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Parent Information
Packing For Camp
Download and print our handy packing list for Traditional Camp.
Download and print packing lists for Wilderness Adventure and Leadership Training Programs here:
Leadership Training Programs Packing List
Packing Tips:
- Send old clothes and linens to camp. Some items may be lost or damaged.
- Mark ALL of your camper's belongings with their FULL NAME (not just initials).
- Our weather can be unpredictable! Our temperatures usually reach 75 to 80 degrees in the daytime all summer and drop to 20°- 40° at night. Our summers offer beautiful, sunny days with occasional afternoon showers and cool, crisp evenings and nights.
- If you do not have items on the packing list, we suggest you look for them at discount or secondhand store.
DO NOT BRING THESE ITEMS TO CAMP:
*Alcohol*Tobacco
*Drugs
*Knives
*Skate Boards
*Expensive Items
*Tank/Tube Sleeveless Tops
*Food/Candy/Gum
*Soda
*Snacks
*Spending Money
*Cell Phones
*CD’s
*iPods or MP3 Players
*Radios
*Electronic Games
Camp Chief Ouray is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
Lost & Found
Camp Chief Ouray is not responsible for lost items. We will do all that we can to ensure that your child returns with all of the items brought to camp. If your child is missing items upon your return home, you will need to call the camp office within ONE WEEK of their departure and we will be happy to search for the item(s) and mail them to you. Due to limited storage, camp will only keep Lost and Found items from each session for one week only at which time they will be donated to charity.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Health And Safety
Facility and Staff
- We have a well-equipped and modern Health Center on camp grounds with a RESIDENT NURSE in charge of medications and first-aid needs.
- Our local clinic is 15 minutes away from camp. It is a Level I trauma center offering 24 hour care and consultation.
- Our health care staff reside in the Health Center during the camp season between the last week in May through Labor Day. They may be contacted during this time. The year round administrative staff can make notations regarding specific health needs for your child’s records during the remainder of the year.
HEALTH CARE DURING YOUR CAMPER’S STAY
Camp Chief Ouray does everything possible to ensure a healthy, fun and safe camping experience for your child.
On-Site Care:
Our Health Center staff is available 24 hours a day for general first-aid. Parents are contacted by our health care staff if a camper's illness or injury requires treatment by the camp's clinic physicians or the camper is retained in our Health Center for a period of 24 hours. Our resident camp nurse will be in communication with both the clinic and both parents regarding the diagnosis, any necessary medications, and the necessary after care treatment.
Medications:
Medications are dispensed by our nursing staff or specially trained staff after breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before evening vespers. Camp Chief Ouray will supply all necessary over-the-counter medications for common ailments and illnesses per standing orders from our camp physician.
If your child needs to see a doctor:
Transportation to and from the clinic is provided by our camp travel staff for non-emergency trips. Ambulance service is provided by Grand County EMS services for emergencies. A staff member will be with your camper at all times during his/her transport and throughout their entire clinic visit.
Your camper usually is seen through the emergency room portion of Granby Medical which is operated by St. Anthony’s/Centura. The clinic portion cannot always schedule appointments for our campers. The only exception is for any type of maintenance injections such as allergy shots. If your camper requires this type of medical treatment, call the camp office.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
- We have a well-equipped and modern Health Center on camp grounds with a RESIDENT NURSE in charge of medications and first-aid needs.
- Our local clinic is 15 minutes away from camp. It is a Level I trauma center offering 24 hour care and consultation.
- Our health care staff reside in the Health Center during the camp season between the last week in May through Labor Day. They may be contacted during this time. The year round administrative staff can make notations regarding specific health needs for your child’s records during the remainder of the year.
HEALTH CARE DURING YOUR CAMPER’S STAY
Camp Chief Ouray does everything possible to ensure a healthy, fun and safe camping experience for your child.
