“High-yAh-hah”
Haiyaha
No age is too old to start going to camp! Campers in our Senior units test their grit, create lifelong friendships, and develop a strong set of values. Our goal for our eldest campers is to provide appropriate challenges and leadership opportunities that transform teens into young, happy adults. With the Code of Living as the cornerstone of this endeavor, you’re given a chance to step out of your routine and learn what you stand for. Their final summer at camp, some campers apply to be a Camper in Leadership Training (CILT) for additional responsibilities/leadership experience.
For Boys 14 to 17 Years Old
In Haiyaha, you’ll establish strong friendships with peers you can trust while engaging in rigorous adventure. Up at dawn, on any given day, you may head for the barns to saddle the horses for a ride to Chasm Lake, ready your pack for a hike to Pagoda Mountain, or stretch your legs for a mountain bike ride to Upper Pierson Park.
The Iron Men of Haiyaha test their grit, create lifelong friendships, and develop a strong set of values in the process. The Code of Living that Haiyaha and each unit creates serves as a touchstone, guiding you to challenge yourself, be kind to peers, and form the strong, dependable brotherhood that typifies Haiyaha. Spend nights in Totem singing songs or on the porch watching the sunrise and the best view of the Estes Park Valley.
Haiyaha is not just another Colorado summer camp for boys. These young men thrive on pushing themselves, testing their limits, and reaching new heights, both literally and figuratively. Our goal is to provide the appropriate challenges and leadership that transform teens into young, happy adults.
Have a 14-year-old? While Haiyaha is for 14- and 17-year-olds, some 14-year-olds remain in Ski Hi depending on their birthday, grade, and readiness. Learn more about choosing a unit at 14 →
Take a look around
Welcome to Haiyaha
This short unit tour offers a glimpse into daily life in Haiyaha, from cabins and gathering spaces to the places campers spend time together, helping families get a feel for the rhythm of the day.
Haiyaha is home to up to 65 campers, supported by approximately 14 staff members and a small team of leadership staff. Campers spend their days in smaller activity groups with close support and individualized attention. The unit has five cabins: the Annex, Front Range, KC, Powder River, and Teddy Roosevelt.
Explore Our Activities
Haiyaha campers get to choose from a wide range of activities designed for this age and stage. Each day, campers typically choose from five to seven activity options, selecting either one full-day activity or two half-day activities. This approach creates variety from day to day while giving campers meaningful choice and flexibility throughout the session. Want a deeper look at how choice and scheduling work? Read more about how activity sign-ups work.
- Archery
- Backpacking
- Ceramics
- Challenge Course
- Climbing Wall
- Colts
- Crafts
- Fishing
- High Ropes
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding Trips
- Horseback Ring Rides
- Horseback Trail Rides
- Lil’ Ranchers
- Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking Trips
- One Wheel
- Outcamping
- Rafting
- Riflery
- Sewing
- Solo Experiences
- Sports
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Technical Climbing
- Via Ferrata
- Woodworking
- And miscellaneous activities, like Finer Things, Water Wars, Random Acts of Kindness, and more!
Activities rotate throughout the session, and not every activity is offered every day or every week. While both terms offer a similar range of activities, the specific schedule and rotation may vary from session to session.
What is a Go-To Counselor?
Each camper is assigned a counselor in their unit (typically, someone also in their cabin) who is responsible for them in terms of general camp life. They are your mentor, advocate, and “go-to” counselor throughout the term. This means they are checking in with you daily to see how your experience is progressing. They are getting to know you and what excites and scares you. They are watching you every day, and because of your relationship with them, can tell when things are going well and when they need extra attention. In essence, they are your big brother or sister. To support you and your Cheley Experience, your go-to counselor is there for you to:
- Create family! They are reading your blue camper/parent information form, encouraging letter writing home, writing weekly reports, meeting and greeting parents on visiting day, and saying good night.
- Know your program! They are advising, monitoring, and advocating for you during sign-ups to make sure you are getting the programs you want and completing your goals during the camp experience. Assisting and advising in appropriate clothing and equipment for the day.
- Encourage personal responsibility! They are helping you keep track of your belongings. Assisting in packing and unpacking, monitoring borrowing and lending, creating an honest environment, helping with lost and found, and supervising laundry preparation.
- Nurture your physical and emotional health! They are monitoring and assisting with personal cleanliness, encouraging physical conditioning and challenge, escorting you to the Health Center for medication or illness/injury, encouraging adequate sleep and rest, and more. Encouraging self-reliance and independence. Talking with you, listening to you, playing with you, and reading. Being available.