Welcome to our Glossary! Whether you’re a first-time family or a seasoned camper, this guide is designed to help you navigate the unique terms, traditions, and lingo that make Cheley such a special place. Over the years, we’ve developed our own language, reflecting the vibrant community and unforgettable experiences here. Like a trusted friend around the campfire, we keep things simple, warm, and fun—with a few playful Cheley twists like adding ‘Ch-‘ to familiar words.
While this glossary captures many key terms, it’s not exhaustive. We haven’t included every position, building, or program-specific word. If you think we’ve missed something or if a term needs updating, suggest a new word or revision (click here). Use this glossary as a resource to better understand and embrace the Cheley Spirit!
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2-day(s), 3-day(s), 4-day(s): These describe the duration of overnight trips at Cheley, which may involve activities such as backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, or outcamping.
5-day(s): The pinnacle of Cheley’s backpacking program, available only to campers in Haiyaha, Senior Chipeta, and the Trail’s End (TEs) units. These 5-day trips offer an unparalleled experience, taking campers deep into the rugged terrain of Rocky Mountain National Park or the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
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A Thousand Summers: Previously known as the John Austin Cheley Foundation, A Thousand Summers provides financial assistance to help deserving youth attend Cheley Colorado Camps and other partner camps, offering full or partial support based on family financial circumstances.
AD: Initialism for Assistant Director.
All-Camp Campfire (also: All-Camp): Held on the second Sunday of each term, this event brings together all campers and staff for a themed night of songs and skits in the John Austin Cheley Pavilion, followed by a dance party, friendship circle, and taps. It’s the only event where the entire camp gathers together, ending with the traditional song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
Amnesty Night: Held on the first or second night of camp, we allow campers to turn in prohibited items—such as vapes, alcohol, drugs, weapons, and fireworks—without penalty or questions asked. After this grace period, possession or use of these items may result in dismissal from camp, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Arrows: Campers earn Archery pins by accumulating points through shooting rounds of 30 arrows, with increasing difficulty and recognition levels, from White Arrow (50 points) to Gold Arrow (250 points).
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B: A shorthand used to refer to Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE).
Backpacking: Campers embark on 2- to 5-day backcountry trips where they pitch tents, cook meals, and build community while challenging themselves on the trail, all while experiencing breathtaking scenery and invigorating outdoor activity.
Baggage tags: All baggage and personal items must have yellow Cheley baggage tags, which are mailed to families, ensuring the baggage crew can efficiently identify and transport campers’ belongings from DIA to camp.
Banquet: Held on the final Friday of each term, this event is planned by campfire counselors to provide closure for the term. Featuring themed decorations and speeches prepared by campers, it is a formal event where campers and staff dress in clean clothes and wear their Blue Kerchiefs (BKs). Campers and staff in each unit have different roles.
Biffy: Lower Chipeta’s “boathouse,” known as Biffy, stands for “Bathroom in Forest For You” and is a communal bathhouse with electric lights, flushing toilets, showers, and individual cubbies for toiletries.
BK: Initialism for Blue Kerchief.
BLOP: Acronym for Boys’ Land O’Peaks. Refers to the units of Lower Ski Hi, Ski Hi, and Haiyaha.
Blue Kerchief: The Blue Kerchief (BK) symbolizes a camper’s commitment to the Code of Living and the Cheley Experience, with different colors representing various roles (light blue for campers, yellow for CILTs, dark blue for counselors, and light green for Quarter B-4). It is personalized with patches, pins, and mementos, becoming a cherished keepsake that reflects the camper’s achievements and memories.
Blue Kerchief Ceremony: Held on the first Saturday evening of each term, the BK Ceremony marks the presentation of Blue Kerchiefs to campers, symbolizing their commitment to the Cheley Code of Living and the beginning of a summer filled with personal growth and memorable experiences.
