The sun just came up and all of Head Staff has been busy since before dawn getting zombified and vampired out!!! All of camp was sleeping and at exactly 7:00am a loud siren rang throughout camp alerting all that something was happening. Each staff member was assigned a bunk to enter and awake the campers. Our youngest campers were very gently awakened in the most non-scary but yet exciting way that something very special was happening and they needed to head to Shields Hall.  They each jumped out bed with screams of joy as they knew this was it and Color War was happening. Zombies and vampires had awakened our older campers up in a very fun and exciting way this morning. There were thrilling screams and lots of laughs as the campers realized that this wasn’t a zombie apocalypse but rather a Color War that was happening to them. The haunting music played throughout camp as everyone headed into Shields Hall to see an incredible dance production of Thriller. Everyone sang and clapped along as we were so engaged with the dance that was happening before our very eyes. Just as the dance ended a loud creaky sound played and a coffin that was on stage opened and out came Gary Shields AKA Color War Guru of CAW. He turned to our campers, picked up his infamous megaphone and said… IT’S COLOR WAR 2014!!!!! Shields Hall went nuts and our Color War officially began.

Color War is such a special time and a 5-day event that every single person on camp looks forward to. It defines camp and represents everything we honor about teamwork, competition, spirit, camaraderie and most importantly having the greatest time working together for a common goal. There is nothing quite like watching an entire camp get dressed head-to-toe in their team color and show such pride for the team they are fighting for. The day was full with Tugs of War, Mass Games, Contest night and every sport you could possibly think of. We played hard, had fun and experienced a day we will never forget. As a group of Seniors girls sat with me after their softball game this afternoon, they were going over every single moment of their morning as Zombies and Vampires awakened them. Each story was followed by laughter and intense respect for the break.  As one camper asked me, “How do you guys think of the best breaks ever??” I told her how we take serious pride in providing our campers with an experience they will never forget and we know that Color War 2014 will go down as one insanely out of this world Zombified incredibly unique break!!!

Chenny out

The weather was perfect and the campers spent the morning in pure heaven here at CAW. Activities were running and happy campers were everywhere. It was a picture perfect and you could feel the excitement build as all the chatter was geared toward when Color War was going to break out. As like any other normal day the bugle rang for snack call and all the campers scurried to center camp. Nothing unusual yet…… From over Fiddle Lake, you saw something coming towards camp and it was a helicopter was getting closer. Over the speakers played the Mission Impossible theme and campers started to scream with excitement as the chopper hovered over center camp. All the campers chanted 1…2…3…4.. We Want Color War!!!! Was it now? Is it time? As 1,000’s of red and gold crimpled papers floated down from the sky above, the campers ran to grab them and were pleasantly disappointed as they read..#Fakeout and Color War NOT!! It might have been a fakeout but the excitement for Color War 2014 is at an all time high!!

We got to play a few games today and the kids had a ball.

Senior/Super Girls LAX – Starlight 21 vs. CAW 11 – Chenny takes 2^nd Place in Wayne County Tournament

Archery Tournament – CAW 12 vs. Westmont 0

Tonight was our big Disneycal Show and it was magical. The campers were adorable, talented and brought smiles to the faces of everyone in Shields Hall. They danced and sang to everything Disney. Our campers performed songs and dances from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Frozen and The Lion King. Our kids have crazy talent and they showed it off tonight. Every song was sung along to and every dance took our breath away!! It was their night to shine and that is what they did. Broadway or bust for Chenny actors. It was time for dismissal as normal but just when kids started to stand up and leave Shields Hall, music started to play, lights went on and off and the curtain opened. It was our Head staff dressed as Little Finger, Rob Stark, The Hound, Daenerys Targaryen and other characters form the hit show Game of Thrones. The kids went nuts with excitement. Jumping up and down screaming for a Color War. Was it now? Is it time? A medieval battle took place on our stage but ended in yet another FAKEOUT!!!! They will have to wait and see what tomorrow may have in store for them. Looks as if a Color War may be on the horizon!!!!

