It was our first day of regular activities and it felt so good. Baseball tryouts were popping. The theater program had its first set of auditions. The Chenny Shack was packed all day with our campers making the first official pizzas of the summer. All of the campers finished their swim tests and every area of camp was bustling with campers playing, laughing and settling into their summer rhythm.  It was a day that we have imagined and dreamt about for the past 16 months. Walking around and observing the kids was so familiar and natural. It was as if we never missed a summer and the kids just picked up where we all left off and for our new campers, their excitement and joy to be at Chenny is front and center. The spirit here is pure joy and Chenny is by far the happiest place on earth.

A few Inter boys were sitting under a tree together grabbing some needed shade from the hot sun waiting for their turn at archery. They were just chatting away discussing everything from Pokemon to the NBA playoffs. There were 6 campers and a counselor just shooting the breeze under a tree on a hot sunny day. What could possibly be better than that? Sometimes waiting for your turn can be way batter than the activity.

It was Round Robin tonight with each division doing their own thing. There was a Homerun Derby, Campfires, Basketball Tournament, Cake Making, Jewelry designing, Foam Slip snd Slide and other activities that your children had a ball at tonight. They are settling in and getting their camp legs as they are in constant motion.  Our campers are getting so much here at camp but there is no question that your kids are getting their steps in.  They are walking up the hill to Wiffle Ball then back down to the lake for tubing and up again to the skate park.  This experience your kids have embarked on is stimulating their mind, body and soul.

We are off to a great start and as our email to you tonight notes, all our arrival campers and staff tested NEGATIVE. We are one test away from getting back to normal and it feels so good.

Today is a new day. Today was a great day. Today marked the beginning of our kids getting their normal back. What a year we have all endured and as each and every one of you partnered with us in doing everything to get your kids back to camp safely, we applaud you. As every car pulled into camp, it felt like camp was getting its heartbeat back. There was just so much joy in that parking lot as you made that final stretch in this very long road we’ve been on. Well, were here and we all made it. Everyone is in and Summer 2021 can officially begin.

The energy at camp is ALIVE!!!! You can literally feel the joy. As we are podded by division for this first week, the fields were full of kids playing today and it was a beautiful sight to see. Happy joyful kids being surrounded by people and playing and connecting all day long is what happened at camp today. There have already been dance parties and singing sessions in The Lodge and your kids jumped right up and couldn’t wait to let loose. It was electric and it’s only day 1. Camp means more this summer than it has ever before. There was a group of Rookie girls who were playing a name game ice breaker in a circle and couldn’t have been any cuter. But as the game ended and the kids were heading off to another activity, I was lucky enough to overhear one camper say to another, “I’m so lucky I met you today” and her new friend replied with a sweetest smile, I’m lucky too”. It took my breath away because that is what this summer means to our children. They need one another and this is the beginning of making amazing friendships and having the best summer of their lives.

We ended the night at the amphitheater all together under the gorgeous night sky. The stars were so close you could literally touch them. The weather was perfect and the night felt magical. Outside, breathing the freshest crisp air with our friends right by our side. There were introductions and official welcomes but the night belonged to our GC’s. They all came up on stage together as one division, arm in arm, hand in hand. Together they wrote a letter from their heart and spoke of how hard it was to miss camp last summer and how incredible it feels to be back. They shared how they aren’t letting a moment be wasted this summer and how every day will be better than the next. They set the tone for our summer and their words and connection to each other were so genuine and heartfelt. They asked us all to think of a wish or a goal for this summer and then ended with lighting a Wishing Lantern. We all watched together as it drifted up in the air, shining so bright with all our wishes inside. It was a remarkable, sweet and and impactful moment we all shared together. But in true Chenny form, we had to end it with a giant dance party!!!

And so our summer begins.

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

Today was the last official day of regular activities and we enjoyed every single minute.  It was a clean up day as we prepare for packing day tomorrow.  The sun was shining and it was a relaxed dat at camp. Things are winding down and it feels like summer is getting close to the end. With only one more day to go, reality is setting in – Summer ’19 is wrapping up.

Center camp looked like a movie set with kids having a catch together, throwing the Frisbee to one another and swinging on swings without a care in the world. Imagine a world where there is just no pressure and kids outside in the fresh air playing all day long? Your children are in that world for one more day here at Chenny.