Blue Valley: One of Cheley’s outcamping sites, Blue Valley features a large lean-to, picnic table, fire ring, bear box, and two outhouses. It’s used for outcamping trips and day visits by mountain bikers and horseback riders, offering campers the chance to explore the small stream, play outdoor games, and experience mini-Solos in a wooded, secluded area.
Boathouse: A communal bathhouse at Cheley located near the cabins or wagon yard, equipped with electric lights, flushing toilets, individual showers, and cubbies for campers’ toiletries. These buildings were originally called “boathouses” because Cheley used to offer boating on Mary’s Lake, and the boats were stored in these buildings during the winter months.
Boys’ Camp: Typically refers to the units of Lower Ski Hi, Ski Hi, and Haiyaha, which house boys ages 9-17. Depending on the context, may also include Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE).
Boys’ Trail’s End: A secluded unit for boys ages 12-17, located in Glen Haven further from Land O’Peaks (LOP), where campers live in rustic Conestoga wagons.
Brother/Sister Unit: Pairings of camp units of the same age group but opposite genders—such as Lower Ski Hi and Lower Chipeta, Ski Hi and Chipeta, Haiyaha and Senior Chipeta, and the Trail’s End (TEs) units. These units participate in activities together, including Play Day, cookouts, and square dances, while following similar program progressions.
BTE: Initialism for Boys’ Trail’s End.
Bulk (also: bulk lunch): Refers to the creative lunches made during out-of-camp activities, with ingredients like tortillas, flatbreads, bagels, peanut butter, jam, salsa, pepperoni, salami, and cheese. Cookies are always a highlight to finish the meal.
Burn Camp: A partnership with Children’s Hospital Colorado since 1983, Burn Camp provides an enriching camp experience designed to meet the rehabilitative and psychosocial needs of children recovering from burn injuries.
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C-3PO: Initialism for Cheley Colorado Camps’ Program Organizer. The master schedule, available to directors and department heads in the Cheley Connection, to manage camp operations, detailing program logistics, destinations, transportation, meal counts, and camper and staff allocations.
Cabin: At Land O’Peaks (LOP), each unit consists of 4 to 6 cabins housing 10-15 campers and 2 or 3 staff members. Cabins are organized with a mix of ages and backgrounds to foster mentorship and camaraderie, and each has its own bunk beds, dresser space, and a communal boathouse for showers and bathrooms.
Camp store: Each unit has access to a camp store where campers can purchase supplies, clothing, and treats. The stores are open daily, with morning hours for essentials and afternoon hours for snacks. Campers have a spending limit set by parents and purchases are charged at the end of the term.
CampBrain: The platform used by Cheley families for camp registration, payments, and document submission. Through CampBrain, parents can enroll their campers, make payments, complete necessary forms, and upload important documents for the registration process.
Camper in Leadership Training: Campers in the oldest four units who are part of the CILT program, taking on leadership roles and learning skills to assist with camp programs, engage in mentorship, and prepare for potential future staff positions at Cheley.
Campfire: The evening program where campers gather to share stories, sing songs, play games, and enjoy nightly activities led by the Campfire Counselor, ending with Friendship Circle and Taps before lights out.
Chabies: Refers to the children or grandchildren of a “Chomance,” which is a romantic relationship that began at Cheley. Chabies are the next generation, continuing the legacy of camp connections and relationships.
Chain gate: Closes at 10:00 pm to ensure quiet near cabins where campers are sleeping. If staff arrive after that time, they must park their car on the side of the road and move it before breakfast.
Citizenship Recognitions: These awards, such as Gold Key, Top Hand, Driver, Silver Spurs, and Silver Coup, honor campers who exemplify the traits of the Code of Living, voted on by campers and counselors based on character rather than popularity. Votes are anonymous, and recipients are celebrated at the Recognition Campfire for living above and beyond the standards of their unit’s Code of Living.
CILT: Acronym for Camper in Leadership Training.
CILT Program: The CILT program is for campers who were in their final year as a camper and focuses on developing leadership skills like teamwork, initiative, and problem-solving. CILTs wear yellow kerchiefs, participate in exchanges with other units to gain counselor-like experience, and take on responsibilities such as assisting with campfires and cookouts.