On-Site Care:
Our Health Center staff is available 24 hours a day for general first-aid. Parents are contacted by our health care staff if a camper's illness or injury requires treatment by the camp's clinic physicians or the camper is retained in our Health Center for a period of 24 hours. Our resident camp nurse will be in communication with both the clinic and both parents regarding the diagnosis, any necessary medications, and the necessary after care treatment.
Medications:
Medications are dispensed by our nursing staff or specially trained staff after breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before evening vespers. Camp Chief Ouray will supply all necessary over-the-counter medications for common ailments and illnesses per standing orders from our camp physician.
If your child needs to see a doctor:
Transportation to and from the clinic is provided by our camp travel staff for non-emergency trips. Ambulance service is provided by Grand County EMS services for emergencies. A staff member will be with your camper at all times during his/her transport and throughout their entire clinic visit.
Your camper usually is seen through the emergency room portion of Granby Medical which is operated by St. Anthony’s/Centura. The clinic portion cannot always schedule appointments for our campers. The only exception is for any type of maintenance injections such as allergy shots. If your camper requires this type of medical treatment, call the camp office.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Setting Your Child Up For Success
Here are some things you can do to help your child have a successful camp experience:
Homesickness
- It is very natural for kids to get homesick at camp.
- Talk with your child and reinforce all the fun and exciting things they get to do at camp
- DO NOT promise your child that they can call home or that you will come get them if they are homesick. This tells a child that you expect them to fail at camp at makes it much more difficult for our camp staff to help them through their homesickness.
- In the event that your child is extremely homesick, they will meet with one of the camp directors. The camp directors will contact parents only if they feel it is necessary.
- Do not send cell phones to camp. We understand that for many if not all parents it is an expectation to have instant access to communicate with their child. We ask that you help us help your child develop the independence that comes with a session of camp. You may call the office any time if you are in need of speaking with your child and we will do everything in our power to make that happen. For campers traveling before and after camp, please allow us to store their cell phones in the camp office during their stay.
Discipline
We have high, but reasonable, expectations about our campers’ behavior. If a child's behavior becomes as disruptive as to disturb the experience of the other campers at camp, a decision may be made to remove them from our program.
While the goal for our staff is to create a rapport with campers which encourages campers to talk over and seek ways of handling the pressures they face growing up in today's society, we do not have sufficient staff resources to deal with dependency on alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Campers should expect to give up established habits in these areas while they are at camp out of respect to the camp goals and their fellow campers. Those who will not give up these habits will be sent home at parent's expense and with no refund.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Homesickness
- It is very natural for kids to get homesick at camp.
- Talk with your child and reinforce all the fun and exciting things they get to do at camp
- DO NOT promise your child that they can call home or that you will come get them if they are homesick. This tells a child that you expect them to fail at camp at makes it much more difficult for our camp staff to help them through their homesickness.
- In the event that your child is extremely homesick, they will meet with one of the camp directors. The camp directors will contact parents only if they feel it is necessary.
- Do not send cell phones to camp. We understand that for many if not all parents it is an expectation to have instant access to communicate with their child. We ask that you help us help your child develop the independence that comes with a session of camp. You may call the office any time if you are in need of speaking with your child and we will do everything in our power to make that happen. For campers traveling before and after camp, please allow us to store their cell phones in the camp office during their stay.
Discipline
We have high, but reasonable, expectations about our campers’ behavior. If a child's behavior becomes as disruptive as to disturb the experience of the other campers at camp, a decision may be made to remove them from our program.
While the goal for our staff is to create a rapport with campers which encourages campers to talk over and seek ways of handling the pressures they face growing up in today's society, we do not have sufficient staff resources to deal with dependency on alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Campers should expect to give up established habits in these areas while they are at camp out of respect to the camp goals and their fellow campers. Those who will not give up these habits will be sent home at parent's expense and with no refund.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Check-In Day
CHECK-IN AT CAMP IS BETWEEN 1:30 P.M. AND 4:00 P.M. SUNDAY
Check-In Day Procedure:
1. Make sure that all paperwork has been completed thoroughly and sent to camp prior to your arrival.
2. Park in the camp parking lot and proceed to the check-in tables located inside the upper level of the Main Camp Building.
