Frequently Asked Questions

• Check-in is on Sundays from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM MST. Check-out is on Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM MST. We cannot accommodate early drop off requests and if you need to pick up your camper early it must be by Friday at 7:00 PM MST.
• Mini Camp check-in is from 2:30-4:00 PM MST and check-out is from 4:00-5:00 PM MST. 

• Upon arrival at the Schlessman Family Camper Hub entrance, you will go through a series of stations, including a temperature check, health screening, and lice check (we will need to access each camper’s scalp in order to conduct the lice check properly). Any campers arriving with medications or homeopathic treatments need to be prepared to hand them over to the Health Center staff in their original containers. Both the parent/guardian and camper must talk with the nurses when turning in medication.
• Counselors will be in cabins for our Traditional camp programs, to greet campers.
• Counselors will be at the Pavilion for our Adventure, Trekker and Leadership Training programs.
• We make every effort to make this check-in as efficient as possible, but you should plan on 
  spending approximately 30-60 minutes at check-in.
• We do ask that you plan to say goodbye by 4:00 PM MST, as most campers will be at camp by that time, and the cabin groups will begin their camp tours and relationship building activities.

• If you are late, please contact the CCO office at 970-887-2648. 
• If you plan to pick up early, please do so by Friday at 7:00 PM. Please contact the CCO office to arrange for an early pick up. 

• Campers could stay in a range of sleeping spaces.
• Traditional Camp and Challenger will stay in traditional cabins.
  • the younger campers will stay in heated cabins with attached bathhouses. 
  • the mid-age female campers will stay in insulated cabins with a shared bathhouse. 
  • the older capers will stay in rustic cabins with access to electricity and a shared bathhouse. 
• Campers in Adventure and Trekker programs will sleep in tents.
• Campers in LIT programs will stay in Wilderness Village which has canvas tents that stay in whole at camp. While off property campers will stay in tents. 

View photos of cabins here

• While camp remains divided by gender identity, we understand that not all staff or campers fall into binary gender identities. Our South Village, Wild Bunkhouse and Monarch Village is for female campers and staff, and our North Village along with the Woods Lodge is for male campers and staff. We assign campers and staff to camp villages based upon their gender.

• We can accommodate up to two mutual bunk mate request per camper so long as they identify as the same gender and are within a year apart in age. All campers must request each other on their ‘Bunk Request’ form in their CampInTouch Account under Forms and Documents.
• One-week campers can only request other one-week campers. Two-week campers can only request other two-week campers. 
• Campers in the Challenger, Adventure, Trekker and Leadership Training Programs do not need a 'Camper Request' form.
• Any requests of more than three campers will void the request immediately and no exeptions will be made. 
• If you would like to submit an exception to request a camper that is not within 12 months apart from your camper's age, please contact the CCO office. 

• The older campers will live in rustic cabins with two centrally located toilet/shower facilities, one designated for those who identify as male; one designated for those who identify as female.
• The mid-aged female campers will live in insulated cabins and share one centrally located bathhouse.
• The younger campers live in bunkhouses, which contain a built-in bathhouse for each cabin group.
• Campers in Adventure, Trekker, and Leadership Training Programs will use the centrally located toilet/shower facilities. 

• All cabins have electricity. Campers registered for Leadership Training Programs will be living in Wilderness Village, which does not have electricity.

• The Wild Bunkhouse and Woods Lodge are heated only. We recommend sending your camper with a sleeping bag made of synthetic fibers or down (not cotton) and rated to 20 or 30 degrees. Any campers who are cold are encouraged to tell their counselor so that we can provide them with another sleeping bag or blankets. No cabins will have air conditioning. 

• We follow the rule of three  or more for all movement including bathrooms at night. Campers will be given a safety orientation and counselors will explain the protocol for using the restroom at night based on the type of cabin they are in. Campers are instructed to pick a bathroom buddy at the begining of the week and to wake the counselor as the third to acompany them to the bathhouse if it is detached from the cabin. Counselors have a separate sleeping area within the cabin so that campers can wake them up if needed.

• Please follow this  link for the daily schedule of overnight camp.

The best way to check your campers registration is to log into your CampInTouch account, select 'Financial Management' and 'View Statement' (Bottom left corner). 

