Application Info & Key Dates
Ready to Join Us for Summer 2026?
Working at Cheley isn’t just a summer job; it’s an adventure in the Colorado Rockies. Some roles lead hikes or teach activities, while others keep camp running behind the scenes, but every position makes a real impact. The days are full, the work can be challenging, and you’ll give a lot of yourself, but you’ll gain even more in return. You’ll build lifelong friendships, collect unforgettable memories, and help create a summer that campers will carry with them forever. If you’re ready for meaningful work in a place that’s as fun as it is rewarding, here’s how to apply and everything you need to know.
When to Apply
We start hiring as soon as applications open, and many roles are filled early in the season. Every role matters, and our almost 250-person roster is a giant puzzle that’s always shifting. We encourage you to apply to work at Cheley, not just for a single position, so we can match you where you’ll thrive. Applying early gives you the best shot at your top choice, but it’s always worth applying whenever you’re ready.
Reapplications for Returning Staff Open: October 1
Applications for New Staff Open: October 1
Interviews Conducted: Starting November 15
| Employment Dates 2026: June 6 to August 16 | |
|---|---|
| June 6 | Staff Training Begins |
| June 16 | First Term Begins |
| July 12 | First Term Ends |
| July 13 | Midterm |
| July 14 | Second Term Begins |
| August 9 | Second Term Ends |
| August 10 | Midterm |
| August 11 | Quarter B-4 and Family Camp Begin |
| August 15 | Quarter B-4 Ends |
| August 16 | Family Camp Ends |
Some positions require extra training before staff training begins. We’ll cover those dates in your interview, so you know exactly when to arrive.
| Position | Training Start Date |
|---|---|
| Head Cooks | May 15 |
| CheDOT and Outcamping Coordinator | May 22 |
| Ropes Course Facilitators | May 25 |
| Horseback Riding Counselors and Barn Crew | May 30 |
| Directors and Assistant Directors | June 2 |
| Hiking, Backpacking, and HBO Counselors | June 2 |
Note: These dates are based on our 2025 calendar and may shift slightly as we finalize our 2026 schedule. Any changes will be communicated as soon as they’re confirmed. Also, the salaries listed reflect 2025 rates. We are planning an increase for 2026, and updated salary information will be available by the end of the year.
How to Apply
- Learn about us. Explore our website, employment information, and position descriptions so you know what to expect and can picture yourself here.
- Apply online. Answer each question thoughtfully and choose positions that fit your skills and interests.
- Interview. If we move forward, we’ll invite you to a Microsoft Teams interview (8 AM–3 PM MT). This is just as much for you to decide if Cheley is right for you. Before your interview, please read the job descriptions for your position choices and prepare any questions. Based on the initial interview, additional interviews may be scheduled.
- Send references. Share our Reference Link with three non-family members, preferably two professional references (employers, college professors, teachers, etc.) and one personal reference (friends, neighbors, etc). Not having references at this stage will not impact your application; however, they are required for the onboarding process.
- Offer call. If it’s a match, we’ll call to discuss the role before sending a formal offer by email.
- Onboarding. Our HR team will send you a welcome email with all the steps to get you ready for summer.
Other Information
Why You’ll Love Working Here
From exclusive discounts and convenient laundry services to unique recreational access and bonding opportunities, the Cheley Experience is enriched with a variety of benefits. Explore the details below and get ready for an adventure that goes beyond just a job.
- Competitive Salary: As one of the highest-paying summer camps in Colorado and in the country, we value your contributions and invest in your experience.
- Financial Savings: Working at Cheley offers significant financial savings. Housing and meals, valued at over $2,000 for the summer, are provided at no additional cost. This allows you to save on essential expenses and fully immerse yourself in the camp experience. Note that for hourly staff, there is a weekly deduction of $200.
- Laundry Services: We offer complimentary on-site laundry services for all staff members. Counseling staff can conveniently send their laundry to be washed alongside camper laundry on their unit’s assigned laundry day. Support staff can utilize on-site laundry facilities, ensuring their laundry needs are effortlessly met.
- Employee Discounts: We partner with local businesses for staff discounts on goods and services, ensuring additional cost savings. Additionally, staff members enjoy exclusive access to Outdoor Prolink, securing professional deals on outdoor gear, and receive discounts from reputable vendors like Chaco.
