Dates and Rates

Thank you for your interest in Cheley Colorado Camps! We use a staggered enrollment system as detailed below our Dates and Rates along with more information about the enrollment process. Applications are accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis. Although it's impossible to generalize as it changes each year, some units fill sooner than others. Quarter B-4 and Family Camp also tend to fill quite quickly.

We try our very best to accommodate every camper. That being said, we rarely recommend waiting to enroll. For more information about our availability, please contact our Enrollment Manager, Peggy.

Summer Camp

Quarter B-4

Family Camp

Discounts
We offer a 2.5% discount for payments made using ACH via CampBrain and for payments paid via checks. If you register before November 1st for Summer Camp, you will receive a $200 early-bird discount. Siblings, not including the first child, will receive a $150 discount for Summer Camp and a $50 discount for Quarter B-4.

Financial Assistance
If you are in need of financial assistance, please visit A Thousand Summers, previously the John Austin Cheley Foundation (JACF), which was established in 1989 to honor the memory of John Austin (Jack) Cheley to help fulfill his dream of making a summer camp experience available to deserving youth who could not otherwise afford it. Since 1989, the Foundation has provided over 1,400 camperships valued today at over $8 million. 

Camperships are open to youth from families whose financial circumstances would mean that a high-quality residential camp experience would be unattainable without external financial support. The specific financial circumstances of a family will determine whether they are eligible for Full Support or Partial Support as defined in the JACF Income Eligibility and Family Contribution Table. 

The JACF establishes relationships with youth-mentoring, non-profit organizations, and schools as well as independent volunteers to help them identify great applicants interested in a summer camp experience at Cheley or one of their other partner camps. These Mentors play a critical role in guiding a child and family through the application process, assisting award recipients in preparing for camp, advising through the Capstone Service Project requirements, and helping the Foundation with follow-up after camp. 

We invite you to join us in honoring Jack’s vision and the wonderful work of A Thousand Summers by supporting the ‘JACK CHELEY ENDOWED CAMPERSHIP’ fund that will ensure that a deserving camper attends Cheley Colorado Camps every year in Jack’s name, in perpetuity, developing lasting character and resiliency for the recipient through challenging experiences in a supportive and natural environment – just as Jack intended. To donate to A Thousand Summers, please visit this link.

Staggered Enrollment System

Waitlists
Once a Summer Camp, Quarter B-4, or Family Camp is full, then a waitlist is created in the order that we receive applications. For Summer Camp, waitlists are per unit per term. For Quarter B-4, there are waitlists for the Pikas and for the Marmots. There is no deposit required in order to join the waitlist. If a space becomes available, we will contact you.

Cancellation Fees

Payment Schedule

Monthly payment plans can be arranged during enrollment. We encourage families to use ACH payments (eChecks), which draft directly from your checking or savings account, instead of credit cards; however, deposits and payments may be placed on Visa, MasterCard, or American Express or paid by check. We offer a 2.5% discount for payments made with check or ACH (eChecks) via our online portal.

Why Four Weeks?
The Cheley Experience has a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Traditionally, we are a 27-day overnight summer camp. We strongly believe that this is the necessary amount time for our campers to unplug and settle into their time in the Colorado Rockies. It also gives campers time to create meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime. For campers interested in Cheley, but either too young or not quite ready for four – or even eight! – weeks, we have Quarter B-4, a five-night overnight summer camp experience. If you’re unsure what session length is the best fit for your camper (or you, we understand!) give us a call!

Is there a Camp Store?
Yes! The store is open for 45 minutes each morning for campers to purchase needed supplies and equipment, as well as gift items and clothing items. Each afternoon the store is open for one hour for 'treats.' Treats is a chance for campers to buy a snack and hang-out with their friends in a relaxed setting. Campers in Lower Chipeta and Lower Ski Hi can purchase one treat per day ($1.50 or less) while campers in other units may purchase two treats. Campers also have the opportunity to rent a sleeping bag and pad ($30) from the Camp Store. The average camper spends$125 to $175 at the Camp Store during a term.

The camp store does not accept cash. During the enrollment process in the Store Form, you will have the option to add a Camp Store Deposit, which adds money to your camper's spending account to be used at the Camp Store. You will also have access to your camper's wallet, including balance and purchases. During the summer, if your camper's balance reaches below $20, we will contact you to see if you would like to raise their balance. While your camper may exceed their initial deposit, your approval will be required first. Once camp ends, your camper's wallet will be settled (balanced to $0) and you will only be charged for your camper's purchases, not their entire deposit. At the end of each term during Final Weekend, families may visit the camp store at Land O'Peaks and the TEs or browse online – credit card is accepted at both.

The camp store provides a great opportunity for campers to learn responsibility and work on decision-making skills. We recommend you sit down with your camper(s) and discuss the camp store and using credit. A conversation about budgeting and only getting what is needed can provide a valuable lesson.