The most anticipated evening activity of summer is Late Night with Leahy and tonights show was INCREDIBLE. So entertaining , there is no other way to describe it other than beyond belief funny and fabulously entertaining. Brian Leahy creates the most entertaining videos and produces a show that is second to none. The hall is packed and every staff member  chooses to stay in camp even if they are off so they can catch the show too. There are incredibly funny videos, dances, Thank You Notes and Beats Headphones giveaways.  Campers and staff absolutely went crazy for the hilarity of what they witnessed tonight. It was a perfect way to end a perfect day and the ideal warp up to summer 2019. Ask your camper how Late Night was and we know they’d say, BEST SHOW EVER!

Just one more day to go until summer ’19 is in the books. We have had the most incredible summer to date and our Chenny spirit is flying high here. You can feel the vibe, its undeniable. After so many of our friends have left camp already due to Florida starting school today and High School Sports starting practices, our tears turned into belly laughs tonight with Late Night. It is exactly what we all needed. No onto our last day of Summer ’19.

Chenny Out.

Goodbyes aren’t easy and when our Florida kids had to leave today so that they could start school tomorrow it began the process of leaving the people who we loved spending all summer with. Reality has set in and our summer is coming to a close. There was a mellow vibe on camp today but our hearts full of experiences and memories that has brought us close to one another in ways that is indescribable.

The night was full of surprises as we sent out Seniors, Supers and GC’s out to the movies for one last unexpected trip. They loved it and had an absolute great time out for one last hoorah of summer ’19. Nothing says summer like watching a summer blockbuster with a group of your favorite people. The Freshman – Inters had their own movie but back at camp and outside under the stars. They brought their blankets and chairs and enjoyed The Greatest Showman. It was a perfect night with an outdoor movie and our littlest campers loved their evening. The Collegiate division had their own movie night in the Chen-A-Plex and had a ball. Our CIT’s spent the night stargazing as they BBQ’d and enjoyed s’mores around the campfire. They listened to music, spent time with one another and just enjoyed one of the last few nights of Summer ’19.

It may be winding down but each moment spent together is a a moment we cherish. Two more days with the best people in the best place and tomorrow is Late Night with Leahy. We’re going out with a bang.

Chenny out.

Reality has set in that our last few days of summer 2019 are upon us. It is a mix of emotion here at camp as we are organizing for the end. With Color War behind us and banquet happening tonight, the end of summer 2019 is coming closer. We have a few more days and we are taking advantage of every minute of each remaining day here. It has been an unbelievable

As the sun was setting over Fiddle Lake, we were all dressed up in our best outfits and headed to center camp where we took pictures together with our friends & counselors. Everyone looked beautiful. The vibe was insane and just so full of joy. Kids stood on the dock, arm in arm smiling for that group picture that will be looked at a million times as soon they return home only to remind us of this very night.  It was a night that had a tangible feeling attached to it – we looked gorgeous, felt happy and it showed on every person here at camp.  Living free and happy is how we choose to live up here. This night was perfect and as they walked into the Lodge for banquet dinner we walked into Mardi Gras with beads, boas and masquerade masks.  We grooved to big brass band music and dined on delicious steak sliders, fried chicken Caesar salad, steak fries and corn niblets, The kids loved their meal but the big hit was dessert as everyone went crazy for the edible chocolate chip cookie dough! It was an great meal with our camp family.

After dinner it was off to Shields Hall for our end of the year division Awards. Each Division highlighted the following campers in 3 areas; Honor Camper, Athlete of the Year and All Around Camper. They are truly standout campers and we couldn’t be more proud to highlight and honor them on this great night. To receive an award on this night is the highest honor we can give our campers. These are remarkable campers who deserve all the accolades and praise they were given. We have outstanding campers and tonight the light was bright on the campers we recognized with these extremely prestigious awards. What an honor, what a night and oh what a feeling!!!!

After the Awards, it was party time and we danced all night long. Shields Hall was full of campers who let loose and danced until their feet hurt. It was over the top fun having our last true dance party with our summer family. It’s so hard to believe the summer is coming to a close for many of our Florida campers as they head out tomorrow morning. It just doesn’t seem real. As campers headed back to their bunks full of glow sticks, T-shirts, glow rings and other items that were given out at the party, everyone was exhausted and elated and had the times of their life tonight. It was a party like no other as we celebrated an amazing summer ’19. It was just an incredible way to celebrate with the most amazing people on the planet. Life is great.. A few more days to go and we don’t want to blink because before we know it, our summer is coming to an end.