This statement will list everything the camper is registered for, fees, discounts and payments made. 

We always strongly recommend checking your statement after you register, make any changes to your registration and 30 days before the session is scheudled to begin. 

•  Please call (970) 887-2648 or email (chiefouray@ymcarockies.org) the CCO office to check your camper’s waitlist position. 

• Yes, we accept scholarship applications on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship please click here to learn more.

• Parents/guardians can choose from multiple payment plans on their Camp in Touch account under ‘Financial Management’.
• For Overnight Camp: We require all camp fees to be paid in full 30 days before the session is scheduled to begin. 
• For Day Camp: We require all camp fees to be paid in full 7 days before the session is scheudle to begin.

• For Overnight Camp: If we are required to limit or cancel your camper’s session you may donate, or be fully refunded all monies paid. If you decided to cancel your camper’s registration:
  • 30 days or more prior to your camp session, you may donate or be fully refunded all monies paid minus the deposit.
  • Less than 30 days prior of your camp session no refund will be issued at all.
• For Day Camp: If we are required to limit or cancel your camper's session you may donate or be fully refunded all monies paid. If you decide to cancel your camper's registration:
  • 7 days or more prior to your camp session, you may donate or be fully refunded all monies paid minus the Registration Fee. 
  • Less than 7 days prior of your camp session you will incur a $50 cancelation fee but all other payments may be refunded. 

• Please contact the CCO office for any changes to your camper’s registration at 970-887-2648 or chiefouray@ymcarockies.org.

• Please follow this link for more information on your camper(s) required paperwork. If this paperwork is not completed by check in, per our childcare license, we will not be able to take in your camper(s) for their camp session.

• It is difficult to say what the chances are of your camper getting a spot if they do not have early registration priority for returning campers. We recommend getting registered as soon as possible to maximize your chances. Traditional one-week programs (ages 7-12) have more movement on the waitlists since they have larger capacities. Programs with smaller capacities, like Trips, see less movement. If your camper is on a waitlist, please contact the CCO office to discuss your options.

• Bus transportation is offered on the opening and closing day of each overnight camp session from the Jefferson County Government Center RTD Station - Kiss n Ride.
• Airport transportation to and from Denver International Airport (DIA)is offered on the opening and closing day of each overnight camp session for Indenpendent Flyers.
• For more information about transportation options, please follow this link.

• Please follow this link to see what a typical day at camp will look like.

• Campers will participate in a variety of outdoor based activities. Click here to view all of the possible activites for traditional camp. 

• Most activities are done with individual cabins or cabin groups (a group of multiple cabins) with the exception of FOCA (Freedom of Choice Activities). Cabin groups may include both female-identifying and male-identifying cabins of similar ages for daytime activities.
• Campers will sign up for the FOCA activities they are interested in at the beginning of the week.
• The youngest campers will not do FOCA; instead, they will do activities with their cabin group.

• Overnight camp has a 5:1 camper to counselor ratio. We also follow the "rule of three or more" at all times; meaning no camper will ever be alone with another camper or alone with a staff member. When traveling to and from locations around camp (even at night) there should be, three or more people.

• When visiting the pool, campers will complete a swim test (Treading water and one lap of the pool without stopping). Campers will receive a wristband indicating the pool areas they are allowed to access by lifeguard discretion. Campers who do not pass or are not interested in taking the test will need to remain in the shallow end of the pool. The pool is run by Snow Mountain Ranch and we need to follow their guidelines for safety in regards to lifeguards available. If they do not have the lifeguards, we may not be able to offer swimming.

• Yes, one-week traditional campers must meet the age requirements below to participate in the additional options listed.
  
  • Rafting – 9 years old
  • Level 1 Horseback Riding Lessons - 9 years old
  • Level 2 Horseback Riding Lessons – 9 years old
  • Level 3 Horseback Riding Lessons – 10 years old
  • Level 4 Horseback Riding Lessons – 11 years old
  • Level 5 Horseback Riding Lessons – 12 years old. 

• If an additional option still has spaces available, you can add it to your camper’s registration under 'Forms and Documents' in your CampInTouch account.
• If the additional option you want is not available, please contact the CCO office to be added to a waitlist.

