In the early 1960s through the 1980s, a group of young women found themselves spending summers at Cheley Colorado Camps, nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. These women, now spanning a range of ages and boasting an impressive array of accomplishments, recently gathered in Estes Park to celebrate the 70th birthday of their friend and former counselor, Meg Booth.
Alongside Brooke Cheley-Klebe, the 15 women—whose collective brainpower spans careers in medicine, law, education, and more—reconnected over memories, laughter, and shared reflections on their enduring bond. What began as summer friendships has grown into a sisterhood defined by shared adventures and the timeless lessons they learned at camp.
“I just like being in this room. I seriously am about to cry because… the friendship that you all have, and that you come back year after year to see each other… it’s so amazing.”
Brooke Cheley-Klebe
The deep connection among these women stems from their unique shared experiences as both campers and counselors. The camaraderie and joy they found in the mountains has only grown over time, and their friendships have weathered life’s inevitable challenges—marriages, careers, raising children, and even losses. “We helped each other through deaths, births, losses, disappointments, and joy,” Marjie Blevins shared. “It’s really, really special.”
Their stories illustrate how camp became the foundation for their ability to support one another through life’s trials and triumphs. They marvel at how natural it feels to reconnect, even after months or years apart. This effortless reconnection speaks to the depth of their bonds, forged through countless mountain hikes, shared stories, and the inevitable ups and downs of growing up together.
The Legacy of Mentorship: Counselors as Role Models
“We had these amazing counselors who didn’t present challenges as impossible. They showed us how to tackle things head-on.”
Many of the women spoke about the profound influence their counselors had on them during their formative years. These mentors provided more than supervision—they were role models who exemplified kindness, courage, and compassion. “I was shy, and [on my first hike] this beautiful woman, Sharon Monson, grabbed my hand and pulled me to the top,” Amy Dzur remembered. “I’ve been hiking mountains ever since.”
The lessons they learned from these counselors have stayed with them throughout their lives. By watching their counselors, they learned the importance of resilience and the value of uplifting others. “We had these amazing counselors who didn’t present challenges as impossible. They showed us how to tackle things head-on,” another woman reflected. Inspired by these mentors, many of them later became counselors themselves, passing on the same values to younger campers.
Embracing Independence and Finding One’s Own Path
For many of these women, Cheley was the first time they were away from their families for an extended period. It marked a crucial step towards self-reliance and independence, shaping them into confident, self-assured adults. “Camp was the one place where I got to choose what I did. I got to choose who I was hanging out with. It wasn’t a playdate my mom arranged and drove me to, just pure, independent fun,” Ginny Troyer shared.
Cheley offered them the chance to make their own choices and explore their identities without the influence of family expectations. This freedom was both exhilarating and challenging, ultimately providing them with a newfound sense of agency. “There’s something recorded in your body,” Troyer reflected, “being independent of your parents at an age when you are really curious and open.” By navigating their own path, they developed confidence that served as a foundation for their future endeavors.
The Mountains as a Lifelong Teacher
“The mountains taught us resilience and strength, and that’s something we’ve carried with us.”
At Cheley, the Rockies were more than just a beautiful backdrop—they were active participants in the campers’ growth and development. The mountains challenged them physically and emotionally, teaching resilience and perseverance with every hike. “It’s not just the mountains. It’s us coming together…” Troyer explained. “The mountains taught us resilience and strength, and that’s something we’ve carried with us,” another continued.
Every climb became a metaphor for life’s hurdles, reminding them of the strength they had to overcome challenges. “I thought I was going to die on that first hike, but I didn’t. I made it to the top, and I’ve been hiking mountains ever since,” said Terry Taylor. These experiences laid the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of nature and the lessons it offers, reinforcing their belief that they could handle whatever life threw their way.
A Safe Space to Challenge and Grow
“Camp taught me I can do hard things. I have that confidence because of camp.”
The women spoke of how Cheley provided a safe space to push beyond their comfort zones and try new things. At camp, they faced physical challenges that tested their limits, from mountain hikes to ropes courses. But more than that, they found a community that celebrated their efforts and supported their growth. “Camp taught me I can do hard things,” Sharon Monson shared. “I have that confidence because of camp.”
They described how camp’s supportive environment encouraged them to take risks and discover new capabilities. They learned that they were capable of so much more than they ever imagined, a lesson they carried into their adult lives. “We push each other. We help each other push ourselves. That really has stuck with us,” Monson continued. This sense of mutual encouragement and camaraderie helped them realize their potential and gave them the confidence to face future challenges head-on.
A Multi-Generational Legacy
These women also reflected on the joy of seeing their children walk the same paths, climb the same mountains, and learn the same lessons at Cheley. For some, Cheley has become a multi-generational legacy, with children and even grandchildren attending the camp. “Both my son and daughter met their lifelong spouses at Cheley,” Meg Booth shared, highlighting the depth of connection that Cheley fosters.
They spoke of how proud they are to pass on the camp traditions and values to the next generation, who will continue to carry Cheley’s legacy forward. “If you don’t love my camp friends, then you don’t get me,” Marjie Blevins recalled telling her future husband, underscoring how integral these friendships have become to their identities.
The Sacrifice and Gratitude of Camp’s Lasting Impact
“People say to this day, dollar for dollar, it’s the best money we ever spent. It’s worth more than college tuition.”
Many of them noted that they wanted their children to experience the same journey toward independence, and so they sent them to Cheley as well. As one woman shared, “Cheley gave me the freedom to be me, and I wanted my kids to have that same gift of independence.” They knew that by letting their children discover themselves at camp, they were providing them with the tools to succeed in life.
For these women, sending their children to Cheley was more than just continuing a tradition—it was an investment in their growth. “People say to this day, dollar for dollar, it’s the best money we ever spent. It’s worth more than college tuition,” Elizabeth Dumanian said. They recognized that the sacrifice made by their parents to send them to camp was mirrored in their own decision to give their children the same opportunities.
“This is the best money my parents ever spent, sending us to camp,” Liza Lowe added. They spoke with gratitude about the experiences they had at Cheley, knowing that those summers of independence, friendship, and personal growth were truly priceless. Cheley remains for them, and now their children, a place of profound learning, resilience, and joy.
From Counselors to Lifelong Leaders
Reflecting on their time as campers and counselors, these women spoke of how Cheley instilled a sense of responsibility, leadership, and compassion. “Being a counselor was both the best job and the hardest job I’ve ever had,” Brenda Lightbody shared. The challenge of guiding campers and navigating the intricacies of leadership helped shape them into resilient, thoughtful adults.
“We’re not just friends; we’re family.”
For these women, Cheley has been more than just a summer camp; it has been a place where they found strength, created enduring friendships, and learned life lessons that have guided them through the years. “We’re not just friends; we’re family,” Brenda Lightbody said, perfectly capturing the spirit of a community that has become a vital part of their lives. As they continue to gather year after year, they carry with them the lessons of the mountains, the spirit of Cheley, and a lifelong bond that remains as vibrant and essential as ever.
Participants in This Conversation:
Marjie Blevins, Meg Booth, Brooke Cheley-Klebe, Elizabeth Dumanian, Amy Dzur, Sue Ewald Cedarholm, Brenda Lightbody, Lisa Lowe, Jill Marshall, Sharon Monson, Midge Sellers, Katie Stutz, Terry Taylor, Kristen Traul, Ginny Troyer, Julie Woodward.
