Sending Camp Mail

Everyone loves to get mail! So, it makes sense that one of the highlights of camp is Mail Call when mail is passed out. Nowadays, hearing from home takes on a whole new significance for kids who are used to being constantly connected to their friends. At Cheley, we truly believe in the idea of “Disconnect to Really Connect.” The opportunity to unplug from cell phones and social media is one of the largest benefits of camp, yet we know you and your campers want to stay connected.

You are more than welcome to send unlimited letters to your campers; however, we suggest no more than THREE times a week. Avoid writing about how much fun your camper is missing while away from home; you might stir up an unnecessary case of homesickness. Encourage your camper to have fun and to make the most of their camp experience. A simple note to stay in touch is all that’s necessary.

Remember, you are giving your camper an incredible gift by sending them to camp! They do not need packages. Send letters, not junk. The amount of trash and work that care packages bring to camp is exhausting. Honestly, we would rather put this time into your camper’s experience. Put a sweet note or gift in their luggage and call it a day! If you do decide to send a care package, please be sure to limit packages to ONE per camper per term. For safety reasons, we prohibit food (including mints, gum, and small candies) and cash in care packages. If your camper is celebrating their birthday while at camp, a birthday package clearly indicating the date it should be delivered may be sent.

The following applies to ALL campers and staff. For unit, please write Lower Ski Hi, Lower Chipeta, Ski Hi, Chipeta, Haiyaha, Senior Chipeta, Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE), Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE), or Support Staff.

Please be aware that we are in a small town with a small post office. Mail, both to and from camp, tends to move slower than usual.

Sending One-Way Emails

While a low-tech experience for campers, it’s a high-tech experience for families at home! If you would like to email your camper, please use the Cheley Connection. We print emails out every afternoon and distribute them at Mail Call. Before your camper arrives at camp, you will receive a Welcome Email with instructions to activate your Cheley Connection account. There, you can View Photos, Send Emails, and Read Weekly Reports. If you are having trouble with the Cheley Connection, please try a different browser or use a desktop or laptop.

Emails printed every day include all emails that were sent in the previous 24 hours. We ask that you limit the number of emails you send your camper and continue to send handwritten cards and letters as well. DO NOT give this option to your camper’s friends; instead, please ask them to handwrite letters. Our goal is to provide a wonderful experience for your camper and handwritten letters complement this.

We do not allow campers to call home or receive calls from home (apart from in the event of an emergency). This decision has been made in the best interest of our campers. To give you an update about your camper’s first summer at Cheley, unit directors will call 1st-year families by the end of the first week of each term. If you need to get an immediate message to your camper, we ask that you call our office and leave a message for their unit director. They will check with your camper and we will call you back with your camper’s response.