As the golden light of another Cheley summer fades into memory, we reflect with full hearts on the beautiful, challenging, and transformative season that was Summer 2025 in Senior Chipeta. Our courtyard rang with laughter, our trails echoed with determination, and our community was grounded in trust, resilience, and the unshakable bonds of sisterhood. Each camper brought something unique, and together we built a summer full of adventure, connection, and personal growth.
Our hiking program, led by Bailes Malone, Brittany Abuhoff, and Fran Pezza, ventured deep into Rocky Mountain National Park and Indian Peaks Wilderness. From glacier-fed lakes to wildflower-covered ridges, the girls hiked with intention and heart. We proudly recognize the following campers for earning their Hiking Basics and Mountaineers Patch: Avery Smith, Carrie Sullivan, Clara Zamorano, Eleanor Codr, Elizabeth Masraff, Ella Hanemann, Florencia Bianchi, Janie Gravette, Johnsie Dawkins, Koruna Ingram, Melanie Bliss, Nora Wu, Sequoia Holzmann, and Sophia Wetzel.
Backpacking was a beautiful journey of challenge and community, led by Alyssa Roland, Emily Doerfler, and Mia Bryant. Under their guidance, campers embraced the discomforts and rewards of backcountry travel—stormy afternoons, starry nights, shared meals, and triumphant returns. Congratulations to Annelise Sailer, Catherine Strom, Jordan Sharp, Margo Zimmermann, and Vivian Gassmann for earning their Backpacking Basics and Patch. Among them, Annelise Sailer also received her Tyrolean, the Fourth Degree Mountaineer recognition. The Tyrolean is one of the most quietly earned yet most prestigious honors in our Hiking and Backpacking programs. It is not about speed or scale—it is about consistency, integrity, and heart. Annelise showed up again and again, carried extra weight without being asked, and supported her peers with kindness and grit. Her journey was about more than the trail—it was about who she became along the way. We are proud to honor her with this rare and meaningful recognition.
The On the Trail Patch celebrates campers who spent fifteen or more days out of camp across program areas. This summer, we recognize Chloe Bishop, Eleanor Codr, and Lily Krattenmaker for their commitment to experiencing the outdoors to the fullest.
Over in Riding, wranglers Belle Minesinger, Lily Wyatt, Gabby Maxwell-Kirkmeyer, and Tove Sorenson provided exceptional instruction in horsemanship, equine care, and trail riding. From stall duties to overnight packs, campers formed incredible bonds with their horses and their riding groups. Congratulations to Abigail Del Haya, Caroline Gatta, Charley Farres, Eleanor Duff, Elizabeth Michaelian, Emmeline Cecere, Keeley Cozza, Melanie Bliss, Milly Isgrig, Rio Clarke, and Winnie Harbold for earning their Riding Basics and Patch. We were honored to present the Trailhand, the highest recognition in riding, to Annie O’Meara. The Trailhand is not an award you can pursue or apply for—it is a rare recognition given only to those who embody exceptional skill, humility, and character in the riding program. Annie’s quiet consistency, her deep respect for horses, her maturity in the arena and on the trail, and her leadership in the barn made her indispensable to the success of the program. Annie doesn’t just ride—she uplifts others, models excellence, and treats each ride as a chance to grow. Her impact on the riding program will be remembered for years to come.
Campers took on Colorado’s rugged terrain through Mountain Biking, led by Isidora Dickstein and Payton Green, pushing their limits on trails and celebrating victories after every ride. Kudos to Natalie Robertson and Sarah Coleman for earning their Mountain Biking Basics and Patch.
The Outcamping program, run by Linnea Whisenhunt, offered campers a place to slow down, explore, and connect under the stars. Whether building fires, telling stories, or creating backcountry meals, these campers developed a true sense of comfort in the wild.
Creativity bloomed under Margo de Moudt in Crafts, where campers transformed wood, paint, clay, and fabric into gift-worthy projects. These works of art were proudly displayed throughout the unit, each piece reflecting the spirit and creativity of its maker.