• Campers registered for horseback riding instruction spend either two hours in the morning or afternoon at the CCO Barn learning how to care for horses and improve their riding skills. The remainder of the day is spent participating in traditional camp activities.
• We anticipate to offer three to five days at the barn for our riders, but will make modifications to offer less days at the barn in the event our herd of horses’ health must be prioritized.
• In the event there is inclement weather, we make every attempt to continue lessons if it is safe for our horses and riders, otherwise we will continue with ground lessons inside the barn.
• Campers registered for the beginner trail ride will ride one time during their session. 

• Campers registered for horseback riding instruction should bring boots or shoes with a sturdy heel (hiking boots okay).
• Campers registered for the beginner trail ride may wear tennis shoes. 

•  We raft with Mad Adventures in Kremmling, CO.

• All rafting trips are on class 1-3 rapids. 

• We are limited by the vendor to the number of campers we can bring rafting each week.

• We have separate lists depending on which program they are enrolled in. Please follow this link to the packing lists on our website.
  
  

• Campers will mostly keep their personal belongings in their suitcase or luggage. It is important campers only bring what they will need at camp to keep an organized space. Campers will keep their suitcase or luggage in the cabin for the duration of their stay at camp.

• We do not recommend traditional one-week or two-week campers bring money to camp. There are no activities or products they could buy while at camp.
• There is a camp store only open during check in and check out. At the camp store we sell CCO branded shirts, hats and water bottles and can charge the parents for these items.

• Campers are prohibited from the following items
  • Drugs, alcohol or tobacco (*Possession, use, and/or sale of alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs will be cause for a camper to be sent home early, without refund, at the parent/guardian’s expense)
  • Knives, guns, or any weapons
  • Expensive items
  • Personal sports equipment/gear
  • Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, or other electronics (except for campers arriving by plane, items will be stored in CCO office during your session)
  • Spending money (except campers arriving by plane)
  • Food, candy, gum, soda, and snacks 

• We strive to offer children a unique outdoor experience, unplugged from electronics as much as possible. Please help support us in this mission by not allowing campers to bring cell phones, smart watches, tablets, mp3 players or electronic games as they detract from the experience.

• Campers are prohibited from the following items
  • Drugs, alcohol or tobacco (*Possession, use, and/or sale of alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs will be cause for a camper to be sent home early, without refund, at the parent/guardian’s expense)
    Knives, guns, or any weapons
    Expensive items
    Personal sports equipment/gear
    Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, or other electronics (except for campers arriving by plane, items will be stored in CCO office during your session)
    Spending money (except campers arriving by plane)
    Food, candy, gum, soda, and snacks 

• If your camper would like to write letter or journal, please send them with journals, paper, envelopes, stamps, and pencils/pens.

• Absolutely! Many campers use headlamps or flashlights to read before bed.

• Campers may bring disposable cameras and digital cameras are allowed. We are not responsible for any lost or damaged items. Please label all cameras with the camper's full name.
• We strive to offer campers a unique outdoor experience, unplugged from electronics as much as possible. Please help support us in this mission by not allowing campers to bring cell phones, or tablets.

• Any medications your camper takes, including but not limited to, any maintenance medications; behavioral disorder medications; antibiotics; herbal/homeopathic medicines; vitamins; eye/ear drops; inhalers; epinephrine “epi” pens, etc. must be listed (including dosage) on the Medication Form (signed by a perscribing authority) and turned in to the nurse at check in.
• Any prescribed medication or non-prescription, over-the counter medication MUST be noted properly in the Medication Form. Please send all medications to camp IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER noting the RX number and physician name.

• Childcare Licensing requires camper’s immunization record be on the provided Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Certificate of Immunization form. If the camper is from outside of Colorado, they may turn in an official state immunization record. Dates may be written on the form provided in your CampInTouch account or a copy of your camper’s official record may be uploaded.

Yes, any camper who is missing any of the following immunizations listed below can still attend Camp Cheif Ouray progams so long as they obtain a medical or non-medical immunization exemption from from the Colorado Deparment of Public Health's website. 

To view the full list of required immunizations, follow this link.