Chenny out

There seems to be a vibe on camp that is quite contagious. As we are quickly approaching the last ten days of camp, there is a renewed appreciation of where we are. We are all noticing how fast our summer is going by so we aren’t sweating the small stuff here. Everyone is relaxed and fully embracing the home stretch of summer 2014. We are trying to stretch the days and lengthen the nights. With each bugle that rings it means that time is passing and soon we will be heading home so we are getting it all in while we can and making every second matter. Friendships are becoming deeper and more meaningful by the minute. In less than two weeks our hugs and long talks face-to-face will be replaced with texts that read ilysm (I love you so much – for those of you who don’t know text talk). The smiles we see everyday will soon become a little happy face emoji we type into a screen. It’s unreal that what we experience here everyday has to end in just ten days but what we are left with are hearts full of great memories and a summer that embraced us.

Another Championship goes to Chenny!!!

Super Girls Basketball – Lavi 44 vs. CAW 29 – Chenny takes 2^nd Place in Wayne County Tournament

Freshmen/Juniors Boys Gold Baseball – CAW 5 vs. Westmont 3

Collegiates Boys Baseball – CAW 15 – Lavi 1 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

The night was all about Girls Sing and it was spectacular. The pride, the joy and the honor of this night is tremendous. Each division worked so hard and it showed. When boys side can sit in awe for 2 hours, you know something special is happening. The support boys side gives girls side is just breathtaking. From our adorable freshmen through our crazy talented CIT’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.  Each division picked a theme, danced and sang from their heart. The emotion that was felt by every single camper and staff inside Shield’s Hall could have moved the building. There were chills upon chills as each division wrote and sang their alma mater to a very captive audience. The held hands and did it together and by the time the CIT’s performed an extremely heartfelt performance, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Congratulations goes out to the Inter girls for winning lower camp and our CIT’s brought home the win for upper camp. Even though winners were crowned, this night was not a loss for anyone. Girls side grew closer as they shared something with their division that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. As the CIT’s so poetically stated in their last alma mater they will ever sing together at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

“Catch the years as they fly by. Hold them tight & don’t let them die. Chenny, my childhood home; where we all have grown. But all good things end in one last goodbye. We just don’t want to let go and say goodbye.”

Chenny out

Our Cherokee campers (Freshmen – Middies) spent today cooling off at Camel Beach. It was water ride after water ride and we had some very happy Cherokee campers today. The sun was hot but we were cool.  As the sun set, it was dinner at the park then back to camp.  What could better than that? Not much for our youngest campers. They got off the bus, all exhausted and all equally loving their biggest trip yet.

Mohikan campers (Inters & Collegiates) spent the afternoon at the State Park. Their very chill afternoon was spent hanging out in the lake, having a catch together and just enjoying the beautiful day they had. It was a perfect to sit back, relax and enjoy each other. They headed back to camp for dinner in The Lodge followed by a movie in Shields Hall. They had camp all to themselves this evening. In the words of a Collegiate girl, “Today couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Navajo campers (Seniors – GC’s) spent their last trip day at Dorney Park and it was awesome. Rides, games, food and friends was the ideal combination for their picture perfect day. They rolled back into camp, all exhausted but with smiles on their faces. They went big for their last trip and Dorney was just an incredible place to spend their last trip day of summer 2014.

Our CIT’s spent their day at Syracuse. Shopping, eating and exploring was their ideal day today. These kids just love spending every minute they can together as they know this will all be changing for them. Their run as campers is fastly coming to an end. They are evolving and growing and will soon look back at their last summer at Chenny as the best one yet. It really doesn’t matter where this group goes on their days off as long as they spend it together. That is what being a CIT is all about. Getting to this stage of being a Chenny kid and loving every minute of it. This is truly a remarkable group of kids who we are proud to have watched grow up in front of our eyes.

This is what Chenny summer’s are  all about. Sharing these amazing days with some of the most amazing people we have ever met and choosing to come back every summer and do it again. All of your kids are safely back at camp, sleeping soundly in their bunks. A perfect ending to a tremendous day!!

Get ready Chenny…….and hold on tight… looks like Color war may be coming up around the corner!!!!!!!!!!!

