I’m back—and I can honestly say this trip was even better than I ever imagined. I learned so much, did things I never thought I would (or could), laughed endlessly, and bonded with our campers in a way that only travel together can bring. We explored parts of the country I had never seen before and made memories that I know will last a lifetime. Experiencing this journey through the eyes of our kids was pure magic.
Our adventure began in Los Angeles—and wow, was it fabulous. Showing the campers my hometown in all its glory was such a joy. We even had the bus make a spontaneous stop just to capture that iconic shot of the Hollywood sign! There was shopping, eating, and yes—more shopping—plus a perfect day at Santa Monica Beach and an unforgettable visit to Universal Studios. Every moment was a hit with the kids, and truly, what’s not to love about LA?
But that was just the beginning. Next, we headed to Nevada, where the adventure ramped up. The kids weren’t sure they could kayak up the Colorado River… but they did. Every single one of them. Watching them push through their doubts and paddle together was one of the most rewarding sights of the trip. That evening, we gathered under a sky so dark that the stars felt close enough to touch. We sat around a bonfire, cooked hot dogs, roasted marshmallows, and watched shooting stars streak across the desert sky. That night was my personal highlight—and I know it was theirs too.
Then came the Grand Canyon. Somehow, I had never been—and now I can’t believe I waited this long. Its breathtaking, majestic beauty left us all speechless. Standing at the edge of that vast canyon makes you feel small in the best possible way. In Sedona, the scenery shifted to striking red rocks and our adventure continued with pink Jeep rides through the mountains—an experience none of us will forget. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we landed in Phoenix for a VIP tour of the Suns arena. Watching our campers shoot hoops on an NBA court and seeing the pure joy in their eyes was like watching dreams come to life. We topped it off with a Diamondbacks game, complete with on-field batting practice. Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it.
And yet, the real magic wasn’t just the places we visited—it was being together. Sharing these experiences as a true camp family made every moment unforgettable. Every second of this trip was pure joy, for me and for our campers.
When Jon and I created this trip for our GC’s, our goal was simple: give them something truly special. A chance to combine the adventure of travel with the heart and spirit of camp. Now that I’ve lived it, I can say without a doubt—it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Teen summers come with so many choices, but the chance to travel with your entire camp division—kids you’ve grown up with—is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s the best of both worlds, and I hope every family who has this opportunity in the future says “yes” to it.
This trip was beyond incredible. Our kids have created memories and bonds that will stay with them for life. As we boarded the plane back home, Jordana Kohen summed it up perfectly: “This was the best trip ever… and I’m so ready to go back to camp. I miss it.” Me too, Jordana. Me too.
And now, we return for the best week of the summer… and maybe, just maybe, a Color War is around the corner. So my blogs are officially back and I will be reporting on everything that happens these next 10 days. I can’t wait to see all the kids in the morning and give them all hugs – I truly love our summer family.
Life is great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.