Challenge course: A low ropes course where campers work together to overcome physical obstacles like rope swings, balancing logs, and tightropes, all set close to the ground. The course emphasizes trust, communication, and creative problem-solving, helping campers develop leadership and collaboration skills while navigating challenges under the supervision of trained instructors.
Chapel: A non-religious weekly gathering that focuses on the Code of Living and personal reflection, where campers and staff come together for introspection, character development, and musical performances, in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Chapel attire: Special clothing worn by campers for Chapel, which includes the Blue Kerchief. Chapel attire is slightly “nicer” clothing worn, but nothing too formal—think “school picture day” or a brunch celebration. Campers and staff might wear a collared shirt, polo, neat t-shirt, jeans, slacks, shorts, a casual dress, or a skirt, aiming for a polished but casual look. The focus is on clean, presentable clothes while avoiding sweatshirts, sweatpants, or overly casual attire.
CheDOT: Acronym for Cheley Department of Transportation.
Cheley: We refer to ourselves in three ways, depending on the context. Cheley Colorado Camps represents who we are and should be used proudly, as in “Cheley Colorado Camps is the premier overnight summer camp.” Cheley is the familiar, everyday name we strive for as part of building strong relationships, as in “Welcome to Cheley!” Lastly, Cheley Colorado Camps, LLC is reserved for legal references, copyrights, and website footer information.
Cheley Challenge: A popular route for mountain bikers that starts at the mailboxes on Fish Creek Road, passes under the Cheley Arch, and climbs up the hill to the stop sign in front of the office. Campers race against the clock and record their times.
Cheley Connection: A password-protected platform where parents can email campers, view and download photos, and access weekly reports from counselors, providing updates on their camper’s activities and well-being during the summer.
Cheley Experience: The overall experience of personal growth, community, and adventure that Cheley aims to provide its campers.
Cheley Method: A fair and organized approach to activity sign-ups that ensures all campers have an equal opportunity to participate in their preferred activities. Campers are divided into groups that take turns signing up, with rotations each week, and for high-demand activities, a random selection method is used to maintain fairness.
Cheley Spirit: The values and energy that make Cheley a unique, transformative experience, often centered on the Code of Living.
Cheunion: A playful term for Cheley reunion, where camp friends reconnect and gather outside of camp, strengthening lifelong bonds formed during their time at camp.
Chipeta: A unit for girls ages 12-13, located at Land O’Peaks (LOP).
Choir: At Land O’Peaks (LOP) Chapel, a group of self-selected campers sing a special song.
Chomance: A playful term for Cheley romance, referring to campers or staff who meet at camp and form relationships, sometimes leading to dating, long-term commitments, or even marriage.
Chonnection: A playful term for the Cheley Connection, the online platform where parents can send emails to campers, view photos, and receive updates during camp season.
COD: Acronym for Counselor on duty.
Counselor on duty: A counselor who is not assigned to a specific program for the day and instead helps around the unit or assists with various camp operations as needed.
Colts: Campers learn to handle and train young, inexperienced male horses, focusing on techniques such as leading, haltering, saddling, and groundwork.
Cookout: A meal held in the unit or around camp instead of the dining hall, typically featuring cookout-style foods like burgers and hotdogs, which occurs on Thursdays and Sundays, sometimes with other units or even the entire camp.
CST: Initialism for Camp Support Team. A group consisting of unit directors, health center staff, MESH specialists, boys’ and girls’ camp directors, and camp directors, who meet weekly to discuss and address camper and staff needs, ensuring support for everyone at Cheley.
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DAD: Acronym for Director and Assistant Directors.
Daypack: A medium-sized, durable backpack with a waist belt and comfortable shoulder straps, used for every program. It holds essential items like water bottles, rain gear, extra layers, sunscreen, and more, ensuring campers are prepared for all outdoor activities. The ideal size is 22 to 30L.
