Frequently Asked Questions

Ajax Sleepaway is set on a 320-acre ranch in the upper Frying Pan Valley at 8,888 feet above sea level — about 45 minutes from Basalt, Colorado. The address is 28525 Brush Creek Road, Meredith, CO 81642.

Ajax Adventure Camp started in 2010 as a day camp in Aspen and quickly became the largest in the valley. By 2016, when a 320-acre ranch in the upper Frying Pan Valley became available, Sleepaway was born.

We cap enrollment at 40 campers per session. Keeping sessions small means every kid is seen, known, and cheered for — not just supervised.

We maintain a 1:3 staff-to-camper ratio. Counselors become lifelong mentors — not just chaperones.

Ajax Sleepaway accepts boys and girls ages 8–13.

We examine special needs on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out directly before enrolling so we can ensure the right support is in place for your camper.

Ajax runs four sessions each summer:

• Session 1: June 27 – July 10 (2 weeks) — $3,750

• Session 2: July 11 – 24 (2 weeks) — $3,750

• Session 3: July 25 – Aug 7 (2 weeks) — $3,750

• Session 4: Aug 8 – 14 (1 week) — $1,975

You can enroll in one session or combine them for a longer stay.

We offer four discounts, each worth 2.5%:

• Early Bird — 2.5% off when you enroll before October 31st (applied automatically)

• Sibling Discount — 2.5% off when enrolling 2 or more campers

• Multi-Session Discount — 2.5% off when one camper attends 2 or more sessions

• Pay-in-Full Discount — 2.5% off when you pay the full balance instead of a deposit

The Sibling and Multi-Session discounts are a single 2.5% off for multi-camper OR multi-session — they do not stack with each other, so only one of the two applies per family. The Early Bird and Pay-in-Full discounts each stack on top, so the most a family can save is 7.5% (loyalty + early bird + pay-in-full). Discounts are applied at the time of payment and locked in.

Families can pay in full at enrollment (and save an extra 2.5%) or put down a 35% deposit to hold their camper's spot. With the deposit option, the remaining balance is automatically billed in equal monthly installments to the card on file, with all payments completed by March 1st. After March 1st, full payment is required at the time of enrollment.

All camp payments are fully refundable until December 31st if requested in writing. From January 1st through April 30th, cancellations receive a 100% credit toward a future session instead of a refund. Credits are non-exchangeable for cash. On or after May 1st, no refunds or credits are available.

To request a refund or credit, email info@ajaxsleepaway.com.

Days at Ajax are full and fun. Optional pre-breakfast activities like yoga, tai chi, or the Polar Bear Club kick things off at 7:00 AM. After breakfast — which includes flag raising, songs, and warm-up exercises — campers rotate through morning ranch jobs (caring for chickens, garden work, art projects) before heading into the first activity period.

Afternoons bring another round of activities, followed by a pre-dinner hiatus for socializing and showers. Dinner is served buffet-style, and evenings are filled with all-camp programs like talent shows, karaoke, counselor hunts, and movies. Every night wraps up around the campfire with s'mores.

Yes — campers choose from the activities offered each period. With 30+ activities available, some kids go all-in on archery and survival skills while others discover a love of theater or yoga. Both are perfect.

Ajax offers 30+ rotating activities including: rock climbing, ziplines, paddleboarding, canoeing, archery, archery dodgeball, fishing, overnight camping trips, hatchet throwing, water trampoline, slip and slide, Polar Bear Club, disc golf, gaga ball, arts & crafts, jewelry making, woodworking, maker's lab, theater, yoga, mountain spa day, survival skills, hands-on animal activities, and more. Activities are subject to change depending on weather and staffing.

Both sessions include boys and girls village campfire nights, a talent show, and banquet night.

Two-week sessions also include special overnight camping trips for each bunk, optional themed camping trips (fishing, survival, waterfront, climbing), a full theater production (write, practice, and perform), and Wild West Night.

During staff orientation, the Nurse Consultant trains select staff in medication administration. Only trained staff are permitted to administer medications, including in emergency situations. All medications are collected at check-in.

If a child is too ill to participate or risks infecting others, they'll be returned to the main house under the care of the director on duty. If the illness requires leaving camp, parents or emergency contacts will be called. If immediate medical attention is needed, the director will transport the child to Aspen Hospital.

For injuries, trained staff (CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid certified) will stabilize the child. The director on duty will advise, and if necessary the camper will be transported to the Aspen Hospital. Parents are contacted immediately.

Yes. All supervising staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid. Drivers of camp vehicles also hold current department-approved first aid and safety certificates.

In severe weather, campers take shelter in one of the bunk areas, eating porches, tipis, or other structures. All outdoor activities pause during severe weather. Staff are trained in lightning protocols, flash flood awareness, and wildfire evacuation.

We have three pickup locations:

• Basalt — Basalt Elementary School, 151 Cottonwood Drive (free)

• Eagle — Eagle Library, 600 Broadway St (free)

• Denver West / Golden — Welchester Elementary, 13000 W 10th Ave ($85 fee)

Shuttles run on the first and last day of each session. Exact times vary by session — see the Logistics page for full details.

There are several guest ranches located in the area. For parents who would like to arrange a custom drop-off or pickup, options include Beyul Retreat, D&G Outfitting, and Dearhamer Campground. This requires individual scheduling over the phone — call us at 970.718.6008.

Upon arrival we will check your camper in, make sure all proper forms are filled out, collect all medications, and then head into the mountains.

Campers will only be released to parents, legal guardians, or individuals who have written permission to pick them up. Photo ID is required for anyone the staff does not know. If someone attempts to pick up a child without authorization, the child will not be released and we will contact the parent or legal guardian.

We ask that campers please do not bring electronic devices such as phones, portable video games, or similar items. Devices brought to camp will be collected upon arrival and stored securely until the end of the session. Part of what makes Ajax special is being fully present — we want every camper to be their Camp Self, free from screens.

We highly recommend bringing enough clothes for your full session to avoid doing laundry at camp — however, if needed, we will do laundry for your camper.

See the full packing list for everything your camper needs. When packing, we suggest bringing clothes you don't mind getting dirty and "campy". Key items include a warm sleeping bag (rated to at least 30°F), rain jacket, sturdy closed-toed shoes, water bottle (min. 1 liter), sunscreen, and a flashlight or headlamp.

Yes — please label all personal belongings with your camper's name. Children will keep belongings either with them or in their bunk. Ajax Sleepaway is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.

Phone calls home are generally not part of the daily schedule — this is intentional. Full immersion in the camp experience is one of the things that makes it so special. In the event of an emergency, staff will facilitate communication immediately.

Mail and care packages are welcomed and encouraged! Because it can sometimes take a long time for letters to reach camp, parents can also email us and we will print the letter and deliver it to your camper. Kids can write back and we will type it up and send it to you.

Alternatively, parents are welcome to hand letters or care packages directly to a counselor at pickup.

Please do not include food items without advance approval due to wildlife and allergy concerns.

Camper's Name

Ajax Sleepaway

28525 Brush Creek Road

Meredith, CO 81642

You can reach us by phone at 970-718-6008 or by email at info@ajaxsleepaway.com. An emergency line is available during active sessions.