Camp was buzzing with excitement this morning as everyone proudly sported their team colors and hit the fields and courts. The energy was electric from the very first whistle to the last shot made. From the Freshman Girls digging deep in a fierce game of Steal the Bacon to the Collegiate Boys going all out in Newcomb, and the CITs battling it out in the pool during Water Polo, the competition was intense and so much fun. You could hear chants and cheers from every corner of camp as everyone pushed themselves to the limit today.
But what truly makes Olympics at Chen-A-Wanda so special isn’t just the competition—it’s the heart. It’s the moments that sneak up on you, like the Freshman girl who surprised even herself when she launched a kickball into the outfield and ran home for the winning point. Or the Inter Boys playing basketball with the kind of focus and fire you’d expect in a championship game. That’s how much it means to them—every play, every point, every teammate.
Tonight brought one of the most loved traditions of all: the Apache Relay. Seventy-one events. One race. Every single camper, from our youngest Freshmen to our oldest CITs, played a part. When the horn blew, camp exploded into motion, and for the next two hours, it was a masterclass in teamwork, heart, and hustle. Every second mattered, and it showed.
Gold Spain edged out the win, with Blue Finland just 11 seconds behind in one of the closest finishes we’ve ever seen. The entire camp waited with bated breath as Max Schwartzberg—baton in hand—pedaled down Camp Road, turned the corner, and struck the pole to seal the victory. Max, a CIT, had dreamed of this moment—he had watched the CITs before him take that final ride—and tonight, it was his turn. The look on his face said it all. He wasn’t just riding for the win; he was riding for every camper who’s ever dreamed of being the one to finish the race. And tonight, he delivered.
As the sun set on an unforgettable day, our Olympic athletes crawled into bed, proud, exhausted, and ready for what’s next. Tomorrow brings another round of games—and the grand finale: Olympic Sing. And if you know Chen-A-Wanda, you know… it always comes down to Sing.