Accreditations

Cheley is a leader in the camping and youth development business. We pride ourselves on our involvement and accreditation with the American Camp Association, the only national accrediting agency for summer camps in America. We are also a member of the Western Association of Independent Camps, the Camp Owners and Directors Association, and the International Camping Fellowship.

We are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care (CDHS) and a Leave No Trace Partner. While every summer all Colorado resident and day camps are required to be visited and inspected by CDHS and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), ACA-Accreditation® is a voluntary process by which we undergo a review of our complete operation.

As an accredited summer camp in the state of Colorado, we work directly with these agencies to establish policies, procedures, and best practices that enrich the summer camp experience. With more than three-hundred standards covering everything from staff hiring and training to emergency procedures and program delivery, accreditors review our written policies and procedures and take a tour of camp to ensure that we are following our own policies.

We meet the high standards of each of the following associations:

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience to enhance the quality of camp programs across the United States. ACA is a leading authority in child development and the ACA works to preserve, promote and improve the camp experience. ACA accredits over 2,400 camps that meet up to 300 standards for health, safety, and quality programs.

Western Association of Independent Camps

The Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC) is a group of western privately owned camps that run high-quality camp programs for youth. These camps are all ACA-Accredited®. WAIC has an annual educational conference each November which all member camps are required to attend. WAIC camps share knowledge, educate members in best practices, and provide role modeling in professional standards for camps.

Camp Owners and Directors Association

CODA is a group of camp professionals who own and operate private camps from coast to coast and who are ACA-Accredited®. CODA believes in education and provides services for member independent camps ranging from conferences to camp tours, templates, staffing tools, and other member-driven projects that help all camps run professionally. This national group meets once a year for a kindred event in conjunction with the ACA National Conference and almost every fall for a behind-the-scenes tour of camps.

International Camping Fellowship

The International Camping Fellowship is a worldwide assembly of camp professionals who share their enthusiasm, knowledge, and commitment to the camp experience. ICF was founded in 1987 by camp professionals with the dream of “a better world through outdoor experience.” ICF welcomes all who foster international understanding through the organized camp experience.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace pioneers science and provides proven, research-based solutions for the protection of the natural world. Leave No Trace provides innovative education, skills, research, and science to help people care for the outdoors. By working with the public and those managing public lands, Leave No Trace focuses on educating people—instead of costly restoration programs or access restrictions—as the most effective and least resource-intensive solution to land protection. As a Leave No Trace partner, we promote stewardship and contribute our voices and resources to further the important work of Leave No Trace.

Public Lands Authorizations

We hold specific authorizations, ensuring our commitment to operating within designated areas and providing exceptional services. These authorizations underscore our dedication to responsible stewardship of public lands and our commitment to providing enjoyable outdoor experiences while respecting the natural environment and its inhabitants.

National Park Service: Rocky Mountain National Park

Cheley Colorado Camps is authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Rocky Mountain National Park.

United States Forest Service: Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest

Cheley Colorado Camps is an equal opportunity service provider and an authorized Special Permit Holder on the Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).