Cheley Colorado Camps
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| Cheley Colorado Camps | |
|---|---|
| Location | Estes Park, Colorado |
| Type | Summer Camp |
| Established | 1921 |
| Slogan | "Great things happen when youth and mountains meet" – Frank H. Cheley |
| Website | cheley |
Cheley Colorado Camps (also known as Cheley, Cheley Camps, and Camp Cheley) is a residential summer camp in the Estes Park Valley. Cheley is located at two sites: Land O'Peaks Ranch in Estes Park, Colorado, which houses three girls' units and three boys' units, and Trail's End Ranch for Boys and Girls in Glen Haven, Colorado.[1] Since 1921, Cheley Colorado Camps has had around 50,000 campers. Cheley hosts over 1,200 campers each summer.[2][3]
Code of Living
Cheley Colorado Camps was established on the shores of Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in 1921 by Frank Cheley.[4] Originally, it was named the Bear Lake Trail School: An Alpine Summer Camp for Boys. In its first summer, the Bear Lake Trail School gave nine boys instruction on outdoor subjects such as camping, forestry, botany, birds, geology, orienteering and horsemanship. In 1926, Frank Cheley opened Camp Chipeta, named for the wife of Chief Ouray, chief of the Ute tribe.[5] Following the success of Camp Haiyaha and Camp Chipeta, Cheley sought to provide campers with a more rustic experience. In 1937, he opened Boys' Trail's End (BTE) and, in 1941, he opened Girl's Trail's End.[5] Following Frank Cheley's death in 1941, his son and his wife led the camp for 40 years. They then entrusted its leadership to their son and his wife. As of 2005, Cheley Colorado Camps remained under family leadership.[6]
Rather than a fixed set of values, Frank Cheley proposed a system that evolved with society.[citation needed] The 'Code of Living' is a compilation of traits suggested by the campers in each unit that the campers strive to uphold throughout the term.[7][better source needed] Every term (every summer), each unit, unit staff, and support staff form their own Code of Living. The Code of Living for each term often takes the form of written – and signed – set of standards and values (e.g., traits like respect, integrity, grit).[6]
The 'Blue Kerchief' (BK) represents the Code of Living, and is a "symbol of commitment to the Cheley Experience". All campers and staff receive a BK during a ceremony.[6]
Citizenship awards are voted upon at the end of the camp session by counselors and other campers. They recognize individual campers for following the Code of Living, helping others, assisting counselors, and conducting themselves to a high standard.[8]
Activities and facilities
Cheley campers can participate in mountain biking, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, crafts, archery, riflery, sports, high ropes, and low ropes.[9]
Cheley's facilities include five horseback riding rings, a climbing wall, a gymnasium, a fleet of mountain bikes, a low and high ropes course, a grassy amphitheater with a lighted stage, a soccer field, a fishing pond, and facilities for working with leather, paints, ceramics, and wood. Cheley's lodges and log cabins date from the 1920s.[10][3]
Program recognitions
Campers may receive recognition for their participation and achievements in the form of a patch on their blue kerchief. These awards and patches are earned, by individual campers, for challenging themselves in certain areas. The early camp patches, in the 1920s, were colored patches representing special sets of tests and were sewn on the kerchief. They were awarded for Citizenship, Horsemanship, Science, Guide, Physical Development, Mountaineering, First Aid, and Camp Improvement. Since then, the patches and awards have evolved,[8] and program patches now include hiking, outcamping,[11] horsemanship, climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and sleuthing.[8]
More difficult to achieve, requiring more than one summer, are the Trail Hand for horseback riding achievement and 4th Degree Tyrolean for hiking, backpacking, and outdoor expertise. A camper who demonstrates strong proficiency in all camping skills and programs may earn the Gold Spurs recognition. It honors excellence, in a number of activities, over at least three terms.[8]