There was something unmistakably Chipeta about Summer 2026: a willingness to jump into adventure, laugh loudly, try again when something was hard, and make room for one another along the way. Across two terms, campers filled their days with miles on the trail, time in the saddle, nights away from camp, afternoons creating and playing, steady practice at the ranges, and plenty of wonderfully ridiculous moments back in the unit. Through it all, friendships grew stronger, campers discovered new confidence, and the Chipeta community became a place where individuality and sisterhood could thrive side by side.
Horseback riding was led by AJ Robinson, Ava Kitzi, and Sophia Derrin, who helped campers grow in their horsemanship through time spent learning to ride, care for horses, and become increasingly comfortable and capable in the program. Earning Riding Basics were Emma Goldberg, Madelyn Marshall, Eleanor Rankin, Ruby Sparks, and Saielle Hay. Earning the Riding Patch were Adeline Rosen, Adelyn Mahan, Annie King, Saielle Hay, Madelyn Marshall, Eleanor Rankin, Ruby Sparks, Jordyn Wasescha, and Georgia Wood.
With Delaney Williams and Madi Foster leading the way, Chipeta hikers spent their days challenging themselves on the trail while building the skills, perseverance, and confidence that come from traveling through Colorado’s mountains on foot. Hiking gave campers opportunities to keep going through hard stretches, appreciate the places their own feet could carry them, and share the satisfaction of a day outside with friends. Earning Hiking Basics were Caddy Armstrong, Helen Bell, Penelope Bryan, Molly Elsener, Rhyleigh Howell, Alexandra Le, Alice Leighton, Hannah Stacey, Caroline Watson, and Kenley Holwell. Earning the Hiking Patch (Mountaineers Patch) were Helen Bell, Molly Elsener, Rhyleigh Howell, Hannah Stacey, Caroline Watson, Evelyn Moser, and Mary Waldrop.
Backpacking counselors Madison Irvine and Ainsley McKay helped campers take the next step into backcountry travel. Carrying what they needed with them and spending extended time away from the familiar routines of camp gave backpackers plenty of opportunities to practice independence, contribute to their group, and discover just how rewarding a challenge can become when it is shared. Earning Backpacking Basics were Alexandra Le, Amelia Tait, Charlotte Striker, Emi Zagra, Helen Bell, Katherine Urech, and Penelope Bryan. Those same seven campers completed the Backpacking Patch: Alexandra Le, Amelia Tait, Charlotte Striker, Emi Zagra, Helen Bell, Katherine Urech, and Penelope Bryan.
As Chipeta’s HGO counselor, Amelia Klemme supported the adventures that took campers beyond the everyday rhythm of the unit. Whether a camper was heading toward a new challenge or returning with a story to tell, HGO helped make the broad world of Cheley programming possible and gave campers another way to stretch beyond what felt familiar.
Outcamping with Charlie Wilson gave Chipetans the chance to settle into outdoor living, contribute to life away from the unit, and become more capable and comfortable outside. There is a special kind of confidence that comes from realizing that the outdoors can feel less like somewhere you are visiting and more like somewhere you know how to live. Earning Outcamping Basics were Charlie Canterbury, Molly Carrico, Evabella Danciger, Waverleigh Duncan, Lilliana Morrow, and Charlotte Striker. Earning the Outcamping Patch were Charlie Canterbury, Molly Carrico, Evabella Danciger, Charlotte Striker, and Avery Wurzbach.
Some campers made being out of camp a defining part of their summer. The following campers earned the On the Trail recognition: Lucila Alija, Miranda Angulo, Helen Bell, Penelope Bryan, Mia Campbell, Cora Dawkins, Molly Elsener, Penelope Feasey, Sofia Ferguson, Rhyleigh Howell, Alice Leighton, Sterling Lewis, Lucille Losier, Genevieve Miller, Sitara Minero, Harper Morency, Evelyn Moser, Renee Palmer, Amelia Tait, Katherine Urech, Kate Waldron, Mary Waldrop, Jordyn Wasescha, Avery Wurzbach, Emi Zagra, and Ocean Zalma.
Sports counselors Willow Whelan and Liz Byrd kept Chipeta moving, playing, and working together. Sports offered a different kind of challenge from a long trail or an overnight trip: campers could test themselves, encourage teammates, learn through play, and enjoy the simple pleasure of getting completely caught up in a game with friends.