3. Our check-in includes receiving the camper's cabin assignment and a health screening including a temperature and lice check by our camp nurse and trained staff (as required by Colorado state law). Any campers arriving with medications need to be prepared to hand them over to the Health Center staff at check-in. The only exceptions allowed by Colorado state law are: an inhaler and an epi pen.
4. Once you have completed the check in process you can hand over luggage to our crew who will tag and deliver your camper’s items to their cabin.
5. We make every effort to make this check-in as efficient as possible, but you should plan to spend approximately one hour for the check-in process. We encourage you to visit your child's cabin and meet his/her counselors after you check-in.
6. If you will be arriving later than 4PM, please call the camp office.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Check-In Day Procedure:
1. Make sure that all paperwork has been completed thoroughly and sent to camp prior to your arrival.
2. Park in the camp parking lot and proceed to the check-in tables located inside the upper level of the Main Camp Building.
3. Our check-in includes receiving the camper's cabin assignment and a health screening including a temperature and lice check by our camp nurse and trained staff (as required by Colorado state law). Any campers arriving with medications need to be prepared to hand them over to the Health Center staff at check-in. The only exceptions allowed by Colorado state law are: an inhaler and an epi pen.
4. Once you have completed the check in process you can hand over luggage to our crew who will tag and deliver your camper’s items to their cabin.
5. We make every effort to make this check-in as efficient as possible, but you should plan to spend approximately one hour for the check-in process. We encourage you to visit your child's cabin and meet his/her counselors after you check-in.
6. If you will be arriving later than 4PM, please call the camp office.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Staying connected with Social Media
Keep updated on happenings at Camp Chief Ouray by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and checking out our blog. We will be updating both frequently throughout the summer.
To follow us on our blog, go to http://blog.campchiefouray.org/.
To join Facebook, go to www.facebook.com and create a free account. You can search for Camp Chief Ouray on Facebook or click the Facebook icon in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
To join Twitter, go to www.twitter.com and create a free account. You can follow us by typing @campchiefouray in the search box on Twitter or click on the Twitter icon in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Camp Life
Cabin Life
- The cabin unit is our basic and most important group at camp. They work, play, and sleep together. Here your camper will learn about the give and take of group living, understanding others and making new friends. Our staff to camper ratio is 1 to 5 or lower.
- All children will be living in cabin groups with children of their same age or grade.
- The youngest campers will live in three dormitory-style buildings. There are bathrooms on each floor of these buildings.
- The older children will live in eighteen rustic cabins. These cabins have electricity, but no running water. There is a bathhouse a short walk from the cabin that has toilets, sinks, and shower facilities. Each cabin has a large room with bunk beds for 8-10 campers and a small counselor room.
- Responsibility for the cleanliness and basic up-keep of the cabins and bathroom facilities is divided between the cabins.
Cabin Assignments and Roommate Requests
- It is our belief that each camper will have a significantly better camp experience by not requesting a cabin mate.
- Our counselors are trained to build cabin unity and make each camper feel welcome from the moment the session begins. This encourages our campers to expand their comfort zone and make new friends while at camp.
- We do recognize that going to camp with a friend may make the adjustment process easier for some campers. We do allow each camper to make one cabin mate request. Your campers request must be within one year or less apart and/or one grade level or less apart. Also, the cabin mate request must be mutual between campers for it to take priority. We do not guarantee placement, but will make every effort to honor the request.
Meals
All meals are served family-style in Chipeta Dining Hall. A well-balanced, varied menu is served. A vegetarian menu is available. Call the camp office regarding special restricted dietary needs. Campers will share in the responsibility for setting the table for their cabin and for post-meal clean-up. Each cabin is supervised by its counselors at meals.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
- The cabin unit is our basic and most important group at camp. They work, play, and sleep together. Here your camper will learn about the give and take of group living, understanding others and making new friends. Our staff to camper ratio is 1 to 5 or lower.
