It was another incredible day spent at our summer home. The weather was perfect and campers were happy, active and engaged. You cant ask for more than that for our kids. It is why we do what we do. Seeing the tremendous growth that happens with each and every camper daily is what drives us all.  It takes a village and boy do we have an awesome one. You don’t see counselors without a camper holding their hand, sitting on their lap or catching a piggy back ride. It is such a beautiful sight to see as these bonds that happen and happen so quickly. Regardless if it’s wiping tears away and providing comfort to your  children or just having a catch on a beautiful sunny day. These connections are so special and as a parent who sees this relationship with my own kids, I know that their presence in our kids lives makes them better people. Here, a twenty-something counselor has the ability to provide something us parents can’t. It’s a bond that is set apart and will forever hold an important place in the lives of our children. They learn differently from these relationship and there is a level of trust that is developed and doesn’t go away. We all give our children roots and sending them to sleep away camp is giving them their wings. It’s hard to imagine someone other than you understanding their fears, being there when they cry, tucking them in at night, laughing at their jokes, eating every meal with them and guiding them through their journey but this is what’s happening right now.

Our scores for the days Wayne County Tournament Games:

Middy Girls Softball – CAW 7 @ Westmont 9

Collegiate Girls Soccer – CAW 5 vs. Island Lake 0

Senior/Super Girls Volleyball Tournament @ Camp Wayne – CAW Placed 2nd

GC/CIT Girls Soccer – CAW 4 @ Westmont 5

Inter Boys Basketball – CAW 23 @ Morasha 49

Senior/Super Boys Softball CAW 5 vs. Lavi

GC/CIT Boys Softball – CAW 8 @ Westmont 9

The night belonged to Boys side with the best Boys Lip Sync I have ever seen here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. We always hear from parents that their boy just wont 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 hilariously talented CIT’s, these boys put on one heck a show. 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. 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. This type of outlet for our boys is just plain beautiful.  We had to choose the winner of Boys Lip Sync 2015 and for lower camp it went the Juniors and for upper camp it was a unanimous decision to give it the amazing CIT boys. What a night we all had. Life is GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!!

Chenny Out

Nothing is better than waking up to Brian Leahy ringing the bugle and announcing that blue skies are here and today will beautiful and warm. You could hear cheers from the bunks as the campers are so excited to get outside and play in the sun. It was a warm sunny day and nothing feels better than putting on that sunscreen and getting on the fields, courts and playing in the lake. There was a pep in everyones step and it was an incredible perfect summer day.

We launched a brand new program today and the campers loved it and jumped in with both feet. We have named this summer, the Summer of Kindness and have challenged our kids to  do 2 kind things a day for someone else. Doing kind things for others will make each one of us feel great and it spreads good will and happy feelings throughout camp. Campers can anonymously submit names into a box with a description of the kind act they wish to recognize and highlight. Head Staff will go through the box daily, collect all the nominations and will choose those campers that deserve to be named Kindness Camper of the week. After we explained the process to all of camp this morning, by days end, that box was stuffed to brim with nominations. There are kind acts that happen at every moment here and we cant wait to have our first official Kindest Camper Awards where we honor those campers with a cool shirt and lots of recognition for being an awesomely kind camper.

Our Wayne County Tournament games resumed today and it was a fun day for our Chenny athletes.

Middy Girls Tennis – CAW 2 vs. Wayne 3

Inters Girls LAX – CAW 2 vs. Bryn Mawr 4

GC/CIT Girls LAX – CAW 17 vs. Westmont 5

Freshman/Junior Boys Baseball – CAW 4 vs. Westmont 3

Middy Boys Hockey – CAW 7 vs. Indian Head 8

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 7 vs. Weequahic 0

Collegiate Boys Tennis – CAW 4 vs. Weequahic 1

Tonight was a total blast as it was our first Round Robin. Each division had their own activities on camp and they loved every minute of it. The Freshman girls got spend the night in their jammies watching Teen Beach Movie and the Junior girls loved their Cake Wars in the Lodge. Middy girls had crazy fun at Mat Ball which is a new game they loved playing. Freshman. Junior and Middy boys were loving their Ultimate GaGa Tournament in Shields Hall. The Inter & Collegiate girls had their own mini-color war with dodgeball, kickball and gaga. Faces were painted and competition was fierce and fun. Inter & Collegiate Boys were over the moon playing a glad football tournament under the lights. It was Spa night as the Senior girls went zen with mud masks, painting nails and hair styling.  Senior boys arguably had the best night with a Wiffle Ball tournament. Imagine having the best time and multiply that by ten and that is how much fun the Seniors boys had tonight. The entire Super division had a beach bonfire as they chilled out made s’mores while watching the sun set on Fiddle Lake. It was picturesque and a perfect night for a beach bonfire. GC girls were in the Cookhouse enjoying their chocolate making party. There is just nothing bad about dipping strawberries into chocolate they have made fresh. The GC and CIT boys went head to head in their own 3 on 3 basketball Tournament and the CIT girls spent their night in the Chen-A-Plex watching a movie. The night was perfect for every division and there wasn’t a camper who didn’t have the greatest night. It’s so easy to see why Life is Really Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out.

