We were touring a family today that is looking at Chen-A-Wanda for their son for next summer. It was a great tour and this family seemed to enjoy it. They had all the right questions and at times just stood and looked at the fun that was being had here as if they were trying t0 envision if they could see their son here. They were quiet and pensive but very engaged and as the tour ended, the mom pulled me aside and told me that we were their last camp tour and they had visited 3 others. She said to me, “Every camper here looks so unbelievably happy and at ease. Counselors look equally happy and the feeling here is joyful ” I told her how happy I was to hear her thoughts on what she saw and how it felt here. She followed up by telling me that though our grounds were beautiful and activities impressive, that is not what she was looking at. She wanted to see everything but the stuff and what she was looking for was how happy the kids looked and how engaged the counselors were with their kids. That meant everything to this family and the only thing that mattered. By watching your kids today, this visiting family felt what we feel here everyday and there was no doubt that this is exactly where she wants her son to be at next summer. They signed up before they left and in her own words, “It’s a no brainer. This is how I want my son to feel everyday next summer.” So because of your kids feeling happy and at ease, a brand new camper gets to experience it too next summer for their first time.

Girls Side Sports:

Freshman 0 vs. Junior 5 Tennis Tournament Teams – Juniors Win!

Inters Soccer – CAW 13 vs. Poyntelle 3 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Seniors Tennis – CAW 2 vs. Starlight 3

Boys Side Sports: 

GC/CIT Tenniw – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 3

GC/CIT Soccer – CAW 3 vs. Westmont 4 (in overtime )

It’s Awards Night  and it was a perfect night to celebrate our  standout campers. Another week of watching incredible kids be their best. We are always so proud to highlight our Campers of the Week. 

Freshman – Eden Cohen & Cameron Sylvin

Juniors – Laila Perlman, Savy Lieberman & Dylan Deitch, Aidan Steinman

Middies – Sophia Gene, Dylan Allaire & Ryan Zaben

Inters – Arya Haaf, Kelsey Locker & Cooper Repinsky, Noah Sittman

Collegiates – Liv Penson & Gabe Horton

Seniors – Shayna Simson & Mason Shulman

Supers – Jaden Bugni & Nick Einzig

GC’s – Sofie Giarratana, Dylan Schissler & Max Schwartzberg, Jake Mongeluzo

CIT – Ellie Berlin & Morgan Kushner

We are looking at our final 10 days of Summer 2024 but that is plenty of time for a Color War and more.Let’s get to it!

Inter 11 vs. Collegiate 12 Basketball Tournament Teams – Collegiate’s Win!

No Boys Side Games today.

There seems to be a vibe on camp that is quite contagious. As we are quickly approaching the last two weeks of camp, there is a renewed appreciation of where we are. We are all noticing how fast our summer is going by so we aren’t sweating the small stuff here. Everyone is relaxed and fully embracing the home stretch of summer 2024. We are trying to stretch the days and lengthen the nights. With each bugle that rings it means that time is passing and soon we will be heading home so we are getting it all in while we can and making every second matter. Friendships are becoming deeper and more meaningful by the minute. In two weeks, our hugs and long talks face-to-face will be replaced with texts and snap chats. The smiles we see everyday will soon become a little happy face emoji we type into a screen. It’s unreal that what we experience here everyday, has to end in just 13 days but what we are left with are hearts full of great memories and a summer that embraced us. We were sitting with our CIT girls tonight in the Lodge, as they finished up helping serve at pizza parties and they were sharing with me how much this summer has meant to all of them.  They shared so much gratitude for the summer they have experienced, the memories they all made together and the love they all feel for Chenny. Tomorrow night, these amazing girls will take the stage for their very last Girls Sing and it seems surreal to us all. We are so excited to see them one last time perform together on our stage. We have no doubt this will be a night to remember.

Girls Side Sports:

Inter 0 vs Collegiate 6 – Tennis Tournament Teams – Collegiates Win Championship!!

Super Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Island 8

Boys Side Sports:

Freshman Soccer – CAW 5 vs. Westmont 6

Senior/Super LAX – CAW 6 vs. Starlight 9

GC/CIT Basketball – CAW 41 vs Starlight 50

And the Oscar goes to…… The Chenny cast of Lion King!! This was the best theater show production we have ever had here at camp. The costumes, the choreography, the drama, the singing all lent itself to one incredible and perfect summer camp production. The audience was entertained and so supportive of their friends up on that stage. It was just another example of how much we care about one another here at Chenny. And for our actors who have worked so hard on this show and committed to be a cast member, we are in awe of their performance. The courage and bravery it takes to stand in front of camp and perform cannot go unrecognized. It takes a lot and these kids gave a lot. What an absolutely incredible show.

