Cheley Colorado Camps facts for kids

Cheley Colorado Camps is a famous summer camp located in the beautiful Estes Park, Colorado area. It's often called Cheley, Cheley Camps, or Camp Cheley. This traditional camp has three special locations. One is Land O'Peaks Ranch in Estes Park, which has units for both girls and boys. The other two are Trail's End Ranch for Boys and Trail's End Ranch for Girls, found in Glen Haven, Colorado.

Since it started in 1921, Cheley Colorado Camps has welcomed over 50,000 young people. Campers come from every state and many countries around the world. Many families have sent their children to Cheley for generations. Each summer, over 1,200 campers enjoy Cheley. They can choose from two 4-week programs for ages 9-17. There's also a shorter 5-night program for younger campers (7-10 years old). Cheley is known worldwide and often appears on lists of the best summer camps.

Discovering Cheley's History

Cheley Colorado Camps began in 1921 near Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was founded by Frank Cheley. At first, it was called the Bear Lake Trail School: An Alpine Summer Camp for Boys. In its first summer, nine boys learned about the outdoors. They studied camping, forestry, plants, birds, rocks, and how to find their way. They also learned about horseback riding.

In 1926, Frank Cheley opened a camp for girls called Camp Chipeta. It was named after the wife of Chief Ouray, a leader of the Ute tribe. After these camps became popular, Frank Cheley wanted to offer a more rugged experience. He opened Boys' Trail's End in 1937 and Girl's Trail's End in 1941.

When Frank Cheley passed away in 1941, his son Jack and his wife Sis took over. They led the camp for 40 years. Later, their son Don and his wife Carole continued the tradition. Today, Cheley Colorado Camps is still run by the family. Jeff and Brooke, from the fourth generation, are now in charge.

What is the Code of Living?

Frank Cheley knew that values important in the 1920s might change over time. So, he created a core system of values that could grow with society. The Code of Living is a special set of traits. Campers in each unit suggest these traits. They then try to live by these ideals throughout their time at camp.

Every summer, each camp unit, its staff, and support staff create their own Code of Living. This Code is often written down and signed by everyone. It includes important values like respect, honesty, and determination.

What is the Blue Kerchief?

The Blue Kerchief (or BK) is a special symbol at Cheley. It shows a camper's promise to the Cheley experience and the Code of Living. All campers and staff get a BK during a special ceremony. Campers wear light blue kerchiefs. Campers in Leadership Training (CILTs) wear yellow. Counselors wear dark blue, and Quarter B-4 campers wear light green. Quiet moments, like Vespers and evenings under the starry sky, also help campers and staff grow personally.

How are Citizenship Awards Earned?

Citizenship awards are the highest honors in any unit. Counselors and other campers vote on them at the end of the camp session. These awards recognize campers who live by the Code of Living. They also honor those who help others and act with high standards.

At Land O’ Peaks, these awards include:

• The Silver Coup (for 9 to 11 year olds)
• The Silver Spurs (for 12 and 13 year olds)
• The Gold Key (for 14 to 17 year olds)

At Trail’s End, the awards are:

• The Driver of the Covered Wagon (for 12 and 13 year olds)
• The Top Hand (for 14 to 17 year olds)

The Cheley Experience: Fun and Learning

Cheley Camps focuses on helping each camper individually. Campers can try many different activities because of Cheley's free choice program. You can try mountain biking, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, horseback riding, hiking, and backpacking. There are also crafts, archery, riflery, sports, high ropes, and low ropes courses.

Frank Cheley created "Fun Plus®" when he started the camp. This idea means that having fun is important. But it also means learning how to live life fully. It helps you understand yourself better. An average Cheley camper stays for four to five years. Some even stay for ten years! Each summer, about 30% of campers are new to Cheley.

