![2025 FB Cover](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2025-FB-Cover.png)
Chatcolab
Leadership through Recreation since 1948
76th Annual Theme: IN BLOOM
With our past guiding us, we can take the knowledge, lessons, and respect for
who and what has come before and focus it on five areas of leadership
as we plan and prepare for the future.
WHO IS CHATCOLAB FOR?
If you're interested in leadership training, community building, escaping routine,
exploring new self-expression, and trying exciting activities in a summer camp setting...
Chatcolab is for you!
The 2024 program is designed with two groups in mind - a formal camp will include tracks that
will inspire, educate, and re-charge adult-sized needs and is open to ages 14 and older, and a
less formal, half-day experience for children that will encompass STEAM and recreation activities
for children 8 and up. All ages, however, are invited to join us with familial supervision.
![](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chatcolab-Logo.png)
June 15-20, 2025
Based on experimental learning, small group connections, spontaneous creativity and a deep history of learning leadership in a recreational setting, Chatcolab is a unique experience that sends you home refreshed and bubbling with ideas and new skills.
Want to Learn More?
Check Out All That Chatcolab Has to Offer This Summer
History
The University of Idaho Archives has created a database of Chatcolab notebooks and historic photos from 1949 - 2023 that can be reviewed HERE.
Chatcolab had its beginning in 1949 as a result of Don Clayton having attended the Black Hills Lab and returned home enthused about what he experienced. There were a few people from southern Idaho who had attended Black Hills Lab and Don had just moved from Havre, Montana, to Moscow, Idaho.
Photo Album
A LOOK BACK...
![labrynth](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/labrynth-scaled-e1688183504347-300x154.jpg)
![gena](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gena-scaled-e1688183943876-300x143.jpg)
![twinsonaboat](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/twinsonaboat.jpg)
![Chatcolab Accommodations Chatcolab Accommodations](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-twinlow-lake-fun-300x225.jpg)
![Chatcolab 2017 Group picture Chatcolab 2017 Group picture](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-2017-group-shot-300x160.jpg)
![Chatcolab Sorensens Chatcolab Sorensens](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/35403069_10216415156440590_4442172232008990720_o-300x169.jpg)
![img20220102_17225503](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img20220102_17225503-300x188.png)
![Chatcolab Tea Party Chatcolab Tea Party](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-tea-party-300x169.jpg)
![Jean Baringer Chatcolab History Jean Baringer Chatcolab History](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jean-Baringer-Chatcolab-history-300x225.jpg)
![Chatcolab Unbroken Circle Chatcolab Unbroken Circle](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-unbroken-circle-300x169.jpg)
![Chatcolab 1978 Group Photo Chatcolab 1978 Group Photo](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-1978-group-photo-300x246.jpg)
![Chatcolab Table Games Chatcolab Table Games](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-table-games-300x169.jpg)
![img20220102_16271559](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img20220102_16271559-300x209.png)
![jumping off dock](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/jumping-off-dock-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_5800](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MG_5800-300x200.jpg)
![SMAC0100](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SMAC0100-1-300x169.jpg)
![Dee Davies LaMay](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Dee-Davies-LaMay-300x134.jpg)
![Chatcolab Email Header](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chatcolab-Email-Header-300x169.png)
![2019 Chatcolab](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2019-Chatcolab-300x149.png)
![Chat 70s 3_preview](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chat-70s-3_preview-1-300x200.jpeg)
![P1000682](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/P1000682-300x225.jpg)
![_MG_5736](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MG_5736.jpg)
![IMG_5701](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_5701-300x225.jpg)
![P1000781](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/P1000781-300x225.jpg)
![P1000818](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/P1000818-300x225.jpg)
![P1000812](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/P1000812.jpg)
![DSC07205](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC07205-300x225.jpg)
![img20220102_16535120](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img20220102_16535120-300x211.png)
![Family](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Family-300x300.png)
![IMG_2396](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_2396-300x200.jpg)
![Fire](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fire-300x300.png)
![DSC_0123 (2)](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_0123-2-300x201.jpg)
![P1001066](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/P1001066.jpg)
![IMG_5720](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_5720-300x225.jpg)
![2023 Group Photo](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-Group-Photo-e1689618942323-300x228.jpg)
![Chat 70s 3_preview](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chat-70s-3_preview-300x200.jpeg)
![Chat Chat Winter 2018 Chat Chat Winter 2018](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/winter-2018-e1688183756876-300x156.jpg)
![Chat Chat Spring 2015 Chat Chat Spring 2015](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/chatchat-spring2015-300x226.jpg)
![Chatcolab Board Retreat 2019 Chatcolab Board Retreat 2019](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-board-225x300.jpg)
![Historic Chatcolab Photo Chatcolab Leadership Laboratory](https://chatcolab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/chatcolab-historic-group-photo-e1688183913115-300x136.jpg)
❝
Skills, tools, and insight necessary to lead youth and adults, recreation, art, ideas... every year invaluable, a new discovery. Chatcolab is a light for the present moment, a greater good in our world!
Dr. Kevin Laughlin, Ph.D
❝
A sharing in a positive, trusting environment created by years of experience and dedication. It is experiencing growth and being challenged to push yourself, at every age, to strive for more. It is uplifting, anchored in tradition, and reaching to meet the needs of new audiences of young people and their parents generation.
Janell Marmon, Educator
❝
A break from the daily routine where we can be silly, explore, learn and push ourselves in new and exciting directions in leadership.
I always come home from Chat with a new skill to utilize in my work and personal life.
Betsy Carver, Non-Profit ED
Chatcolab
An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action, non-profit educational organization begun in 1948 to offer leadership development through recreation. Youth and adults come together to build leadership skills. The lab meets annually at a residential camp and offers learning through general leadership sessions and interactive workshops.
EIN# 93-0736841
Contact Us
Chatcolab is a 100% volunteer run organization.
Contact us via email at:
[email protected]
2024 Board Members include:
Dave Chandler, Chair
Janell Marmon, Vice Chair
Nel Carver, Treasurer
Follow Us
We actively share ideas, stories, events and inspiration via our social media accounts.