Long before friendship candles are lit, before songs echo through each lodge, and before the first s’mores are made, we start building community in one of the most unexpected but delightful ways: Teams calls. Each week this spring, a few of us year-round folks—Jeff, Brooke, Shawn, Kim, and myself—jump online with 6 to 10 incoming summer staff members for a little something we call a Staff Huddle. Think of it as a virtual unit circle!
These calls are a purposeful mix of returning and first-year staff members, creating space for shared stories, mutual learning, and a stronger foundation before camp begins. Over 55% of our staff are returning this summer, bringing with them years of experience, stories, and mentorship. Nearly a third of all staff were once campers themselves, proof of how lasting the Cheley Experience can be. Among our new staff, 15% are former campers stepping into a staff role for the first time.
We’re also proud to see almost 25 returning staff members stepping into leadership roles either for the first time or moving up from one leadership position to another. It’s a powerful reflection of growth, trust, and the way Cheley nurtures leaders from within.
So far, we’ve connected with about 75% of our summer team, and we’re excited to meet with the rest soon. We don’t take it lightly that they carve out time to join us. We joke—especially Jeff—that each one is our favorite. And honestly? It’s kind of true. These huddles are joyful. Every time we log off, we’re reminded how lucky we are to be spending the summer with this group.
We ask each person a series of lighthearted and meaningful questions, and through those answers, we’ve started to see some beautiful themes emerge.
Why Cheley?
It’s one of the first questions we ask and often one of the most powerful. For returning staff members, Cheley is a place to come back to: a second home, a place for reconnection, and an opportunity to give back. For first-year staff, the reasons are just as meaningful:
- “I was looking for something outdoorsy and new this summer.”
- “I found Cheley online and it just felt right.”
- “I wanted to challenge myself in a new way.”
Many first-year staff mention that they’re nervous and excited in equal measure, drawn to Cheley by the promise of nature, growth, and meaningful work. It’s not just about summer employment, it’s about intention. And that’s something we never take for granted.
What Are You Most Excited About?
Unsurprisingly, meeting new people tops the list. But there’s more:
- Returning to the mountains and disconnecting from the usual noise
- Forming deep connections with campers and fellow staff
- Stepping into a new role and learning new skills
Some staff members are excited to finally meet the people they’ve only seen online. Others are looking forward to the food (no joke) or to watching campers grow in confidence throughout the term. No matter what they’re most excited about, it all points to one thing: Cheley brings people together in ways that matter.
How Can We Best Support You?
This question always grounds us. Staff members (especially those newer to Cheley) often say they’re not great at asking for help. So, we hear things like:
- “Please check in with me even if I seem fine.”
- “Help me feel confident navigating a new place.”
- “Let me know it’s okay not to be perfect.”
- “Encourage me when things feel overwhelming—it helps more than you think.”
- “Give me space to take a break and come back stronger.”
These honest answers help us do our job better and remind us that even the most experienced staff members sometimes just need a reminder that they’re doing great. Support looks different for everyone, and our goal is to meet each person where they are.
At camp, that support extends beyond just the leadership team. We have many layers of people all playing a part in making sure each staff member feels seen, supported, and successful, especially on the harder days.
Who's Your Support Person at Home?
This one always brings a pause followed by the kind of answers that stick with you. Most staff members mention:
- A parent or guardian—the ever-reliable text or phone call
- A sibling—usually described as “my best friend”
- A close friend—someone who knows what this summer means
- A former counselor or Cheley alum—someone who inspired them to come
We ask this not just out of curiosity, but because we actually share a letter with our staff to pass along to their support person. Camp is a funky place! Beautiful, challenging, growth-filled, and sometimes, when a staff member calls home and says, “I’m having a hard day,” the first instinct from a loved one might be, “Do you want me to come get you?”
Our hope is that together, we can build resilience. That support people at home understand the ups and downs of camp and help encourage their loved one to push through, grow stronger, and feel proud of how they showed up. It’s one more way we build a circle of care that extends far beyond the camp boundary.
What Would You Buy at Safeway for $5 After a Stressful Day?
This one’s part comfort-food confessional, part peek into our staff members’ self-care routines. Popular picks included:
- Diet Coke with ice (the real MVP)
- Arizona iced tea
- Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough or Half Baked
- Bakery treats, especially donuts or chocolate bars
And then there were the more… imaginative answers:
- “Boiled peanuts—or watermelon Sour Patch Kids.”
- “Mini M&M’s if I just need a win.”
- “A Gatorade or Powerade—something refreshing.”
- “Coffee. Black, cream, sugar—whatever works!”
Whether it’s a sugar fix, a caffeine boost, or a nostalgic snack, it’s clear our staff members know how to find the little things that make a big day feel manageable.
A Few Favorite Fun Facts and Talents
We wrap up each huddle with this question, and let’s just say—our staff members are a fascinating bunch:
- “I have heterochromia—my eyes are different colors.”
- “I’m a cheerleader.”
- “I play the trumpet, piano, and guitar.”
- “I’m weirdly good at country capitals.”
- “My favorite Beatle is George Harrison.”
- “I can eat a whole onion sliced or like an apple.”
- “I can do Mongolian throat singing.”
- “I was stuck in China for a week after a fire at Heathrow.”
- “I’ve worked in every food facility at Cheley.”
- “I’m really good at flipping furniture.”
It’s a small but mighty reminder that everyone brings something unique to the table even if that thing is a party trick, a love of geography, or a mechanical bull story for the ages.
This summer, we’re creating BK (Blue Kerchief) charms for staff members to wear on their kerchiefs—little symbols of their fun facts, so campers and families can ask them about their stories. It’s one more way we’re celebrating the whole person each staff member brings to camp.
These huddles might only last 30 minutes, but they’ve already set the tone for a summer built on connection, curiosity, and a lot of laughter. We can’t wait to welcome these incredible staff members to the mountains soon!
And if you see someone with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a Diet Coke in hand? Just know they’ve had a day and they’re handling it like a champ.
