As the final echoes of songs faded across the meadows and the sun dipped low behind the pines, Girls’ Trail’s End closed the chapter on another extraordinary summer. 2025 at GTE was a season defined by resilience, growth, laughter, and legacy. From that first mountain view to the final embrace in the wagon yard, our community lived the Cheley Spirit every single day—challenging themselves, supporting each other, and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Our hiking program, led with heart and trail-wisdom by Brooke Gillespie, Margaret Lipton, and Monika Schaffer, brought campers to jaw-dropping destinations throughout the Rockies. Congratulations to Samantha Schoolman for earning her Senior Hiking Basics and Patch—your determination on the trail inspired us all.
Backpacking, under the expert leadership of Ava DiAngelo and Katrina Nelson, called campers into the wilds for deep conversations, starlit skies, and unforgettable adventure. We proudly recognize Astrid Hattenbach, Emma Cook, Olivia Cook, and Tess Doebele for earning their Junior Backpacking Basics and Patch, and Evelyn Martens for achieving her Senior Backpacking Basics and Patch.
With handlebars gripped and gears engaged, our Mountain Biking program, led by Marina Griffin and Jenny Chamberlain, brought grit and joy in equal measure. Congratulations to Aspen Corff, Bre Watkins, Lindsay Campbell, Riley Bachrach, and Violet Macdonald for earning their Mountain Biking Basics and Patch!
Guided by Aminah Hamidi, Kendall Newsome, and Luna LaCrosse, the Horseback Riding program helped campers bond with their horses while building skill and confidence. Earning their Junior Riding Basics and Patch were Avery Hanson, Dylann Howell, and Reagan Nanney. And earning Senior Riding Basics and Patch were Aspen Corff, Maddie Couch, Maite Irigoyen, Maja Hursh, Sarah Nguyen, and Wynn Gilbert.
Through storms and starlight, Outcamping—led by Delaney Williams and Rand Neren—was about slowing down and leaning into nature. We celebrate Elise Young, Indira Loether, and Tess Doebele for earning their Junior Basics and Patch, and Grey Perkins and Sarah Nguyen for completing their Senior Basics and Patch.
Back at the lodge, crafts with Ray Dzur offered a joyful space for creativity, color, and calm. Campers dove into projects with imagination and intention—bracelets, painting, leatherwork, and more—crafts wasn’t just about art; it was about expressing yourself and finding stillness in the rhythm of your hands. And wherever help was needed, from supporting programs to lending a kind ear, Amy Darda, our incredible General Counselor, was always there.
While campers preferred to go out of camp, archery remained a popular activity. Campers of all levels took aim, improving their skills and achieving new personal bests. The following campers earned arrows in Archery:
White Arrow
Abigail Greene, Anna Makstenieks, Annelise Wachtman, Anusha Dearth, Aspen Corff, Brooke Barby, Camren Collins, Charlotte Colella, Charlotte Wadsworth, Clara Hull, Clare Buckley, Cora Brent, Danika Sugich, Dylann Howell, Elise Young, Ellen Mapes, Florence Zhu, Harper Bosworth, Jade Mathews, Karen Lamson, Kate Miller, Katharine Martel, Kathryn Hill, Laila Dearth, Lila Ellis-Tau, Lily McGeehan, Lindsay Campbell, Lucy Lippard, Madeline Fenner, Maite Irigoyen, Maja Hursh, Mila Powers, Molly Jordan, Noa Ventadour, Olivia Cook, Quill Randle, Reagan Nanney, Ruby Buckley, Sabine Rodemacher, Sarah Beth Cutshaw, Scarlett Cavalier, Shea DeVries, Sheri Monson, Sidney Shanks, Violet Macdonald, and Zarah Monteiro.
Black Arrow
Anna Makstenieks, Aspen Corff, Camren Collins, Charlotte Colella, Charlotte Wadsworth, Clare Buckley, Elise Young, Karen Lamson, Kathryn Hill, Laila Dearth, Lila Ellis-Tau, Lily McGeehan, Lindsay Campbell, Lucy Lippard, Maja Hursh, Molly Carl, Molly Jordan, Ruby Buckley, Scarlett Cavalier, and Zarah Monteiro.
Blue Arrow
Charlotte Wadsworth, Clare Buckley, Lila Ellis-Tau, Lily McGeehan, Lindsay Campbell, Lucy Lippard, and Molly Jordan.
Over in Riflery, under the guidance of Ava Goldson, campers sharpened their focus, breath, and aim. The camaraderie and focus at the range made it a standout part of the summer. Whether they were first-time shooters or seasoned veterans, each camper embraced the challenges and triumphs of riflery, making it a staple experience of their summer at Girls’ Trail’s End.
