“Starry Nights” and Campers Delights

Going to camp for the first time elicits lots of emotion. It’s a tingle of excitement. It’s a happy nervousness. It’s blissful amazement when you arrive. The John Austin Cheley Foundation’s “Starry Nights” Gala at Denver Botanic Gardens took its attendees back to that feeling. As a celebration of the organization’s 25^th anniversary – and its first major fundraiser – the occasion drew people together from across the country, all with the common connection of love for camp and the difference it can make in a person’s life.

“We’ve never done anything like this,” said Trustee Chair Debbie Leibold, a six-summer camper herself, who then helped her own children pack for camp. For 24 years the Foundation was entirely volunteer-driven. They’d never even held a fundraiser.

Executive Director Buffie Berger sat on the board for three years before she took the reins as ED just last year. Talking from the podium as relaxed as if it were a campfire circle, she showed off her new stylish, handmade boots bought from Presenting Sponsor Cinch. She then expressed her heartfelt awe for the evening.

“I am blown away. We are outdoors, under the stars, in nature. It’s the perfect venue. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came,” said Buffie.

She shared how when she first connected with Event Chair Will LaBahn, who she delightfully refers to as “Will-Bill,” she cautiously hoped they’d have at least 150 attendees. The RSVPs came rushing in. More than 400 people came. The two hugged and smiled at it all. “It’s this incredible?” asked Will LaBahn with gratitude as great as Mount Massive.

Buffie Berger also gave kudos to Event Co-Chair Amy Blevins. “As you can imagine, doing something like this takes a huge amount of work. Amy did it. And she did it from California. Not only did she agree to help, but she was helping from another state. She’s incredible.”

Tandy Wood came from Overland Park, Kansas for the celebration. She reflected on how she first went to Cheley Camp in 1948 when she was 9 years old. She took the train from Missouri to Colorado and, although shaking in her boots, as soon as camp was over she wanted to go back. She returned every summer for five years. She sent her children to Cheley Camps and now sends her grandchildren.

“It changed my life. I knew it even at that early age. It gave me a strong set of values. It’s still a part of me,” said the sparkling 76-year-old.

Current campers Emelia Arnhein, Margo Bickler and Megan Smith enthusiastically all spoke about their experience at Cheley Camps: “It’s amazing. It’s the best place on Earth. The people are great. You get to try so many things like horse back riding, hiking, climbing, archery, ceramics . . .” and then Emelia ended her list because she ran out of breath. But it was clear she wanted to say more.

Actor Jason Ritter, son of late actor John Ritter and actress Nancy Morgan, proved the perfect emcee. His sentimental recollections of camp were funny and poignant. He talked about how he learned to shave at camp, as well as how he won an award for citizenship that shapes the choices he makes today.

RoundHouse, award-winning Boulder born spirits, generously donated gin. The evening’s caterers, Occasions, created the signature drink Alpenglow for the cocktail reception using gin, triple sec, and a splash of cranberry juice.  It was as pretty as it was tasty.

The mission of the John Austin Cheley Foundation is to fund need-based camperships for high potential youth. These youth then are able to attend extended-stay wilderness summer camps that have a proven track record of positively impacting youth development. More than 800 camperships have been awarded since inception to campers from 31 states and one foreign country to attend one of the six Associate Camps located in Colorado, Maine Minnesota and Arizona.

It was indeed a glorious starry night for a big bunch of wide-eyed campers. And everyone left looking forward to coming back next year, just like they did every summer.