Camp Chief Ouray has always been a place of strong bonds and relationships. We have a leadership team that cares deeply about camp and giving each child the experience of a lifetime. Camp Chief Ouray is staffed with a year-round Camp Executive, Summer Camp Director, Leadership & Trips Director and Business Manager. They are joined on a seasonal basis by college graduates and students to fill many important roles in the counseling and specialist positions.

• Camp Chief Ouray understands the importance of positive role models for today’s young people. We carefully recruit, select, and maintain staff for their enthusiasm, maturity, skills and ability to display wholesome values for our campers.
• Staff members are chosen through a detailed application and interview process. All staff backgrounds are checked against the Central Registry for Crimes Against Children and the Colorado or Federal Bureau of Investigation in accordance with Colorado licensing requirements.
• A well-trained, enthusiastic staff is crucial to an exciting and unforgettable camping experience. Each staff member undergoes an extensive and professional training program together in preparation for our campers’ arrival. We emphasize group dynamics, child development, teaching methods, outdoor living skills and safety and health including certification training in First Aid, CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

Michael Ohl – Executive of Camp Chief Ouray

Mike is no stranger to YMCA Camp – he comes to us from Akron, OH where he was part of YMCA Camp Y-Noah for 15 years and got his start as a part-time Outdoor Education Instructor! He has been with Camp Chief Ouray since late April 2015.

Mike loves to keep active both physically and mentally (which is great, ‘cause he and his wife Kyle have two young children) and knows that the mission of the YMCA and the impact of camping programs on future generations is immensely important.

Jeni Ellis– Business Manager

Jeni came to Grand County for just one winter to learn how to ski. She never left. Jeni has been with Camp Chief Ouray since October, 2011. Along with all the local outdoor sports and activities, Jeni loves to crochet hats. “The best part of camp is checking first-time campers in all wide eyed and shy, then sending them home all confident and sassy.”

Ian O’Brien – Leadership & Trips Director

Ian originally was sent to Camp Chief Ouray in 2004 because his mother was looking for a camp close to the Easter Seals camp his brother was going to in Empire. Little did she know he would stick around for eight years as a camper going through all of CCO’s leadership programs and then five more years as staff at CCO. His third through fifth years on staff were as a member of the leadership and trips staff guiding campers on backcountry adventures. He is beyond excited to oversee the trips and leadership programs which have changed not only his life but countless others’ as well. In his free time Ian enjoys running, petting strangers’ dogs, and throwing things at Sully.

Chad Fossen – Head Cook

Chad started in the kitchen way back in 2016 and has been a fixture every year since. You may see him in his Chef gear, or his chain mail for Medieval Week, we don’t know what to think but we know we will have great food and an entertaining atmosphere in the dining hall!