Understanding the “Choice Year”
At Cheley, we refer to age 11 as a “choice year.” It’s a meaningful transition point when campers and their families can decide whether another summer in Lower Ski Hi or Lower Chipeta feels like the right fit, or whether they’re ready to move up to Ski Hi or Chipeta. There isn’t one right answer. Campers grow at different rates, and previous camp experience, independence, friendships, school grade, and readiness for new challenges can all help determine the best fit.
One of the biggest things to consider is where your camper is in their Cheley journey. Our Lower units are specifically designed with campers’ first camp experiences in mind. For an 11-year-old who is new to Cheley or overnight camp, that environment may be a great fit. For a camper who has already spent a summer or two in the Lower units, they may be ready to build on that foundation and experience what comes next.
Why Choose Lower Ski Hi or Lower Chipeta?
Lower Ski Hi (for boys) and Lower Chipeta (for girls) are intentionally designed to help younger campers build confidence and independence while learning what it means to be part of a camp community.
For an 11-year-old who is new to Cheley, new to overnight camp, or would benefit from a little more structure and support, the Lowers can provide a great introduction. Campers get to know Cheley traditions, try a wide variety of activities, practice being away from home, and develop the skills that will prepare them for future summers.
Returning 11-year-olds can also take on a new role as some of the oldest campers in their unit. They may have goals they still want to accomplish, traditions they want to experience again, or close friends returning to the same community. They also have the opportunity to be role models for younger campers and approach camp with the confidence that comes from already knowing the ropes.
Why Choose Ski Hi or Chipeta?
For many campers who have already spent a summer or two in the Lower units, moving to Ski Hi or Chipeta is an exciting next step.
Ski Hi (for boys) and Chipeta (for girls) build on the foundation campers developed in the Lowers while opening the door to new activities, greater independence, and bigger adventures. Campers have opportunities that aren’t available in the Lowers, including backpacking, overnight horseback rides, and more. They also join an older community with new traditions, new role models, and opportunities to set bigger goals for themselves.
An 11-year-old who has already had two summers in a Lower unit may be especially ready for this transition. Moving up gives them new challenges to pursue rather than repeating an experience that was intentionally designed to introduce them to camp.
What Happens at 12?
At age 12, campers have another option: the Trail’s Ends. Boys’ Trail’s End (BTE) and Girls’ Trail’s End (GTE) begin at age 12 and are multi-age communities for campers ages 12–17. Campers can choose to continue at Land O’Peaks in Ski Hi or Chipeta or begin their TE experience. For campers who continue at Land O’Peaks, Ski Hi and Chipeta serve campers through age 13. At 14, they move into our high-school-age units: Haiyaha for young men and Senior Chipeta for young women.
So… Which Should We Choose?
Think less about the number 11 and more about the experience your camper is ready for. Previous camp experience, independence, friendships, and even where their birthday falls within their school grade can all help inform the decision.
An 11-year-old who is older for their grade may feel more socially and developmentally ready to move into Ski Hi or Chipeta, while a camper who is younger for their grade may benefit from another summer in Lower Ski Hi or Lower Chipeta. It can also be helpful to think about how grades are structured at your camper’s school. For many campers, age 11 coincides with the transition from elementary school to middle school. A camper who has already made that transition may feel ready for an older camp community, while one who is still in elementary school may feel more comfortable with another summer in a Lower unit.
Grade and age aren’t deciding factors on their own, but they can be helpful pieces of the bigger picture when considering where your camper will feel most comfortable, connected, and appropriately challenged. A few questions can help:
- Is this one of their first experiences at Cheley or overnight camp?
- Have they already spent one or two summers in a Lower unit?
- Are they excited to take on new or more challenging activities?
- Would they benefit from being one of the oldest campers in a Lower unit, or are they ready to be one of the youngest in Ski Hi or Chipeta?
- Are there friendships, goals, or traditions influencing where they want to be?
- Most importantly, where are they excited to spend their summer?
If your camper is attending Cheley for the first time, Lower Ski Hi or Lower Chipeta may be the right introduction. If they have already spent two summers in a Lower unit and are eager for new activities and challenges, Ski Hi or Chipeta may be a natural next step. Their grade, social group, and relative age can help provide additional context when the answer isn’t immediately clear.
Every camper is different, and our team is always happy to talk through your camper’s previous experience, readiness, and goals to help determine the best fit.
Choose Your Unit When You Register
Your camper’s unit choice is made during registration, so we encourage families to talk through the decision before enrolling. Consider where your camper sees themselves that summer and which environment feels like the best fit based on their previous camp experience, grade, friendships, and readiness. If you’re unsure, please reach out before registering! We’re always happy to talk through the options with you and help determine the best fit for your camper.
Our registration system uses your camper’s age to determine the units available to them. If you don’t see the unit you expect during registration—or if your camper has a birthday near the age cutoff and you think a different placement may be appropriate—please contact us.
It can be very difficult to change a camper’s unit once the summer begins. It’s always better to make the decision intentionally during registration than to arrive at camp expecting a different experience.
And remember, staying doesn’t mean standing still. Moving up doesn’t mean rushing ahead. At Cheley, growth happens at different times for different people, and we honor that every step of the way.
