Cheley Outpost provided a solid base camp for Angevine Middle School students to learn outdoor skills and explore the natural surroundings. Written by CI Field Instructor David Goldsmith.
After weeks of planning and learning in the classroom, Angevine Middle School’s CAP class set out for their overnight expedition at Cheley Outpost. We unloaded upon arrival in fireline-fashion and got to work setting up tents – perhaps a few more than we needed. With our short-term bedrooms established, we were ready to feast, and ramen awaited us across camp. With a full stomach, we were ready for a day of outdoor skill-building ahead!
As the clouds rolled in overhead, our new CAP instructor Miss Sara walked us through the basics of building a fire. With our newfound knowledge (and a lick of rain) we gathered our own materials from below the ponderosa’s butterscotch scent, trying our hand at building a small fire. A few stumbles and a bit of dry grass later, we all successfully got a fire roaring, just in time to get under cover from the heavier raindrops.
While a campfire certainly dominates the top of the “best camping activities” list, no fire is complete without a good ol’ fashioned s’more to close out the day. Our astute CAP students recognized this before the sun had even started her descent, and what an excellent opportunity to learn how to whittle a s’mores stick! Venturing out from our tarp shelter, we hunted for dry sticks and learned how to safely and effectively whittle. In our free time, some of us even started whittling spoons, while others battled for gaga champ, explored the creek, and started flint and steel fires. For dinner we feasted on burritos and strengthened our capacity to cook as a group. As we wrapped up the day, we closed with some “Rose, Bud, Thorn” reflections, s’mores, and a silent, lights-off night-hike.
On our second day, we started with more burritos and cooked our breakfast bacon over the open campfire. After learning about the rockfruit plant (often confused for a pineapple), we excitedly set out on our hike, hoping to find one. We explored the surrounding hills and traded stories, even finding the rockfruit just outside camp. After some final activities and lunch, we got in the vans, traveled over the rivers and through the woods, and went back to Angevine Middle. All in all, the Cheley overnight helped us develop stronger bonds, improve our outdoor skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for working together in a natural setting.
A big thanks to the funders and supporters that make the CAP class possible, including: Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Patagonia, PeyBack Foundation, Strear Family Foundation, Thorne Nature Experience, Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program, and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
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