I can't say enough wonderul things about Cheley. I spent 12 summers at Cheley as a camper and counselor, and my children are now 3rd generation campers. Of course the horseback riding, hiking (in the Rocky Mnts!!), backpacking, and other activities are amazing experiences. But, the most wonderful part of Cheley are the people... and the relationships that are formed. Spending almost of month with campers from all over the US (and some international campers as well), year after year builds unique friendships that aren't often found in our transient, electronic society. My Cheley friends are still some of my best friends, and have been my support and encouragement for years. I am also seeing my kids develop these lasting friendships, which I know will be invaluable to them in their teen years, and as they grow into adults. I also appreciate Cheley for their "Code of Living". This code is written by the campers each summer and is a goal of how they want to live as individuals in a community. My kids have their "code" posted in their rooms, and I know they use it as they live out their lives as siblings, students, and friends. I appreciate any help I can get to encourage my kids to be geniune, loyal, considerate children and young adults - and Cheley definintely provides this. I could go on and on telling you about the beautiful location, the history and beauty of the facilites, the traditions that have remained throughout the 4 generations of Cheleys who run the camp, the quality of the counselors and staff...but I know I don't have enough space. I'm quite passionate about the place! I wouldn't be who I was today without my years at Cheley - and feel so privileged to be able to send my kids because I know it will impact their lives in the same way. Check it out!! read more

I have had the experience of Camp Cheley both as a camper and a parent. It is, without question, the most rewarding, wholesome, challenging, fun camp experience out there. From the incredible location, nestled in the Rocky Moutains with jaw-dropping 360 degree vistas, to the tremendous spirit and unique activities, Cheley captures what I believe most parents would want for their children during the summer time: an environment free from the stresses of modern life and that often feels defined by competition, but one that requires campers to meet new personal goals and to take risks they never dreamed possible. While relaxing with other great kids, Cheley campers are truly accepted and appreciated for their unique talents and personalities, and are welcomed by the staff to a warm, nurturing yet challenging experience where they are supported and encouraged to discover a new side to themselves . . . all in a breathtaking setting. The Cheley Family has a knack for choosing the best counselors to guide the hiking, riding, climbing, crafts and other programs. With only the smell of horses, pine trees, mountain air and whatever great meal is being served up, kids can really escape into an exceptional, natural community, run by skilled and fun yet highly experienced adults . . . away from the trappings of modern society. read more

Cheley Colorado Camps is my favorite place in the world. I have been a camper there for the past 8 summers and am returning this summer as an oldest camper at camp for my final summer. It is truly an unbelievable place. I live in Texas and when I was younger I wanted to go to the regular close to home summer camp with water sports and set group activities....thank goodness I didn't. Cheley has allowed me to grow as an individual. Without Cheley I honestly don't know who I would. I have friends from all over the world, which is great especially when you want to travel to really great places. Since my home is in Texas, I never am exposed to cold weather and waking up every morning to the beautiful view of the mountains. At Cheley, you make your own decisions and choose the activities you are interested in and want to do. I was 9 years old my first summer at Cheley, but I promise you are never to young for a place like that. Everybody is so loving and encouraging. It is an AMAZING experience. I am so grateful for Cheley Colorado Camps, and have an ongoing countdown throughout the school year till I get to go back to my home in the mountains every summer. read more

I agree with all of the other five star reviews! I was a Cheley camper in the 1970s, and consider those summers in the mountains some of the best of my life. I don't know if I'm phrasing it verbatim, but I love the Cheley mission to provide young people with opportunities to grow and discover themselves in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. And it's not by sitting around looking at the mountains. Your children will climb them, ride horses up and through them, backpack and camp overnight with them, challenge themselves with them and love them for the rest of their lives. I faced many fears at Cheley - I had asthma, so was afraid to hike. I loved horses but was allergic to them. But I did it all, including climbing Long's Peak - and it gave me a wonderful foundation in courage, self-reliance, teamwork, and friendship. I'm so happy that my two children have the opportunity to experience Cheley themselves. This will be their third summer, and they love it. They talk about Cheley all year long. If you have the chance to send your children to Cheley, they will thank you and appreciate it more and more as they grow older. read more

