Don Cheley – Director Emeritus
Favorite Meal – BLT for Lunch
Favorite Activity – Using anything with a motor (blower, chainsaw, vacuum)
Favorite Campfire – A big, blazing campfire
Favorite Song – (I’ve had) The Time of My Life

Don is part of the third generation to operate Cheley Camps. Don attended Colorado College and graduated from Menlo College in California. Don can tell you anything you want to know about Cheley Camps. He has dedicated much of his life to Cheley and the camping industry. During the summer, you can find Don driving around camp in his pick-up truck checking on activities, campers, and the facilities. He may be sweeping a porch, cutting down a tree, or fixing a vacuum. If you can’t find him, just hang out in the kitchen while a fresh batch of cookies is baking and he will be around soon.

Jeff Cheley– Director
Favorite Meal – Sunday Granola, blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, and cinnamon rolls
Favorite Activity – Mountain Biking
Favorite Campfire – Teambuilding games or Human Video Games
Favorite Song – Sixpence

Jeff is part of the fourth generation to operate Cheley Camps. Jeff works with his father and sister to oversee the operations of the business and continue the traditions established by Frank Cheley. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and a proud Longhorn. When he is not at camp, he can be found skiing, playing golf, playing with his two sons, or taking a nap on his couch on a Sunday afternoon. Jeff and his wife Erika live in Englewood during the winter months with their two boys Jackson and Harrison. During camp, Jeff can be found playing ping-pong on Ski Hi porch during treats, driving around in his Bronco, or carrying Audio Visual equipment somewhere around camp.

Brooke Cheley Klebe – Director of Sustainability
Favorite Meal – French Toast
Favorite Activity – Backpacking
Favorite Campfire – All-Camp Campfire
Favorite Song – Netherlands

Brooke is also part of the fourth generation to operate Cheley Camps. Brooke is a graduate of University of Colorado where she skied on the freestyle ski team. She is married to Kurt Klebe and is the proud mother of Ellie and Kate. They live in New Orleans during the off-season due to Kurt’s work with Enterprise Rent-a-car. Brooke works with the family to oversee the business, focuses on the out-of-camp programs, the quality of the experience, and relations with the camp families. During the summer, she can be found frequently in Girls Camp during treats or teaching Zumba, playing in Lower Chipeta with Ellie and Kate or dancing like Michael Jackson at All-Camp Campfire.

Carole Cheley– Consultant
Favorite Meal – Mandarin Chicken Salad
Favorite Activity – Hiking with Cheley campers
Favorite Campfire – Skits, singing and vespers
Favorite Song – Unit Songs melody and taps

As a former Director of the camp for 25 years, Carole continues to offer her expertise, wisdom, and love to Cheley and the world of organized camping. She is still involved with the American Camps Association, the Western Association of Independent Camps and the Association of Independent Camps. She remains a great resource for Cheley and many other camps throughout the country. When she is at camp, you can find her connecting with campers, staff, and alumni. When not at Cheley, she'll most likely be enjoying family, consulting with other camps, traveling with Don to her three remaining continents, practicing yoga, taking pictures, walking the dog, reading or just hanging out with her many treasured friends.

Paul Weidig – Director
Favorite Meal – Taco Night (no cheese)
Favorite Activity – Hiking Mount Ida or Frozen Lake
Favorite Campfire – Any campfire with a lot of singing (or the one on August 16th, 1986)
Favorite Song – Lean on Me

Paul has been associated with Cheley Camps since 1977 when Jack Cheley hired him as a crafts counselor. Paul was the first Craft’s Coordinator, the first Boy’s Camp Director and has been one of the directors of Family Camp since 1991. Paul has been a professional musician and teacher for over twenty-five years. His new challenge is teaching the Denver office how to play stringed instruments. His second challenge is eating at camp while taking into consideration his multiple food allergies including apples, gluten, dairy, chicken, and chocolate. During the summer, Paul can be found playing his ukulele, leading choir practice, or checking in on campfire programs.

Alyse Baker – Program Director
Favorite Meal – Beef tips with noodles
Favorite Activity – Hiking to Twin Sisters
Favorite Campfire – All-Camp Campfire
Favorite Song – At the Beginning

Alyse has been associated with Cheley since 1999 when she was a riflery counselor. She has also been a hiking counselor and a director. She is a graduate of University of Iowa. Before returning to camp, she was a teacher. When Alyse is not at camp, she is usually playing with her dog Frank or watching HGTV. During the summer, Alyse can be found collecting sports equipment, teaching dancing, or moonlighting at campfires.