• 3 doses of Hepatitis B (HepB).
• 4 or 5 does of Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP).
  3 or 4 doses of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib).
• 3 or 4 doeses of Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).
• 4 doses of Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV).
• 2 doses of Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR).
• 2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox).

• The nurse will review all medications at check-in. If campers are able to self-carry as identified on their medication forms, they will be allowed to carry them in their backpack.
• Health Center staff will indicate the pocket of the backpack in which it is stored with a brightly colored ribbon for staff to easily find in the event of an emergency. 

• Please contact the camp office at 970-887-2648 with specific health care concerns.

• Over the counter (OTC) medications for the common cold, stomach ailments, headaches, cuts and abrasions are stocked in our Medication Room and administered by our Health Center staff according to our camp physician’s standing orders. In the Health History form (required) you will provide your authorization for all over the counter medications the Health Center staff have to adminster. Please call the camp office if you need more specific information. 

• Colorado state law requires each camper to have a General Health Appraisal (physical) within 24 months of your camper’s last day at camp. The Appraisal form must be completed, signed and dated by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner including the examiner’s address and telephone number or by state law the camper cannot attend camp.
• Please upload the Appraisal in CampInTouch under the 'Forms & Documents' section.

• Staff will regularly remind all campers to re-apply sunscreen throughout the day. The Health History (required) form allows parents to sign off for permission of staff to assist campers in applying sunscreen. 

• A well-balanced, varied menu is served to accommodate the majority of food preferences and restrictions.
• Dietary needs and restrictions (i.e. vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, etc.) should be documented in the camper’s online Health History. Our kitchen team has this information a week prior to the arrival of campers so they can best prepare menus. We take all allergies seriously, for campers and staff members, and this is the best way to get the information our Kitchen team.
• We do not cook with any nut oils or sesame oil, nor do we offer anything with peanut butter, we have separate utensils/cookware/areas to handle gluten free diets and do everything we can to educate the campers when they have questions. If you have a question on food, please reach out to the office.
• Please note we follow the allergens and dietary restrictions provided on the Health History form completely. We strongly do not recommend adding any picky eater habits to this form as the camper will need to follow it compeltely while at camp. For example, if the campe only eats eggs in a certain forms we will consider the camper compltely egg free for the week. This is to help the kitchen keep an easy food production process for campers who truly have allergies and dietary restrictions. 

• Cabin groups sit at tables together with their counselors. Our service is family style meaning we bring out food for the table and all campers/staff share what is being served.
• Each cabin group will be assigned to help set tables and clean up after a meal at some point during their time at camp.

• Be sure to work with your camper on trying new foods. We also appreciate it when campers speak up about their food needs so staff can be sure they are getting enough to eat. No camper should leave a mealtime hungry!

• Campers can write letters which the CCO office staff will collect to mail out Monday-Friday.
• We recommend sending your campers emails through your CampInTouch account by purchasing Camp Stamps. These emails are printed each day at 11:00 AM MST (Monday-Friday) and handed to the counselors to disperse among the campers after lunch if they are on property.
• Campers on trips that leave property will receive their emails once they return to camp. Please do NOT tell your camper they can call home if they are homesick. 

• Please help us with our request that your camper not bring their cell phone to camp. Additionally, please do not tell your camper to call you if they are homesick. We understand that for many parents/guardians (if not all), it is an expectation to have instant access to communicate with their camper. We ask that you help us help your camper develop the independence that comes with a session of camp.
• Our staff are trained to help build relationships and overcome homesickness. We will contact you if we need support on any camper concerns. You may call the office any time if you need to speak with your camper and we will work with you on the best way to connect with your camper. 

• Due to a lack of space in the CCO office, please do not send your camper care packages. If you do bring a package at check-in you will be asked to give it to your camper for them to hold on to it. 
• You are welcome to mail a package to your camper, please note CCO will not hold onto packages larger than a manilla envelope. 
• Campers will not be allowed to have food/candy/snacks in their cabins.

• Campers may write physical letters and give them to their counselors to be mailed. Please provide paper, envelopes, stamps, and pencils/pens.

• All staff are CPR/First Aid certified.
• Staff who are hired to lead Challenger, Adventure, Trekker, or Leadership Training Programs have Wilderness First Aid certifications at minimum. 

