CCO is proud to serve children from all over the world through week-long or half-week traditional overnight camp programs. CCO offers programs that challenge campers to build confidence, independence and resilience. Community living builds a camper's ability to group problem solve, make group decisions, and becomes core to their experience.
Explore the different types of traditional overnight camp we offer at CCO!
Campers live in cabins of up to 10 campers and 2 staff members. This community living builds a campers ability to group problem solve, make group decisions, and becomes the core of their experience.
The activities at camp consist of a mix between cabin activities including a camp out night under the stars, group activities of campers of similar ages, and freedom of choice activities (FOCA) which campers choose. This mixture of activities allows for bonding with cabin mates and the ability to branch out to new friends of all ages.
The campers during this week will be under the watchful eye of our counselors who are 18 or older and receive 10 days of training on working with campers of different age groups. Each one is background checked (fingerprinted, FBI/CBI, Trails, Sex Offender Search) and also go through training on prevention of child abuse through The Redwoods Group and Praesidium.
Each week Camp Chief Ouray has a different theme. Themed games and activities get kids into the camp spirit, mainly in the evenings and after meals. The counselors and staff pour their creativity and energy into making the theme weeks fun for everyone. The first and second weeks have different activities. Trips and leadership camps follow their own schedule.
The Two-Week Program at Camp Chief Ouray (ages 10-14) offers a chance to really get to know those around you in a natural setting. Campers will be in the same cabin with the same campers and counselors for the duration of the two weeks.
Each week will be different as campers explore and delve deeper into programs and activities to build skills. The schedule also allows for some flexibility so campers can choose which activities they spend more time doing. Please note, two-week campers have the weekend included in their stay, which allows campers to have a relaxing day at CCO.
For the Two-Week program, we open up registration to campers 10-14, which means sometimes there is only one 10 year old who registers. This means cabin age ranges could be a cabin of 10-12 year olds, and might look different than a traditional one week session of camp where campers are typically the same age.
The campers will be under the watchful eye of our counselors who are all 18 or older. Each staff member is background checked (fingerprinted, FBI/CBI, Trails, Sex Offender Search), receives 10 days of intensive training for working with different age groups and goes through child abuse prevention trainings through Darkness to Light, The Redwoods Group and Praesidium.
The Challenger program is for our oldest Traditional campers (ages 13-14). This program allows more freedom by letting the campers help to choose their schedule for the week, along with structured activities schedule for the whole group. It also allows the campers to join in traditional camp games and a few other set activities (climbing 5th Peak, Challenger night, etc.).
This group stays in larger cabins of 16 campers with 3 staff in male-identifying and female-identifying cabins. They spend the week together learning without electronics. This face-to-face interaction builds campers social skills, confidence, and independence.
The campers will be under the watchful eye of our counselors who are all 18 or older. Each staff member is background checked (fingerprinted, FBI/CBI, Trails, Sex Offender Search), receives 10 days of intensive training for working with different age groups and goes through child abuse prevention trainings through Darkness to Light, The Redwoods Group and Praesidium and are Wilderness First Aid certified.
We strive to ensure that every Camp Chief Ouray camper has an impactful experience. We offer scholarships to help make the experience affordable for all families.
Weekend camp is available after odd-numbered sessions. If your camper is planning on participating in another program directly before or after their challenger session, please check to see that weekend camp is available.
Sunday2:00-4:00 pm: Check-In4:00-5:30 pm: Get familiar with camp; tour/meet key staff/expectations5:45 pm: DINNER6:30 pm: Flag lowering/Freedom Of Choice Activity (F.O.C.A.) sign up7:30 pm: ROWDIE Campfire8:15 pm: Vespers (stories with morals that revolve around our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith)8:45 pm: Meds/Prep for bed/Head to cabins9:15 pm: Cabin Devos (devotionals are meant to spur conversation between cabin mates to encourage a deeper connection, age-appropriate)9:45 pm: Lights OutMonday - Friday7:45 am: Flag Raising/Morning Meds8:00 am: BREAKFAST8:45 -11:20 am: Morning Rotations11:30 am: Roll CallNoon: LUNCH1:00 pm: Cabin Photos (Monday only)2:00 -5:20 pm: Afternoon Activities5:30 pm: Line-up/handwashing5:45 pm: DINNER 6:30 -7:25 pm: Free time/Flag Lowering7:30 pm: Evening activity (Friday night closing ceremonies)8:30 – 9:30 pm: Vespers/Devos/Bed Prep/Evening Meds (Friday night packing)9:45 pm: Lights outSaturday7:45 am: Flag Raising8:00 am: BREAKFAST8:45 – 9:20 am: Final Sweep Through Camp/Final Packing10:00 – 10:30 am: Check-Out/Parent Show/See you next summer!
Mini Camp at Camp Chief Ouray is a 3-day/2-night experience in the Rocky Mountains for ages 7-12. Campers will get a chance to try many different activities that help them identify with a certain part of camp, whether it is the cabins and making new friends (10 campers:2 staff ratio) or the activities offered during this short week. This will help build their confidence in staying at camp, and also build the parent’s confidence in having their camper away from home.
Some of the activities your camper may do are:
Make new friends, camp below the stars, and build your skills in one of our many wilderness programs.
Hone your wilderness skills as we head out of state to pursue the ultimate camping trip.
Develop the skills to lead positive change at home and at camp while participating in camp and wilderness activities.
CCO offers horseback riding, rafting, high ropes, and trail rides for an additional charge for our Traditional, Two-Week and Challenger camp sessions.
We believe every young person should have access to a summer camp experience. Camp Chief Ouray offers scholarships on a sliding scale. We invite you to apply!
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