The sun shone bright on Lower Ski Hi this summer as boys returned to the traditions and adventures that make camp unforgettable. New friendships were formed over trail breaks and shared paddle strokes, and old friendships deepened while gazing at the Milky Way from sleeping bags under Colorado skies. Our youngest riders, hikers, marksmen, and outcampers proved again and again that Lower Ski Hi is where courage meets joy and where boys become brothers.
Our hiking program was full of big climbs and even bigger memories. Led by Josh Waybright and Shane Pitman, with support from HGO counselor Tanner Wright, campers explored alpine lakes and flower-strewn meadows, always chasing the next view with laughter in their steps. Congratulations to our Chipmunk Patch recipients: Bowie Heep, George Boynton, Kymani Johnson, Van Jaudes, Wilt Harold, and Zachary Ma.
Our horseback riding program, led by the skilled trio of Nano Zuniga, Reese Littrell, and Ian Lackey, gave campers a true taste of the Wild West. Whether on day rides or learning patterns in the riding ring, each camper gained confidence and connection with their horse. Riding Patch recipients included: Andersen Beerman, Andrew Young, Boden Haberkorn, Graham Lewis, Grant Whitcher, Harrison Cecere, Joshua Brinker, Julius Glode, Michael Reidy, Nathaniel Purcell, Nolan Rhamey, Paarth Dalal, and Rory Martin.
Out on outcamps, counselors Joaquin Shields-Sanchez, Ari Graham-Gurland, and Joseph Wagnon helped campers slow down and soak in the beauty of Colorado’s backcountry. Between cooking meals over open fires, stargazing, and playing games around the campsite, the following campers earned their Outcamping Patch: Dallas Parker, Everett Bunzel, Jack Loiterstein, Oliver Remley, Spencer Cathey, Sterling Glenn, Van Klosterman, William Blumenfeld, and Wynn Canterbury.
General counselor Connor Wigglesworth supported campers across activities and helped bring extra energy and enthusiasm wherever it was needed. At the riflery range, Wyatt Lindgren led a season of strong marksmanship and steady growth. Many campers earned recognitions for their dedication and progress.
Young Specialist
Andersen Beerman, Benjamin Selzler, Brady Potts, Carter Levine, Clark Moran, Dallas Parker, Dash Dill, David Keck, Douglas Stringer, Everett Bump, Everett Bunzel, Fisher Klosterman, Grayson Votipka, Gunner Clifton, Harrison Pickens, Herman Lee, John Eagan, Julian Suescun Alvarez, Julius Glode, Kas Davenport, Keaton Stinchcomb, Leo Cianci, Levi Monroy, Malachi Luong, Maxwell Leonard, Michael Reidy, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Nathan Wetzel, Neel Gounder, Nolan Rhamey, Oliver Mowrer, Paarth Dalal, Paxton Cheung, Preston Wallace, Sam Monroy, Samuel Eagan, Tenzin Luong, Theo Altschuler, Van Jaudes, Weston Harvison, William Blumenfeld, Winston Beran, Wynn Canterbury, and Zachary Ma.
Prone Specialist
Everett Bump, Graham Lewis, Grayson Votipka, Harrison Pickens, Herman Lee, Keaton Stinchcomb, Maddox Yurga, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Paxton Cheung, Rory Martin, Sam Monroy, Sterling Glenn, Thomas Fruin, Van Klosterman, Weston Harvison, and Zachary Ma.
Level I, II, and III
The following campers earned their Level 1 pin: Everett Bump, Philip Nguyen, Sebastian Hagg, Thomas Fruin, William Blumenfeld, and Zachary Ma.
The following camper earned their Level 2 pin: Philip Nguyen, Sebastian Hagg, Thomas Fruin, and Zachary Ma.
Kneeling Specialist
Everett Bump, Sebastian Hagg, and William Blumenfeld.
The sports program brought energy and camaraderie to the soccer field, Chapel Court, and the ranges of LSH. Carter Stevens and Sean Sauntry kept the fun flying with countless games and field-wide challenges. Whether aiming for a bullseye or sprinting toward a relay win, campers showed heart and hustle all term long. Our climbers showed impressive grit and determination at the wall this summer. The Spider Patch was awarded to campers who challenged themselves to climb high, fall well, and try again. Congratulations to: Anthony Couch, Augustine Hogan, Boden Haberkorn, Briggs Bitter, Carter Levine, Clark Moran, David Keck, Graden Armstrong, Grayson Votipka, Gunner Clifton, Hale Haberkorn, Harrison Pickens, Henry Rosenthal, Ian Hanson, Ivan Marriott, Jack Loiterstein, Jaymus Katz, Julian Suescun Alvarez, Mason Rose, Maxwell Leonard, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Oliver Mowrer, Oliver Remley, Otto Beeby, Philip Nguyen, Robert Ravnaas, Sebastian Hagg, Spencer Cathey, Wynn Canterbury, and Zachary Ma.
