Boy’s side had their track meet today and girls side battled in the pool at their swim meet. The kids had so much fun as they relayed to their finish lines getting cheers, praise and encouragement for their hard work and effort. The spirit was high and heat was on.  It starts from our staff as they jump up and down cheering for the campers and that is infectious and it just catches on from there. There is so much positive energy in this camp, it is infectious, it is contagious and it is everywhere.

Knowing what Color War means to our campers, makes these 5 days not only emotional but significant in the entire summer journey they have been on. Every single camper is an integral piece to the whole and they each matter to the outcome. They wear their colors with pride and everyone on camp is putting  their heart into every match, game and meet. You can see it on their faces and feel it in their effort and hard work. Your kids are digging down deep and giving it all they got. You would be beyond proud of them. The cheers of victory are deafening and the anguish of defeat is real. This Color War matters to each of us and it is providing meaningful competition and pushing ourselves when we think we can’t, we are being encouraged knowing that WE CAN. When we think we’re tired, we get up and push harder. This ability to find that fire inside each one of us is an experience that will be with us forever. It will help define who we are and how we grow.

This Color War is so close and the teams are within a mere 10 points of each other. Red Retro Game Night has earned 2061 points with the Gold Video Gamers just a hair behind with 2051 points. It is anyones war as these teams head into Quiz night tonight. Tonight was all mental as campers and staff had to answer questions about anything and everything from pop culture to math equations to Camp Chen-A-Wanda facts and everything in between. All day, our bodies were challenged and tonight we stretched our minds.  There isn’t a camper or staff who isn’t giving it their all and pushing it to the limit. It is an outstanding Color War and with just 2 more days to go and the scores so close, it is anyones game. So here is to 2 more amazing days of exhaustion, exhilaration, competition and meaningful moments. We are making every single moment count until we get on those buses next Saturday and all head home. The end is nearing but there is more to do.

It was a day full of games and every camper is giving it all they have. Color war brings out the competitor in all of us and you can feel it at every game. The sweat, the effort, the cheers drive us all to bring it and we do. When the Rookie girls were battling at their steal the bacon game, it ended in a tie. They had to go one more round to name the winner. It was all on the line and it was a race to the finish. Red and Gold were neck and neck and it was looking like it was headed for a double overtime when one camper on Gold team tripped and took a spill. The Red team seized on that moment and sealed the deal for the win. You could see the devastation of that camper who tripped and every one of her teammates rushed to her side telling her she did great and they knew how hard she tried. They all put their arms around her showing her support and love even in the face of defeat. They put their friend above a game and she felt supported. Even the campers on the Red team came over and hugged her and let her know what a great effort she gave. There will always be wins and losses but showing compassion and kindness stays with us and makes us better people.

The moment of today without question happened at Rope Burn. Rope burn is a long-standing camp tradition event that happens during color war. Boys build a fire and burn that rope while girls build a fire and boil the water. It’s Red vs Gold and it was an absolute nail biter. Gold boys jumped out quick and started their fire while Red boys just could not get their fire started. Whatever they tried to do it was not catching and they saw the Gold fire growing with each passing moment. The energy for the Gold team was equally on fire as it was looking like their rope was going to burn first. Red just wouldn’t give up. They stayed steady and focused. They just never gave up, ever! They heard the cheers coming from Gold and they saw Golds fire getting and bigger but they just wouldn’t throw in the towel, not tonight not ever. With a will to keep on going, Reds fire started to grow. They never gave up and though it was looking grim somehow it became neck and neck as both infernos were even in intensity. It was anyones game and Red just kept feeding their fire and wouldn’t stop. No matter how behind they were, they never gave up and in the end Red burned their rope first. The elation was felt by every camper who wore red. They celebrated together and felt a sense of pride that swept all throughout camp. Red won Rope burn, Gold won water boil and the energy was on fire!!! Such a fun night but most important, tonight showed us all that you just never give up, ever!!!

There was excitement throughout camp as everyone was psyched to get the first day of color war underway. There was a sea of painted faces, Red & Gold pom poms, crazy wigs and lots of tutus. The spirit was running high and everyone was ready to go. It was off to the lower soccer field for Tugs of War. The coolest part of tugs of war isn’t the win or loss; it’s the visible sign on each campers face as to how bad they want it. It is effort, it is dedication, it is hard work and it is being a part of something bigger than you.  It is the essence of teamwork.

It was a great day full of Color War battle playing softball, newcomb, flag football, BBG, basketball, soccer, baseball, GaGa & steal the bacon.  There is a lot on the line and every game matters. From our Rookies to our GC’s, you play a part in every single point for your team. There is so much team spirit and support here. It’s all about sportsmanship, effort, heart and soul. What you put into these games, you get out tenfold.

