Before the campers arrived to camp, we discovered a bird that was nesting on her three eggs waiting for them to hatch. This mama bird made her spot right on the road next to the soccer field. Everyday, campers would walk by this bird and take note of its process. There was a giant growing concern from each camper about its safety due to its location.  We made a barrier for its safety and ensured that no flying soccer balls or running campers would pose a threat. This mama bird proudly sat atop of her 3 eggs day after day after day while the daddy bird was sitting across on a tree branch, looking over making sure his family was safe. We all have become part of this birds family. Since the kids arrived, not a day has gone by without campers gently peering and saying hello to the mama bird as she sits on these eggs waiting for them to hatch. When campers would get close to take a look, she would spread her wings and chirp so loud as to protect her babies is her only job. No rain storm, or wind or the 100’s of campers walking by her daily or even the soccer games she is next to would take this mama bird away from her eggs until they were ready to hatch. Today, they hatched. All 3 baby birds were ready to make their entrance and every camper was so excited with the news that the mama birds babies were safe. The kids were so excited and we truly became part of this process with this unlikely mama bird and her babies. When I think about it, WE are that mama bird who sits and protects until their babies are ready, then we send them off to fly. It was a beautiful to see and a daily reminder to everyone who walked by and witnessed the love of a mama bird. Thank you all for being incredible mama birds.

“Inhale Confidence, Exhale Doubt” – Anonymous

We are in full competition mode and loving every minute of. There is so much Olympic spirit in the air and each team is putting their heart and soul in every battle and every game. There are wins and losses, there are cheers and chants and above all there is a respect for the game and for each other. We congratulate those who have brought home a victory and support the teams that may have lost their games today. It is having respect for one another that makes these Olympics Games so magnificent.

Tonight was all about Apache Relay. Each team has 72 events to complete and the first team to finish will be crowned the winner of the Relay. The horn blew and the race began. Every member of each team is an integral part of the race. No matter if you are a Freshman or a CIT, your parts are equally important. This event emphasizes what a family we are here and brings us all together. The entire camp was utilized tonight from archery to arts and crafts. Campers were in their spot and ready to go when the baton was handed to them. Intensity, grit, determination are just a few words to describe the effort each team member displayed during the relay. Red Mexico was the first team in the race to finish, followed by Blue United Kingdom just a few minutes behind. The beauty displayed tonight wasn’t the first or second place teams hitting that baton on the flag pole as they crossed the finish line but was the entire camp chanting “Let’s Go Gold.” Gold was a bit behind but nobody gave up on them. The red team & the blue team joined the Gold team as they cheered and chanted until that last competitor rode up and banged his baton on the flagpole. Yes there was a winner for tonight’s Apache but the real winners were everyone in the game. We reveal the best parts of humanity here and it is celebrated.

After a full day of games, our Olympic athletes were glad to get to bed. They know that the battle continues tomorrow with more games and ends with Olympic Sing.  There can only be one winner. Red Mexico, Blue United Kingdom and Gold Belgium are determined, focused and can feel the win within their reach. One more day of competition and the winner will be crowned but as we all know, It All Comes Down To Sing!!!!!

There are certain things Chenny campers can count on and Olympics is high on that list. It is a camp tradition that is rich with history and meaningful for everyone that spends their summers at CAW. There was a buzz all around camp today about when Olympics would break out.  It’s typically around this time but you just never really know even if you think you do. The anticipation makes it that much more exciting. You could actually feel the energy in the air and its is in every corner of camp. Just when you think you may hear the Olympic song over the loud speakers, you may have to wait a bit longer. The entire camp was enjoying snack call and the campers were positive it was time. They truly couldn’t enjoy their snacks as the anticipation was killing them. You could literally see the angst and excitement waiting and listening as they were sure it would break at snack call. As the bugle blew for the next activity period , all the kids were cautiously walking and still waiting for that big moment.

Deep into activity 3, the Olympic Fanfare song started playing and sent chills up our spine and out from the The Lodge came our Head Counselors with a lit torch symbolizing Olympics is upon us. The entire camp ran into Shields Hall knowing what is bay out to happen. Olympics 2022 is here!! There is no more waiting or wondering. The gas are upon us.

We announced the Sergeants and Captains and highlighted what the games are all about. We will compete. We will play hard. We will show spirit and dedication. We will play fair but most importantly we will have fun in our Olympic Games 2022!  Our camp is now split in three equal teams, Red Mexico, Blue United Kingdom and Gold Belgium.