Our dance team got up early and headed over to Camp Wayne for Girls for their annual Summer Dance competition. There were 15 camps that were competing and the talent was fierce. Our team was ready and prepared and before we took the stage, all the girls made a pact to just have fun and show the judges how Chenny can dance and thats exactly what we did.  The girls put their heart into todays competition and we proudly took 1st Place in Hip- Hop. The girls were beyond happy with winning but they were more excited to jump into the lake upon their return to camp. As they pulled down Camp Rd, you could hear the horn honking which lets us all know that our team are Champions today. The pride was felt not just by our dancers but everyone at camp who heard the horn horn honking as they pulled in. There is something that happens here at Chenny that when one of us wins, we all Win. Our Chenny pride runs deep and when we win Championships, there is nothing better than watching that team jump into the lake. It’s these moments that will stay with your kids as they will never forget that feeling of running down to fiddle lake, holding their teammates hands and jumping in!!

Tonight was a big show and everyone was excited for The Chenny Globes. It is our annual awards show and the kids love it. There is a red carpet, Paparazzi and of course the Globes. This is a real deal Hollywood-esque celebrity show. And tonight’s Globes goes to:

Most Chenny Spirit – Jocelyn Griggs & Jonah Haskell

Most Likely to be Head Staff – Emma Rice & Kyle Goodman

Camp Clean Machine – Madden Weissberg & Caiden Ho

Greatest Showman – Alexa Donchek & Max Maged

Most Likely to Make you Laugh – Emerson Bodner & Chris Luisi

Most Likely to Win Free Canteen  – Mila Kovelman & Matthew Strauss

Most Likely to be President – Hayden Berger & Brady Bornstein

Most Likely to Brighten Your Day – Harlow Fass & Jack Klareich

Most Likely to Compete in the Olympics – Bridget Rooney & Spencer Weinstein

Most Likely to be Color war Captain – Jolie Schissler & Mason Friedman

Two more weeks to go here in Paradise and we aren’t wasting a minute!

Be the River and Not the Rock  is our personal mantra and has become part of our ethos here at Chenny. When you approach life as the river, you are capable to roll with life’s ups and downs and can go with the flow. When faced with unexpected twists, being like the river means adjusting our approach, learning from the experience, and having the ability to move forward. The rock, in contrast, represents rigidity and resistance to any change. It remains unmoved and unable to move on or move forward, potentially missing out on the beautiful moments life is showing us.  Our GC campers were most definitely the river last night and today as their flight home from Phoenix was pushed back, delayed and then cancelled only to finally board the flight today and face another delay. With all the travel challenges, our kids rolled with it. They were able to just go with it and deal with each delay. Your kids showed patience and helpfulness today and a desire to be  part of the solution.  The flight finally took air and they are currently headed back and we can’t wait for them to roll into camp early tomorrow morning. We are so proud knowing that all our campers were most definitely the River when faced with some challenges that were just out of all of our hands. A life lesson that these kids embraced and put to use. Feeling proud of them and excited to get them back to camp – we miss our GC’s.

Girls Side Sports:

Freshman 0 vs Junior 1 – Tournament Team Soccer – Juniors Win Championship!

Freshman 10 vs. Junior  7 – Tournament Team Softball – Freshman Wins! 

Inter Girls  Basketball – CAW 18 vs. Wayne 9 – Chenny Wins Championship!

Boys Side Sports:

Freshman 2 vs. Juniors 1 Tournament Team Baseball – Freshman Win!

Middy 14 vs. Inter 22 – Tournament Team Basketball – Inters Win!

Collegiates 1 vs. Seniors 5 – Soccer Tournament Teams – Seniors Win!

Tonight was Round Robin Wednesday and it was a perfect night of fun with each division. We had kickball games, bonfires, dodgeball tournaments and biddy basketball games. There was movies in the Chen-A-Plex and crafting in Arts and Crafts. An absolute great night of fun and friends and a perfect way to spend a summer night. So many happy campers with so many fun activities happening at camp.