Dining hall: A large communal space where campers and staff gather to eat together. There are four in total: one for boys’ camp, one for girls’ camp, and one each for Boys’ and Girls’ Trail’s End, with kitchens located in each. These spaces serve as central hubs for meals and community connection.
Director: Each unit has its own leadership staff responsible for leading 60-70 campers and 15 staff. They create a safe, fun, and cohesive camp environment by overseeing daily operations, camper experiences, staff development, and logistics for their unit.
Discovery (also: Disco): A seasonal outdoor education program for public and private schools, where students participate in high-adventure activities designed to foster social-emotional learning, community building, and school spirit in the great outdoors.
Drill: A horseback riding flag-raising or lowering ceremony where patch holders from the unit participate in a special riding drill around the horse ring, culminating in the raising or lowering of the flag. This tradition honors skill and dedication in horseback riding.
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EB: Most often referring to an Early-Breakfast Hike, where campers wake as early as 2am for a longer trek, but sometimes used for other early morning activities. A light, continental breakfast is served in the Dining Hall before heading out.
Estes Park: The town where Cheley is located, known for its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Exchange (also: CILT exchange): As part of the CILT Program, CILTs spend a week in a different unit, gaining hands-on leadership experience by assisting younger campers and working alongside new counselors.
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Family Camp: A five-day program held in August, where families can experience the magic of summer camp together through activities like horseback riding, hiking, crafts, and evening campfires, with rustic accommodations in covered wagons.
Family Dashboard: The landing page on Cheley’s website where enrolled families and campers can access important links and other resources needed for camp preparation and communication. It serves as a centralized hub for managing all camp-related tasks.
Family style: A method of serving meals where food is placed in shared bowls or platters at the table, allowing campers and staff to serve themselves. This encourages a sense of community and responsibility, as well as promotes self-regulation in choosing portions.
Final Saturday: A special day at the end of each term where families visit to experience their camper’s summer highlights, participate in Chapel, BBQ lunches, and recognition ceremonies to celebrate the summer’s close.
Final Weekend: The former term for what is now known as Final Saturday, when end-of-term events stretched over a weekend and included additional activities like a horse show.
First Term: The first session of Cheley’s 27-day Summer Camp program, typically running from June to early July. It offers campers aged 9 to 17 a full traditional overnight camp experience.
Football: A briefcase or chest bag containing final paperwork and materials used by directors during the last week of camp to complete evaluations, return equipment, and ensure the unit is left in excellent condition.
Friendship Circle (also: Unit Circle): At the end of each night, units or groups gather in a circle with arms around each other (or holding hands at GTE), sing their unit songs, and listen to announcements. This cherished tradition, often ending with Taps, brings closure to the day before campers prepare for bed. Also referred to as Unit Circle.
FunPlus©: Originated by Frank Cheley in 1921 and copyrighted in 1934, this emphasizes personal growth through having fun. It reflects the belief that campers should not only enjoy their activities but also develop skills, build confidence, and learn about themselves along the way.
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G: A shorthand used to refer to Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE).
Gaga (also: gaga ball): A popular game played in an octagonal pit, where campers try to hit a ball and eliminate others by hitting their legs.
Girls’ Camp: Typically refers to the units of Lower Chipeta, Chipeta, and Senior Chipeta, which house girls ages 9-17. Depending on the context, may also include Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE).
Girls’ Trail’s End: A secluded unit for girls ages 12-17, located in Glen Haven further from Land O’Peaks (LOP), where campers live in rustic Conestoga wagons.
Glen Haven: A small, picturesque community near Estes Park where Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE) and Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE) are located.
GLOP: Acronym for Girls’ Land O’Peaks. Refers to the units of Lower Chipeta, Chipeta, and Senior Chipeta.
Go-to counselor (also: go-to): Each camper is assigned a dedicated counselor in their unit responsible for their overall well-being, acting as a mentor, advocate, and daily check-in throughout the term.
GTE: Initialism for Girls’ Trail’s End.
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Haiyaha: A unit for boys ages 14-17, located at Land O’Peaks (LOP).