Just when we thought that camp could not possibly get any better, Olympics takes us to a whole new level. Tonight was a great night as we started our battle with Tugs of War. There has never been a Camp Chen-A-Wanda TUGS OF WAR WITH MORE SPIRIT AND INTENSITY.  It was an electric night up on our small soccer field.  We are so proud to be part of these games as we watch your children thrive to be the best they can be. For the next 2 days, we will eat, breath and sleep Olympics. We will win and we will loose but most importantly we are all part of something bigger than us that drives us all to a shared goal. Another reason why this experience is profound and meaningful as it pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves. Let the Games Begin!

Its hard to believe we are approaching the end of our second week here. Time goes by so quick and yet so much happens in a single day here that a day feels like a week. This experience of being here is different for everyone but you can see how meaningful it is to us all. That is why we keep coming back. We may not always remember every detail of every summer spent at Chenny but we can always recall how we feel when we’re here. That is the draw for why summer after summer we come back. The interesting and really cool full circle moments are when we watch campers become counselors and take care of kids here. We are so lucky to have amazing campers that have gone through our system and just can’t leave. They aren’t ready to say goodbye to their summer home so they transition into incredible counselors who share their heart and soul with campers here. When you grow up here, you have so much to give and they all give so much. They want to pass on their love for Chenny and they do with so much heart. Seeing so many incredible camper counselors we have this summer taking care of your children is just awe-inspiring. They know how their campers feel. They are keenly aware of how they can help make their campers summer spectacular. They lived it and now they want to pass it on. I watched 2 campers sit with their favorite counselor in the middle of camp today as that counselor told stories of when he their age. Those boys were locked in and listening to every word their counselor shared with them. It happens so naturally and it is why this place is as special as its is. The love is just continuous and never ends.

“Dream It. Believe it. Achieve it.” Serena Williams

Senior/Super Boys LAX  CAW 12 @ Lohikian 4

GC/CIT Boys Softball  CAW 12 @ Poyntelle 2   *** CAW WINS Championship Game

The night belonged to Boys side with an amazing Boys Lip Sync at  Camp Chen-A-Wanda. We always hear from parents that their boy just won’t get up and dance and every year not a single boy opts out as they come together with their division, lip sync, dance and have an amazing time. From the cutest and most adorable Freshman through the emotional CIT’s, these boys put on one heck of a show. The entire Shields Hall was mesmerized as they watched, clapped and sang along with the every boy who was on stage tonight.  It is the absolute best part of camp watching the support we give each other. We call it Chenny Pride but call it whatever you want, it is how we become family to one another. Tonight’s lower camp winners were the Inter Boys and our CIT’s took the win for upper camp. To see boys let loose, dance in front a packed house with such confidence and joy is awe inspiring. It was a great night with so much camp spirit here, you could feel it in every corner at Chenny. Another incredible day had by us all.

Resilience. Tolerance. Acceptance. These are the qualities your kids embraced today as we shared the news that our in person visiting day has been switched to a virtual one. We heard from so many of you that were in support of this hard decision we needed to make and also heard from some who felt disappointed.  We need you to know that your kids are champions and moved through this with brilliance and resilience. There were some weepy eyes and some felt disappointment but that was brief and all the kids moved beyond it and embraced the day ahead. I always say that If I can gift my children confidence and the ability to tolerate challenging moments I would do it in a heartbeat but it’s getting through harder situations that allow them to grow. The campers who felt sad about the news were embraced, listened too and supported. When I say it was brief, it was so brief. Within 30 minutes, they were out playing and this was yesterdays news. They did it. They understood and they moved on. We completely understand you at home may envision a huge melt down and hours of discomfort but that couldn’t be farther from what happened up here. Your kids dealt with disappointment like champions and this is part of how they grow in leaps and bounds at Chenny. We are all experiencing a very normal summer and your kids are happy, really really happy. We will continue taking care of them physically and emotionally and appreciate your trust in us and our judgment. There will be no bigger joy than to get back to a fully normal summer with all of you running through out gates at next summers visiting day.

“My favorite part of the game is the opportunity to play.” Mike Singleatry

It was our first official trip day of the summer. The campers were so excited for their trip as they all left camp in their Gold Chenny T-shirt.

