A Colorful Start to the Term
The first Sunday of each term at Cheley is bursting with color, laughter, and teamwork. Play Day brings campers and counselors from brother and sister units together for an afternoon of games, cheers, and FunPlus.
What is Play Day at Cheley?
Play Day takes place on the first Sunday afternoon of each term and lasts about two to two-and-a-half hours. It’s held outdoors whenever possible, with fields and open spaces across camp turning into colorful game zones.
Campers and staff are randomly assigned to teams, each represented by a color. Throughout the afternoon, teams rotate through a variety of games designed to encourage participation and laughter. You might find yourself:
- Battling it out in sponge dodgeball
- Tossing water balloons with your teammates
- Racing through a dizzy bat relay
- Passing ping pong balls down a line of Dixie cups
- Or creating the loudest, most creative team cheer
The afternoon often wraps up with a big group challenge, like tug-of-war or gold rush, before units gather for a brother/sister unit cookout.
One of the things that makes Play Day special is that everyone is involved. Sports counselors plan and organize the events, while counselors and directors join teams, cheer on campers, and help keep the afternoon running smoothly. For many campers, Play Day is one of the first moments they meet campers from other units and feel the energy of the full Cheley community.
Watch Play Day in Action
Play Day is one of the most joyful traditions at Cheley. Campers and counselors from brother and sister units come together for an afternoon of games, cheers, and colorful team spirit. Think of it as a low-key Olympics with colors instead of countries.
Teams rotate through activities like sponge dodgeball, water balloon challenges, relay races, and cheer competitions. The goal isn’t intense competition, it’s FunPlus, teamwork, and getting the whole camp community involved.
New for 2026: Your Team Color Ahead of Time
For 2026, we’re introducing a small change that we hope will make Play Day even more fun and less stressful to prepare for. About two weeks before the start of each term, campers will receive their Play Day team color.
This means you’ll know ahead of time whether you’re Team Red, Blue, Tie-Dye, or another color, and you can plan accordingly. We encourage campers to bring something in their team color to wear on Play Day. It can be as simple as:
- A T-shirt
- A bandana
- A hat
- A pair of socks
Or, if your camper loves getting creative, they can go all-in with face paint, decorations, or a fully themed outfit. That said, there’s no expectation to go out and buy a lot of new things. Many campers borrow items from friends, share accessories, or bring something they already own. The goal is simply to have at least one colored item, so campers can show their team spirit.
By sharing team colors ahead of time, we hope Play Day preparation feels easier, more creative, and more fun for everyone.
Everyone’s a Winner
By the end of the afternoon, you’ll probably be a little tired, a little dusty, and maybe even a little soaked from water games. But you’ll also have:
- A new group cheer stuck in your head
- A handful of new friends
- And a memory that feels like the true start of the term
That’s the magic of Play Day! At Cheley, the colors might be different, but everyone is part of the same team.
Play Day Quick Facts & FAQs
When: First Sunday afternoon of each term
Who: Campers and staff from brother and sister units
What to bring: Something in your team color
Goal: FunPlus, teamwork, and starting the term together
By the end of Play Day, the field is full of cheering teams, colorful outfits, and plenty of laughter! It’s a tradition that has kicked off summers at Cheley for generations.
Do campers have to bring something in their color?
We encourage it, but it’s not required. Something simple like a T-shirt, bandana, or hat works great.
What if my camper doesn’t have that color?
No problem! Campers often borrow from friends, share accessories, or find something at camp. The goal is participation and fun, not perfect outfits.
Will campers know their team before camp?
Yes. Families will receive their camper’s team color about two weeks before the start of their term.
Do campers wear their color all day?
No. Campers typically change into their team color just before Play Day on Sunday afternoon.
Should campers bring a full costume?
Totally optional! Some campers love getting creative, but a simple colored item is perfect.
Team Color Inspiration
Each Play Day team has its own color, and campers love showing their team spirit in creative ways. Some campers go all-out with costumes, while others keep it simple with a T-shirt or bandana. Remember: simple is great!
Here are a few examples of past team colors to spark ideas:
