Parent Handbook Copyright © 2021 by Cheley Colorado Camps since Our History 1921100 Summers of Youth Development Mission “We build the lasting character and resiliency of young people, creating unique life experiences in a challenging and nurturing natural environment.” summer camp units are housed on these Camp Overview three properties. The massive lodges and cozy cabins of the 20s and 30s have been carefully hy four weeks? It takes that long s a young man, Frank H. Cheley’s maintained, providing a legacy of rich memories to unwind, get in shape, and do dream was to help boys enter for the children, grandchildren and great Wsomething that makes this experience one to into manhood while experiencing grandchildren of those early campers. remember. Campers often say they feel more theA great outdoors. His work with the YMCA The Cheley family has been steadfast in alive, more connected and more themselves at convinced him that youth learn best through upholding the philosophy of camp life that Cheley, whether they’re coaxing friends up a firsthand experiences, particularly under the Frank envisioned. Following Frank’s death in steep mountain pass or riding horseback down direction of dedicated adult leaders. Ninety- 1941, son Jack and his wife, Sis, led Cheley for a rocky trail. You learn about trust and support nine years later, these basic principles are still 40 years before entrusting its leadership to son, because you give it to one another when it the foundation for our work with young people Don and his wife, Carole. Today, Cheley is run by counts. A rich history and great people are a at Cheley. the two oldest of the fourth generation, Jeff and big part of what makes the Cheley Experience Frank put his dreams into action in 1921, when Brooke. what it is today – a truly meaningful and unique he opened Bear Lake Trail School – An Alpine youth development experience. Summer Camp for Boys— on the shores of Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Most of Fun Plus© all, he wanted the boys to become good sports- ur goal is to send campers home men, which he described as “self-propelled, feeling good about who they are. To do independent individuals with real character and this, we focus on Fun-Plus, age-appropriate personality.” These leadership training summer O challenges. Fun-Plus is consideration for others camps became very popular and in 1926, “vig- and personal growth. As a result, our Fun-Plus orous girls” were welcomed to Chipeta, named concept, originated by Frank Cheley in 1921, is after the Queen of the Utes, wife of Chief Ouray. truly a Cheley trademark. Camp moved to the Land O’ Peaks property in 1927, and in 1941, Frank opened the Boys’ and Girls’ Trail’s End camps. Today all eight CHELEY COLORADO CAMPS | cheley.com | (303) 377-3616 | page 2 CHELEY COLORADO CAMPS | cheley.com | (303) 377-3616 | page 3 A Family The 3rd, 4th, Business and 5th Generations Jeff Cheley Brooke Cheley-Klebe Director Director of Camper and Parent Services Jeff is part of the fourth generation of camp Brooke is part of the fourth generation of leadership with his sister, Brooke. He has a camp leadership with her brother, Jeff. She B.A. in business from the University of Texas graduated from the University of Colorado Back Row L–R: Ellie Klebe, Erika Cheley, Hayden Cheley, Jeff Cheley, Brooke Cheley-Klebe, Kurt Klebe, Samantha Klebe at Austin. Jeff started as a camper at age with a degree in communications. Brooke was Front Row L–R: Jackson Cheley, Harrison Cheley, Kate Klebe, Carole Cheley, Don Cheley nine and was a counselor and unit director. a camper for nine summers and a counselor He is an active volunteer with the American for four before joining the year-round team. Camp Association, the Western Association of As a former competitor in freestyle skiing, Independent Camps, and serves on the boards an Ironman triathlete and a graduate of Counseling & Support of the Estes Park Health Foundation and the the National Outdoor Leadership School Our Staff Denver Area Boy Scouts of America. Jeff and his in Patagonia, Brooke brings a wealth of wife, Erika, live in Cherry Hills Village with their knowledge to the backcountry program of We invest a lot of energy in recruiting and training our staff, and it shows. In annual evaluations, three sons: Jackson, Harrison, and Hayden. Cheley. She lives in Denver with her husband, our counselors consistently receive high marks from campers and parents, who describe them When Jeff is not chasing his boys around the Kurt, and their daughters, Ellie, Kate and as friendly, happy, knowledgeable, caring, and fun to be around. Campers grow to love their house, he enjoys playing golf, skiing, cycling, or Sam. Brooke enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling, counselors, cooks, nurses, bus drivers, and the rest of the staff part of The Cheley Experience. taking a Sunday afternoon nap. and spending time with family. They all contribute to the feeling of community that is so prevalent at Cheley. We refer to our staff as Youth Development Professionals. They are young adults who have completed at least one year of college or equivalent. Our ten-day staff training covers safety and risk management issues; team building; counseling, programming, and teaching skills. Chosen Don and Carole Cheley for their love of the outdoors and working with youth, our counselors are tuned into young Director Emeriti people and enjoy playing a part in their development. Don attended Colorado College and Menlo College, graduating with a B.A. in business. Don is Typically, over half of our staff members return to camp the following summer. This continuity an active volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the American Camping Foundation, the encourages greater expertise and further development of skills and knowledge of The Cheley American Camp Association, and First National Bank of Estes Park. During the summer, you can find Experience. Many staff members were Cheley campers, which gives them a valuable perspective Don driving around camp in his pickup truck checking on activities, campers, and the facilities. He as camp counselors. From cooks to camp directors, our camp staff spends their summers may be sweeping a porch, cutting down a tree, or fixing a vacuum. residing at camp, creating a vital, close-knit camp community. Carole is Don’s wife and has worked at Cheley for over 25 years. She has a B.A. in fine arts and a M.A. in Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado and was a teacher and school Staff members must submit an application and three references, complete two interviews, counselor for 10 years before joining Cheley. She enjoys traveling, yoga, taking pictures, reading and undergo a criminal background check, and complete a sexual abuse training prior to arriving getting to know the campers. at camp for staff training. International staff are hired through camp staffing agencies and are screened and interviewed in their home countries prior to their interview with Cheley. Most counselors have First Aid and CPR certifications, and at least one staff member taking campers on overnights or into the backcountry has Wilderness First Aid or higher. CHELEY COLORADO CAMPS | cheley.com | (303) 377-3616 | page 4 Camp is divided into eight units, Our according to age and gender, at Health & Wellness three properties: Land O'Peaks, Trail's End Ranch for Boys and Trail's Ages & Units End Ranch for Girls. Health Centers We have a team of nurses, four health centers, and often have a doctor on site as well. We work with Estes Park Health if additional treatment is needed. We will call you if your camper has been taken to the doctor/hospital, receives a prescription, or spends the night in the health center. If your LAND O'PEAKS LAND O'PEAKS camper has an emergency or requires external medical care, a phone call home will occur the same day unless it is after 9:00 pm in the camper’s home time zone, in which case a phone call will occur Girls' Camp Boys' Camp the following morning. Lower Chipeta (LC): Ages 9–11 Lower Ski Hi (LSH): Ages 9–11 "Chi-peta" LOP "Lower SkyLOP High" Medications Chipeta (C): Ages 12–14 Ski Hi (SH): Ages 12–14 "Sky High" Our health centers are stocked with standard over the counter medications, so there is no need Senior Chipeta (SC): Ages 14–17 to send these items. All medications sent to camp must be in original packaging with prescription Haiyaha (H): Ages 14–17 and must be listed on the Healthcare Provider Form. Over the counter medications, vitamins/ "High-yAhh-Hah" supplements, along with dosage and time taken, must also be listed on the Healthcare Provider Form. Please do not send medications or supplements if it is something the camper can do without while they are at camp. Medications are not allowed in cabins. TRAIL'S END Campers may carry inhalers and Epi-Pens with them. If they require these items, please send a Girls' Trail's End (GTE) & Boys' Trail's End (BTE) spare to be kept in the health center. If campers wear contact lenses, they should bring an extra pair and/or a pair of glasses. Located 12 miles east of Land O’Peaks in Glen Haven. Ages 12–17. TE Emergency Procedures CILTs Campers in Leadership Training Cheley has risk management, emergency and crisis response plans in place to endeavor to prepare and respond in the event of incidents or events occurring on or off Cheley property. Parents and CILTs are rising 11th or 12th graders.