Chenny out

We Bleed Red & Gold. We fight for something we believe in. We are passionate about a common goal that drives us to be the best we can be. We give it all we’ve got and leave it all on the fields and courts. We sing, chant and cheer with our brothers and sisters. We are superstars every single day. We feel pure exhaustion but slowing down is just not an option. We put our arms around our opponents after a battle well fought. We are a valued team member and we count.  We win and we lose but the journey is what matters. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. We speak the same language and understand why color war rules everything.  We are better together than apart. We love apache. This defines Color War. From our youngest Freshman to our most seasoned CIT’s and everyone in between play an integral role in our Color War. Every point, every basket, every lap and every goal matters and the end result builds character and pushes us to places that we didn’t know we could go. This is Color War.

Everyone counts in the Apache Relay and every camper plays a key role. No matter if you are part of the elephant walk or being wrapped in toilet paper, running around the quad track, painting an entire oak tag board or are heading into the School of Rock for the infamous “unknown”, you count. It is a race that includes every single camper. It is fun, it is intense and it is Apache. When you think of the true meaning of this camp wide relay, you understand how connected we all are and how each part makes up the whole. Campers have spectacular moments that will forever stay with them and today that moment happened for Freshman camper Asher Goldstein. He and 3 teammates from the Gold team were on the dock and the task was that one of them had to catch a fish. He put a worm on the hook and stood on that dock waiting for the fish to bite. He waited and waited and waited some more. He was the youngest kid on that dock (actually 2 of his fishing teammates were his older siblings) and all of the sudden Asher shouted, “I did it, I think I caught a fish.” There wasn’t a kid or counselor on that dock and beach that wasn’t screaming with excitement for Asher. His smile was huge and said it all. The littlest kid was able to do the biggest thing.. he caught the fish.

Tonight was staff game night. It was Red vs. Gold in Wiffle Ball, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer. They had the best time playing and our kids had the best time supporting them. To watch out staff get out there and play themselves was priceless. Color War brings out the best in all of us and this War is oh so close. Before Staff Game night the scores wer announced and only 18 points separated the teams. We have a War on our hands as we enter the 5th and final day. It will all come down to SING!

Chenny out.

It was a glorious morning and a perfect day for more color war games and contests. Everyone was feeling the spirit with their faces painted and their hair sprayed with their team colors. Spirit and team pride runs deep here and everyone feels the excitement. There is nothing quite like Color War and it’s hard to explain but living it is dream like. The competition, the spirit and the fun makes this week the absolute BEST!

Boy’s side had their track meet today and girls side battled in the pool with their swim meet. The kids had so much fun as they relayed to their finish lines getting cheers praise for their hard work and effort. To sit back and watch the encouragement we all give one another here is life changing. There was a little girl who was lagging far behind in her event and she was getting discouraged.. Her teammates started to chant her and name and then within moments the kids and staff on the other team joined in and soon every single female in and around the the pool was chanting her name.. This little girl finished her event with a crowd cheering her on. She got out of the pool and was jumping up and down with excitement even though she lost her race, she won!

Tonight was a great event as we all headed to see the long-standing camp tradition of Rope Burning and Water Boiling. Counselors for both teams have been collecting wood and preparing for tonight. Their faces are painted with zinc to protect them from the burning fire that they have created and the entire camp, watches with great anticipation as to which team while burn the rope and boil the water first. It is a race to build the perfect fire and Gold Sci-Fi Fantasy’s fire went up first. They crowd went nuts but just 2 minutes later Red Medieval Madness’s fire was blazing. The lead went back and forth 7 times tonight. The tiniest shift in wood placement changed the direction of the fire. The crowd would go bananas each time their teams fire looked as if it was going to burn that rope. Reds rope burned first followed by Golds within minutes. Then it was Reds water that boiled over and just moments later Gold’s water boiled. It was an incredible Rope Burn and a perfect Color War Night. There are only 11 points that separate Red & Gold. It’s anyones War but we everyone knows, It ALL Comes Down To Sing!!!

Life is so Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

Chenny out.

Every summer is different and each Color War has it’s own character and feeling as well. The only way to fully describe what is happening here at camp is INSANE SPIRIT & ENERGY and It’s CONTAGIOUS. The campers are 100% into it and the staff has enough energy to power up an entire city. The feeling is fun not fierceness, camaraderie not cut throat competition and spirit prevails over all. It is palpable and you can’t walk 10 feet  without seeing the energy and feeling the fun. Teams are cheering on one another and encouraging everyone around them to be involved and be a part of something pretty special. Everyone matters in Color War. Every at bat, every catch, every basket counts. You are part of something bigger than yourself and that is why Color War is so special to each and every one of us. It is why we come together and have each others back during Color War. It is how we bond and how we play that defines the brilliance of Color War. No matter a win or a loss, we keep going and do our part for the greater good.