Archery gave campers another place to practice patience, consistency, and focus. Progress could be measured one arrow at a time, and campers kept returning to the range to refine their technique and see what steady practice could accomplish. The following campers earned arrows in Archery:
White Arrow
Abbey Scott, Abigayle Davis, Adeli Williams, Adele Panteleev, Alex Willhoite, Alexandra Le, Anna Barnes, Aria Whitcomb, Ava Eaker, Ava Huron, Aven Sass, Avery Dupepe, Blake Hanna, Brooke Whalen, Caddy Armstrong, Caroline Cross, Caroline Watson, Cora Dawkins, Cora Richardson, Dagny Dworkis, Elodie Brown, Ellen Bloodworth, Ellie Bernstein, Emra Dancho, Evabella Danciger, Everett Michel, Evelyn Wilson, Evy Smith, Fiona Carduff, Grace Colella, Grace Smith, Heather Campbell, Jane Extein, Juliette Ahoussi, Kaia Beeby, Katherine Hurst, Kayla Bray, Kriya Patel, Lilliana Morrow, Lucila Alija, Lucille Losier, Marlowe Kuhn, Mary Lynch, Mary Waldrop, Mimi Hines, Molly Carrico, Molly Elsener, Morgan Heit, Ocean Zalma, Penelope Bryan, Piper Agostino, Rachel Li, Regina Figueroa Flores, Sadie Sellers, Samantha Braugh, Scout Gontram, Sofia Chorine, Sofia Ferguson, Trini Gonzales, Valentina Dominguez, Valentina Rueda Suarez, Vesper Walton, Waverleigh Duncan, Charlotte Ungerleider, Emi Zagra, Jordyn Wasescha, and Ellison Mossy.
Black Arrow
Abbey Scott, Alex Willhoite, Alexandra Le, Aria Whitcomb, Ava Eaker, Avery Dupepe, Avery Wurzbach, Blake Hanna, Cora Richardson, Dagny Dworkis, Ellen Bloodworth, Ellison Mossy, Emma Barnes, Everett Michel, Evelyn Wilson, Fiona Carduff, Grace Colella, Hannah Stacey, Juliette Ahoussi, Lilliana Morrow, Lucille Losier, Marlowe Kuhn, Mary Lynch, Mary Waldrop, Mimi Hines, Rachel Li, Regina Figueroa Flores, Sadie Sellers, Samantha Braugh, Scout Gontram, Charlotte Ungerleider, Vesper Walton, and Jordyn Wasescha.
Blue Arrow
Lilly Beranich, Ellen Bloodworth, Emra Dancho, Ava Eaker, Rachel Li, Cora Richardson, Hannah Stacey, Sadie Sellers, and Mary Waldrop.
Red Arrow
Morgan Tobin and Abigail Ziemba.
At the riflery range, Frankie Wilson helped campers build their skills through careful practice, concentration, and consistency. Each new position and level asked campers to settle in, pay attention to technique, and keep working toward improvement. The amount of progress on the range this summer was impressive, from first Specialist recognitions through advanced levels.
Prone Specialist
Abbey Scott, Adeli Williams, Anna Barnes, Aria Whitcomb, Ava Eaker, Aven Sass, Avery Dupepe, Caddy Armstrong, Caroline French, Charlotte Striker, Charlotte Ungerleider, Dagny Dworkis, Ellie Bernstein, Emma Barnes, Emi Zagra, Evy Smith, Fiona Carduff, Genevieve Miller, Grace Smith, Heather Campbell, Juliette Ahoussi, Kaia Beeby, Kriya Patel, Lucille Losier, Maggie Schlicher, Mary Lynch, Mary Waldrop, Miranda Angulo, Molly Elsener, Ocean Zalma, Phoebe Holmes, Rachel Li, Regina Figueroa Flores, Sadie Sellers, Scarlett Dawson, Scout Gontram, Stella Cianci, Tate Klein, Thea Coleman, Valentina Dominguez, and Valentina Rueda Suarez.
Level I, II, III, and IV
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Abbey Scott, Adele Panteleev, Brooke Whalen, Charlotte Striker, Emma Barnes, Ava Eaker, Evelyn Wilson, Hannah Stacey, Jordyn Wasescha, Juliette Ahoussi, Kaia Beeby, Lucille Losier, Rachel Li, Renee Palmer, Rosemary Keast, Sadie Sellers, Saielle Hay, and Morgan Tobin.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Abigail Ziemba, Emma Barnes, Evelyn Wilson, and Sadie Sellers.
The following camper earned her Level 4 pin: Sarah Nusser.
Kneeling Specialist
Juliette Ahoussi, Fiona Carduff, Stella Cianci, Rosemary Keast, Lucille Losier, Mary Lynch, Renee Palmer, Sadie Sellers, Hannah Stacey, Charlotte Striker, Evelyn Wilson, and Avery Wurzbach.
