As the summer days fade, we find ourselves reminiscing about the unforgettable memories made in Chipeta. The fresh mountain air, the sweeping vistas from our mountain hikes, and the familiar melodies of our unit song are experiences that will stay with us for years. Yet, the true essence of Chipeta lies in the connections formed and the personal growth each camper experienced. Whether it was under the starry sky or riding a horse through the meadows, laughter and friendship were ever-present. We have no doubt that these memories will be cherished long after the summer has ended.
Our outcamping counselors, AnnaGrace Harris and Ari Graham-Gurland, guided campers through the wonders of the great outdoors, creating moments of both fun and reflection. From sharing favorite meals around the campfire to playing Gaga ball by the stream, campers embraced the simplicity and beauty of outcamps. The following camper earned their Outcamping Basics: Norah Mugge.
The hiking counselors, Ismini Andreou and Danielle Day, led campers on breathtaking journeys through Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Each step taken fostered a deep appreciation for nature and perseverance in overcoming challenges. The following campers earned their Hiking Basics and Patch: Ingrid Christiansen, Quinn Clarke, Rebecca De Vore, Sally Gillikin, Lylah Lewis, Josie Pryor, Dylan Remley, Avery Smith, Dorothy Thomas, and Nora Wu.
Backpacking adventures were made unforgettable by counselors Amanda Pittman and Max Tsui as they explored the backcountry of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, the Never Summer Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Campers learned about preserving nature, embraced independence, and enjoyed the journey. The following campers earned their Backpacking Basics: Livi Bjorem, Vivian Gassmann, Astrid Hattenbach, Lucy Lippard, and Eva Sorenson; and their Backpacking Patch: Vivian Gassmann, Astrid Hattenbach, Lucy Lippard, Eva Sorenson, and Mary Strom.
Our horseback riding counselors, Addie Fries, Liz Henderson, and Morgan Patton, instilled a love for horses in our campers. They not only guided them on trail rides and ring work but also emphasized the importance of caring for these majestic animals. Our Riding Basics and Patch recipients completed a series of tasks focused on riding and horse care. Congratulations to: Claire Elkins, Charley Farres, Rachel Freese, Natalie Holt, Paola Lebrija, Eloise Merrell, Lauren Obeney, Morgan Schwartzstein, Dorothy Thomas, Hannah Weydert, Ione Young, and Charlotte Zimmerman on their Basics; and Suriana Bebee, Emmeline Cecere, Quinn Day, Claire Elkins, Charley Farres, Rachel Freese, Natalie Holt, Paola Lebrija, Eloise Merrell, Elizabeth Michaelian, Luisa Morales, Rose Morton, Lauren Obeney, Elliott Price, Morgan Schwartzstein, Dorothy Thomas, Hannah Weydert, Ione Young, and Charlotte Zimmerman on their Patch.
Annie Sallick and Logan Waites guided creativity in the Chipeta Craft Shop, Sir Amick’s Ceramics, and the woodworking shop.
Chipeta’s sports and archery programs were full of energy and excitement this summer. Under the guidance of Amy Darda and Christi Rodrigue, campers honed their skills in various sports, whether it was on the soccer field, volleyball court, or in friendly matches. The spirit of teamwork and enthusiasm was evident in every game, creating bonds that extended beyond the field. Water activities like rafting and standup paddleboarding added a splash of excitement to the summer, with some campers choosing the thrill of the Poudre River or Union Reservoir to explore Colorado.
Campers develop focus and precision on the archery range. Many campers took on the challenge of improving their aim, with several earning recognition by consistently hitting their targets. The following campers earned arrows in Archery:
White Arrow
Suriana Bebee, MaKenzie Bockman, Hayley Brickle, Ruby Buckley, Rylin Buckley, Lillian Bulaich, Kate Casteel, Keeley Cozza, Colleen Cronin, Hannah Daneshpanah, Rebecca De Vore, Charley Farres, Rachel Freese, Charlyse Greenwald, Bayleigh Gutman, Ellie Hanson, Danica Hartong, Elina Jamshidi Roudbari, Amelia Johnston, Vivianna Kaplan, Abigail Kushto, Lucy Lippard, Eloise Merrell, Luisa Morales, Norah Mugge, Sam Nicholson, Sarah Nusser, Lauren Obeney, Mila Perez, Hannah Poteet, Mila Powers, Josie Pryor, Natalie Robertson, Mabel Romano, Harlow Skinner, Kimia Tabandeh, Remington Ullrich, Catherine Wang, Maeve Whalen, Nora Wu, and Charlotte Zimmerman.