The Senior girls were at Wiffle Ball and as I walked up to watch their game, I couldn’t quite tell if it was a game or a dance party. The fun all of these girls were having was the story of the day. The girls were dancing in between each at bat and even the batter got in a few moves before she swung the bat. It was a party up at Wiffle Ball with one of the kids saying to me, “I had no idea Wiffle Ball was this much fun.” You just couldn’t help but smile and nor could they. It was contagious and what this War is all about. Our kids are loving life and feeling free. They are experiencing intense fun and joy. It is why we send them to camp and they are at the pinnacle of happiness. If we could bottle up the spirit and energy here at camp it could move mountains. What is happening here at camp is what we all want and desire for our kids – to feel joy, to have purpose and to be surrounded by the most supportive and energetic community. There is nothing quite like the feeling of Color War and we have 3 more days of pure joy.

This Color War is so close and the teams are within a mere 31 points of each other. Red Medieval Madness has earned 1396 points with Gold Sci-Fi Fantasy  just in their rear view mirror with 1365 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 and challenged 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 3 more days to go and the scores so close, it is anyones game. So here is to 3 more amazing days of exhaustion, exhilaration, competition and meaningful moments. Bring it on!

Chenny out.

Everyone woke up ready for our first day of Color War insanity. The weather could not have been more ideal for our first event of Tugs of War. Seeing the campers march up the hill with faces painted, hair sprayed red or gold, tutus, mohawk’s and every red and gold spirit wear you can think of. It is just so obvious that our kids are feeling that color war pride from head to toe. The competition was fierce as tugs of war started. It’s actually quite an amazing site to see our entire camp on one field cheering on their friends, siblings, and counselors. It’s extraordinary to hear that whistle blow and to watch both teams pull as hard as they can, and in the blink of an eye it is over. One team prevails, and then like clockwork, the teams come together an erupt with high fives, cheers, and song, as if they weren’t competing against those very same people only seconds ago. The faces of pure grit and determination are front and center with our first event. It set the stage for on off the charts, high energy Day 1 of Color War.

The action packed morning was followed by an afternoon full of games. The sun was shining, the music was playing, and our kids were just having the most amazing time on the fields with every swing of the bat, throw of the ball, and touchdown scored. There was fierce competition but throughout each game was sportsmanship and spirit. We play hard but we play fair and most importantly we play FUN!

There were so many stories of today but one that stood out as the most memorable was the axe being found in only 8 minutes and 4 seconds. That is a Chen-A-Wanda record and in my 13 years here, is the first time any CIT found the axe on day 1. The axe hunt is a long standing Chenny tradition during color that is only for CIT’s. They are given a clue at beginning of lunch and at dinner each day during Color War and have a set amount of time to find the hidden axe. There are 2 CIT’s from each team that are allowed to hunt for it and are followed by judges. This typically takes the full 5 days for the kids to locate this very well hidden axe. But today there was a new camp record as Ben Kimmelman and Natalie Blee will go down in Chen-A-Wanda history as they found the axe in only 8 minutes and 4 seconds. The Lodge was still packed with campers eating lunch as Ben and Natalie ran into the Lodge holding the axe high and proud. It was a moment everyone in lodge will never forget. The Red team erupted with cheers of elation and pride as finding the axe is a huge accomplishment and needless to say on day is next to impossible. The joy and pride on Ben and Natalies faces were something you can only imagine as they literally brought down the house. They will never ever forget that moment or feeling of accomplishment. The confidence they felt, the support they received and the pride it brought them is something that will live in their hearts forever. It was pure magic.

After an amazing afternoon, the evenings event was Contest Night.  The weather perfect for Contest Night. Freshman – Inters were inside Shields Hall and teh energy was INCREDIBLE. It was less of a contest night and more of a party!!! The campers raced in relays, flying turtles, tunnels races, balloon pops and hippity hops but with the music blasting, it was a GIANt dance party.  Even if you were not competing you got into the groove and danced your tush off and sang at the top of your lungs. .  There were Conga Lines that went all through the Hall. No matter what song played, the kids went nuts. Camp inspires us to let go and have fun and it was contagious. The same vibe was happening outside Shields Hall on the court with Collegiates – CIT’S and ended with a huge Zumba party. I could never do justice with explaining how high the energy was at camp tonight but trust us –  It felt great to be a part of the party tonight. Pure electricity.

It was a great day 1 of Color War ’19. This is by far the best part of camp. Color War embodies every important part of our incredible journey through the seven beautiful weeks we live at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Day 1 is in the books and there is so much more to go. It just keeps getting better and better.

Chenny Out.