The following campers earned arrows in Archery:
White Arrow
Alexi Baeza, Charley Farres, Charlotte Swenson, Danica Hartong, Dylan Barnes, Elanor Blumenfeld, Evelynn Golff, Grace Sekol, Isabel Cisneros Jenkins, Maile VanDerWege, Margo Zimmermann, Melanie Bliss, Natalie Robertson, Norah Mugge, Piper King, Sarah Coleman, and Scout Kearney.
Black Arrow
Anna Dozier, Carrie Sullivan, Danica Hartong, Dylan Barnes, Elanor Blumenfeld, Evelynn Golff, Gracie Ehlert, Isabel Cisneros Jenkins, Mackenzie Hughes, Maile VanDerWege, Margo Zimmermann, Melanie Bliss, Natalie Robertson, Norah Mugge, Piper King, and Sarah Coleman.
Blue Arrow
Charlotte Swenson, Danica Hartong, Elanor Blumenfeld, Emily McIntosh, Eva Dempsey, Gracie Ehlert, Lily Schwartzreich, Mackenzie Hughes, Melanie Bliss, Natalie Robertson, and Norah Mugge.
Red Arrow
Arabella Mordy, Charlotte Swenson, Elanor Blumenfeld, Eleanor Duff, Mackenzie Hughes, Natalie Robertson, and Scout Kearney.
Gold Arrow
Arabella Mordy, Eleanor Duff, Natalie Robertson, Scout Kearney, and Zora Pryor.
Our riflery program, once again led by William Schnieders, helped campers develop their focus and consistency through prone, kneeling, sitting, and standing shooting positions. Campers achieved incredible milestones in Riflery this summer.
Prone Specialist
Abigail Gilman, Anna Dozier, Carrie Sullivan, Danica Hartong, Elizabeth Michaelian, Emily Rivinus, Esther (Kyeumhee) Park, Evelynn Golff, Grace Sekol, Janie Gravette, Katie Grace Timko, Natalie Robertson, Piper King, and Scout Kearney.
Level I, II, III, & IV
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Abigail Kushto, Arabella Mordy, Bailey Shulenberger, Charley Farres, Danica Hartong, Dylan Barnes, Esther (Kyeumhee) Park, Grace Sekol, Gracie Ehlert, Hannah Makk, Isabel Cisneros Jenkins, Mackenzie Hughes, Marina Benzecry, Natalie Robertson, Parrish Kearney, Scout Kearney, Sophia Meunier, and Winsome Vaughan.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Abigail Kushto, Arabella Mordy, Elanor Blumenfeld, Esther (Kyeumhee) Park, Grace Sekol, Gracie Ehlert, Mackenzie Hughes, Margo Zimmermann, Norah Mugge, Parrish Kearney, Scout Kearney, Sequoia Holzmann, Sophia Meunier, Sydney Bonfield, and Winsome Vaughan.
The following campers earned their Level 3 pin: Arabella Mordy, Ashleigh Dunton, Eleanor Duff, Lily Schwartzreich, Mackenzie Hughes, Rosie Sullivan, Sequoia Holzmann, Sophia Meunier, and Valentina Lopez Guiñazu.
The following camper earned their Level 4 pin: Anna-Kate Mauffray, Ashleigh Dunton, Eleanor Duff, Mackenzie Hughes, Sasha Stopek, and Zora Pryor.
Kneeling Specialist and Level I, II, III, & IV
The following campers earned their Kneeling Specialist: Ashleigh Dunton, Esther Park, Grace Sekol, Parrish Kearney, Sasha Stopek, and Sophia Meunier.
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Gracie Ehlert, Isabel Cisneros Jenkins, Rosie Sullivan, and Sophia Meunier.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Anna-Kate Mauffray, Lily Schwartzreich, Mackenzie Hughes, Rosie Sullivan, Sequoia Holzmann, and Zora Pryor.