- All children will be living in cabin groups with children of their same age or grade.
- The youngest campers will live in three dormitory-style buildings. There are bathrooms on each floor of these buildings.
- The older children will live in eighteen rustic cabins. These cabins have electricity, but no running water. There is a bathhouse a short walk from the cabin that has toilets, sinks, and shower facilities. Each cabin has a large room with bunk beds for 8-10 campers and a small counselor room.
- Responsibility for the cleanliness and basic up-keep of the cabins and bathroom facilities is divided between the cabins.
Cabin Assignments and Roommate Requests
- It is our belief that each camper will have a significantly better camp experience by not requesting a cabin mate.
- Our counselors are trained to build cabin unity and make each camper feel welcome from the moment the session begins. This encourages our campers to expand their comfort zone and make new friends while at camp.
- We do recognize that going to camp with a friend may make the adjustment process easier for some campers. We do allow each camper to make one cabin mate request. Your campers request must be within one year or less apart and/or one grade level or less apart. Also, the cabin mate request must be mutual between campers for it to take priority. We do not guarantee placement, but will make every effort to honor the request.
Meals
All meals are served family-style in Chipeta Dining Hall. A well-balanced, varied menu is served. A vegetarian menu is available. Call the camp office regarding special restricted dietary needs. Campers will share in the responsibility for setting the table for their cabin and for post-meal clean-up. Each cabin is supervised by its counselors at meals.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Stayover
Stayovers
- For those children registered for more than one session (and those enrolled in the Leadership Training Programs) are welcome to stay at camp between sessions.
- There is a fee of $80 per child per stay over session (with exception of LTP campers).
- We assume that campers staying more than one session will be with us for the time between sessions, unless otherwise instructed by the parent/guardian.
- We have an appropriate number of staff who will supervise our stayover campers. These campers and staff will enjoy a relaxed time doing activities at a slightly slower pace than the regular camp session. Hikes, games, swimming, volleyball and a Cardboard Derby!
- A non-denominational Sunday service is held.
THERE IS NO STAYOVER BETWEEN SESSION 3 & 4 OR BETWEEN SESSION 6 & 7.
Laundry
- Those campers who are attending more than one session will have laundry done for them. (We supply all laundry detergent.)
- This includes campers staying for multiple, consecutive sessions and campers in our Leadership Training Programs.
- Each camper's clothing is placed in an individual mesh bag and washed in cold water.
- Sometimes these bags break open; make certain ALL of your camper's clothing is well marked so that we may return all items to your child should this occur.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
- For those children registered for more than one session (and those enrolled in the Leadership Training Programs) are welcome to stay at camp between sessions.
- There is a fee of $80 per child per stay over session (with exception of LTP campers).
- We assume that campers staying more than one session will be with us for the time between sessions, unless otherwise instructed by the parent/guardian.
- We have an appropriate number of staff who will supervise our stayover campers. These campers and staff will enjoy a relaxed time doing activities at a slightly slower pace than the regular camp session. Hikes, games, swimming, volleyball and a Cardboard Derby!
- A non-denominational Sunday service is held.
THERE IS NO STAYOVER BETWEEN SESSION 3 & 4 OR BETWEEN SESSION 6 & 7.
Laundry
- Those campers who are attending more than one session will have laundry done for them. (We supply all laundry detergent.)
- This includes campers staying for multiple, consecutive sessions and campers in our Leadership Training Programs.
- Each camper's clothing is placed in an individual mesh bag and washed in cold water.
- Sometimes these bags break open; make certain ALL of your camper's clothing is well marked so that we may return all items to your child should this occur.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Payment & Refund Policy
Payment Policy
Your fee statement will indicate your base camp fee, session number and dates, requested transportation, any special programming such as the trail ride, rafting and challenge course, any appropriate discounts, and deposits. If there are any errors, please contact the office. You will only receive the initial statement. Also available on-line if you registered there. No further statements reflecting interim or final payments will be sent, unless necessary for credit card payments.