Absolutely AMAZING! Cheley offers an incredible camp experience through activities such as horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, archery, crafts and many more of the standard camp fare. However, it's the Cheley family and their continued vision that make this such a special place. They surround campers with knowledgeable, caring counselors that nurture the journey into camp life. Living as a small community with a Code of Living they establish as a group, campers are immediately vested in their experience. Leaving behind the electronics and immersing into nature provides the foundation to unwind and relax and just "be". Activities are fun, challenging and exciting and each a teachable moment for the camper. My son came away from the experience with a stronger sense of self, independence and confidence. He just seemed more comfortable in his own skin...not always easy in adolescence. Best of all, Cheley does all this in a non-competitive environment. The only person you are trying to "best" or challenge is yourself. My son and daughter will both be going to Cheley this summer and for many summers to come. read more

Fourth generation Cheley Campers exist in my household!!!! This camp has been around for 90 years running strong. My two daughters 14 and 12 gladly give up their computers, phones, Ipods and TV's to spend 1 full month of glorious days being the kid they always wanted to be and get to be in safety, adventure and imagination. My daughters just came back different, better different, more at peace and comfortable with who they truly feel to be inside and hope to be for the future. They leave here knowing it's not just a dream to become amazing in this world.....it's the legacy of this camp and it's shared year after year generation after generation. The Rocky Mountain beauty and the beauty inside each child (or adult for that matter) is truly a masterpiece created by God. I think that is what really happens at Cheley....you feel very close to God and all that he has truly created within you and effortlessly inspires hope for the future. It's very close to what I imagine being in heaven will be like. Lovely, Harmonious, One with Nature and Unconditional. Worth every penny every year!!! read more

This place has become the highlight of my year. For one full month, I am fortunate enough to spend time in the jaw-droppingly gorgeous mountains of Colorado, reveling in some of the best experiences that camp has to offer me. I'm a 17 years old and I am in love with the Boy's Trails End unit of Cheley. Even after 4 years of attending, I still an insatiable appetite for this place. Almost all of my best friends that I've made in life, were made at this place. Cheley is also packed with first-class staff; I've been to two other camps in my career as an adolescent, and I've never seen a group of counselors of such high character, rectitude, and outlook. Without a doubt, every (note: NOT almost every) element of Cheley enhances the camp experience. Going there has shaped who I am today, and I know that influence will continue to manifest itself in my entire life. I totally recommend this place to whomever is considering. read more

Cheley camp provides an incredible camp experience. It is located right next to the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park and the camp hikes there almost daily. This camp offers a variety of activities, hiking, Western riding, backpacking, rafting and more. My son (age 12), has attended 4 years and loved every minute. He can't wait to return this summer. He now has friends all over the US. I chose this camp for him because I went there myself back in the 70s and had a great experience. Personally I found the time at Cheley helped me become independent and confident. Plus it was just a spectacular place to spend summers in the cool Rocky mountains, when it was sweltering back east. The camp is divided by age and gender, with appropriate activities for each group, and since the camp is ~4 or 8 weeks long, you don't have to figure out what your child will do each week of summer. read more

Cheley Camps has helped to shape and strengthen all three of my children in ways I never could have imagined. My youngest is going this summer for his 6th and last year and will be a Camper in Leadership Training. All three of our children have learned to challenge their own perceived limitations and to create and live within a community by establishing common values and goals (the kids in each unit create a code a living at the beginning of each term and then work hard to live up to it). Cheley has given them a deep appreciation for nature and it's power to both humble and inspire. Yes, they've ridden horses, climbed 14,000 foot mountains, backpacked for 5 days in a row, rafted rivers and mountain-biked - all of it fantastic and challenging. But what Cheley really gave them is a deeper sense of who they are and who they can be in this world. It is truly priceless. read more

We have been Cheley parents for 7 years. We have three sons who attend every summer. We LOVE Cheley! Our boys have grown in so many ways during their summers at camp. They have gained independence, self-esteem and leadership skills. We love that our boys are spending 3.5 weeks outdoors in the most amazing setting in the Rocky Mountains every summer. We love that they are 100% unplugged...no TV's, no cellphones, no video games. Instead they are outside hiking, biking and horseback riding. They are rafting, climbing and wood-working.They are making amazing friends and interacting with them face to face, not online! The Cheley family is wonderful and the staff they hire are amazing. While we miss our boys so much while they are at camp we know that they are being so well taken care of and having the time of their lives! read more