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Abbey Scott, Adele Panteleev, Brooke Whalen, Charlotte Striker, Emma Barnes, Ava Eaker, Evelyn Wilson, Hannah Stacey, Jordyn Wasescha, Juliette Ahoussi, Kaia Beeby, Lucille Losier, Rachel Li, Renee Palmer, Rosemary Keast, Sadie Sellers, Saielle Hay, and Morgan Tobin.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Abigail Ziemba, Emma Barnes, Evelyn Wilson, and Sadie Sellers.
The following camper earned her Level 4 pin: Sarah Nusser.
Level I and II
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Kaia Beeby, Sarah Nusser, and Abigail Ziemba.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Sarah Nusser and Abigail Ziemba.
Standing Specialist
Juliette Ahoussi, Kaia Beeby, Ellen Bloodworth, Saielle Hay, Sadie Sellers, Charlotte Striker, Morgan Tobin, Evelyn Wilson, and Avery Wurzbach.
Level I and II
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Abigail Ziemba, Kaia Beeby, Saielle Hay, and Sarah Nusser.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Abigail Ziemba and Sarah Nusser.
Creativity had a home of its own with Kendall Holmes in Crafts. Campers had opportunities to slow down, work with their hands, experiment with ideas, and enjoy the satisfaction of turning imagination into something tangible. Crafts offered a welcome balance to Chipeta’s busy adventure days: a place where patience, creativity, conversation, and individual expression could all share the same table.
Campers who sampled broadly across the Cheley experience and invested themselves in many different corners of camp also worked toward the Pinecone Patch. Congratulations to Penelope Bryan, Caroline Cross, Stella Cianci, Kensington Cozza, Valentina Dominguez, Regina Figueroa Flores, Julia Keating, Alexandra Le, Martha Hall, Stella Mugge, Mia Quatrochi, and Emi Zagra for earning the Pinecone Patch.
General counselors Sloane Dunker and Honor Nestlehutt brought their flexibility and energy wherever Chipeta needed them. A summer has countless moving pieces, and general counselors get to be part of many of them—supporting campers, programs, unit life, and the everyday moments that help turn a collection of individuals into a community.
At the end of busy days, Violet Wexler brought everyone back together through Campfire. Some of the summer’s favorites were Cheleyween, CHOM (Chipeta Prom), and Counselor Impersonations—three very different evenings that captured plenty of Chipeta personality. All-Camp Campfire gave the whole unit the chance to collaborate on something bigger. First Term brought Chamma Mia, Chipeta’s Mamma Mia medley/skit, while Second Term took the stage with Chespicable Me, inspired by Despicable Me. These were the kinds of nights when creativity, humor, teamwork, and a willingness to be a little silly became part of the adventure too.
The Code of Living gave each term a chance to put words to the kind of Chipeta community campers wanted to create together. First Term chose Sisterhood, Inclusivity, Hakuna Matata, Respect, and Growth-idence. Second Term carried that spirit forward through Infinite Sisterhood, Equity, Amabilidad, Whimsy, and Adaptability. Some words were playful, some were thoughtful, and some were both—but together they reflected a community deciding how it wanted to treat people, approach challenges, and live alongside one another.
At the end of each term, campers and staff recognized members of the community who had consistently lived the Code through the Silver Spurs. The honor comes from the observations of the community itself: peers and staff voting based on the values they had chosen together, making the recognition less about one accomplishment and more about the way someone participates in the life of Chipeta. The greater challenge is carrying the Code beyond Recognition Night and continuing to practice those values wherever life goes next. The following campers received their Silver Spurs in 2026: Juliette Ahoussi, Caddy Armstrong, Anna Barnes, Emma Barnes, Abigayle Davis, Kensington Cozza, Kenley Holwell, Evelyn Moser, Valentina Rueda Suarez, Sadie Sellers, and Ruby Sparks.
Summer 2026 gave Chipeta plenty to be proud of, but the best parts cannot all fit on a kerchief or into a recognition list. They are also found in choosing to try something unfamiliar, discovering that a hard day can become a favorite story, laughing until a campfire becomes unforgettable, helping a friend keep going, and realizing that independence and belonging can grow at the same time. First Term called it Sisterhood; Second Term made it Infinite Sisterhood. Both captured something true about Chipeta this summer: the adventures mattered, but the people beside you helped give those adventures their meaning.
Thank you to every camper and staff member who made Chipeta 2026 its own joyful, adventurous, wonderfully whimsical chapter. May the confidence built here travel home with you, may the friendships keep growing across the miles, and may a little bit of Chipeta find its way into whatever challenge or adventure comes next.
Lindsey Pellock, Director
Lucy Appel and AnnaGrace Harris, Assistant Directors