All payments are required to be in the camp office at least 30 days prior to the arrival of your child at camp.
Camp Chief Ouray reserves the right to cancel any registration if the monies are not received in the office by the thirty day deadline. YOUR CANCELLED CHECKS OR CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS ARE YOUR RECEIPTS for your deposit(s), interim payments, and final payments. Retain the fee statement for your records and for any tax reimbursement you may need at the end of the year.
We strongly suggest that you make a copy of all forms and checks sent to the Camp Chief Ouray office.
All registrations and payments are received through on-line registration, email, or the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, DHL or Fed Ex. Occasionally, items will be lost in transit. Should any mail be lost, we will repeat the registration process and any copies of forms that you have will expedite that process.
Refund Policy
YOUR DEPOSIT OF $100.00 IS NON-REFUNDABLE. (Regardless of when a cancellation is received).
If you cancel your child's camp reservation 30 days prior to your child’s arrival date at camp, a 75% refund of any amount paid on your balance will be issued. Any transportation fee paid with your deposit can be applied to your final balance should you cancel this service at least thirty days prior to your child's initial attendance. There will be no refund of transportation fees if notice is given to the camp office less than thirty days prior to your child's arrival at camp.
- There will be no refunds when a child goes home early in cases of disciplinary action or homesickness.
- There will be no refunds should you cancel a special program activity (Rafting, Riding, Challenge Course) less than thirty days prior to the child's arrival at camp.
- Refunds will be issued for medical reasons only with written verification from a physician.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Your fee statement will indicate your base camp fee, session number and dates, requested transportation, any special programming such as the trail ride, rafting and challenge course, any appropriate discounts, and deposits. If there are any errors, please contact the office. You will only receive the initial statement. Also available on-line if you registered there. No further statements reflecting interim or final payments will be sent, unless necessary for credit card payments.
All payments are required to be in the camp office at least 30 days prior to the arrival of your child at camp.
Camp Chief Ouray reserves the right to cancel any registration if the monies are not received in the office by the thirty day deadline. YOUR CANCELLED CHECKS OR CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS ARE YOUR RECEIPTS for your deposit(s), interim payments, and final payments. Retain the fee statement for your records and for any tax reimbursement you may need at the end of the year.
We strongly suggest that you make a copy of all forms and checks sent to the Camp Chief Ouray office.
All registrations and payments are received through on-line registration, email, or the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, DHL or Fed Ex. Occasionally, items will be lost in transit. Should any mail be lost, we will repeat the registration process and any copies of forms that you have will expedite that process.
Refund Policy
YOUR DEPOSIT OF $100.00 IS NON-REFUNDABLE. (Regardless of when a cancellation is received).
If you cancel your child's camp reservation 30 days prior to your child’s arrival date at camp, a 75% refund of any amount paid on your balance will be issued. Any transportation fee paid with your deposit can be applied to your final balance should you cancel this service at least thirty days prior to your child's initial attendance. There will be no refund of transportation fees if notice is given to the camp office less than thirty days prior to your child's arrival at camp.
- There will be no refunds when a child goes home early in cases of disciplinary action or homesickness.
- There will be no refunds should you cancel a special program activity (Rafting, Riding, Challenge Course) less than thirty days prior to the child's arrival at camp.
- Refunds will be issued for medical reasons only with written verification from a physician.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Check-Out Day
CHECK OUT AT CAMP IS BETWEEN 4:00 P.M. AND 5:30 P.M. ON FRIDAY
Check out is a great time to learn all about your child’s experiences while at CCO. Meet and get to know your child’s counselor and all of their new friends. A few things to remember about checkout:
1. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN OUT YOUR CAMPER(S).
2. You may sign-out at any time between 4:00 and 5:30. Please bring your ID with you.
3. You will receive your camper’s all camp picture. If your camper went rafting, you will be able to purchase a photo of this activity from Mighty Upper Photos.