The following camper earned her Level 3 and Level 4 pins: Lily Schwartzreich.
Standing Specialist and Level I, II, & III
The following campers earned their Standing Specialist: Ashleigh Dunton, Gracie Ehlert, Isabel Cisneros Jenkins, Rosie Sullivan, Sasha Stopek, Sequoia Holzmann, Sophia Meunier, and Zora Pryor.
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Lily Schwartzreich and Sequoia Holzmann.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Anna-Kate Mauffray, Lily Schwartzreich, and Mackenzie Hughes.
The following camper earned her Level 3 pin: Lily Schwartzreich.
Sitting Specialist
Congratulations to Anna-Kate Mauffray!
Evenings in Senior Chipeta were filled with joy and connection thanks to campfire lead Lulu Klebe, who curated unforgettable events like spa night with Lower Chipeta, disco with Lower Ski Hi, spy wars, St. Patrick’s Day, glow stick hide ‘n seek, and a hilarious skit night. Our All-Camp Campfire skits showcased the creativity of our unit, from a wild Jumanji reenactment in Term 1 to a laugh-out-loud Abby Lee Dance Company pyramid-style “skit within a skit” in Term 2. We even sang a sea shanty on Final Night, painted a new banner for the courtyard, and tried our hand at goat yoga during Wellness Wonderland and geocaching with Alli Williams and Naomi Wolff.
Our CILTs (Campers in Leadership Training) brought wisdom, humor, and compassion to every corner of camp. These senior campers served as role models, led Code of Living conversations, supported program staff, and mentored younger girls throughout the term. Thank you to our Term 1 CILTs: Georgia Arnett, Karen Lamson, Annelise Sailer, Mariah Soby, Ellie Struse, and Catherine Timko, and our Term 2 CILTs: Charlie Ballenger, Molly Maiocco, Annie O’Meara, Trilby Schmidt, Taylor Volckmann, and Claudia Zimmerman.
As each term drew to a close, the unit reflected on the Code of Living they created together. Term 1’s values were Thoughtfulness, Genuine, Passion, Curiosity, Harmony, and Growth. Term 2 focused on Commitment, Inclusivity, Unity, Outward Love, Embrace, and Bright. The most prestigious recognition for living these values fully is the Gold Key, and we are proud to honor Avery Smith, Bridget Zimmermann, Claudia Zimmermann, Ellie Struse, Florencia Bianchi, Koruna Ingram, Rosie Sullivan, and Sequoia Holzmann for this outstanding achievement.
And finally, the Gold Spurs—one of the rarest and most respected recognitions at Cheley. This honor requires a camper to earn their Hiking, Backpacking, Riding, and Mountain Biking patches, demonstrate proficiency in archery and riflery, create two high-quality crafts, and write a reflective letter to the Cheley family. It is not an award that can be earned in one summer—it is a journey of wholehearted commitment, resilience, and growth. We are thrilled to recognize Eleanor Duff for earning her Gold Spurs this year. The Gold Spurs are one of the rarest and most respected recognitions at Cheley. They require a camper to earn their Hiking, Backpacking, Riding, and Mountain Biking patches; demonstrate proficiency in both archery and riflery; complete two high-quality craft projects; and write a letter to the Cheley family reflecting on their journey. This honor is not earned in a single summer, and there’s no shortcut to reaching it—it takes dedication, persistence, courage, and a true love for camp life. Eleanor exemplified those traits in every corner of camp, and her Gold Spurs are a testament to the heart and spirit she has poured into her Cheley experience. Her letter and accomplishments reflect the very best of the Cheley Experience.
As the seasons change and we return to our lives beyond Estes Park, we hope each camper carries the friendships, lessons, and strength from this summer with them. Until the trails bring us back together!
With admiration and love,
Paige Cassidy, Director
Eily MacRitchie & Marin Tomlinson, Asst. Director