It was Contest Night and it was electric. Lower camp raced their games inside Shields Hall as they had balloon races, tunnel crawls, potato sack races and so much more. The fun was off the charts and even if you weren’t racing, you were dancing, jumping around and just in the spirit of Color War. While upper camp raced outside on Shields Hall basketball court with their fun and outrageous races of hippity hop, flying turtles, wheel barrels and sack racing. The music was bumpin’ and the campers were so spirited that we just couldn’t help but have the biggest dance party ever. Even though we are in a battle, Red and Gold together were dancing & singing because that is exactly what we do here. It felt like a huge party that we didn’t want to end. The good vibes were all around and everyone was in the absolute best mood tonight. A night we wont forget and one we will forever try and replicate.

Both teams have proven how badly they want to win Color War and it’s only the first day. From intense psych speeches to all day chants and cheers, both Red & Gold are bringing everything they have to this Color War. This is looking to be one epic battle!

Even though we have just began Color War, camp is coming to an end and we are only one week away from our last day here and we plan to make every moment count. The energy in this place is off the hook. We hope the pictures and videos can truly translate what is happening inside our gates. It feels great to be a part of something so AWESOME.

We battle on tomorrow!

All day, chatter around camp was about one thing, COLOR WAR!! The conversations were only about if today was that day and if breakout was happening. With each passing hour, anticipation grew. It was palpable and Color War was on everyones mind. Activities were under way but with each bugle, there was a suspicion that this was it. After snack call, everyone was on edge and it seemed like the wait was just pure agony for all who couldn’t wait any longer. But they would have to wait just a little bit more. We had a sing-a-long session in the Lodge as we all together sang at the top of our lungs. It was off to line up after dinner and with the announcements underway, you started to hear a drum line, that got louder and louder and louder and then the realization set in, THIS IS IT! Every camper ran to the drummers and they were jamming and oh so focused. They led the entire camp up the hill to our amphitheater. Just as everyone got settled in their seats, a helicopter flew by and dropped hundreds of foam gold and red balls and packaged cotton candy and it was AWESOME! It literally was raining red and gold. The drum line kept playing, the chopper kept flying by and then the red and gold smoke bombs took it to a new level. Color War is here and the excitement is felt by all. It’s Red Retro Game Night vs. Gold Video Gamers. A great theme for what is to be an awesome Color War 2021.

Everything about Color War brings out the best in each and every single person on camp. It allows us to be a part of a team, to fight for a common goal, to reach our own personal best, to support our friends, to celebrate our wins, to accept our defeats and to a part of something greater than ourselves. So for the next 5 days, we will be digging down deep, pushing ourselves and giving everything we’ve got. The road started tonight and we just cannot wait to see where it goes.

There are so many moments here at Camp that blow my mind and remind me how very special this experience is. The Chenny Shack is right out side my office and I often get to watch the kids as they make pizza or grill sitting at my desk. I have a front seat view to watch some pretty spectacular moments unfold right in front of me. As I was going through my emails, I couldn’t escape the delicious smell of fried rice that was being made right outside my office. I happily closed my computer and just sat and watched a group of GC boys stand around our hibachi cooktop, intently learning the techniques to make perfect fried rice. I could not hear what they were saying but every single boy had a smile on their face. A few of them had their arms around one another and then with the music bumping it turned into a dance party. There was food, friends, music and these boys were rocking out having an absolute ball. After they cooked their own food, they all sat down together and munched on the absolute best fried rice. The mood was contagious and everyone who passed the Shack was seeing what I was so intently tuned into – a group of 16year old boys cooking, spending time together and just loving it. When I see these moments, I have to stop and watch your children because I am in awe of just how happy they are. Great conversation, lots of inside jokes and a delicious bowl of homemade fried rice. It doesn’t get better then that.

Lights, Camera, Action…. It was our theater debut and it was FABULOUS. Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the gang did such an incredible job. It was everything you want in a production and our Frozen show was anything but cold. The kids worked so hard and dedicated themselves and it showed in a great performance. They sang, danced and acted into all our hearts tonight. Our performers shined bright on our stage tonight and they felt the love. We couldn’t have been more proud of our campers who entertained us with their talents. Bravo Bravo Bravo!!!

The Seniors, Supers and GC’s spent their morning at the largest paint ball course in North America. They geared up and got busy paint balling.  It was the last trip of the summer and it was a blast. When the buses rolled back into camp, we all knew that for the next 10 days it is the homestretch of summer 2021.

Since the big kids were out, the Rookies thru Collegiates had a very special day of their own here on camp. It was SuperStar day and it was a blast. They competed in a variety of challenges. There was Biddy City Lay Up Challenge, Dribbling Contest, Round the World Shot Contest, Obstacle Course, Relay Races, Run the bases, Throwing Strike Challenge and a true Ninja Warrior Course. The entire day was full of challenges, races and obstacles courses that were beyond fun. It was an incredible day of competition and fierce fun.

