Louis T. Benezet Award - Colorado College

Donald S. Cheley '65

The motto of a remarkable place known as Cheley Colorado Camps is "Great things happen when youth and mountains meet." Don Cheley, executive director of the camp, provides purposeful leadership to ensure that the camp motto comes alive for 1000 children and young adults every year.

Located on the eastern border of Rocky Mountain National Park, Cheley Colorado Camps was established in 1921 by Don's grandfather, Frank Cheley. In 1969, Don began working full-time at camp with his father, Jack Cheley, and became the camp director in 1981. Building upon the successful camp philosophy of both his father and grandfather, Don, along with his wife and co-director Carole, has skillfully guided the camp into a new century.

As Don recently wrote in the camp newsletter, "It (Cheley Camps) is still the same place where people are challenged and given opportunities to try new things. It is still a community of trust where we know we are safe and our things are safe. It is still a community that values ethnic and cultural diversities. It is still a community where the pledge of allegiance to our flag is recited prior to breakfast everyday. It is still a community where the human spirit and connection with nature is cherished. It is still a community where the sky is blue, the air is crisp, and the opportunities are many."

Under Don's leadership, Cheley Colorado Camps has become an internationally recognized camp program that attracts young people from every state and more than 20 countries. During the school year, the camp also provides an environmental education experience for students from many urban and suburban school districts.

In 1985, Don and Carole Cheley approached the staff of Denver Children's Hospital with their idea of hosting a weeklong camp for ill children. That initial meeting marked the beginning of a partnership with the Hospital's Burn Unit. Cheley Camps has now hosted the annual Burn Camp for 15 summers, and its success has encouraged a dozen similar programs in the United States and Belgium.

Shortly after joining the family business, Don became active in the local section of the American Camping Association (ACA), progressively serving as president of the Rocky Mountain Section, chair of the Western Region and as a national board member. In 1996, Don was elected president of the ACA. During his three-year tenure, Don participated in Colin Powell's Summit on America's Future and served as a spokesperson for the American Camping Association.

Don has appeared in the national media as an advocate of the ACA philosophy that "Camp gives kids a world of good." He has been an invited guest speaker at camp conferences throughout the United States and in Russia, Japan and Australia. Don, currently chair of the American Camping Foundation that provides grants for worthy camp projects, has received numerous awards including the National Honor Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Camping Association.

Don’s grandfather Frank and grandmother Eva met while attending Colorado College at the turn of the 20th Century. His father Jack was an alumnus and served on the Board of Trustees. Several other relatives are also CC alumni. Although Don received a postgraduate degree in business administration, he realizes that his education at Colorado College was truly invaluable.