for Denver Public Schools (DPS) student educational travel — our highest Gala total yet. It’s a remarkable milestone that energizes our mission and propels us forward to reach even more deserving students.

If you attended our Gala, participated in our silent auction, donated, or volunteered in any way, thank you. It was a great evening celebrating, awarding scholarships, and hearing from our inspirational award winners.

A big shout-out to Rick Steves, who did a wonderful, heartfelt video for our event.

Dem holding award w Perri in bkground.jpg

Helen Thorpe in front of her name and screen.jpg

INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

Front row, left to right: Fayette Sorce(East High School), Estrella Perez(East High School), and Jun Logue (south High School). Board member presenters left to right: Julia Spratt, Matt Weimer, and Bob Bresnahan

AWARD WINNERS:

Remembering GALA 2024: Celebrating Japan.

"Great job with the event! We had a great time. So many great conversations and stories." Ted, first time attendee
*"Wonderful, wonderful. We all had a fantastic time. It touched many people’s hearts." Chrissy, donor*

The Gala was a lovely evening filled with wonderful stories, awards, and the DCIS community.

Our program told the story from 1942 (Japanese internment camp in Granada, CO/Amache Internment Camp to the present Japanese American culture and their economic and cultural leadership in Denver. After a day of light snow and spring showers, an amazing crowd gathered for an evening of celebration and fundraising.

Links to relevant content:

Denver Botanic Garden's Film, now on PBS, "The Amache Rose"

Amache National Historical Site | National Park Service

Amache Preservations Society and Pilgramage Information

Cherry Blossom Festival, Sakura Square | June 22 - 23, 2024

Remembering GALA 2023: Celebrating Guatemala & Central America.

Sponsorship levels

SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT

TRIPS: This year we are partnering with Travel Culture (owned by Alumnus Freya Quist) to bring you two curated, cultural tours to Guatemala (History, Artifacts, Food, and Sightseeing) and Costa Rica (Nature, Excursions, Tastings, and Sightseeing). More details on our website and coming soon when the online auction opens on April 14. Other trips include The Ultimate Family Getaway (4 choices on locations), Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, and Vail. There is something for everyone this year!

Our VALUED GALA SPONSORS who care about DCIS students and our mission.

Remembering GALA 2022: Italy

A few people attended the Met Gala in NYC on Saturday, April 30, but the most important people of all attended the DCIS Foundation Spring Gala 2022 at History Colorado Center in Denver. All 160 attendees dressed to impress.

It was a lovely evening reconnecting with old friends, chatting on the terrace, eating family-style, playing games, having bidding wars, and watching the program and awards.

The circle chart to the right gives you a feel for categories and percentages of money raised. DCIS Foundation raised $45,578 and once we take out expenses, we cleared $25,353 to help DCIS students to travel and participate in intercultural experiences. Thank you for helping us create amazing global citizens.

If you missed the Gala and want to catch up, please feel free to watch the video. This video includes WELCOME, GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES, STUDENT PERSPECTIVES, FUNDRAISING, and AWARDS. NOTE: This video is copyrighted and is not to be downloaded or shared without the written permission of the DCIS Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photos or feedback: dcisfoundation@gmail.com

Photo Gallery

Remembering GALA 2021: World travel

Watch this: SPRING GALA 2021 Honorary Chairs Brady Efting (Former teacher and Gold Sponsor) and Gerardo Muñoz (Colorado 2021 Teacher of the Year) kicked off the event.

Educational travel changes lives. Watch this video to see our impact.

RESULTS from our April 24, 2021 SPRING GALA event: We reconciled our accounts and wanted to share the SPRING GALA results with you.

230+ people watched our virtual program – families gathered and many viewers tuned in from other states and countries. Cool!

We raised $35,000 for student scholarships, teacher grants, and DCIS projects. Yes!

We shared video interviews of students, alumni, teachers, and leaders. Insightful!

6 different languages were spoken during our presentation. 谢谢 Xièxiè! Grazie Mille!

We sold 73 of the 75 silent auction treasures. Wow!

We sold 6 trips to fabulous locations around the world (3-yr window to use). Fantastic!

We gave 4 prestigious awards to gracious thought-leaders. Congrats to them!

Volunteers delivered 84 MEALS+GIFT bags to donor homes. Phew!

We celebrated DCIS including our donors, Alumni Leadership Council, and the Council of Advisors. Muito Obrigado!

We learned a bit more about amazing Santa Fe, New Mexico. Road trip!

If you attended or participated in any way in the DCIS Foundation’s SPRING GALA 2021, thank you! You made it a great success and it was so much fun. Feels good, doesn't it?

We look forward to envisioning what the next year can bring for our wonderful students as they continue to grow into engaged, action-oriented, global citizens.

Aŋpétu wašté yuhá!

Au Revoir!

Muchas Gracias!