Freshmen, Juniors and Middies enjoyed their day at the Crayola factory. They made their very own crayon and had so much fun with all the interactive activities they got to do and play with. Even though your kids are big enough that they spend their summer at sleep away camp, they still  loved their day at the  Crayola Factory.

Inters & Collegiate’s  spent their day jumping around Skyzone and followed it up with an evening ice skating. It was full day of fun and play of our Mohican campers. They came back to camp exhausted after a full day of serious play. It was a perfect day for the kids.

Seniors, Supers and GC’s started their day at the movies and followed it up with some fun ice skating at the rink. It was an absolute fun day for our oldest campers who loved munching on popcorn watching the summer blockbusters and then putting on this skates and having a ball ice skating with their besties!. Just an awesome time had by all.

Our CIT’s spent their day visiting Syracuse University and then it was off to the mall for some fun shopping and a dinner. They are the big kids on camp and they chose where they wanted to go today. The smiles and bags of goodies they came back with said it all.

It was just an incredible day spent outside camp for all our kids who had fun and made memories. Leaving camp is super cool but there is nothing like coming back home. Lights are out, kids are sleeping peacefully, everyone is exhausted and it was a GREAT day! It has been so long since we’ve had trip days at Chenny and its feels so great.

Kids are happy, Staff are happy – Life is Great at Camp CHEN-A-WANDA.

Spending the 4^th of July here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda is incredibly special. We celebrate together as we honor our great country. Camp is decorated with everything Red, What & Blue. Faces were painted, flags were flying high, red, white and blue tutus were everywhere and the day was just perfect.

The spirit of today continued into every competition we played today. Our athletes played with lots of heart and soul. It was a great day to be a Chenny athlete.

“Confidence is everything in this game, if you dont think you can, you wont. ” – Jerry West

Inter Boys Softball – CAW 6 @ Westmont 5

Inter Boys tennis  CAW 3 @ Island Lake 2

It was a great day here at Chenny but we all knew that the night was the best part and it did not disappoint. We all got cozy in our long and longs (that is camp lingo for long pants, long shirts). Then it was up to the amphitheater to watch our incredible firework show. We were decked out head to toe with glow sticks galore & flashing headbands.  We announced our 5, 7 and 10 year campers who get to show off their cool hoodies. Definite bragging rights for our campers and staff who have spent so many summers here . That sweatshirt is so meaningful to every person who spends summer after summer here. We had a special surprise video for Brian and Laura Leahy who have spent 20 summers here at Chenny. We gathered messages from past campers and staff who were so beyond excited to share words of love and adoration for what these two have meant to so many.

As the night grew darker we all got comfy in our seats,  the night sky lit up above us with the most spectacular firework show. I truly don’t know what is more impressive to watch; the sky light up with a rainbow of colorful fireworks or the look of amazement on your children’s faces as they watch with such anticipation for each firework to unveil above them.  They were just in amazement of what they were seeing and watching them enjoy it so, was a gift they gave to us. With every firework that shot into the night sky, there were eyes glued to the magic of what was happening.  There is something about watching a firework show that makes you feel young and reminds you that those summer nights are priceless. It was beautiful and fun and oh so memorable.  It wasn’t just an ordinary night but a feeling that made you part of something pretty special.  We sang each song together and swayed our hands in the air in unison. There is  no place on earth would we rather be but right where we were, with one another at Chenny. We hope you all enjoyed your 4th because we sure did!!!!

I stumbled upon some Junior boys sitting outside Arts & Crafts during free play today and they asked if I would get them a model airplane, truck and helicopter inside the building so they can build it together. My answer was of course YES but rather than just hand it off, I joined them and together we sat for an hour building these masterpieces. I typically find myself on girls side playing jacks or having my nails painted but today it was hanging with the boys for me. What a treat and I didn’t want it to end. We all built way more than the model structures in front of us. It was collaboration, it was conversation, it was discovering so much about everyone around that picnic table today. I learned that one of the boys wants to be a NBA player and an engineer and that another boy wants to be a professional chef and maybe an accountant too just like his dad. Together, we all built these wooden masterpieces and it took all of of us to get it done. I was loving the task we all had in front of us. This one was helping that one and somehow we all were able create something incredible that took teamwork to get done. At the end of free play, there was a table full of boys and me looking at the most beautiful airplane, truck and helicopter we all just built together. And the truth is, we built way more than the wooden models that we started with. We built trust and we built friendship. I was part of a moment that was brilliant and beautiful with a picnic table full of boys sitting around, building something amazing. There is magic in every corner here at camp and if you are lucky enough, sometimes you can be a part of it like I was today. The boys wanted to take the creations we made back to their bunk but gave me one to put on my desk. One of them said to me, “We want you to have this one so you can remember we did this together.” I got to keep the helicopter and will cherish this little wooden model forever.