Arrow progressions were a major highlight this summer, showcasing campers’ well-rounded involvement and enthusiasm across program areas. Congratulations to the following:
White Arrow
Andrew Young, Benjamin Selzler, Brady Potts, Briggs Bitter, Carter Levine, Clark Moran, Dallas Parker, Dash Dill, David Keck, Douglas Stringer, Drake Allen, Ezekiel Luong, Fender Fischer, Fisher Klosterman, Fritz Paul, George Palmer, Graden Armstrong, Grant Schwartzstein, Harrison Pickens, Henry Rosenthal, Herman Lee, Hiro Mowrer, Holden Schenk, Hunter Golff, Ivan Marriott, Jack Loiterstein, Jackson Couch, James Stanley, John Eagan, Julian Suescun Alvarez, Julius Glode, Kas Davenport, Keaton Stinchcomb, Levi Monroy, Malachi Luong, Maxwell Leonard, Michael Reidy, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Nathan Wetzel, Neel Gounder, Nolan Rhamey, Otto Beeby, Preston Wallace, Sam Monroy, Samuel Eagan, Sebastian Hagg, Spencer Cathey, Van Jaudes, Weston Harvison, Will Pearson, William Huston, Winston Beran, Wynn Canterbury, and Zachary Ma.
Black Arrow
Andrew Young, Augustine Hogan, Benjamin Selzler, Brady Potts, Briggs Bitter, Carter Levine, Clark Moran, Dallas Parker, Dash Dill, David Keck, Douglas Stringer, Fender Fischer, Fisher Klosterman, Fritz Paul, George Palmer, Grant Schwartzstein, Hale Haberkorn, Harrison Pickens, Herman Lee, Hiro Mowrer, Hunter Golff, Ivan Marriott, Jack Loiterstein, Jackson Couch, James Stanley, John Eagan, Julian Suescun Alvarez, Keaton Stinchcomb, Levi Monroy, Michael Reidy, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Nathan Wetzel, Neel Gounder, Nolan Rhamey, Paarth Dalal, Preston Wallace, Sam Monroy, Samuel Eagan, Sebastian Hagg, Spencer Cathey, Sterling Glenn, Van Jaudes, Weston Harvison, Will Pearson, William Huston, Winston Beran, Wynn Canterbury, and Zachary Ma.
Blue Arrow
Andrew Young, Augustine Hogan, Benjamin Selzler, Briggs Bitter, Carter Levine, Clark Moran, Dallas Parker, Dash Dill, David Keck, Fender Fischer, Fritz Paul, Graham Lewis, Grant Schwartzstein, Harrison Pickens, Ivan Marriott, Jack Loiterstein, Jackson Couch, Keaton Stinchcomb, Levi Monroy, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Nolan Rhamey, Philip Nguyen, Sam Monroy, Samuel Eagan, Sebastian Hagg, Sterling Glenn, Van Jaudes, Will Pearson, and Zachary Ma.
Red Arrow
Anthony Couch, Benjamin Selzler, Clark Moran, Fender Fischer, Philip Nguyen, Rory Martin, Sam Monroy, Sterling Glenn, Thomas Fruin, Van Klosterman, and William Blumenfeld.
Gold Arrow
William Blumenfeld.
In the crafts shop, Alice Moody brought the magic. From the hum of sewing machines to the hands-on energy of ceramics and woodworking, the creativity was contagious. Some of the favorite days? A “Finer Things” afternoon, complete with a sparkling Shirley Temple competition and charming outfits, of course! Campers left each craft session with keepsakes, laughter, and often a new skill in hand.
The following campers earned their Circle of Stars patch: Andrew Young, Bowie Heep, Dash Dill, David Keck, Graden Armstrong, Grayson Votipka, Hiro Mowrer, Holden Schenk, Jackson Couch, James Stanley, Kymani Johnson, Maxwell Leonard, Michael Reidy, Miles Kraslin-Simpson, Nathan Wetzel, Oliver Mowrer, Otto Beeby, Preston Wallace, Spencer Cathey, Will Pearson, William Huston, and William Blumenfeld. To earn this, you had to be well-rounded and open-minded. These adventurous guys met specific requirements in riding, hiking, outcamping, riflery, crafts, climbing, and sports.
Campfire at LSH is more than songs and stories—it’s where the unit comes alive. Sam Dowell led the charge with nightly warmth and humor. For All-Camp Campfire, First Term rewrote the lyrics to Pink Pony Club, and Second Term’s California Girls rewrite featured three campers rapping their way into camp legend. These moments altogether reminded us that being silly, creative, and confident together is part of what makes Cheley unforgettable.
In addition to the values emphasized in each program area, Lower Ski Hi lived by the guiding principles of the Code of Living, created by campers at the start of each term. First Term chose: Perseverance, Loyalty, Ethics, Determination, Sportsmanship. Second Term selected: Brotherhood, Empathy, Kindness, Responsibility, Integrity, Grit. These words weren’t just written—they were lived in the Clubhouse, on the trail, at the range, and around the fire. At the close of each term, a few campers were honored with the Silver Coup for embodying these ideals. Congratulations to: George Boynton, Graden Armstrong, Keaton Stinchcomb, Oliver Remley, Sterling Glenn, Van Klosterman, William Blumenfeld, and Winston Beran.
As summer draws to a close, the laughter still echoes from the Gaga pit and the rhythm of campfire songs lingers in the pines. The trails we walked and the friendships we forged have shaped us in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Lower Ski Hi isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling we carry home: of grit, growth, and shared adventure.
Until we gather again beneath the Colorado stars, remember that you are always part of this community, and this community is always part of you.
Kat Johnston, Director
Jack Madden and Grace Telander, Assistant Directors