High Ropes: A 30-40ft tall course offering campers elements like the Leap of Faith, Zip Line, and Giant Ladder, designed to push them beyond their comfort zones. The course is under the supervision of trained instructors.
Homesickness: A normal and natural part of camp life. This feeling occurs when campers miss home, but is often brief and manageable. With the support of counselors, campers are encouraged to embrace their independence, work through their feelings, and grow from the experience.
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In-camp (also: in-camp programs): Refers to programs that take place on camp property at Land O’Peaks (LOP) or Trail’s End (TEs), such as archery, riflery, crafts, climbing wall, and more. Campers participating in these activities eat lunch in the dining hall and remain on-site throughout the day.
In-camp mail: Mail exchanged between units at camp, allowing campers and staff to send letters and notes to each other without the need for postage.
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Java night: A traditional end-of-term campfire at Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE), where campers gather for a talent show while enjoying hot chocolate.
John Austin Cheley Foundation: Established in 1989 to honor John Austin Cheley’s legacy, this foundation provides financial assistance (camperships) to deserving youth, allowing them to attend Cheley and other partner camps. In 2020, it was rebranded as A Thousand Summers.
Jumper: A designated position at meals who is responsible for retrieving food and tableware as needed from the kitchen. They ensure that their table has everything required for a smooth and efficient meal, allowing campers and staff to enjoy their family-style dining experience without interruptions.
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K1 (also: K2): Refers to the Kitchen Assistant, typically at the Trail’s Ends (TEs) but also at Land O’Peaks (LOP), who assists with food preparation, meal service, setting tables, and cleaning dishes, supporting the overall dining experience at camp.
Knockout: A fast-paced basketball shooting game where players try to eliminate each other by making baskets before the next person.
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Land O’Peaks (also: Land O’Peaks Ranch): Often referred to as “Main Camp,” the property is home to most of Cheley’s operations, including the main office. Spanning 750 acres and housing six of the eight units, it offers a wide range of outdoor activities and facilities while maintaining a rich historical tradition with its 1920s log cabins and lodges.
Lil’ Ranchers: A program where campers learn about agriculture and livestock by visiting Cheley’s ranch to interact with animals like chickens, goats, horses, and pigs. Campers gain hands-on experience in understanding ranch life and where their food comes from, with the highlight being the opportunity to safely interact with and care for the animals.
Lodge: A historic and rustic building filled with character, each unit has its own. With benches, fireplaces, and communal spaces, lodges serve as gathering places for campers and staff to relax, play games, and come together for activities, making them the heart of each unit’s community.
LOP: Acronym and initialism for Land O’Peaks.
Lower Chipeta: A unit for girls ages 9-11, located at Land O’Peaks (LOP).
Lower Ski Hi: A unit for boys ages 9-11, located at Land O’Peaks (LOP).
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Mail call: The time when campers and staff receive their letters, emails, and postcards. It takes place at different times in each unit and is an eagerly anticipated part of the day, connecting campers and staff with family and friends back home.
Main Camp: Another name for Land O’Peaks (LOP), where six of Cheley’s eight units are located and most camp operations take place.
Marmots: A program for 9- to 10-year-olds that offers a 5-day introduction to the Cheley Experience, where younger campers rotate through various activities like archery, hiking, and high ropes.
Meds: The casual term used by staff and campers to announce it’s time for medication or for campers to ask for their prescribed medication during camp.
MESH: Acronym for Mental, Emotional, Social, and Health, often used to refer to the resources available to campers and staff for their overall well-being.
Mid-term: The break between First Term and Second Term, where staff have time off to rest and prepare for the next session. This brief period allows for recovery and resetting before welcoming the next group of campers.
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Nalgene: The camp shorthand for any large, durable water bottle, even if it’s not from the iconic brand. With all our activities, staying hydrated is key, so each camper should have two or three 32oz bottles for daily use. You can also grab a “Chalgene” from the camp store—our own branded Nalgene®-style bottle!