Supers and CIT’s rolled back into camp and both divisions absolutely loved their trips. They are happy and exhausted! Now all we need are the GC’s to come back to camp and we will be a full house again and get on with the last two weeks of summer 2024. The best is definitely yet to come.

As the sun rose over Camp Chen-A-Wanda on the final trip day of summer 2024, a wave of bittersweet excitement swept through the camp. Hard to believe it was our last off camp trip but all campers put on their Gold Chenny Shirts, loaded the buses and off they went. Our Freshman, Juniors and Middies had a full day of fun. They started their adventure at Lahey’s Fun Park for some arcade games, mini golf annd go-karts, then off to Ninja Nook and Roller Skating and if that wasn’t enough, the night ended at the movies for a summer blockbuster. Our youngest campers had the best day ever.

The Inters & Collegiates loved their day at Dorney Park. What defines summer more than a day spent with your campies at an amusement park. The weather was perfect, the rides were riding and the roller coasters were rolling. Everyone loved their day at Dorney Park and there were more huge stuffed animals the kids won at the park that made their way back to camp tonight.

Seniors enjoyed their overnight at Hershey Park. Big kids get big trips and these kids loved sleeping out with back to back days of Hershey fun. The campers loved the rides and of course loved the chocolate. The Supers are having an absolute amazing experience in Boston. They are seeing all the highlights of that what that great city has to offer.  After a full day of fun, they headed to see the Blue Man Group which was a huge hit. The GC’s are en route back home after their amazing West Coast trip and our CIT’s are wrapping up their Lake George trip. The Supers, GC’s and CIT’s all get back tomorrow and then our house will be again full. The last two weeks are the best two weeks of camp as we know the end is near. Lot’s to get to but for now, it’s a late wake up tomorrow to give our campers some extra sleep after a full day of so much fun.

Our Inter Girls are an amazing group of great kids. They are a big group and all add so much beauty to this incredible division. I have been so  proud of how they have been to one another and how they have treated those around them that I wanted to celebrate our Inter girls. We had a Sprinkles and Sparkles party, full of cupcakes, candy, special fun lemonade sparkle drinks, queen headbands, photo booth, great music and each other. As the girls entered the canteen, I asked them to repeat our queen mantra, ” I AM KIND, I AM A GREAT FRIEND, I AM INCLUSIVE, I APOLOGIZE WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE, I NEVER HOLD A GRUDGE, I AM POWERFUL AND STRONG, I AM A QUEEN.  The highlight of the party would have to be when each camper pulled a name of a fellow camper randomly out of a fishbowl and was asked to write down something on a huge piece of paper about the camper and follow this prompt, “My friend XXXX sparkles because ____.”  We asked the kids if they had chose a name of a friend they may not know that well, to spend a few minutes and find out what makes them sparkle. What they wrote was magnificent. “Jolie sparkles because she is never afraid to be herself – Lila.” or “Aubrey sparkles because she is a great friend and an amazing athlete – Maya”.  This huge poster was full of positivity, love and gratitude.  It was a very memorable experience one that I know these girls will never forget.

Girls Side Sports:

Freshman/Juniors  vs. Middy Tournament LAX – Freshman/Juniors Win 7-5

Middy vs. Inter Tournament Basketball – Inters Win Championship 14-5!!!

Boys Side Sports:

Middy  vs. Inter Tournament Soccer  – Middys Wins Championship 3-1 !!!! 

Middy vs. Inter Tournament Baseball – Middy’s Win Championship 9-8!!!

Collegiate Baseball – CAW 1 vs. Starlight 15

Halloween in July!!! What a fun night we had dressing up and running all around camp trick or treating. Truly incredible. The campers went all out and so did the staff. Everybody got in the spirit and I overheard a counselor say to their co-counselor ” I’m glad i’m on toinght, I feel like a kid again trick or treating”. We started with our costume walk and that was electric. Each bunk got to show off their costumes and the fun they had, walking with their bunkmates down the cat walk. What a great night it was and it didn’t end there. It was time to Trick or Treat and each group went station to station, filling their bag with candy and chips. Our Collegiates put on an scary, not scary  Haunted House in the dance studio and the campers loved it. The night was a perfect continuation of our amazing day. Great vibes all around and we still have 2 weeks to go!