Black Arrow
Dylan Barnes, Lillian Bulaich, Keeley Cozza, Hannah Daneshpanah, Charlyse Greenwald, Bayleigh Gutman, Danica Hartong, Vivianna Kaplan, Lucy Lippard, Norah Mugge, Sarah Nusser, Mila Perez, Hannah Poteet, Natalie Robertson, Katherine Trendler, Olivia Tuel, Remington Ullrich, and Elise Young.
Blue Arrow
Dylan Barnes, Lillian Bulaich, Emmeline Cecere, Hannah Daneshpanah, Charley Farres, Charlyse Greenwald, Vivianna Kaplan, Scout Kearney, Mila Perez, Hannah Poteet, Emily Rivinus, and Olivia Tuel.
Red Arrow
Gracie Ehlert, Sam Nicholson, Sarah Nusser, Mila Perez, Emily Rivinus, and Natalie Robertson.
Gold Arrow
Sam Nicholson and Sarah Nusser.
Riflery was a standout activity in Chipeta this summer, with campers eager to improve their marksmanship under Caroline Vorsteg‘s watchful eye. Safety and discipline were key focuses, as campers learned the importance of patience and precision while handling a rifle. Those who earned their riflery recognitions showed true dedication and skill, proving their ability to hit the mark time and time again.
Prone Specialist
Dylan Barnes, Marina Benzecry, Lillian Bulaich, Emmeline Cecere, Jasmin Corona, Colleen Cronin, Jane Donovan, Charlyse Greenwald, Bayleigh Gutman, Abigail Kushto, Luisa Morales, Rose Morton, Sarah Nusser, Vivian Obert, Hannah Poteet, Mabel Romano, Harlow Skinner, Kimia Tabandeh, Olivia Tuel, and Catherine Wang.
Level I, II, III, and IV
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Emmeline Cecere, Jasmin Corona, Norah Mugge, and Sarah Nusser.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Ashleigh Dunton and Abigail Koppman.
The following camper earned their Level 4 pin: Katherine Trendler.
Kneeling Specialist & Level I, II, and III
The following campers earned their Kneeling Specialist: Gracie Ehlert and Katherine Trendler.
The following camper earned their Level 1 pin: Katherine Trendler.
Campfire nights in Chipeta were a blast, filled with laughter and unforgettable moments. The evening programs, led by Lauren King, featured favorite activities like the vibrant Neon Just Dance and the fast-paced Minute to Win It challenges. These events brought everyone together for fun and friendly competition, creating cherished memories and lively interactions around the campfire. The joy and camaraderie experienced were priceless and will be remembered fondly by all.
Campers who spent at least fourteen days out of camp earned the On the Trail Patch, participating in hiking, backpacking, trail rides, rafting, and technical climbing. These campers truly immersed themselves in the Colorado outdoor experience: Isobel Andrews, Ingrid Christiansen, Quinn Clarke, Reese Dahlstrom, Rebecca De Vore, Juliana Edwards, Vivian Gassmann, Sally Gillikin, Evelynn Golff, Astrid Hattenbach, Emily Larzelere, Lylah Lewis, Aurelie Mengin, Norah Mugge, Josie Pryor, Dylan Remley, Natalie Robertson, Lucie Rumsey, Aria Smalley, Avery Smith, Eva Sorenson, Mary Strom, Dorothy Thomas, Olivia Tuel, Maile VanDerWege, Maeve Whalen, Nora Wu, and Ione Young.
For those who sought a diverse camp experience, the Pinecone Patch was their goal. To earn this patch, campers completed hikes, rides, overnight activities, crafts, and more. Their well-rounded achievements were a testament to their adventurous spirit. Congratulations to: Colleen Cronin, Rachel Freese, Luisa Morales, Katherine Trendler, Olivia Tuel, Catherine Wang, and Nora Wu.
During the first week of each term, Chipeta created a Code of Living, selecting five words that represented the values they aimed to embody. At the term’s end, both campers and staff voted on those who best exemplified these traits, earning them the Silver Spurs. First Term chose Open-Mindness, Spunky, Accountability, Inclusivity, Compassion, and Integrity and Second Term chose Tenacity, Inclusive, Authenticity, Ambitious, and Honesty. The Silver Spurs recipients were: Elanor Blumenfeld, Evelynn Golff, Luisa Morales, Elliott Price, Dorothy Thomas, Hannah Weydert, and Nora Wu.
As the seasons change and the routines of daily life return, we wish our campers the very best on their upcoming journeys. We hope they carry the Code of Living with them, applying the lessons learned at camp in their lives at home and school. We look forward to seeing them back at Cheley next summer.
Thank you for a great summer!
Carly Maurer, Director
Reb Dunlap, Asst. Director
Lana Winograde, Asst. Director