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Orientation: The first full day of camp is dedicated to program orientation, where counselors provide campers with an overview of all available activities. Campers visit various program areas—such as the riding ring, hiking, archery, and riflery ranges—to learn about each offering, helping them decide which programs to sign up for during their summer.
Out-of-camp (also: out-of-camp programs): Refers to programs that don’t take place on camp property at Land O’Peaks (LOP) or Trail’s End (TEs), such as hiking, backpacking, rafting, paddleboarding, outcamping, and more. Campers participating in these activities eat bulk lunch or make lunch on the trail.
Outcamp (also: outcamping): A multi-day camping experience where campers are transported to secluded campsites for 2- or 3-day stays. Campers learn essential outdoor skills like building fires, pitching tents, and cooking meals. Evenings are spent around the campfire, sharing stories and roasting marshmallows, with campers sleeping under the stars in tents or teepees at various Cheley campsites.
Outpost: A collection of three campsites located 7 miles south of Land O’Peaks (LOP), accessible via a short hike from the gate or by van. The sites include OP Corral, primarily used by horseback riders; Meadow Outpost, used by outcampers and mountain bikers; and Rockstock, which offers an intensive outcamping experience with a dedicated coordinator on site.
Overnight: A general term used to refer to any multi-day trip at Cheley, ranging from 2 to 5 days. These trips can include backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, or outcamping, with campers spending the night outdoors.
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Pack Rat: Once a printed newsletter filled with camp updates, stories, and highlights, it was sent quarterly to the Cheley community. While the print version ended in 2020, the newsletter now lives on digitally, continuing to keep campers, staff, and alumni connected to camp life and news.
Pack trips: An overnight horseback experience available at Boys’ and Girls’ Trail’s End, where campers ride along difficult trails with a pack horse carrying gear to remote destinations like Donner Pass and Pennock Creek. During these 2- to 4-day trips, campers hand-graze their horses, learn advanced horsemanship, cook outdoors, purify water, and pitch tents, while spending evenings around the campfire and sleeping under the stars.
Patches: An embroidered recognition that campers can earn by meeting specific skill and knowledge requirements in activities such as horsemanship, hiking, or mountain biking. Patches are awarded upon completion of set criteria and are attached onto a camper’s Blue Kerchief as a symbol of their achievement in that activity.
Pierson: A collection of two outcamping sites, Pierson Forest and Pierson Meadow, used for overnight mountain bike trips and horseback rides, respectively. The sites feature lean-tos, fire rings, outhouses, and bear boxes, with Pierson Meadow also including a corral and pond for horses. Both sites offer large open areas perfect for games like capture the flag and sports.
Pikas: A program for 8-year-olds that offers a 5-day introduction to the Cheley Experience, where younger campers rotate through various activities like challenge course, climbing wall, and hiking.
Plane notes: Emotional, heartfelt letters written by friends during the last days of camp, placed in brown paper bags for campers to read after they leave camp (whether on a plane or in the car home). These longer notes often express deep friendship, memories, and appreciation, creating a special moment of connection long after the camp experience ends.
Play Day: Held on the first Sunday of each term, this is a non-competitive, fun-filled event where brother/sister units come together in randomly assigned teams dressed in vibrant colors. Designed to promote camaraderie and teamwork, Play Day features a series of lighthearted games, like sponge dodgeball, with an emphasis on FunPlus©, teamwork, and safety.
Pre-Camp (also: pre-camp crew): A team that works at Cheley before official staff training begins, helping to prepare the camp for the upcoming summer. Staff members take on tasks like raking, cleaning, landscaping, and moving furniture, ensuring camp is in excellent condition.
Program: The term used at Cheley to refer to camp activities, ranging from archery and horseback riding to hiking and backpacking. When campers sign up for their daily “program,” they are choosing which activities they want to participate in during their time at camp.
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QB4: Initialism for Quarter B-4.
