The Heart Behind the Welcome
After more than a decade as Enrollment Manager—and a lifetime of connection to camp—we’re celebrating the retirement of one of Cheley’s most quietly influential leaders: Peggy Haynes.
Peggy’s journey with Cheley began in 1965, when she arrived as a young camper. What followed was more than a personal connection—it became a lifelong relationship with camp. She was a Camper in Leadership Training (CILT) in 1975, Assistant Director in Lower Chipeta in 1980, and part of the year-round staff in the early ’80s. Later, she became a camp parent to her son, Devon. In 2012, she returned once more—this time as Enrollment Manager. For over a decade, she has played a quiet yet vital role in shaping the Cheley Experience for thousands of campers and families.
Though many campers may never meet Peggy Haynes face to face, they are deeply known by her. She has an extraordinary gift for remembering names, stories, and small details that make families feel not only welcome but truly understood. Her phone calls and emails are calm, clear, and full of warmth, even in the busiest moments. Peggy is the person behind the curtain making sure each camper’s path to Cheley feels seamless, supported, and full of possibility.
With more than 25 years of administrative experience and a steadfast presence, Peggy has been the warm, wise voice that so many families have come to trust. She understood our families deeply and treated each one with the care and attentiveness of a longtime friend.
Peggy has earned a quiet reverence in the Cheley office. She is a master of logistics, a calm voice amid the whirlwind of summer, and a mentor to staff. Her kindness is matched by her precision. Her care, by her confidence. She made hard conversations easier. She made new families feel at ease. She helped returning campers feel seen. And she reminded all of us, especially in the summer, that kindness matters most.
Ask anyone who’s worked with Peggy Haynes or interacted with her, and you’ll hear the same words again and again: kind. Thoughtful. Master communicator. A grounding force. Her impact can’t be summed up in bullet points or job titles. It lives in the experience she created for others and in the deep, lasting trust she built within the Cheley community.
Beyond camp, Peggy is a creative spirit and lifelong learner. She’s a gifted photographer, a lover of needlework, a passionate cook, and a curious traveler. She shares all this adventure with her husband, Rusty, and their two beloved dogs. Now, she steps into this next chapter with the same warmth and intentionality she’s shared with all of us.
The office won’t be the same without her, but her influence will remain in every welcoming call, every thoughtful email, and every family who finds their way to Cheley. She’s helped thousands of campers and families begin their own journeys here and, in doing so, has made this community stronger, warmer, and more rooted.
Congratulations on your retirement, Peggy! And thank you for everything.