The night belonged to Boys side as the put on quite a show with Boys Lip Sync 2021.  We often hear from parents that they just can’t imagine their boys getting up on stage performing a dance in front of the entire camp. Every single boy on camp came together with their division and performed an absolutely incredible performance tonight.  From the cutest and most adorable Rookies through the hilariously talented GC’s, these boys put on a show that blew our minds. The entire Shields Hall was mesmerized as they watched, clapped and sang along with the boys on stage. I looked out at the crowd who all had smiles from ear-to-ear as they supported each other. Girls side was loving it as they cheered on boys side. 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. To see boys let loose, dance in front a packed house with such confidence and joy is awe-inspiring. They let go and felt free – this type of outlet for our boys is just plain beautiful and it is what camp is all about. What a night we all had and to add an extra special moment that nobody will forget, we had the most incredible Color War Fakeout. A combination of Nancy Tucker & Gary Shields (both Camp Legends) gave us a Fakeout that was AWESOME!!!!! For those who don’t yet know Nancy and Gary, you will and your kids sure do. It was a moment in summer 2021 that was beyond memorable and gave us some incredible Color War excitement!!!

As hard as it was to pick a winner tonight, lower camp winner went to the Juniors and upper camp was a unanimous decision as the GC’s brought down the house and earned the Win!!  An insanely fun night was had by all..Though camp may be nearing the end, there is so much more to do!!!

If you were to bring out a deck of cards, jacks and mad libs and told your kids this is what he/she and their friends will play with for hours on end day after day, would you ever think they would go for it? Not in my house either, but there is something about a deck of cards, jacks and mad libs in this house that can entertain your children all summer long. Collegiate girls brought out their jacks and had a tournament at free play on the porch of the fitness center. They sat around playing, laughing, telling stories as they played jacks. The conversation was hilarious, the tournament was fun and the time spent together is why our camp friends are our best friends. Where else would you find twenty 13 year old girls entertained for an hour playing jacks while conversing about that cute boy at snack call and how awesome the silent disco was the other night and of course trying guess when Color War is breaking out. Life is simple and easy up here and relationships are built on moments like these. No phones to distract us. No social media to worry about. Just sitting around being ourselves and playing jacks. I sat and watched these amazing girls until I had to jump in myself and join the fun. So it was me and the girls playing jacks, gabbing away and having a ball. As crazy as my day is running camp, a twenty minute jacks game was exactly what I needed. It was definitely my favorite part of the day.

There were games and tournaments galore today. Girls side Seniors vs. Supers went hard today at their basketball game and had a great time. We have some serious athletes in these divisions and they all loved the competition. Our freshman thru Middy girls had their own soccer tournament today. The fields were full and the campers loved it. Boys side did their thing too with some basketball and flag football games. Older boys went hard on the soccer field and the competition was fierce. Chenny kids brought their best today and it was just another incredible day.

The night blew our minds, literally. How can we possibly describe the evening activity we all experienced tonight. Chris the Mentalist read our minds and took our breath away. He knew what we were thinking and did things you just had to say, HUH??? The entire Shields Hall was just stunned at what he did and how he knew things. It was UNREAL and every camper walked out scratching their head wondering how in the world did that guy do that??? An awesome show and an end to a great day at Chenny!

Life inside Chenny is just so GREAT!!

It’s an odd feeling being so removed from reality when you are here at camp and it is especially strange when we know what is the current climate outside our gates. Inside camp, there is no covid talk or worry about raising numbers or variants. It doesn’t exist here. Your children are outside playing, holding hands with their friends as they run to their next activity. After one biddy basketball tournament, it’s off to a flag football game. Your kids are free and have been living a life that doesn’t include the pandemic world we all were living. We have 12 more days to play without a worry in the world. We created a space, carved out in the most beautiful landscape that is safe for your children to just be kids. To literally run and jump and play all day. We won’t waste a moment of these next 12 days here and your children are embracing every day. You can see it on their faces and feel it in the energy here. We may not recall every activity we did or remember every detail that happened here at camp but you can’t forget the way you feel when you are here. That stays with you way after summer is over. Our hope is that when the kids are back at home and dealing with whatever we all may be facing, they can remember the way they felt over their summer at Chenny and it will put a smile on their face. That they spent their summer feeling free and connected. There has been no bigger joy for all of us watching your kids feel this free. It inspires us everyday.

It was a bit chilly tonight on camp with rain coming and going so it was a perfect movie night for our Rookies thru Inters. They got all cozied up in their jammies or comfy clothes, brought blankets and enjoyed a movie in Shields Hall. They munched on their canteen while watching a summer blockbuster. Our older kids had a cupcake wars and a game truck party with hibachi at the Chenny Shack.