Earning Program Recognitions

Campers at Cheley can earn special patches for their Blue Kerchiefs. These program patches and awards are important at Cheley. They are earned by challenging yourself, not by competing with others. The first camp patches in the 1920s were colored. They were sewn in a circle under the camp symbol on the kerchief. They were given for things like Citizenship, Horsemanship, Science, and First Aid. Over the years, many patches and awards have changed.

Some program patches you can earn include:

• Hiking
• Outcamping
• Horsemanship
• Climbing
• Mountain biking
• Backpacking
• Sleuthing

The "On the Trail" Patch is given for spending fifteen days on the trail, not in camp. The Circle of Stars (for 9, 10, and 11 year olds) and the Pinecone Patch (12 and 13 year olds) mean a camper has tried every camp activity.

Some achievements are harder and take more than one summer. The Trail Hand patch is for horseback riding skills. The 4th Degree Tyrolean is for hiking, backpacking, and outdoor knowledge. The Gold Spurs recognition is the highest achievement. It honors excellent skills in all areas. This includes hiking, riding, backpacking, mountain biking, riflery, archery, and crafts. You need at least three summers to earn it.

Amazing Camp Facilities

Cheley has many great facilities for campers. There are five horseback riding rings and a climbing wall. You'll find a gym and 40 mountain bikes. There's also a low and high ropes course. A grassy amphitheater with a lighted stage is perfect for shows. A soccer field sits next to an aspen grove. There's a fishing pond and places to work with leather, paints, ceramics, and wood.

Cheley's lodges and log cabins are full of history. They were built in the 1920s and fit perfectly into the rocky landscape. They offer amazing views everywhere you look. The camp always works to improve and maintain its facilities. This ensures campers and staff are safe, comfortable, and have fun.

Special Camp Programs

Quarter B-4: A Taste of Camp

In 2017, Cheley Colorado Camps started Quarter B-4. This is a five-night program to introduce younger kids to Cheley. It's a great way for 7 to 10-year-olds to try camp before joining the longer 27-day programs. Campers are split into two groups:

• The Pikas for 7 and 8-year-olds
• The Marmots for 9 and 10-year-olds

Family Camp: Fun for Everyone

Cheley started Family Camp in 1985. This allows families to enjoy the magic of camp together. Family Camp invites families with children aged 6 and older. They spend five days of quality family time at the Trail's End Ranch for Boys property.

Cheley/Children's Hospital Burn Camp

In 1984, Cheley Colorado Camps added the Cheley/Children’s Hospital Burn Camp Program. This program helps children healing from a burn injury experience summer camp. The eight-day camp welcomes burn survivors from all over the world. Campers have come from places like the United Kingdom and Russia.

Burn Camp activities include day hikes, backpacking, climbing, horseback riding, crafts, and fishing. There are also evening campfires, songs, games, and sports. Cheley staff provide the camp activities and counseling. The Children’s Hospital Colorado team offers help with burn injuries and emotional support. Firefighters from Denver and Estes Park, plus burn nurses from many countries, also join the staff. They all help make it a wonderful experience for everyone. All campers at Cheley/Children's Hospital Burn Camp attend for free. This is thanks to fundraising efforts from groups like the Burn Foundation and Rotary Club. Burn Camp takes place in August, after Cheley's summer programs end.

Famous People Who Attended Cheley

Many notable people have attended Cheley Colorado Camps, including:

• Jason Ritter, an actor
• Tyler Ritter, an actor
• Grant Wood, a famous American painter
• Jennifer Beals, an actress and model
• Tom Hornbein, a mountaineer
• Libby Schaaf, a former mayor of Oakland, California
• Hank Brown, an American politician
• Nancy Kassebaum, an American politician
• Daryl Hannah, an actress
• Page Hannah, an actress
• Charlie Jones, a sportscaster
• John Bucksbaum, a business leader
• Jena Lee Nardella, an author
• John Shafer, a botanist
• Abraham Akaka, a clergyman
• Kristin Knight Pace, an author and dog musher
• Addison, Macey, and Liam Lillard, children of actor Matthew Lillard