Our family has been sending campers to Cheley for over 15 years. Three will attend this summer. The kids have made connections with children and adults from all over the United States and the world! We find the social atmosphere to be very uplifting for the children. They are challenged to grow and improve themselves, make new friends, and live in a positive community. Each person contributes to the community while at camp, helping them to become excellent citizens. Our kids have also enjoyed the practical skills they learn at camp as they hike, climb, ride, play, sing, camp out, and practice being KIDS! We LOVE the Cheley family, and we LOVE Cheley camps! read more

If we could only "bottle" the Cheley experience and bring it home! We are a two generation Cheley family at a camp which is celebrating 90 summers this year....many campers grandparents actually were campers. My son and now my grandson who is attending for what I believe is his 5th magical Cheley summer. I remember one evening when my soon to be 21 yr old son told me that the most important thing we had ever done was to send him to Cheley . We are thrilled to continue that tradition with our grandson. Four weeks is just not long enough and any young person lucky enough to attend will beg for just four more weeks please! Cheley is as special as it gets! read more

Cheley Colorado Camp made a difference in my son's life. He had always enjoyed the mountains, but he had not experienced them in the way he did at camp. There were adventures, team work, and a bonding among friends. His experiences at camp aided in his intrapersonal growth, as well as his interpersonal relationship skills. The counselors are well prepared and provide weekly feedback on your camper. I loved the daily posting of photos from the day's activities on the Cheley website. The Cheleys run a family business, but make you feel like you are part of the Cheley Camp Family from the start. I recommend this to any teenager and their family. read more

I cannot tell you what Cheley means to me! My daughter was in junior high in the "mean girl" phase when she could not see outside the box and we made the decision to let her experience a four week summer term at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park. It was a stretch but it could be on the "priceless" ad campaign! My daughter has thrived since her first summer at Cheley (this will be her fourth). She has developed leadership skills, self-esteem.... knowing she can accomplish anything and has friendships from all over the World. What an experience! One that lasts a lifetime full of memories and fun! read more

Cheley Camp is a truly special place. Our kids have gone to Cheley for the last 6 summers, and over that time have grown in numerous ways. Cheley has allowed them to discover who they are and who they want to be. It has allowed them the freedom to try a variety of things in a safe environment, to have new experiences even if they have been there many times, and to reach new heights each summer. The friendships that the kids have made, with kids from all over, will last a lifetime. What a gift to give your child--a summer at Cheley Camp! read more

Cheley camps is a refreshing new experience. As I went in to my first year last summer at camp I felt welcome and free of everyday stresses. Cheley is a camp where you get away from all the stresses and hardships of the outside world and exscape into the wilderness. Cheley has broughten me soooooooo many things. It has broughten me friends, a home away from home, and a new outlook on life. If anyone ever gets the opurtunity to go to Cheley don't doubt it for one second because it will be one of the best decisions you'll make!!!!!!!!! read more

Our three children have spent a combined 10 years at Cheley, enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the songs, traditions and friendships of this family run camp. It is absolutely the best experience one can imagine for kids, a wonderful break from the stress and competition of school. Counselors are well trained, activities varied and there is a wonderful emphasis on character, kindness and fun. Sending our kids to Cheley is one of the very best decisions we have made as parents, we cannot recommend it highly enough. read more

My son has attended Cheley for the past 3 years and he's excited to be coming up on year 4 (BTE). Horses are his passion, earning his riding patch last year after much diligence and hard work for his and his animal's greater good. Cheley is an amazing place, great opportunities for city kids to experience multiple outdoor adventures, achieve success in a discipline, learn, grow and thrive. The environment stresses community support, mutual respect for self and others and hard-earned but achievable rewards. read more

My 5 children - we live in France - have all attended Cheley Camps over the past 10 summers and they have always wanted to return every year. The combination of the Rockies and the summer camp traditions the Cheley family have fine tuned over the years (over more than 80 ! ) have certainly made us cheerleaders. If you are interested in a Rocky mountain Hiking/Riding camp, this is a no-brainer, go ahead and sign your child up if the camp has room ! read more