There is something quite special spending the 4^th of July at camp. It is a full day of celebrations. Everyone is dressed in Red, White & Blue, faces painted, tutus on and camp is decorated proudly displaying our American pride. Everyone felt the spirit of today. You couldn’t help but part of it, we all were. Seeing our youngest Freshman to our oldest CIT’s all dressed up and proudly showing their American pride is just plain awesome.

The spirit and energy today was following us all throughout the day as we had a giant dance party in The Lodge at lunch. Everyone was up on his or her seats singing and dancing. Nobody wanted it to stop. If you have ever been in a room singing at the top of your lungs and just letting loose by dancing as if no one in the world is watching you, you can understand how we didn’t want lunch to end today.

It was a great day here at Chenny but we all knew that the night was the best part and it did not disappoint. The weather today was rainy but the clouds moved out just in time for our firework show. There was this vibe here at camp that was happy and contagious no matter the weather. No games were able to be played as the weather didn’t cooperate but the fun was still had today.

As dusk turned into night, we all headed up to the outdoor amphitheater and had our first Camper of Week awards. Everyone was head to toe in red, white and blue glow sticks and then it was getting down to business of handing out awards to those campers. A huge congratulations to these standout campers:

Freshman – Meredith Kalina & Aidan Schissler

Juniors – Logan Morris & Ethan Schwartzberg

Middies – Emily Weprin & Jacob Adler

Inters – Morgan Klein & Scott Pinsk

Collegiates – Carly Arends & Dylan Bortnick

Seniors – Sydney Jacobson & Brayden Schwartz

Supers – Brooke Turell & Jacob Werner

GC’s – Maci Rubenstein & Reed Dooskin

CIT – Ashley Haber & Matt Krieger

After awards were given out, the countdown began and the first firework shot up in the air and was spectacular. 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. No matter if you are 7 or 77, the 4^th of July fireworks amaze us but spending this day with your camp family makes today a summer standout. Hope you all had a great 4^th because we sure did.

Chenny out

I was fortunate enough to walk into Arts & Crafts this morning and saw some of the Junior girls learning how to make ceramic pinch pots. Each camper was sitting around the table with a pile of clay in front of them. It was just a gray clump of clay until they rolled, pressed, formed and created the most beautiful pinch pots. If you could imagine the pride and joy on each campers face as their works of art started to take shape. It took patience and time and that is what we have here at camp. Fifteen little girls, learning how to make something that was shapeless and had no use in that form was transformed into beautiful pinch pots. As the counselor said, “the more care and love you put into shaping your pot, the prouder you will feel with the end result.” For 45 minutes their little hands were busy and I was was mesmerized watching them create and saw their proudful faces seeing their results. Each camper that begins their journey here at Chenny, arrive as that mound of clay, ready to to be shaped and molded by the loving care, patience and experiences they have here at camp and each and every one of them leave as perfect unique beautiful pinch pots.

It was a great day for Chenny sports. Win or loose our campers had a ball today.

Middy Girls Soccer  – CAW 5 vs. Tioga 3

Inter Girls Basketball – CAW 41 vs. Tioga 7

Collegiate Girls Basketball – CAW 38 vs. Tioga 18

Super Girls Soccer – CAW 12 vs. Starlight 2

GC/CIT Girls Basketball – CAW 30 vs. Starlight 42

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 16 vs. Weequahic 2

Senior Boys Baseball  – CAW 13 vs. Lohikan 3

Super Boys Tennis – CAW o vs. Starlight 5

Not only do we have a caring and loving staff, they are insanely talented and showed off their skills at this evening Staff Talent Show. Our staff sang, danced, told jokes and wowed the crowd with their talents. Shields Hall went nuts as each staff member took that stage and let loose. When our camper see their counselors on that stage, without fear and inhibition, they cheer with so much pride. To get to work in an environment where you have full license to dress in a scooby doo costume, sing, dance and get a standing ovation from a hall packed full, is to see humanity at its best. No judgement here, just support and love. A new staff member that came all the way from Hungary and works as one of our kitchen staff took the stage tonight and sang like an angel and after she was done, came to me and said, “That was the best moment I’ve ever had. There is so much love here, it makes me want to cry”. She summed the night up perfectly.