Quarter B-4: A four-night introductory program designed to give younger campers, ages 8 to 10, a taste of the Cheley Experience. It is held once each summer and is split into two age groups
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Rafters breakfast: A family-style breakfast served at 7am, slightly earlier than the regular 7:30am meal, to accommodate campers participating in early activities like rafting, paddleboarding, hiking, and other adventures.
Recognitions: Optional achievements available for campers who wish to enhance their skills in particular activities. To earn one, campers must complete specific requirements, progressing through knowledge and skill-based tasks outlined in the Recognition Guidelines. Recognitions are divided by unit, with increasing difficulty as campers advance through age groups.
Reports (also: weekly reports): Weekly updates from your camper’s go-to counselor are posted every Tuesday morning during Summer Camp, detailing their activities, goals, challenges, citizenship, and overall well-being.
Rest hour: A quiet hour after lunch for in-camp programs where campers relax in their cabins or wagons, using the time to rest, nap, read, write letters home, or play cards before afternoon activities begin.
Retreat: A formal horseback riding drill that occurs before All-Camp Campfire, where two patch holders from the oldest six units perform a flag-lowering ceremony.
Ring ride: An instructional horseback riding session where campers learn proper Western riding form, handling, and control, practicing skills like walking, trotting, cantering, and even bareback riding or games in the ring.
RMNP: Initialism for Rocky Mountain National Park.
Rockstock: A unique outcamping site at the Outpost with its own coordinator who plans specialized activities focused on community-building and experiences beyond typical outcamps. Campers build and sleep in their own shelters.
RP: Initialism for Riding Patch.
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Scope and Sequence: Refers to the structure of the program schedule, ensuring that activities are appropriate for the campers’ age group and the point in the term.
Scraper: At the end of each meal, this individual typically seated at the head of the table, scrapes food waste onto one plate to help clear the table. Along with the jumper, they ensure the table is cleaned, dishes are taken to the kitchen, and the dining area is left tidy before dismissal.
Second Term: The second session of Cheley’s 27-day Summer Camp program, typically running from July to early August. It offers campers aged 9 to 17 a full traditional overnight camp experience.
Senior Chipeta: A unit for girls ages 14-17, located at Land O’Peaks (LOP).
Sign-ups: The flexible free-choice system allowing campers to choose their daily activities each week. On Orientation Day and every Sunday, campers learn about the week’s offerings and sign up for their top choices, with guidance from counselors to ensure a well-rounded experience.
Ski Hi: A unit for boys ages 12-13, located at Land O’Peaks (LOP).
Smorgasbord: A lunch buffet consisting of leftovers from previous meals, allowing campers and staff to enjoy a wide variety of dishes in one meal. It’s a fun and casual way to sample different options in a relaxed setting.
Solos: A unique part of the outcamping program where campers spend time alone in the wilderness, supervised from a distance by counselors.
Spirit Button: A physical button that campers and staff receive and pin to their Kerchief. Each button features an initialism that represents the motto for the summer, and campers try to decipher its meaning throughout their time at camp.
Square Dance: A fun event where brother/sister units gather for traditional square and line dancing. Campers and counselors join in on both styles of dance, creating a lively atmosphere filled with music, laughter, and unit bonding.
Summer Camp: Cheley’s 27-day traditional overnight program for campers aged 9 to 17, offering two terms, where campers immerse themselves in the Colorado Rockies, build lasting friendships, and develop new skills, with a clear beginning, middle, and end to the experience.
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Taps: The traditional song sung to close out Friendship Circle each night at camp. After singing the solemn tune, campers and staff say goodnight, reflecting on the day and signaling the peaceful end to the evening before heading to bed.
TEs: Initialism for Trail’s Ends. Refers to both Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE) and Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE).
TE Crossing: An outcamping site near Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE) featuring three permanent lean-tos for campers to sleep under, eliminating the need for tents. Campers can explore the nearby Deserted Village trail or play in the stream while building boats and dams.