• Each staff member undergoes an extensive training program in preparation for our campers’ arrival. We emphasize group dynamics, child development, and physical and mental health through hands-on teaching methods. Training sessions cover what to look out for and how to assist campers to ensure they are successful at camp.

•  This depends on the program and the permits that are secured each calendar year. To get a general idea, some average distances are:
  • Adventure Backpacking: 2-5 miles/day
    • 4-days, 3-nights
  • Adventure Odyssey: 1-2 miles (SMR property)
    • Once during their week
  • Trekker Teton: 2-4 miles/day
    • 3-days, 2-nights
  • Trekker Hike to Climb: 3-6 miles/day
    • 5-days, 4-nights
  • Trekker Wind River: 3-6 miles/day
    • 7-days, 6-nights
  • Trekker Surf and Turf: None. Campers should be prepared to day hike with small backpacks (school-sized)
  • Trekker Marrowbone: None. Campers should be prepared to day hike with small backpacks (school-sized)
  • Leader in Training: 4-6 miles/day *varies for base camping sessions
    • 4-days, 3-nights
  • Specialist in Training: 3-5 miles/day 
    • 5-days, 4-nights
  • Counselor in Training: 4-6 miles/day
    • 5-days, 4-nights
  • Wilderness Leadership 4-9 miles/day
    • 14- days, 13-nights 

• Adventure Backpacking – camping and hiking experience beneficial
• Adventure Odyssey - camping and hiking experience beneficial
• Trekker Teton – camping and hiking experience required
• Trekker Hike to Climb - camping and hiking experience beneficial
• Trekker Wind River - camping and hiking experience required
• Trekker Surf n Turf - camping and hiking experience beneficial
• Trekker Marrowbone - camping and hiking experience beneficial
• Leader in Training - camping and hiking experience required. Backpacking experience beneficial
• Specialist in Training - camping and hiking experience required. Backpacking experience beneficial
• Counselor in Training - backpacking experience required
• Wilderness Leadership – backpacking experience required

• Groups will have any required items for their camp program with them at all times (not including medications).
• Any additional luggage will be stored on open shelves inside one of our camp buildings - this space is not locked. Campers who travel by plane will be able to store their cell phones, IDs/passports in the Director’s locking office cabinet.
• Other expensive items that are not needed for trips should stay at home.

• Both on and off property the groups will be sleeping in tents.
• On property, Adventure and Trekker groups sleep in either 3-person or 4-person camping tents. Leadership Training Program groups sleep in 8-person platform tents.
• Off property all groups sleep in either 3-person or 4- person camping tents. 

• Siblings who are enrolled in the same program will have opportunities to see each other during meals and other all-camp activities. If they are of similar age, it is also possible that they are within the same cabin group for daytime activities. 

• There is no laundry for one or two-week campers except in cases where an item is needed. For those campers who are staying more than two weeks laundry service will be offered and we supply laundry detergent.

• Common animals we see at CCO include deer, fox, marmots, rabbits, and many types of birds. Other less common animals that could live in this environment include moose, black bears, and mountain lions. All staff are properly trained on local wildlife and safety protocols for wildlife encounters and will give safety briefings to campers. 

• We will follow all local regulations regarding fire safety. If there is no fire ban, campfires may be held within designated fire rings and supervised by staff at all times. 

• Thankfully, no.

• Pranks happen, however staff have expectations and training around what is allowed versus not acceptable.
• We do not allow individuals things to be touched by anyone else at CCO, so personal belongings are never to be involved. We also expect safety of campers, buildings, and the land to be considered in decisions. 

• We are a licensed program through Colorado Child Care Licensing. Our capacity per week is 350 campers in overnight and 90 in day camp, as long as we have the proper staffing ratios to take that many.

• Yes, however no one will be forced to share their pronouns if they are uncomfortable.

• Our job is to ‘prepare the soil’ for whatever may grow there. We offer simple singing graces prior to meals, we offer a short non-denominational prayer to end the day, and we have some specific programs (Raggers and Leathers) that campers can sign up for if they want to explore their spirituality more with staff who are comfortable having those conversations.