- Camp Merchandise: Staff members receive a 30% discount on merchandise and a 50% discount on treats at our Camp Store.
- Recreational Facilities Access: Staff enjoy exclusive access to a fully-equipped gym (featuring free weights, a bench/squat rack, and a cable machine), a climbing gym with seven top-rope walls and a bouldering wall, on-site trails, and convenient access to Rocky Mountain National Park for scenic hikes. For more active pursuits, running trails and mountain bikes are available. The proximity to the Estes Park Community Center provides additional recreational options, including an aquatics center, golf course, and marina for staff to enjoy during their time off.
- Travel Opportunities: Our staff from 45 states and 10 countries creates a vibrant cultural tapestry, offering exciting travel possibilities. Beyond the rewarding camp experience, staff can explore Estes Park’s picturesque landscapes, delve into Boulder’s vibrant culture, and immerse themselves in Denver’s dynamic urban scene.
- Experience for Resume/Career: Working at a summer camp stands as a commendable asset on resumes, showcasing practical experience in fostering teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, we provide the Cheley Advantage, a dedicated resource for ongoing professional development, ensuring our staff members have access to continuous learning opportunities to further enrich their careers.
- Staff Events and Bonding Activities: We actively organize events and activities exclusively for our dedicated staff, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.
- Positive Work Environment: We take pride in fostering a positive and supportive work environment that resonates with our team members. Our commitment to creating an outstanding workplace has been recognized by Outside, with Cheley being selected as one of Outside’s Best Places to Work in 2025 — a testament to our dedication to providing a fulfilling and satisfying experience for our staff.
Certifications & Bonuses
Depending on your role, you may need certain certifications before camp begins. We offer some courses (CPR, First Aid, WFA) during staff training for a fee, but getting them early is encouraged. If hired, you will receive a list of ACA-approved certification providers.
Staff members are also eligible to receive bonuses for relevant certifications based on current, nationally recognized certifications and organizations. Certifications earned at Cheley during Staff Training in 2026 are not eligible for the additional bonus. If you do not complete the work dates as specified in your offer letter, you will not receive any certification bonuses.
- Teaching (Counseling/Leadership Staff only): $200 (1-3 years) or $400 (4-10 years)
- WFA: $100
- CHA Riding Instructor: $150
- IMBA (MTB) Instructor: $150
- WFR: $200
- OEC Ski Patrol: $200
- WEMT/EMT: $250
- CDL (CheDOT drivers only): $350
- CWA CWI or ACCT Level 1 (Ropes Course Staff only): $200
- ACCT Level 2 (Ropes Course Staff only): $250
- Media Equipment (Media Team only)*: $300
*We strongly recommend that you consider using this bonus to secure insurance for your equipment.
If you have other certifications you feel will be valuable to the Cheley Experience, we would be happy to discuss those with you during the interview process.
Travel & Stipends
Staff cover their own travel to camp. If you have a car, we recommend you drive to camp. If you are flying to camp, we do not provide transportation from Denver International Airport (DEN) except in rare circumstances and for international staff. We recommend utilizing the Estes Park Shuttle, which offers a reliable, daily scheduled shuttle service between Denver International Airport and the Estes Valley area (including drop off directly at Cheley).
If you work the entirety of the days in your offer letter, and are in good standing, you will receive a travel stipend to assist with travel expenses. The amount varies by location and is based on your home address. This is intended to help with some travel expenses and may not cover the full cost. If you do not complete the work dates as specified in your offer letter, you will not receive any travel stipend.
Note: First-year international staff do not receive travel stipend, and we will meet them at the airport. Returning international staff receive a $230 travel stipend. Staff only working Quarter B-4, Family Camp, or Teen Summit receive a $100 travel stipend.
Please note that the travel stipend is designed to offset a portion of your travel costs and may not cover the entire expense.
Salary Information
Base salaries are specific to each position and are either a weekly rate or hourly rate. Housing and meals are provided, and staff members are expected to live at camp. We provide bonuses for each additional summer that staff return. All staff members receive a daily rate until 6/6 (the start of Staff Training), except for D/ADs, whose daily rate is effective until 6/2. Staff who work Quarter B-4, Family Camp, or Teen Summit #1 will receive their weekly salary rate plus a $150 bonus.