Prone Specialist
Abigail Greene, Annelise Wachtman, Brooke Barby, Charlotte Colella, Clare Buckley, Danika Sugich, Elise Young, Eliza Vella, Ellen Mapes, Florence Zhu, Jade Mathews, Kate Miller, Keara Cotter, Laila Dearth, Lila Ellis-Tau, Molly Maynard, Olivia Cook, Sidney Shanks, Syona Shah, and Zarah Monteiro.
Level I, II, III, & IV
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Annelise Wachtman, Danika Sugich, Elise Young, Eliza Vella, Florence Zhu, and Olivia Cook.
The following campers earned their Level 2 pin: Anusha Dearth, Elise Young, Ellen Mapes, Molly Carl, and Sarah Nguyen.
The following campers earned their Level 3 pin: Ellen Mapes, Molly Carl, and Sarah Nguyen.
The following camper earned their Level 4 pin: Margaret Martens and Molly Carl.
Kneeling Specialist and Level I, II, & III
The following camper earned their Kneeling Specialist: Camren Collins, Elise Young, Ellen Mapes, Madeleine Carney, Molly Carl, Molly Maynard, and Sarah Nguyen.
The following camper earned their Level 2 pin: Margaret Martens and Jay Jordan.
The following campers earned their Level 3 pin: Jay Jordan.
Sitting Specialist and Level I
The following camper earned their Sitting Specialist: Maite Irigoyen, Margaret Martens, Molly Carl, Jay Jordan, Sarah Nguyen, and Violet Macdonald.
The following camper earned their Level 1 pin: Margaret Martens and Violet Macdonald.
Standing Specialist and Level I & II
The following campers earned their Standing Specialist: Camren Collin and Sarah Nguyen.
The following camper earned their Level 1 pin: Margaret Martens.
The following camper earned their Level 2 pin: Jay Jordan.
Congratulations to Jade Mathews for earning their Pine Cone Patch! To earn this, you had to be well-rounded and open-minded. These adventurous campers had to meet specific riding, hiking, outcamping, archery, riflery, crafts, and climbing requirements, as well as help out with campfire, Chapel, cookout, or choir.
The On the Trail Patch went to campers who spent 15+ days in program areas beyond the unit: Aiden Kaplan, Amna Walter, Anna Makstenieks, Astrid Hattenbach, Bre Watkins, Cadence Dorr, Campbell Olsen, Elenice Condon, Elizabeth Rinehart, Emma Cook, Emmie Williamson, Genevieve Cammack, Harper Bosworth, Harper Reidy, Isabel Dennis, Laila Dearth, Louisa Engelbrink, Maddie Couch, Madeleine Carney, Noa Ventadour, Olivia Cook, Reagan Nanney, Sarah Steeg, and Tess Doebele.
Campfires, led by the wonderful Raina Jaeggli, featured Battle of the Bands, Bingo, Chistory Night with Don and Carole Cheley, and classic GTE traditions. Our All-Camp skits were a National Geographic parody in Term 1 and a hilarious Lego Movie parody in Term 2!
Our CILTs (Campers in Leadership Training) were the heart and soul of our unit. These second-year seniors took on visible and invisible leadership roles—helping with campfires, leading Chapel, mentoring younger campers, facilitating Code of Living discussions, and modeling the values of GTE. We are incredibly grateful for Term 1’s Nat Barrett, Kira Bardin, Brinley Betts, Eastlyn Hoffman, Hazel Kemp, Charlie Loughlin, Sam Schoolman, and Eva Temple, and Term 2’s Ruth Flacke, Molly Kolachov, Jay Jordan, Fiona Macdonald, Annie Mollan, Mayla Montgomery, Sam Mounce, and Louise Preston.
The Code of Living is a sacred Cheley tradition—each term, the campers gather to choose five values that reflect the people they want to be at camp and beyond. These aren’t just words on a banner—they’re lived out in every hike, every moment of encouragement, every act of kindness. Term 1 chose Acceptance, Energy, Authenticity, Grit, and Integrity. Term 2 lifted up Integrity, Pure-Hearted, Bright, Grit, and Compassion. From cookouts to cabins, these codes served as a compass for our community.
Some campers go even further in embodying the Code—earning special recognition as Drivers of the Covered Wagon and Top Hands. Drivers are the glue of our unit—campers who quietly and consistently bring people together, lead with intention, and uplift the group. Congratulations to Elenice Condon, Julia Anderson, Katharine Martel, Louisa Engelbrink, Margaret Martens, and Shea DeVries. Top Hands are recognized for their outstanding example in attitude, resilience, and leadership. They’re the first to help, the last to leave, and the ones who always live the Code. Hats off to Bre Watkins, Clare Buckley, Evelyn Martens, Natiya Barrett, Samantha Schoolman, and Violet Macdonald.
As we say farewell to another beautiful summer in the high country, we know the spirit of GTE—of kindness, bravery, and wonder—travels home in each of our campers. Until the mountains call us back, carry that spirit with you.
With love and pride,
Kara Meechan, Director
Kendall Smith-Williams & Taylor Phillips, Asst. Director
