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Camp Chief Ouray History

Making Summer Camp Memories Since 1908

CCO was originally located near Lake Granby along the Colorado River and hosted an array of programs and activities that are still enjoyed by campers to this day.

December 1908

Founded

1962

CCO becomes co-ed

1979

YMCA of Metropolitan Denver sells CCO to YMCA of the Rockies and relocates to Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado

2018

CCO celebrates its 110th Anniversary

The Impact of Summer Camp

Experience the CCO journey and see the impact Camp Chief Ouray supporters have on impacting the lives of youth through camp. Hear from CCO campers and staff on how camp has changed their lives and tell stories of camp magic

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ENDURING TRADITIONS. FUTURE FOCUSED.

Camp Chief Ouray has grown to be a premier overnight camping option for youth from all over the United States and the World. Whether your camper is a first timer or has attended various residential camps before, CCO provides a unique opportunity for independent development in a caring community. 

We are dedicated to growth in spirit, mind, and body, in an outdoor setting and safe environment. We are committed to developing five core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith for daily living. Explore and grow through a strong tradition of quality programming and fun — and make life-long friends in the process. Our goal is to offer challenging experiences to build leaders through life-long skill development in a safe, imaginative, natural setting. We instill confidence through independence and interpersonal skills. We challenge our campers to discover their true selves.

We are licensed by Colorado Child Care and accredited by the American Camp Association, Praesidium, and from a program perspective we are an accredited youth program with Leave No Trace. We focus on developing confidence, independence and resilience in a safe environment through intentional programming.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement 

The YMCA of the Rockies will reach out to and welcome all people and organizations of good will and ensure that the rich gifts of diversity are reflected and respected at all levels.

Our Commitment to All People

We will serve a diverse population, inclusive of all people of good will.  Reflecting our Christian mission, we will be inclusive and welcoming of all people of good will.  Our activities and facilities will be inclusive, accessible, and available to the diverse worldwide community we serve.

Mission

YMCA of the Rockies puts Christian principles into practice through programs, staff and facilities in an environment that builds a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Our goal is to offer challenging experiences to build leaders through life-long skill development in a safe, imaginative, natural setting. We instill confidence through independence and interpersonal skills. We challenge our campers to discover their true selves.

Leave No Trace 

Camp Chief Ouray believes that every child deserves a high-quality and nature-filled experience. By promoting the seven principles of Leave No Trace, alongside the five core values of the YMCA (Respect, Responsibility, Honest, Caring, and Faith) CCO can ensure that camp stays beautiful and fun for future generations. Leave No Trace is instilled in all areas of camp, from campers picking up trash around camp and yelling "BENDO" to respecting wildlife and observing them from a distance during backcountry trips. We encourage our campers to bring Leave No Trace home with them through sharing new knowledge and stories from their time at CCO with family and community members. 

Camp Chief Ouray is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and is visited regularly to assure compliance with the ACA standards.

We are also licensed by the State of Colorado Department of Social Services and are visited annually by their representative for license renewal.

CCO is an Accredited Youth Program and non-profit partner with Leave No Trace, Inc. (LNT), an organization dedicated to outdoor ethics. By promoting the seven principles of Leave No Trace alongside the Core Values of the YMCA, Camp Chief Ouray can ensure that camp stays beautiful and fun for future generations. We instill Leave No Trace ethics in all parts of camp, from our dining hall to our backcountry trips. We believe that every child deserves a high-quality and nature-filled camp experience.

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