Ten Years of Sunshine, Songs, and Self-Discovery: Celebrating a Decade of Cherryvale Day Camp

When the Boulder JCC opened the doors of its current campus at the corner of Cherryvale Road and Oreg Avenue in 2016, it wasn’t just launching a new facility; it was laying the foundation for a summer tradition. A decade later, Cherryvale Day Camp has evolved from an ambitious new program into a cornerstone of summer life for families across the Boulder area.

Over the past ten years, thousands of campers have spent their summers running through green fields, creating art, learning to care for animals, and making friendships that outlast the season. Reaching the ten-year mark is more than just a calendar milestone; it is a testament to a community built on intentionality, inclusion, and joy.

In its inaugural summer of 2016, Cherryvale set out to offer a classic, outdoor-centered camp experience rooted in universal values like community, care, growth, and generosity. What started as a handful of bunks has expanded into a multi-faceted summer hub catering to children ages 4 to 13, spanning programs from rising kindergartners to young teens.

While the camp’s offerings have grown, its heart has remained remarkably consistent. Walk across campus on any July afternoon, and you’ll find the same core elements that defined day one. Campers stay grouped by age, affectionately named after Colorado wildlife like Bighorn Sheep, Elks, and Bears, to build their own unique team identity throughout each session. Hands-on learning thrives at the campus’s Milk and Honey Farm, where kids harvest vegetables, feed the goats, and practice environmental stewardship. Above all, an intentionally inclusive atmosphere welcomes children of all faiths, backgrounds, and gender identities to try new things without fear of judgment.

Over 10 years, Cherryvale has continuously adapted to meet the changing interests of Boulder youth. What began primarily as a classic traditional day camp has expanded to include specialized tracks that let kids dive deep into specific passions:

The introduction of dedicated programs like Kinder Crew helped smooth the transition into camp life for the youngest campers. Meanwhile, specialized tracks in STEM, culinary arts, theater, and fine arts give older campers the space to sharpen specific skill sets while keeping the social warmth of a traditional day camp.

Ask any former camper what they remember most about their summer at Cherryvale, and they won’t just list the activities; they’ll tell you about their counselors. Over the last decade, Cherryvale has served as a training ground for hundreds of young adults. For staff, working a summer at Cherryvale isn’t just a summer job; it’s an intensive masterclass in mentorship, conflict resolution, group management, and social-emotional leadership. The culture of empathy modeled by camp leaders trickles down directly to the campers, creating an environment where kids feel safe to step out of their comfort zones.

As Cherryvale Day Camp reflects on ten years of songs, water games, farm harvests, and campfires, its vision for the future remains clear: providing an unplugged space where kids can recharge, connect, and grow.

Central to that spirit is how Cherryvale wraps up every week with Shabbat, especially at the 10-year birthday celebration this past Friday. Campers celebrated with joyful, high-energy traditions: writing birthday cards to Cherryvale, skipping around the room together to celebrate the camp’s big milestone, baking fresh challah covered in sprinkles, and topping it all off with cake. In a world that moves increasingly fast, having a dedicated place to slow down, get dirt on your hands, celebrate community, and form real face-to-face connections is more valuable than ever. Here’s to ten years of unforgettable summers, and to many more decades of memories on Cherryvale Road.