At Cheley, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the camp experience while staying true to our mission of helping campers build resilience, independence, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. This summer, we’re making an adjustment that we believe will better support both campers and staff: shifting Rest Hour from 1-2 PM to 3-4 PM.
This idea first came to life when Dylan, our In-Camp Program Director, volunteered at CHCO Winter Burn Camp and experienced a similar schedule in action. After seeing firsthand how well it worked for both campers and staff, he shared his insights with us, prompting a deeper conversation about how this shift could enhance our summer program. We know that any change comes with a learning curve, so we’re treating this as a trial. We’ll observe how it works, make adjustments as needed, and continue to prioritize what’s best for our camp community.
Why the Change?
Over the past few summers, we’ve noticed shifts in the way campers and staff engage with Rest Hour. Lunch is taking less time, and expectations around rest have evolved—some campers take naps, others read or play quiet card games. This shift allows for a more intentional approach to rest, ensuring all campers have the time and space to recharge in ways that suit them.
Transitions between activities, lunch, and Rest Hour have also been challenging. Campers often forget things, feel tired, and struggle to re-engage in the afternoon. Moving Rest Hour to 3-4 PM streamlines the schedule, reducing unnecessary transitions and allowing for a true reset before evening activities.
Another key factor in this decision is that our mornings start early, and this later Rest Hour provides a much-needed afternoon break, allowing campers and staff to rest and recharge after a full day of activities. Also, in recent years, we moved breakfast earlier (from 7:30 AM to 7:00 AM) for some activities like hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, and rafting, but never adjusted the afternoon schedule to account for these earlier starts. This shift will help balance the day, giving campers and staff a longer and more structured period for rest and relaxation.
Program inconsistencies also played a role. Some activities maintain Rest Hour while others, like High Ropes and Technical Climbing, do not. Trail’s End units typically end afternoon programs at 3:00 PM without Rest Hour. Additionally, activities like Archery, Riflery, and Crafts already have built-in rest period while campers not actively participating observe or take breaks. This shift creates a more consistent and simplified schedule.
Lastly, afternoon storms are common, and this change gives us more flexibility to adjust as needed.
General Benefits of a Later Rest Hour
A later, longer, and more flexible Rest Hour allows for a more balanced day, benefiting both campers and staff in multiple ways:
- More Meaningful Social Time: Campers can unwind together, play games, write letters home, or have more relaxed one-on-one check-ins with their counselors. This fosters friendships while still respecting the need for rest.
- Less Midday Sluggishness: Some campers and staff find it harder to get motivated after a midday break, especially right after lunch. Moving Rest Hour later allows them to stay engaged in activities while they have energy and then truly relax when they need it most.
- Better Energy for Campfire: A later break means campers and staff can recharge closer to dinner, helping them feel more refreshed and ready for evening activities.
- More Opportunities for Campers to Reflect: The new schedule provides a natural space at the end of the active part of the day for campers to process their experiences, write in journals, or simply take a breath before heading into the evening.
Specific Adjustments and Improvements
Beyond these general benefits, this adjustment also allows for specific improvements to our daily schedule:
- Expanded Store Hours: The camp store will now be open earlier, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, with an additional window from 5:00 to 6:00 PM for campers and staff to pick up supplies and equipment. This also creates a smoother transition for all campers moving from activities back to their unit before heading to the store.
- Better Timing for Out-of-Camp Activities: Shorter hikes, especially in the first week of camp, will no longer have to “kill time” at the Visitor Center or Stanley Park before heading back to camp. Instead, they can return around 3:00 PM and transition directly into Rest Hour. For activities like stand-up paddleboarding and rafting, which typically finish a little earlier, this change removes the waiting time at Union Reservoir or City Park and allows campers to return earlier to rest at camp. Additionally, Stuff Inn will be available earlier, giving groups returning from out-of-camp activities and overnights a grace period to clean bulk and overnight gear without cutting into free time or treats.
- More Time for Younger Campers to Shower & Reset: Our youngest campers often take longer to get through their shower routines. This new schedule allows them a more relaxed timeframe to clean up and prepare for the evening. And thanks to our new water heater in Lower Chipeta, campers can finally enjoy longer, warmer showers instead of racing to be the first in line!
- More Flexibility & Downtime for Staff: This shift doesn’t just benefit campers, it also provides significant advantages for our staff. With a longer break, staff have more dedicated time to rest, recharge, and prepare for the evening. Directors and leadership teams can better schedule coverage, helping staff get the downtime they need while also maintaining strong supervision and engagement with campers. The later Rest Hour also allows staff to connect more intentionally with their go-to campers, check in on how the day is going, and prepare for the next day’s activities in a less rushed and more thoughtful way.
Looking Ahead
As with any change, we expect to learn as we go. We’ll be observing how this shift impacts our daily schedule and making refinements as needed. Ultimately, our goal is to create an even better experience for our campers and staff—one that allows them to recharge, reset, and make the most of their time at Cheley.
We’re excited to see this in action and to hear feedback from our campers, staff, and families. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
