Why Cheley?

Cheley (pronounced CHEE-lee) truly gives campers formative experiences that nourish body, mind, and spirit. We grant young people time to slow down, open up, and explore.

Surrounded by natural beauty, time away from home and apart from family provides unique opportunities to build the judgment, insight, and skills that a happy and satisfying life requires. And so that youth can thrive in today’s ever-changing world.

Summer camp is a time of fun and friendship, of physical challenge and thrilling adventure. It’s a chance to step out of your routine and connect with the natural world. Campers say that Cheley changes them. You feel more solid, focused, and engaged in life. Living in the great outdoors, surrounded by mountain peaks, ancient rocks, and giant ponderosa pines makes you feel more alive, more connected, more in touch with your best whole self.

Coming to camp starts to feel like you’re coming home to a special place that doesn’t exist anywhere else in your life. Campers form friendships here that last for years. That, coupled with our extensive history, gives Cheley the warm and familiar feeling of family.

At a glance

the Cheley Spirit

Tradition

We find strength in our history. There are traditions from 1921 that still hold true today, like the Blue Kerchief and Friendship Circle, and traditions that are held fondly in the minds and hearts of alumni, like Horseshow. There are emerging traditions, like Bird Machine, and traditions that adapt and change — much like the Cheley Experience itself. Traditions like these are part of the magic of camp and help the Cheley Spirit remain strong!

FunPlus

Adventure

We offer every high-adventure activity you want in a summer camp. Stand on the summit of a 13,000ft snow-capped peak. Hike to a pristine alpine lake deep in the backcountry. Saddle a horse and ride the wilderness trails. Sleep under the stars with new friends. Raft class 3 rapids through the stunning canyon. Create a wood masterpiece or ceramic vase in the craft shop. The breadth of our world-class programming guarantees campers a FunPlus® summer!

The Code of Living

Community

We nurture the whole child by building character using the Code of Living as the cornerstone of this endeavor. Healthy relationships and our intentional creation of community provide face-to-face connections that support the development and empowerment of all youth. Community is the glue that holds camp together. It enables us to share experiences and support our growth. It gives us a sense of belonging!

The Cheley Experience

The Cheley Experience has withstood the test of time. Frank Cheley believed in the positive nurturing of young people when he opened Cheley in 1921. Over 100 years later, our commitment to the development of youth remains steadfast.

Cheley offers youth the opportunity for unstructured play, to meet people from all over the world and country, to form strong relationships within a supportive community, to unplug from technology, gain independence, and have fun.

Legendary Leaders

We boast an exceptional team of dedicated and extensively trained staff, carefully selected for their character, professionalism, and commitment to youth development. With 220 seasonal staff and 12 full-time year-round professionals, our Youth Development Professionals undergo a meticulous recruitment process involving interviews, background checks, and comprehensive training. They embody qualities such as maturity, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for creating a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment for campers. Many of our counselors, who start as campers themselves, bring a unique perspective and understanding of the Cheley Experience. From counselors to directors, our staff members, aged eighteen and above, immerse themselves in the camp community, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and expertise. Their continuous return year after year not only ensures a higher level of skill and knowledge but also reinforces the tight-knit community that defines Cheley.

Our Sensational Setting

One of the best things about Cheley is our location. The snow-capped peaks and indigenous pine forests create a setting as scenic as any mountainous region in the world. Cheley’s facilities are as expansive and diverse as our mountainous setting, providing summer after summer of rich camp life.