Packing for Camp

During your summer at Cheley Colorado Camps, we want you to have the best experience possible! By planning ahead and packing appropriately, you will be contributing to a positive Cheley Experience; therefore, our dress code reflects practicality and the values of camp. It is written in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size and shall be enforced consistently.

• All campers and staff should be able to dress comfortably for camp and engage in the camp environment without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming
• All campers and staff should understand that they are responsible for managing their own appearance without regulating another individual’s clothing/self-expression.
• All campers and staff should be able to use body-positive language.

We expect all campers, staff, and visitors will dress in a way that is appropriate for camp. Dress choices should respect Cheley’s intent to sustain a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities. We are responsible for seeing that attire does not interfere with the health and well-being of any individual at Cheley nor contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for anyone.

All clothing and possessions, including gear, footwear, and toiletries, must be labeled with your camper’s first and last name. Prior to your camper’s arrival at camp, you will also receive yellow baggage tags by mail, which you must use to label your baggage.

Labeling clothes and personal items with initials or just first names is not sufficient as many campers share initials and have the same first name. Please remember that campers will misplace clothing and equipment. Labeling is vital to the success of returning items during laundry and when they are lost. You’d also be surprised how many campers bring identical items.

Laundry is done once a week during Summer Camp (three times during each term) and not at all during Quarter B-4. The quantities of clothing listed on our Packing List are sufficient to last a week. Please only send labeled washable clothing that can be done in large commercial washers and dryers. Remember, campers misplace clothing and equipment. Be sure that everything is labeled (either sewn, iron-on, Sharpie®, stamp, or sticker) with your camper’s full name. Since stickers often fall off in our laundry, we prefer Sharpie® or sewn labels.

Campers who want to take care of their delicate clothes may consider bringing mesh laundry bags. Our large commercial washers and dryers can be harsh on delicate fabrics, causing damage, pilling or snagging. By placing delicates inside a mesh laundry bag, campers can protect them from being caught on other items or rubbing against rough surfaces. The mesh material also allows the water and detergent to penetrate the fabric and clean it properly. Using mesh laundry bags is a simple and effective way to ensure that delicate clothing items remain in good condition while at camp.

We use generic detergent to wash campers’ laundry; however, we understand that some campers may have skin sensitivities or allergies to certain laundry detergents. To ensure that all campers are comfortable and safe, we encourage those with specific laundry detergent requirements to bring their own preferred detergent to camp. We also ask that these campers contact us in advance, so we can work together to accommodate their needs and ensure their laundry is washed separately with the appropriate detergent.

All medications sent to camp must be in original packaging with a prescription label for your camper. This includes over-the-counter medications that are taken daily and other non-prescribed medication – homeopathic or supplemental – such as dietary and herbal supplements (including, melatonin and lactase), essential oils, etc.

How to pack medication: Place all pill bottles and boxes into a ziplock bag. Label the ziplock bag with your camper’s full name in permanent marker. Double check that all medication in the bag is on the Healthcare Provider Form and on Health History Form.

What we need to see on the prescription label:

• Camper’s OWN name (not parent or sibling)
• Name of the medication
• Dosage
• Time for administering
• Name of medical provider and pharmacy
• Current date
• Expiration date (not expired medication)
• Quantity (enough for the summer)

We believe that campers have a richer, more impactful experience when they can disconnect from technology and learn to connect on a deeper level. As such, campers are not permitted to bring electronics to camp nor use them during their time at camp. This includes:

• iPods and other music/mp3 players
• iPads, Surfaces, and other tablets
• Kindles and other e-readers
• Computers and laptops
• Gaming devices (such as Nintendo Switches)
• Smartwatches and fitness trackers with cellular or wi-fi capability (such as an Apple Watch, FitBit Ionic or Bit Versa)

If your camper brings an electronic to camp, we will collect it when they arrive and hand it back when they leave — as we do with cell phones that are brought to camp by campers traveling by plane (see “Turning in…” below).

If your camper’s phone is their primary camera, we ask that you send them with a different camera for use during camp. While we encourage campers to bring disposable cameras, we do allow them to have digital cameras and GoPros. As such, campers are responsible for their safety and whereabouts. There are limited outlets for charging.

Watches are not needed at camp, but are permitted in all Summer Camp units. If your camper’s watch has cellular or wi-fi capability, we will collect it when they arrive and hand it back when they leave.

Fitness trackers without cellular or wi-fi capability are permitted at the Camp Director’s discretion; however, like other electronics, they reward screen time and can cause anxiety in youth. If your camper wants to track their activity levels while at camp, then it may be a great tool to have, in which case please contact us. There are limited outlets for charging.

We ask for your support and cooperation in order to maximize the Cheley Experience for your camper and the entire Cheley community. 

We would love your help in sending your child with as few valuables as possible. Upon arrival, every camper turns in their valuables for safekeeping during the term. This includes their cell phone, headphones, wallet, and any credit cards or cash they may have flown with. On the first day of camp, campers should also turn in other electronic devices and surrender any prohibited items. They will be securely stored in the office during camp and returned at the close of camp for travel home.

• If your camper is flying to camp, please limit the electronics they are bringing with them. Have them bring books, games, or something other than an iPad to use on the plane! We also ask that they not bring large over-ear headphones (e.g., AirPods Max, Bose 700, Sony WH-1000XM4, etc.) as it is easier for us to store smaller headphones. Campers should not travel with more than $30 to $40.
• If you are dropping your camper off at camp, they should not turn in any valuables.

Please partner with us to make sure that items deemed as inappropriate for their time at camp are left at home. These items include:

• Vapes, Juuls, eCigs, and cigarettes
• Recreational drugs and narcotics
• Alcohol
• Tattoo/piercing kits
• Firearms and other weapons
• Knives (hunting, throwing, and those longer than the width of their palm)
• Fireworks
• Pornography

Knives are permitted at the Unit Director’s discretion in all Summer Camp units, except Lower Ski Hi/Lower Chipeta, and are not permitted during Quarter B-4.

There will be a consequence for any camper in possession of any of the above items that may include their immediate dismissal from camp.

At Cheley, we understand that adventures can sometimes lead to misplaced belongings. Our goal is to make sure that every camper leaves with cherished memories and all their belongings intact. Sometimes we find articles of clothing or other possessions looking for their owners. Unless items are clearly labeled with a camper’s name, we will not seek out their owners to get them returned. You are responsible for all items you bring/send to camp!

Here’s what happens with Lost and Found after camp:

• On Departure Day, our unit directors bring any lost and found items from their unit to our office. Labeled items will be packaged and mailed back to their owners. We will charge you for the shipping fee based on the size and weight of the package.
• Except upon request, we do not mail non-hiking socks, towels/bathrobes, water bottles, or toiletries. Any excessively gross items, single socks, or undergarments will be discarded.
• We’ll store non-labeled lost and found items in our office for a maximum of 30 days.
• If we do not receive a request for the item within 30 days, it will be discarded, used by future campers and staff, or donated.

If you’ve left something at camp, here’s how to get it back:

• Contact our office within 30 days of Departure Day.
• Give a description (including, size, color, brand, etc.) of the lost item(s), your name, and your shipping address.
• If we find your lost item(s), we’ll safely package them and get it sent out to you.