There is something pretty special about being a CIT here at Chenny. They contribute to a sense of community and camaraderie with our youngest campers. Their involvement helps create a such a inclusive and supportive environment, making the camp experience connected and a true family. Watching our CIT’s be so involved with their campers is a testament to their love of this place. There is nothing cuter than seeing our CIT’s draped with campers all over them; giving endless piggy back rides and countless biddy basketball games. There wont be a line up without a CIT having a camper in their lap. That relationship they have with our younger campers defines what is so magical about this place – it’s circular, it’s authentic, it’s tradition, it’s our values, it’s connection, it’s awesome!

Girls Side Sports:

Freshman/Junior Basketball – CAW 8 vs. Westmont 10

Middy Softball – CAW 7 vs. CAW 2 – CHAMPIONSHIP WIN!!

Inter Flag Football Tournament @ IHC – Game #1 CAW 31 vs. Towanda 7/ Game #2 CAW 38 vs. Tyler Hill 16 / Game #3 CAW 42 vs. IHC 22  – CHENNY CHAMPIONS!!

Collegiate Flag Football Tournament @ IHC – Game #1 CAW 14 vs. Tyler Hill 13 / Game #2 CAW 7 vs. Wayne 31 / Game #3 CAW 19 vs. IHC 21

Seniors Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 1 – CHAMPIONSHIP WIN!!

Boys Side Sports:

Collegiate Basketball – CAW 31 vs. Lavi 42

Super Baseball – CAW 10 vs. Starlight 3

Super Basketball – CAW 47 vs. Morasha 62

We love Awards at the Amphitheater and it was a perfect night to be outside to celebrate our  standout campers. These phenomenal  kids set an example of what a great, kind, positive and valuable member of our community is. We are always so proud to highlight our Campers of the Week. 

Freshman – Evie Weissman & Jake Gootzeit

Junior – Olivia Goldman, Jordan Kaplan & Grayson Zweben, Jacob Pesahovsky

Middies – Layla Goldberg, Lulu Harris & Lucas Sylvin

Inters – Colbie Maged, Maya Barasch & Zach Burbank, Jake Wexler

Collegiates – Simone Singer & Chase Zigler

Seniors – Cassie Kaplan & Dylan Cohen

Supers – Ella Ogulnick & Landon Schlanger

GC’s – (on Trip)

CIT – Sammy Witz & Jake Seilback

It’s good to be a GC as they explored the Grand Canyon on their Pink Jeep Tour. They are having the best time and loving their trip of a lifetime. All is great in Chennyland at home all the way to Arizona. Life is Great!

At the end of every day, I sit at my desk and write about our day so you at home can have a little insight to that magic that happens here. I take in those moments that stand out and are true examples of  why this experience is truly transformative for us all. In thinking about why our friendships are so strong here, I found a quote that resonates to this very sentiment and I had to share. It reads,  “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” by anonymous. This is what happens here. For two month we take the time to learn about others. For two months we listen to each others stories. For two months we nominate our friends and share what kind acts they did that deserved recognition. For two months we laugh at the jokes our friends tell us and for two months we can learn a whole lot about someone else. For two months our focus is outside our ourselves and that is why these two months bring so many people into our lives. That is why we all live 10 for 2.

Girls Side Sports:

Super Softball – CAW 15 vs. Starlight 4

Boys Side Sports:

Freshman/Junior Hockey – CAW 9 vs. Westmont 3 – Chenny Wins Championship!

Juniors Flag Football Tournament @ IHC – Game #1 CAW 38 vs. IHC 27 / Game #2 CAW 21 vs. IHC 14

Inters Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 5

Senior/Super Hockey – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 3

Tonight was Head Staff Lip Sync and it was INSANELY GREAT!! I urge you to watch the video when it comes out on line. It was so  entertaining and our kids loved every minute of it. There is nothing like watching Head Staff Lip Sync in the Hall. The energy is palpable and tonight was no exception. When anyone in our camp family takes the stage, it feels like each of us are up there with them. This sense of pride we all feel is contagious. You cant explain it but you love to feel it. The talent, the choreography, the lip syncing, the costumes, the heart and soul behind each performance made tonight exceptional. Our Head Staff put on quite a show and it was a night we won’t soon forget. Your kids got a treat tonight and as I was watching this amazing show, I wondered who had more fun, the kids or our staff and the answer is obviously both!!! Best news is we get 18 more glorious days and nights to share moments like these together.