2025 edition
To the Families Supporting Our Staff,
First and foremost, thank you. Your loved one has accepted a position at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park, Colorado, and we’re so grateful for the role you’ve played in helping make that happen. We know it’s no small thing to support someone in stepping into a challenging, growth-filled experience far from home, and we want to express our deep appreciation.
This blog post is a little different. It’s written just for you—the parents, family members, and trusted adults of our staff. While it’s not common for employers to reach out to the families of their employees, we believe it’s important. As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of knowing where your loved one is spending their time and who they’ll be surrounded by. And as camp directors, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful your encouragement can be during the highs and lows of the summer.
In recent years, we’ve noticed a growing connection between our staff members and their families. They turn to you not only for support but for grounding, perspective, and reassurance. That’s why we’re reaching out to share more about the Cheley Experience and to invite you to partner with us in supporting your staff member through the unique joys and inevitable challenges of the summer ahead.
A Bit About Cheley
Cheley Colorado Camps is a premier overnight summer camp located high in the Colorado Rockies. Since 1921, we’ve welcomed young people and staff from across the country and around the world to step outside their comfort zones, forge lifelong friendships, and grow into the best versions of themselves. Our mission is simple:
“We build the lasting character and resiliency of young people, creating unique life experiences in a challenging and nurturing natural environment.”
Mission Statement
We believe that growth doesn’t stop when childhood ends. While many people think of summer camp as a place for campers, we know that the Cheley Experience changes our staff just as profoundly. Here, your loved one will be part of something bigger than themselves. They’ll build skills in leadership, communication, decision-making, and resilience. They’ll learn to manage long days, navigate conflict, connect deeply with others, and show up as role models day in and day out. It’s hard work. It’s meaningful work. And it often leaves a lasting mark. We call it Fun Plus®! The joy of camp plus the growth that comes from it.
“To inculcate in young people that spirit of honesty, purity, unselfishness, love, alertness, determination, and courage. Cheley aims to help young people cultivate the ability to act spontaneously in the right, and by doing this to contribute definitely to the creation of a better world.”
Purpose Statement
How You Can Support Them This Summer
This is where you come in. We humbly ask you to be a supportive partner throughout the summer. When your loved one texts or calls and shares a tough moment—when they’re tired, frustrated, or just unsure—we ask you to listen, empathize, and encourage. Remind them they’re not alone. Encourage them to talk to their supervisor, the directors, or anyone on our leadership team. Camp life is full of big feelings and hard days, but it’s also full of breakthroughs, laughter, and purpose.
Here’s what we have in place to support them:
- A caring, experienced leadership team. Every staff member has a direct supervisor, with additional support from our Girls’ and Boys’ Camp Directors, as well as our year-round leadership team—including both of us.
- A robust health and wellness team. Each summer, we employ six nurses across four health centers, have a doctor on-site, and include multiple mental health professionals to provide emotional support and counseling as needed.
- Time off and rest. Staff receive designated time off each week to recharge and, if they choose, to connect with you. While we encourage limited phone use during work hours to stay present, they’ll have time to catch up.
- Emergency communication. If there is ever an emergency and you’re unable to reach your loved one, please call our office at (970) 586-4244. We’ll do everything we can to help.
Please note: because of privacy laws, we’re not able to share HR or health-related details without the staff member’s consent. But we’re always here as a resource and will do our best to guide and support your family member through whatever comes up.
Final Thoughts
We’re so excited that Cheley is—or will soon become—a meaningful part of your loved one’s life story. This experience is about more than just a job. It’s about purpose, growth, and community.
When they face challenges, we’ll be right here to help them navigate it. And we hope you’ll be here too, offering love and encouragement from afar. If you ever have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We’d be honored to connect with you.
With gratitude,
Brooke Cheley-Klebe and Jeff Cheley
Directors & Owners