Hourly Staff: Our goal is to provide around 40 hours per week. $200 per week is deducted from hourly staff for room and board.
Being Paid: The pay schedule varies and staff are paid via direct deposit. Typically, paydays are at the end of designated camp periods for those specific staff. In 2025, the paydays were*:
- May 30th (Discovery, Pre-camp)
- June 9th (Staff Training)
- July 7th (First Term)
- August 4th (Second Term)
- August 18th (Quarter B-4/Family Camp/Teen Summit/Burn Camp)
- September 1st (Post-camp)
*The 2026 dates will be confirmed before the start of the season.
Curious about your potential earnings? Check out our Summer Pay Estimator to see how much you could make with us this summer!
Please note that the listed salaries reflect the rates for 2025. We are planning an increase for 2026, with updated salary information available by the end of the year.
International Applicants
Due to J-1 Visa regulations, we are unable to hire internationals directly without the use of a certified visa sponsor agency. These agencies will help you through the rigorous screening process in your home country before interviewing with us. Please contact one of the following visa sponsor agencies who may work in your home country: Camp Counselors USA, Camp Leaders, Camp America, International Exchange of North America, and Wild Packs. Staff should have the ability to communicate conversationally in English.
Returning Staff
Each fall, we reach out directly to returning staff to let them know if they are invited to reapply for the upcoming summer. If you receive this invitation, reapplications open October 1st with a priority deadline of November 1st. Meeting that deadline gives you the best chance to secure your spot and preferred position. We begin placing returning staff on or before November 15th, then we can assess which positions are available for returners wanting to move into a new role. We aim to complete offers to returners by December 15th.
In most cases, returning staff are guaranteed their previous position. If you are interested in a new position, we may contact you for a brief interview or simply facilitate the change without a conversation.
When you submit your reapplication, you will be asked to list your top three position choices. However, ONLY list three if you are genuinely interested in all of them. If you don’t have three choices or would be unhappy with your third option, only list the ones you truly want.
Our base salaries increase annually. In addition to this raise, we offer an increase in salary for each additional year worked at Cheley.
| Years on Staff | Salary Increase |
|---|---|
| 2nd Year | $50 per week or $.50 per hour |
| 3rd Year | $65 per week or $.65 per hour |
| 4th+ Year | $80 per week or $.80 per hour |
Leadership Staff receive an enhanced salary increase reflecting both their cumulative years as a counselor/support staff and/or their tenure as a D/AD.
Join our Pre-Camp Crew
If you’re interested in working at Cheley before our official staff training begins in the spring, consider joining our Pre-Camp Crew and playing an essential role in preparing our facility for the upcoming summer season! As part of this team, you’ll be responsible for various tasks, such as raking, cleaning, landscaping, furniture relocation, and other hands-on manual labor activities, ensuring that our camp environment is in top-notch condition before the season begins. This opportunity not only allows you to be a vital contributor to our pre-camp preparations but also offers a unique chance to connect with fellow staff, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Cheley Experience.
| Position | Arrival Date | Salary* |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Camp Leaders | May 22 | $85/day |
| Pre-Camp Crew | May 23 | $75/day |
From Summer to Fall:
Additional Job Opportunities for Staff
In August, as summer winds down, many of our staff members transition back to university/college, embark on study-abroad adventures, pursue new employment opportunities, or engage in other ventures; Nevertheless, a dedicated few choose to remain with us as our programs continue to flourish into the fall and offer exciting opportunities for staff.
| Additional Opportunities | Dates | Salary* |
|---|---|---|
| Burn Camp | August 17 – August 25 | $600 |
| Teen Summit | August 18 – August 23 | Salary + $200 |
| Fall Discovery | August 27 – October 15 (anticipated end date) | $75/day |
Internship Opportunities
We are happy to provide an internship within the framework of our typical available summer positions. If you are interested in earning internship credits while at camp, please let us know. Internships at camp can provide meaningful work and life skills, such as leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, work ethic, flexibility, and more, as well as professional tools. We can work with your university/college as needed to coordinate this arrangement and fulfill your internship requirements.
Due to the demands placed on you as a Cheley staff member, you will not be able to complete online classes, extra work, or any additional responsibilities outside of the Cheley Experience.
Join Our Team
What does it take? A sense of adventure, a desire to be with people, and leadership skills.