Kevin Hendrix - Facility Supervisor
Favorite Meal – Beef Tips
Favorite Activity – Coffee Break on Jimmy Wilson’s deck
Favorite Campfire – All-Camp Campfire
Favorite Song – Country Roads

Since March 2001, Kevin has been on year-round staff with the Cheley Camp crew in Estes Park. Kevin, a native of Mississippi, enjoys the cool summers and the awe inspiring views of Estes Park from his home on the Land O' Peaks ranch. Kevin is a Federally Licensed Radio Operator and enjoys participating in radio contests making contacts all around the world. Kevin is active in his local church were he sits on the deacons board and is the men’s group coordinator. When summer rolls around you may have a hard time finding Kevin, he will be behind the scenes trying to make things work for the campers and staff.

Ruthann Holle – Food Service Manager

Favorite Meal – Mandarin Chicken Salad for Lunch
Favorite Activity – Meal Time
Favorite Campfire – Any Campfire led by Paul Weidig
Favorite Song – On The Loose

Ruthann has been with Cheley since 1977. She is a graduate of Kansas State University. When she is not at camp she can be found reading, hiking, or watching movies. During the summer she can be found in one of the four kitchens, meeting with food vendors, or driving the food van through camp.

Mike Supinski - Maintenance
Favorite Meal – Grilled Cheese and tomato soup
Favorite Activity – Riflery
Favorite Campfire – All-Camp Campfire
Favorite Song – Walk the line

Mike has been with Cheley since 2005. Within that short period, Mike has quickly become part of our team. Mike toured the world playing bass guitar and singing with a rock band before settling in Estes Park. When Mike is not busy remodeling our cabins or keeping our turf plush and green, he can be found playing the guitar or pouring over boat building books. He may be building his own boat some day soon. Don't miss Mike’s performance at All Camp Campfire.

Betty Schacht – Enrollment Manager
Favorite Meal – Snickerdoodles that Ruthann makes
Favorite Activity – Sunday Chapel
Favorite Campfire – Don's Camp History Campfire
Favorite Song – Edelweiss

Betty graduated from the University of Colorado with a Masters of taxation degree. She was then an accountant for 30 years. She started with Cheley as an outside accountant and then was recruited to be the enrollment manager. Before coming to work at Cheley she was the City Treasurer for the town of Leadville, Colorado.

In her free time she loves to read, hike, garden and fix up her 120 year old dream home in Denver. She enjoys spending time with her daughters, Sydney (24) Celia (22) and her dogs. Betty takes care of every last detail of enrollment and is the lovely voice that you can find most days in the office.

Chris Rahn - Ranch Manager

Chris Rahn has a long history with Cheley. He was a BTE camper as a kid, then went on to be a wrangler and is now the ranch manager. He graduated from Colorado State with a degree in Agricultural Education in 2007. Chris loves most anything horse related, he loves taking pack trips, cooking with a dutch oven and studying how to build his own saddles. He is also an avid skier/snow boarder and LOVES playing with his sweet daughter Trinity. In addition to eating Amber’s cooking, Chris also loves anything with chocolate and peanut butter.

Betsy Till - Human Resources Administrative Assistant

Favorite Meal – Taco Night (no cheese)
Favorite Activity – Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing & Low Ropes Course
Favorite Campfire – Minute to Win It and Backwards Scavenger Hunt
Favorite Song – The Hammer Song

Betsy started working in the Cheley’s Denver year-round office in the fall of 2011. She has been working with summer camps since 1996, when she got her start in camping at YMCA Camp Surf in San Diego. She has had experience in the camp world as a camp administrator and director, and also facilitating high ropes course and team development programs. She is a graduate of San Diego State with a degree in Recreation Administration with an Outdoor emphasis. After spending the majority of her life in California, Betsy moved to Colorado in 2006 for opportunities with summer camps! The beautiful mountains have kept her here, and she is excited to bring her experiences in with Human Resources to Cheley, as she helps hire the outstanding staff, who help create the Cheley experience each summer.

In her spare time, Betsy enjoys riding her bike, swimming, and climbing. She loves to travel and enjoys creating hand crafted jewelry.

 

Chris Schrader - Maintenance