Just a great night for everyone on camp and it’s not over yet. 1,2,3,4 they all want Color war!!!!!!!

The sun was out and the day was incredible. It is as if we all now our time here is numbered in days so we are doing every activity, we are playing every game and we are getting it all in before August 14th. With only two weeks to go, life continues to be great up here and the smiles on your children’s faces say it all.  But it’s just not time yet to pack our bags because….. 1, 2, 3, 4 we want a Color War. The chatter is here and Color War is definitely in the air. We inadvertently (or not) blew a few wrong bugles today and every camper picked up on it. The Color War vibe has arrived at Chenny and it’s just the beginning.

A GIANT congratulations to this weeks Campers of the Week. They earned the recognition and we are so proud our kids who talk the talk and walk the walk. They keep on spreading joy and good vibes all throughout camp.

Rookies – Stephanie Sklar & Jesse Lederman

Freshman – Mia Kepke & Lucas Pillersdorf

Junior – Brooke Arenberg & Brody Adler

Middies – Ava Mallin & Nate Wellikoff

Inters – Maya Porat & Cole Rand

Collegiates – Sammy Simson & Jason Benisch

Seniors – Abby Isaacson & Austin Levitz

Supers – Ellie Kertzner & Jack Komson

GC’s – Taylor Diamond & Griffin Gurewicz

Boy did we put on a show tonight as our Circus show took our breath away.We had tumblers and acrobats, adagios and lyra performances. There were single trapezes and spanish web and our kids dazzled us with their abilities on the triple trapeze and the big rig too. To watch our kids create a performance that defies gravity and takes total 100% concentration and are able to execute with such ease and grace is a testament to our Circus Directors and specialists. Heather, Andrew, Parker, KJ, Zahara and Virgil produced a show that was INCREDIBLE. From start to finish our minds were blown as we watched our kids do things that they only learned here at camp. They were brave and fierce, talented and composed.  You just can’t imagine how spectacular your kids were as they were the main acts. To watch you kids pour their heart and soul into this program and show us all what dedication looks like is truly what its all about. There is nothing they can’t do when they apply themselves and try until they nail it. So many kids may look at that huge trapeze and see it’s enormity as something they can’t do but this summer, our campers saw what they can do and we could not be more proud of each one of them. So many kids in the audience were in awe and said to me afterwards that next year they DEFINITELY trying out for the Circus show. They soared tonight and literally flew to new heights. They worked so hard and it showed. The show was phenomenal, funny, entertaining, electric and just awesome. Here is to our incredible team who taught our children to dream big and fly high!!!!!

The entire day was dedicated to Girls Sing and it was spectacular. The pride, the joy and the honor of this camp tradition is felt by everyone on camp. Each division worked so hard and it showed. When boys side sat in awe for 2 hours, you know it was entertaining and awesome. The support boys side gives girls side is just breathtaking. From our adorable Rookies through our crazy talented GC’s they all brought the house down. I could never bring justice to describing the bonds these girls have with one another but watching them up on stage perform together allows us all to witness it for ourselves.  They have all created a sisterhood that will follow them throughout their lives. The decision to pick winners was beyond difficult and after an agonizing decision from our male Head Staff judges, Inters won for lower camp and Supers won for upper camp. Congratulations to both divisions who just did amazing tonight. From the alma maters to the dances and from the costumes to the choreography, tonight was insane. Girl’s side rocked it.

Though the GC’s didn’t win tonight, they pulled on every heartstring in Shields Hall. They brought us all to tears with their emotional performance and ended the show with such grace and dignity. Tonight was their last Girls Sing and they opened their hearts and souls to us. You could have heard a pin drop during their performance. As they finished their performance they sat side by side, hand in hand singing their last alma mater. You could actually feel the bonds they have built with each other  and their love for one another took center stage. Three bunks came together after a long road they have all had and this summer was th eicing on the cake. They embraced one another and this experience that they have shared together.  Their journey as campers is now coming to an end and we can say with certainty that watching this group summer after summer has been joyful.  These 25 girls, each so different from one another but all found common ground and built this community of friendship between them. It is exactly how you want your camp journey to go. These young women are incredible people who we are so proud of. Our hearts grew bigger tonight as we bear witness to something magical happening in front of our eyes. You saw the faces of every camper who sat in awe of our GC girls tonight and wanted to be them, to have what they have. Camp Chen-A-Wanda is a better place with their presence and it is not goodbye, it will never be goodbye – It is just see you soon. Their journey will take a shift but Chenny is forever in their hearts and they have left an indelible mark that will never be forgotten. Girls side is better because of our GC girls being here with us this summer. We have loved watching them grow up in front of our eyes and so beyond happy that Camp Chen-A-Wanda will forever be a part of their story.

Onto the last 2 weeks of summer 2021!