Chenny out.

The sun was out in full force today and you could feel the excitement. Every area of camp was full of happy campers. From go-karts to gaga and everything in between was full of campers who had smiles on their faces and a sense of appreciation to be outside all day long playing with their friends. We have been here for almost a week and everyone has settled into their routine. Waking up to bugles and heading into the Lodge for breakfast in our jammies is what we do and feels like we’ve been doing this together for a lot longer than 5 days. The day was as close to perfect as perfect can get. When we see our children engaged, happy, connected and at ease, there is nothing that fills a parents heart more than that. We hope that the pictures and videos tell that story, that your children are engaged, happy, connected and at ease.

It was another afternoon of fun and games as our Chenny athletes hit the fields and courts.

Inter Girls Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 5

Super Girls Basketball – CAW 36 vs. B’nai Brith 10

Freshman/Junior Boys Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 8

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 1 vs. Westmont 3

Collegiate Boys Roller Hockey – CAW 10 vs. Westmont 2

Collegiate Boys Soccer – CAW 9 vs. B’nai Brith 1

Senior/Super Boys LAX – CAW 16 vs. Tioga 17

The night belonged to our long-standing Chenny tradition, Sign & Song. This is where each bunk creates a plaque with every name of every camper and counselor living in that bunk which will be hung there for the rest of time. In every bunk there are plaques that date back decades and gives us a window to what it was like back then and it mirrors what will be for kids coming through Chenny now. Some things change and some stay the same and Sign & Song will always stay the exact same at Camp Chen-A-Wanda, that you can bank on. After plaque presentation, it was the Song portion of the night and this is where each bunk on girls side performs a dance. Each group got up on that stage and danced their hearts out. From our cutest and most adorable freshman all the way through our beautifully talented CIT’s, the rocked the house and had a ball. As each girls bunk danced with smiles on their faces, boys side stood on their seats with standing ovations. When one of us takes the stage, everyone at Chenny is there to back them up. This is why we call ourselves a family in every sense of the word, we are!!. Congratulations goes to tonights winners:

Lower Camp Boys Plaque Winner goes to Bunk A

Upper Camp Boys Plaque Winner goes to Bunk S

Lower Camp Girls Plaque Winner goes to Bunk G

Upper Camp Girls Plaque Winner goes to Bunk W

Lower Camp Best Dance goes to the ladies of Bunk L and Upper Camp Best Dance was awarded to the girls of Bunk Q

It was a night of pure magic and camp tradition but what happened after took my breath away. As the little kids were getting tucked into bed and we peaked in to make sure all were snug in their beds, what we saw would make anyone anyones heart melt. There, in boys bunk B we witnessed true camp magic. Their talented counselor had each camper in their bed, with the lights out as he went around the room asking for each camper to share their rose and their thorn for the day. When one camper shared that his rose was definitely baseball today and his thorn was wanting to get better at soccer. It was so beautiful to watch boys sharing at this level. Connecting to one another happens at camp. We listen and we share and we all come to the realization that everyone has their roses and everyone has their thorns.

Chenny out.

Today was our first day of uninterrupted activities and it was awesome. The excitement was palpable and the kids were ready. The bugle blew and they were off. It was like the department stores doors opening on black Friday. They couldn’t get to the fields, courts, school of rock, dance studio quick enough. We had kids who were ready to play and play hard. Everyone is settling into their summer home and though we all had a great time in the rain, we are definitely ready for the stretch of sun that is headed our way. Knowing how much fun we’ve had with grey skies, you can imagine the feeling at Chenny with the sun shining down on us. We are ready for the heat, ready to pile on the sunscreen and definitely ready for the beautiful sun that will shine down on us all for the next week.