Technical climbing (also: tech. climbing): Led by Kent Mountain Adventure Center (KMAC), campers tackle single-pitch, top-rope climbs on Cheley’s property at Christmas Tree Rock and Deville. This program teaches all aspects of outdoor rock climbing, including climbing, belaying, and rappelling.
Teen Summit: A one-week program offered twice at the end of the summer designed for teens from military families. It provides leadership opportunities along with advanced camp activities, offering a unique experience for campers to develop skills and build connections in a supportive environment.
Touch of Warmth: A meaningful, anonymous campfire activity where campers silently acknowledge and appreciate each other by tapping those who have positively impacted them throughout the term, fostering reflection, connection, and a sense of community.
Trail ride: A horseback adventure through scenic backcountry trails, where campers apply the skills learned in the ring while enjoying Colorado’s stunning landscapes. Campers spend the day riding to destinations like Aspen Brook, Donner Pass, and Crosier Mountain.
Trash sweep: Each unit is responsible for cleaning an assigned area every Sunday. Campers and staff work together to ensure the space is thoroughly cleared of litter and debris, coordinating with other units to cover all areas.
Treats: A free time after the day’s program where campers can visit the camp store to purchase snacks like candy, chips, ice cream, and drinks. Divided into “sweet” and “salty” categories, most campers can buy two treats, while Lower Ski Hi and Lower Chipeta campers are limited to one, and none can get two sweets in one day.
Trigger Bill: A cowboy philosopher at Cheley, known for his wisdom and humorous quotes that hang around camp in places like lodges and dining halls. His sayings offer campers and staff thoughtful reflections and lighthearted advice.
Two must-haves: Cheley’s two essential values are safety—covering physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing—and respect, which ensures everyone is treated kindly and fairly. These values are fundamental to creating a supportive community where campers and staff can thrive.
U
Unit: Cheley’s Summer Camp is divided by age and gender into eight groups, each with its own lodge, boathouse, and living spaces. Six groups are at Land O’Peaks (LOP), while two are at Trail’s End (TE), ensuring personalized attention and a strong sense of community for every camper.
Unit Circle: see Friendship Circle.
V
Valuables: Campers turn in items like phones, electronics, and wallets for safekeeping upon arrival, which are stored securely and returned at the end of camp. Parents are encouraged to minimize the number of these personal items brought to camp.
Vegetable off: A playful way to determine a winner when two campers are left in a competition, where each acts out an assigned adjective and vegetable combination (like a “scared carrot”). The winner is decided by a round of applause from the audience based on who performs it best.
Vespers: A quiet, reflective time for thought and contemplation, scheduled on select Sundays in place of a traditional campfire, where campers and staff share readings or music in an atmosphere of silence and reflection.
Via Ferrata: A system of cables, ladders, and suspension bridges that allows campers to safely climb and traverse rock routes, offering an assisted climbing experience with stunning views of Cathedral Mountain and Estes Park.
W
Wagon: At the Trail’s Ends (TEs), campers sleep in rustic covered wagons that accommodate four campers each. These wagons offer a cozy, unique experience with nearby staff cabins and shared bathhouses, combining the charm of the Old West with the camaraderie of camp life.
Warm Fuzzies: Short, meaningful notes exchanged among campers and staff during the last week of camp. These messages focus on positive memories, appreciation, and encouragement as campers prepare to say goodbye.
WFA: Acronym for Wilderness First Aid.
What Camp Means to Me (also: WCMTM): During the final week of camp, campers reflect on their summer experiences and share personal insights on what Cheley has meant to them, contributing to a long-standing tradition that marks the close of each term.
Wrangler: The term used for the horseback riding counselors in each unit, responsible for teaching riding skills, leading trail rides, and caring for the horses.
X
Y
YK: Initialism for Yellow Kerchief.
Yellow Kerchief: Worn by Campers in Leadership Training (CILTs), this kerchief symbolizes leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to the Code of Living and CILT program.
Z
Zumba: A lively, dance-based campfire led by Brooke Cheley-Klebe, where campers and staff come together to move, laugh, and enjoy high-energy routines set to upbeat music.
