We’ve been hearing from families who want to better understand how Cheley plans for changing conditions in Colorado and the unique mountain environment where we operate. It’s a thoughtful question, and one we take seriously.
Lower snowpack, warmer spring temperatures, and increased attention around environmental conditions and outdoor safety have understandably raised questions about what summer may bring. For more than 100 summers, Cheley has operated in a wide range of mountain conditions, and preparation, flexibility, and communication continue to guide our approach to each season.
Our Approach to Preparedness
At Cheley, planning for changing conditions and emergencies is part of how we operate every summer, not something we think about only in certain years. For over 100 summers in the Colorado Rockies, we’ve experienced a wide range of environmental conditions, and our approach is built around preparation, awareness, flexibility, and communication.
We monitor weather and environmental conditions, stay in communication with local agencies and partners, and adjust programming, travel, and activity locations as needed. Because of the environment where we operate, wildfire preparedness is also an important part of that work, and Cheley has been active in managing the forests around our properties for decades.
Staff training is a central part of this preparation. Before campers arrive, staff participate in trainings that include risk management, emergency response procedures, communication protocols, and scenario-based discussions. We also maintain established evacuation and relocation plans and review how those plans would be carried out in different scenarios each year.
How Campers Are Prepared
Emergency preparedness is not just something staff trains on before the summer; it’s something we introduce and practice with campers as well. At the start of each term, campers participate in a fire drill and are introduced to key safety procedures in an age-appropriate way. The goal is to help campers understand what to do in a way that feels clear and supportive, without creating unnecessary worry.
What Happens if Conditions Change
If conditions shift, due to weather, fire risk, or another situation, our response follows established procedures led by staff and camp leadership. Staff receive instructions through our communication systems and guide campers through next steps based on the situation and available information. Depending on the type of emergency, this may include gathering at a designated location, sheltering in place, or, in rare cases, evacuating.
Next steps are determined based on the situation and available information. Leadership assesses each situation and determines the appropriate response. Some situations are resolved on-site, and when appropriate, an all-clear is given, and campers return to normal activities.
If evacuation is required, staff lead campers in following our plans, which may include walking to a nearby meeting location or coordinating transportation based on the situation and conditions. Plans are designed to be adaptable based on real-time conditions.
Overview for Families
Explore a visual overview of how Cheley prepares for and responds to emergencies, including communication, accountability, and evacuation procedures.
How We Communicate with Families
During any situation, our first priority is the safety and well-being of every camper. During an active response, our team is focused on supporting campers while managing the situation and coordinating with staff and local partners. Because of this, communication may not be immediate. Our goal is to communicate with families using:
- Direct phone calls for individual medical, behavioral, or emotional needs
- Email, text alerts, and Cheley App notifications for group-wide updates
- Dedicated webpages and/or email updates for ongoing situations
We aim to share updates as deliberately and thoughtfully as possible.
What This Looks Like This Year
Each season brings its own conditions, and this year is no exception. We continue to monitor conditions across our properties using weather tools, agency resources, and direct communication with partners like the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Larimer County emergency services. Staff training includes additional time focused on fire-related scenarios, communication, and decision-making in changing conditions. As always, we adjust programming, travel, and activity locations as needed based on known conditions.
Forest Stewardship and Experience
In addition to seasonal planning, we continue our forest management and restoration work across our properties in partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service and the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). Cheley has been active in managing the forests around our properties for decades. This past summer, we completed our fourth phase of work at our Land O’ Peaks property. We have also completed forestry management at BTE, GTE, and the Outpost. These efforts support overall forest health and help reduce fuel loads over time as part of a long-term approach to land stewardship and fire mitigation.
We’ve also navigated situations in the past, including wildfire-related evacuations, relocations, and adjustments to programming. In each case, the focus has been on thoughtful decision-making and deliberate communication while supporting campers through any changes.
A Thoughtful, Flexible Approach
No outdoor environment is without risk. Our focus is on being informed, making thoughtful decisions, and responding in a way that prioritizes the well-being of our campers and staff. We understand the trust families place in us, and we approach that responsibility with care.
We’re always happy to talk through our approach with families, should you have more questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any additional precautions in place this year due to lower snowpack or dry conditions?
Each season brings different conditions, and this year has prompted additional focus on monitoring, communication, and scenario planning.
- We track conditions across our properties using pinned weather locations at Land O’Peaks and both Trail’s End camps, along with trusted third-party tools and agency resources.
- We use a combination of communication systems across camp and in the field, including cellular service, Wi-Fi, satellite communication devices on trips, and capabilities like iPhone satellite texting. We also rely on simple, reliable methods like designated meeting points and runners or in-person coordination when appropriate.
- This year, we have added even more time to our staff training to focus on fire-related scenarios, including drills, communication protocols, and decision-making in changing conditions. At the start of each term, campers also participate in a fire drill and review safety procedures.
- We also continue forest management and restoration work across our properties in partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service, supporting overall forest health and reducing fuel loads over time.
We stay in close communication with local partners and adjust programming, travel, and activity locations as needed based on real-time conditions.
What happens if there is an emergency at camp?
Staff follow a structured response process based on the situation and available information, which may include gathering at a designated location, sheltering in place, or, in rare cases, evacuating. Campers remain with their group whenever possible.
What determines whether camp would evacuate?
Evacuation decisions are based on the specific situation and guidance from local authorities. Factors may include proximity, direction, and behavior of a fire, as well as environmental conditions. Many situations are managed on-site. If an evacuation were ever needed, it would be communicated to families and carried out by experienced staff.
How are evacuation plans structured, especially at Trail’s End?
Each property, including Land O’ Peaks and both Trail’s End locations, has established evacuation routes and staging plans.
If evacuation is required, staff lead campers in following our plans, which may include walking to a nearby meeting location or coordinating transportation based on the situation and conditions. Plans are designed to be adaptable based on real-time conditions.
Depending on the situation, this may include relocating between Cheley properties or, if needed, to other off-site locations. We maintain relationships with local partners to support relocation if a broader evacuation is required.
How will families be notified?
Families are contacted based on the situation and available information. Individual needs are communicated by phone and/or email, while broader updates may be shared through email, text alerts, app notifications, and, if needed, dedicated website updates.
Are staff trained and prepared to respond to emergencies?
Staff receive training in First Aid, CPR, and risk management as part of pre-summer preparation, and program areas are equipped with first aid supplies. This training is reinforced through scenario planning and continued debriefs throughout the summer.
How do staff communicate during an emergency? Do you use walkie-talkies?
Because of the size of Cheley, our multiple properties, and the large number of staff operating across different environments, we use a combination of communication methods rather than relying on a single system. This may include cell service, Wi-Fi, satellite communication, and, in some situations, runners or coordination through designated meeting locations. Rather than using walkie-talkies or radios as a camp-wide communication system, we rely on layered communication methods designed to work across different environments and conditions.
