Ajax Sleepaway Camp

Aspen's Sleeapway Camp! Offering 1-week and 2-week sleepaway camp sessions! visit: Ajaxsleepaway.com for information.

LOCATED ON 320 ACRES OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 8,888 FT.
For boys & girls who love adventure, the mountains, building camp traditions, fun outdoor activities, & don’t mind getting dirty!


We want kids to let loose, have fun, and be themselves. Through the activities and the magic of summer camp, we hope every kid finds their passions, learns a ton (without knowing it), and laughs more than they thought possible.
On the ranch you will discover 4 ponds, 1/4' mile of ziplining, rock-climbing areas, streams, waterfalls, springs, aspen forests, pine forests, elk, moose, deer, farm animals, and majestic mountain peak views. It is located on a dirt road about 1.5 hours from Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley and 1.5 hours from Vail in the Eagle Valley.
The camp facilities are comfortable yet rustic.
The insulated cabins are equipped with bunk beds and mattresses and each have their own deck overlooking the mountain vistas. The showers are enclosed on all sides but the roof for stargazing shower opportunities. The bathrooms are national park style tank toilets. There are 3 cabins in the boys village and 3 cabins in the girls village each divided by age. A maximum of 40 campers are admitted to camp at any given time.

TYPICAL DAY

CAMP SHOULD BE MAGICAL
It is our goal to create a camp environment that feels separate from ‘real life’. An environment where every camper can explore their passions, choose their own adventure, opt for fun whenever possible, and be kind, caring, and helpful to everyone within the camp community. One of the best parts of camp is the fact that everyone is removed from the real world so that the group can craft an atmosphere whereby kids, and adult staff members, can relax in a way that allows them to enjoy the small things, the big things, and the in-between. At camp, we want everyone to be able to be their Camp Selves. As your camp self, you discover what makes you happy, what makes you psyched, and what can be so special about not only the NOW, but your future potential. The day is structured as shown below in hopes to facilitate every camper’s ability to rock their camps selves all session long.
OPTIONAL PRE-BREAKFAST ACTIVITIES @ 7:00 AM:
We will have one pre-breakfast activity option - choices will alternate throughout the summer with activities such as Yoga, Old Timey Calisthenics, Thai Chi, Meditation, POLAR BEAR CLUB (with Hot Chocolate of course) and others.
OFFICIAL WAKEUP GONG @7:30 AM:
Ranch life doesn’t sleep in! Upon waking up, campers get dressed, make their bed, brush their teeth, and check in with their counselor before heading to breakfast.
BREAKFAST:
Before breakfast, campers participate in the morning camp traditions. Raise the camp flag, sing some GOOD MORNING songs, and jump about as crazy as possible to warm your limbs and prepare your energy for the day. To see breakfast options click here.
MORNING RANCH JOB:
Campers participate in making the ranch operate and can choose to be part of some of the following morning ranch jobs that rotate throughout the summer:

Feed and care for the chickens (hopefully, collect some eggs)

Thistle killing crew (Kill the invasive plants!)

Music-making (serenade those doing other jobs)

Art projects to beautify camp

Help with the garden (if the animals haven’t destroyed it)

Work briefly on whatever ranch project our operations manager is working on. (Great way to learn a new skill)

And others!
MORNING ACTIVITY PERIOD:
Counselors will announce in a melodramatic fashion the activities they will be offering during the morning activity period. Activities will vary from day to day and it is our philosophy that each camper gets to choose the activity that they would like to participate in. We never will force a camper to do an activity. This is important because it gives each camper agency to craft their own day and follow what they think will be fun! Of course we want every camper to branch out and try new things, so hopefully as the session goes on, campers continue to choose new activities that are offered to them during the activity periods. To see Ajax Sleepaway activity options, scroll down.
LUNCHTIME:
Morning activities will gather back at the basecamp area for lunch. To see lunch options click here.
REST/CHILL TIME:
After lunch, we have a rest time to re-energize for the afternoon fun. Campers go back to their bunks and can play quiet games, read a book, take a nap, or ponder the meaning of life.
AFTERNOON ACTIVITY PERIOD:
After the rest/chill time, counselors will offer a variety of activities from the Ajax Sleepaway activity list below and of course Campers are again given the choice from the options provided by the counselors what they would like to do that afternoon.
PRE-DINNER HIATUS:
Often one of the most popular times of the day, campers and counselors get a chance to hang out and swap stories from the day, work on an arts and crafts project, and get ready for dinner. A great time for showers as well!
DINNER TIME:
Dinner will be buffet-style in the crisp mountain air. To see dinner options click here.
AFTER-DINNER ACTIVITIES:
Counselors will offer several different after-dinner activities for campers to participate in. Here are some examples of activities we will provide: Ajax’s famous counselor hunt, ultimate Frisbee, Forest Disk Golf, Bocce Ball, Hillside Adventure Croquet, Golf-Ball Horse Shoes, Crafts Projects, Music Making, Line Dancing, No-Match Campfire Building, Board Games, sunset hike, human bocce, basketball, sportz, hanging out with the chickens and other after-dinner activities that either campers request or counselors invent throughout the summer.
NIGHT-TIME CAMPFIRE:
Every night, we will have a campfire (weather permitting). S’mores will be roasted (yes, every night… sorry, parents, but we can’t resist!). Songs will be sung as the evening stars illuminate the sky. 8K Ranch has some of the best sunsets and stargazing in all of Colorado.
BEDTIME:
Campers will head to their cabins after the campfire, brush their teeth, and get ready for bed. We ask that all campers respect the lights out and quiet time, as a good night’s sleep is essential for energetic and fun days!



2-WEEKS SESSION AND 1-WEEK SESSION + SPECIAL DAYS:
Two-Week Sessions:
For the full sleepaway experience, we have crafted two-week sessions to provide variety, special events, and unique experiences. Below are some of the features of a two week session beyond the typical day structure as shown above:

All bunks will get a special one-night campout. The bunk group can decide if they want a close easy campsite or a more adventurous journey! Cook over the campfire, bring stories, sleep in tents, and explore a new part of the mountains with your bunk!

Optional special camping trips. Some counselors will offer unique campouts with themes such as fishing, or survival skills, or waterfront or climbing. These optional campouts are a fun way to bond with other campers following an activity theme.

Boys and girls campfire night with special outdoor picnic dinner and campfire time.

Talent show night

Theater (write, practice, and perform a play during the 2-week session)

Wild west night

Banquet night
One-Week Sessions:
For an introduction to the sleepaway camp experience we offer a one-week session. Special activities during the one week session include:

Boys and girls campfire night with special outdoor picnic dinner and campfire time.

Talent show night

Banquet night
Stay-over From One Session to Another
Campers who have opted to stay-over (i.e., staying for multiple consecutive sessions) will stay at the ranch Saturday and participate in activities and meals with a small camp crew. Sometimes we do a special town day with the stay-over campers depending on preference. Stay-over day is typically pretty fun and special due to the small size of the group at the ranch.


DROP-OFF AND PICKUP (TRANSPORTATION):
Due to our pristine location in the mountains, our permits require we transport all campers to The Ranch to limit vehicular traffic. As such, we will offer several pickup and dropoff locations to make this as convenient as possible for families in Denver, Eagle, and Basalt.