About Us
Ajax Sleepaway is located on 320 acres of mountainous terrain at 8,888 ft.
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.
Ajax Adventure Camp was founded in 2010 as a day camp by Danny Hundert with the goal of inspiring awesomeness.
The day camp quickly became the largest in Aspen, but Sleepaway Camp was always on Danny’s mind. In 2016, a ranch opportunity presented itself in the upper Frying Pan valley and Ajax Sleepaway was borne. In 2023, Oliver Umpleby moved from directing Ajax Adventure Camp to help launch Ajax Sleepaway. It is with pride that we emphasize everyone to become their Camp Self. 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.
Ajax Sleeapway is new, so we are still building camp traditions, expanding activity offerings, and innovating in fun and creative ways.
As such, we encourage campers to be a part of the nascent camp traditions and activities. If your camper has a great idea for an activity, let’s do it (if it’s fun and safe)!
Camp traditions:
Now is the time to build what will hopefully continue for generations!
Having said all that, if you prefer a camp that has been operating for a 100 years, has manicured lawns, airconditioned cabins, massive dining halls or golf carts to shuttle you up and down the hills, Ajax Sleepaway is likely not for you. But if you love adventure, the mountains, building camp traditions, fun outdoor activities, and don’t mind getting dirty, then come join us - Be Your Camp Self at Ajax Sleepaway.
Leadership
Danny Hundert
Founder
Danny earned his bachelor degree cum Laude from Dartmouth College in 2007 before founding Ajax Adventure Camp in 2010. In 2016 he earned his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and soon thereafter became the only Wharton grad to start a sleepaway camp (as far as we know). In addition to founding Ajax Adventure Camp and Ajax Sleepaway, Danny also founded Ivy Camps USA, an international company running camps in 12 countries and year-round after school care and clubs in 5 states.
Danny’s favorite thing in the world is sleepaway camp; why? Because he can be his Camp Self.
Oliver Umpleby
Camp Director
Oliver grew up in Washington D.C. where he developed a passion for athletics and all things outdoors. He was a multi-sport athlete and spent his weekends skiing, biking and exploring the State Parks outside the city. He attended Miami University in Ohio where he double majored in Economics and German, minored in Coaching and played on Miami’s Club Football team.
Since graduating from Miami, Oliver has spent his time teaching and coaching in several different settings. He coached high school football in the DC area for five seasons, helping his team win a city title in 2016. He has spent his winters teaching skiing in Colorado, including the past three with the prestigious Aspen Snowmass ski school. During the summers, Oliver worked at a sleepaway camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He served as the athletics director in 2012 and, in the summers since, he served as the program director, handling all camp operations.
He directed Ajax Adventure Camp for 6 years before moving to Ajax Sleepaway to direct the operation. Oliver is a sleepaway camp guy through and through and anyone that sees him bantering with campers will know he is the perfect role model, camp director, behind the scenes management guru that leads to the smiles and laughter that can be heard throughout camp.
Program Directors / Medical Staff / Cook / Bunk Staff
We recruit staff from all over the world to find those who are responsible, super fun, and want to serve as great role models for kids.