I find myself walking around camp looking for examples of how much this place inspires good will and makes each one of us better people and all I have to do is walk outside my office and it’s everywhere. It may be the closeness we all feel as holding hands is alive and well inside our gates or it could be pushing your friends on the swings or watching your kids put their arms around a camper that is feeling homesick. I was sitting with a camper today that was missing home and within minutes we were surrounded by a group of kids telling this young camper their story of getting through it. They spoke from their heart how missing home is normal and it goes away and as one camper said it so perfectly, she said “Chenny is family and if you let it, it will change your life forever.” This statement was made by one of our most homesick kids who stood in front of us, reached out to a camper who is just starting out and paid it forward. When I think of camp, I think of our children connecting and having a profound effect on each other and I sit in awe as I watch it unfold in front of my eyes.

Wayne County Tournament games began today and we had a ball. win or loose we had a ball.

Middy Girls Basketball  – CAW 22 vs. Wayne 12

Senior/ Super Boys Roller Hockey – CAW 3 vs. Wayne 16

The night ended with Deal or No Deal in Shields Hall. Deals were made and awesome prizes were won. Laughter and smiles were in abundance. There is no place like Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Campers are all safe and sound in their bunks and we are ready for another day full of sun!!!!

Chenny out.

So it was a rainy start to our day but that doesn’t hold us back from the fun that is happening here at Chenny. We just put on our rain gear and get on with it. There is no time to waste as these 50 days spent here are cherished and we get every moment out of every day. No matter if we are inside playing jacks or in the Chen-A-Plex watching a movie, being together with our friends is all that matters. When there was a break in the rain, we couldn’t get outside fast enough. Sign and Song is coming up this Thursday evening so girls side was busy practicing their dances. Some even danced in the rain and if you have ever watched groups of kids dancing in the rain, it is a beautiful sight to see. There is a sense of freedom to jump in puddles not worrying for a moment that your shoes will get soaked or your clothes may get muddy. I am always amazed as I get inspired by your children summer after summer that for 10 months I avoid those puddles but for 2 months, I find joy as I jump right in. Living amongst all these children reminds us to play and laugh even in the rain.

It was Bingo night tonight and I cant quite explain the amount of fun that we all had tonight playing a game that is not plugged in or lit up or needing batteries. Everyone was engaged and having the time of their lives. If you could imagine a room full of insanely engaged kids having the best time with bingo cards, the most fun prizes up for grab and the best most positive energy – it was electric, it was off the charts fun and it was one of the best nights we’ve had yet. Your children have a spirit that is brilliant and uplifting and we love every minute we spend them.  Tonight was one for the books as Bingo is now all of our favorite game. Your kids are having the time of their lives up here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda and it’s only day 3!!!

Chenny out.

Today was an awesome camp day as campers spent the day outside playing. There is truly no better sight to see than watching kids run around and play and that is exactly what your children did all day long. They had catches at center camp,  flag football games and gaga tournaments. They jumped into the lake, created works of art in Arts and Crafts and just had the greatest day. This is what our children crave and deserve and we are so happy to provide a place that playing outside all day with your friends exists.

It was a day of tryouts as our fields and courts were busy with kids playing their favorites sports. As I watched the junior girls tryout for the basketball team, it lifts my spirit to see kids get encouragement for trying and giving it their all. Some kids couldn’t reach the rim but the try was all we required. Coaches get behind each one of them and from their heart praise your children. That amount of sportsmanship and support is not always associated with youth sports but that is what we do here. To see the smiles on the campers faces as they learn new skills and try their best and are celebrated for it is priceless. To be a part of our sports program here is to play for the love of the game without pressure or stress. It’s magical and so necessary for our kids. You see them thrive when they are coached without criticism and praised for what they can do. Stay tuned as we post Wayne County Tournament scores on this blog as soon as games begin.

We had babies on the brain as our Associate Directors Brian and Laura Leahy had their baby’s gender revealed tonight in the Lodge during dinner. All of girls side were pretty in pink and Boys side were all wearing blue as each side waited to see what the Leahy’s are expecting this November.  Our Chef knew the gender and made a giant cake with the color pink or blue on the inside and when Brian and Laura cut into the cake to be surprised themselves, the entire Lodge was crazed with anticipation. There were chants from boys side and cheers from girls side and when Brian cut into the cake and held it up high, Girls side went nuts as they saw a pink piece of cake raised above his head. It’s a Girl for the Leahy’s. Our entire camp family made this reveal so much fun.

Love was in the air tonight in Shields Hall as we had our camp favorite evening activity, The Dating Game. There were bachelors and bachelorettes and it was hysterical. The questions were sweet and funny and the answers were even better. Some sang their responses and some even danced to get the crowds support. Everyone had a great time and Shields Hall was exploding with laughter. It was a great ending to to beautiful day.

Best news of the night… We get to do this again tomorrow.

Chenny out.