“A champion is not defined by wins but how they get up when they fall.” Serena Williams 

It was another picture perfect day at camp. Hard to fully fathom that we get to live in this place for the entire summer, surrounded by such beautiful nature alongside the kindest and most caring people. There is just no place like it and there is no wonder why once you are here you just don’t want to leave. Even our newest campers who just arrived only 7 days ago have made themselves right at home.

“We don’t quit. We don’t cower. We don’t runaway. We  endure and we conquer.” Kobe Bryant 

Inter Boys Baseball – CAW 4 @ Westmont 5

Freshman/Junior Girls Basketball – CAW 19 @ Westmont 22

There are camp events that truly define what Chenny is all about and Sign and Sing is one of those traditions that has lasted through time. It is a camp staple that you look forward to and tonight didn’t disappoint. Since we all rolled into camp just one week ago, the first big event is Sign & Song and girls have been practicing their since day 1 and for some divisions, the plan was set in motion months ago. Each bunk on both girls and boys side creates a bunk plaque. Every camper and counselor’s name is on it and that plaque will forever stay inside their bunk. It is a reminder for years to come that they were here in summer 2022 and left their mark.  It is a reminder that you were here and you were part of the fabric of this amazing place. Well tonight was our night and it was incredible. The energy inside Shields Hall tonight was absolutely insane. It was a packed house and with every dance girls side performed, they were cheered on and encouraged by everyone inside the hall. It is an incredible sight to see an entire community come together in support of one another. Congratulations to tonights winners:

Best Plaques: Lower Camp Girls – Bunk C, Candy land / Upper Camp Girls – Bunk S, Squid Games

Best Plaques: Lower Camp Boys – Bunk B, Boo Bees / Upper Camp Boys – Bunk W, We Are The River

Best Dance: Lower Camp Girls – Bunk F, Fergalicios / Upper Camp Girls – Bunk W, We Are Royal Family Dancers

We have seen so many incredible performances over the years but tonights dance by our CIT’s (Bunk W) was incredible. These girls put on show unlike any we have seen. The crowd went crazy and stood on their benches screaming “W” after their performance. There was no doubt that this group of CIT’s left their mark.

There was such joy inside Shields Hall tonight. Tradition ran strong and there wasn’t a camper who didn’t have the time of their life being a part of true Chenny history. No matter if this is your 1st or 8th summer, you became part of this experience that forever bonds us together. Camp traditions like this define why there is just no place like Chenny.

Where can you find a group of 14 year old boys sitting around a table playing card games for an hour? N0 phones, no Netflix, no distractions. Just 6 boys and a deck of cards and good conversation. I walked into the canteen and found this scene play out for me. I don’t know the game they were playing and it didn’t matter. It was the company they kept and how a deck of cards allowed these boys to find joy and humor and ultimately friendship in these moments that happen daily here.  You are just an ask away from sitting in a group of friends, making memories and connections that will ultimately impact your life in the most positive way. It’s the simple things that make the most impact and sometimes a game of Gin with your buddies can blow away all the video games they play alone at home. Our kids are hungry for these connections and it is joyful watching them dive in and play.

Congratulations to our first campers of the week of  Summer 2022. They are exceptional campers who have gone above and beyond being incredible friends, great listeners and all around good humans.

Freshman – Blair Amster & Tyler Lefkowitz

Juniors – Livi Pall & Sammy Heinl

Middies – Julia Feldman & Greg Katzenberg

Inters – Samantha Rosenthal & Max Bernstein

Collegiates – Bella Kovacs & Nick Einzig

Seniors – Mia Koenig & Tyler Sugarman

Supers – Sammy Simson & Justin  Ghorchian

GC’s – Addison Rubovitz & Alex Ichiuji

CIT’s – Sydney Geller & Charlie  Butler

“Just play. Have Fun. And enjoy the game.” Michael Jordan

Middy Boys Tennis – CAW 3 @ Wayne 2

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 3 @ Starlight 5