4. If your camper brought medications to camp, please pick them up from the Nurse. You can also consult with our Health Center staff regarding any medical care your child received while at camp.
5. Make certain that you have collected ALL of your camper’s items prior to your departure. We do have “Lost and Found”; however, we cannot guarantee that any of your child’s missing items will be turned into our camp office.
6. If your child is leaving camp by alternate transportation, please see the Transportation Page for that detailed information. Campers leaving by air will leave on Saturday.
7. Camp families picking up their campers at checkout this summer can get 10% off lodging at Snow Mountain Ranch on Friday nights. To reserve your accommodations, please call YMCA of the Rockies Central Reservations Office at (800) 777-9622.
Check out some questions that will help get the conversation started between you and your camper about his or her camp week.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Check out is a great time to learn all about your child’s experiences while at CCO. Meet and get to know your child’s counselor and all of their new friends. A few things to remember about checkout:
1. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN OUT YOUR CAMPER(S).
2. You may sign-out at any time between 4:00 and 5:30. Please bring your ID with you.
3. You will receive your camper’s all camp picture. If your camper went rafting, you will be able to purchase a photo of this activity from Mighty Upper Photos.
4. If your camper brought medications to camp, please pick them up from the Nurse. You can also consult with our Health Center staff regarding any medical care your child received while at camp.
5. Make certain that you have collected ALL of your camper’s items prior to your departure. We do have “Lost and Found”; however, we cannot guarantee that any of your child’s missing items will be turned into our camp office.
6. If your child is leaving camp by alternate transportation, please see the Transportation Page for that detailed information. Campers leaving by air will leave on Saturday.
7. Camp families picking up their campers at checkout this summer can get 10% off lodging at Snow Mountain Ranch on Friday nights. To reserve your accommodations, please call YMCA of the Rockies Central Reservations Office at (800) 777-9622.
Check out some questions that will help get the conversation started between you and your camper about his or her camp week.
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
Transportation
Parent Drop-off/Pick-up
You can bring your camper directly to camp. Metro Denver campers should plan to arrive at camp between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the opening day of their session. Check-out is on Friday from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Please see our directions page for detailed driving direction to Camp Chief Ouray.
Bus Transportation
To and From Golden, CO ($30 each way)
Bus Transportation is offered on the opening and closing day of each session from Exit 259 (Golden/Morrison) on I-70 the Hogback Jurassic Park-n-Ride Wooly Mammoth Lot. On opening day of each session, SUNDAY, the bus leaves Exit 259 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Check-in for the bus begins at 11:30 a.m. On the closing day, FRIDAY, the bus arrives at Exit 259 between 7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A staff member always accompanies the campers on the bus.
Airport Transportation
To and From Denver International Airport ($65 each way)
Pick-up: Sunday (Schedule flights between 10am & 2pm)
Drop-off: Saturday (Schedule flights between 12pm and 3pm)
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.
You can bring your camper directly to camp. Metro Denver campers should plan to arrive at camp between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the opening day of their session. Check-out is on Friday from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Please see our directions page for detailed driving direction to Camp Chief Ouray.
Bus Transportation
To and From Golden, CO ($30 each way)
Bus Transportation is offered on the opening and closing day of each session from Exit 259 (Golden/Morrison) on I-70 the Hogback Jurassic Park-n-Ride Wooly Mammoth Lot. On opening day of each session, SUNDAY, the bus leaves Exit 259 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Check-in for the bus begins at 11:30 a.m. On the closing day, FRIDAY, the bus arrives at Exit 259 between 7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A staff member always accompanies the campers on the bus.
Airport Transportation
To and From Denver International Airport ($65 each way)
Pick-up: Sunday (Schedule flights between 10am & 2pm)
Drop-off: Saturday (Schedule flights between 12pm and 3pm)
For more information, please see our complete Parent Handbook.