Chenny out

It’s a big week here at camp with some really fun events coming up and you can feel it in the air. Girls Sing is front and center. You cant go two steps without seeing divisions practice and perfect their dance and song. By the looks of things, this years Girls Sing is looking to be one amazing show. From the out of this world cuteness of our Freshmen girls to the insane dancing ability of our CIT’s, we are all in for an incredible Wednesday night.  Then of course, murmurings of a Color War are beginning to arise. These next two weeks are definitely the best part of summer at CAW!!! It’s good to be a Chenny kid.

Playing sports at camp is just plain fun.. No pressure.. no stress.. Just plain fun…

Collegiate Girls Soccer – B’Nai Brith 3 vs. CAW 2 – Chenny takes 2^nd Place in Wayne County Tournament

Inter Boys Baseball – Trails End 7 vs. CAW 3 – Chenny takes 2^nd Place in Wayne County Tournament

Collegiate Boys Tennis – CAW 4 vs. Wayne 1 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

Every summer I sit in amazement as I watch our kids perform in the Chenny Circus. They defy gravity; they soar to new heights and blow our minds with what they have learned to do this summer. New campers stepped right up and delivered awe-inspiring performances that made us all sit and watch with mouths wide open. Our Chennny Circus show took it to a whole new level this summer with their Back To the Future theme. The costumes and sets were brilliant but their talent and abilities made tonight incredible. It’s amazing as we watch our kids fly through the air. Where in the world can you learn these very difficult stunts, perfect them in just 5 weeks and perform them like a pro? That happens here and to see the pride and accomplishment on all the faces of those campers who performed tonight is absolutely priceless. They shined tonight and they were stars tonight and they will never forget that summer night they soared at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!!!!

Life is sure great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out

Today was one of those summer days we wish wouldn’t end. Having been here for 5 weeks and with only 2 to go it seems that each day passes quicker than the next. How can we make time stop or at least slow down? We all wait so long to spend 51 days here and it seems to be going way too fast. At this point in the summer, everyone seems to cherish the little things that truly matter the most. Our relationships have grown stronger by the day and our new friends have officially become our family and old friends have continued to enrich our lives.

There is something that sticks out to me every summer I watch these relationships grow and that is benefit of a hug. Something so simple and easy as a hug or a piggyback ride or holding a hand is just what we do, daily. It’s human connection that we all crave and here is where we get it. We may not even realize how much we need it until we get here and standing next to your friend or counselor seems awkward without sitting on their lap, holding their hands or giving them a hug. You have to see it to believe it and living in this environment breeds it. It’s the thread that makes us closer and the benefits are profound. How different the world be if getting and giving hugs happened like they happen here at camp. You can’t help but smile as you watch campers walk arm in arm to an activity. It warms you from the inside out. It brings our friendships to a very different level than with our home friends. It is why our camp friends become our family. It’s why we love this place so much. It’s why we call it home.

It was another fun day full of sports for our Chenny athletes.

Our girls dance team spent the morning at Camp Wayne Dance Competition. Congratulations to Sydney Kesselman place 3^rd with her solo dance.  Alexis Siegel, Sydney Kesselman, Skylar Bohm and Kylie Gorsky placed 2^nd in small group dance.

Middy Boys Gold Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 1

Inters Boys Basketball – Lavi 45 vs. CAW 40 (Chenny lost Championship game in overtime – it was a nail bitter)

GC/CIT Boys Tennis – CAW 4 vs. Trails End 1 – Chenny advances to Championship!!

Tonight our campers were entertained by Audiobody, who dazzled us with their synthesizing drumming light show. It was a night that took our breath away and left us all in awe. They were fun to watch and we all felt as if we were apart of the show!! Here’s to another magnificent day in paradise.

Chenny out

When is last time your kids loved to swing on swings or slide down a slide? Those two attractions that sit at center camp have been a part of Chen-A-Wanda landscape since 1940.  They are an attraction that may go un-noticed by you on visiting day as we have all the bells and whistles from our insane aqua park or our very own Wiffle Ball Stadium, or the near by state of the art School of Rock but these two long-standing old school fixtures provide your children with hours of joy. They are the first place our freshmen and junior boys run to after every single meal. There is not a day that passes that our swings are not in use. It doesn’t matter if a middy girl is getting a push from her counselors or the CIT boys are just swinging and talking together, these pieces of our history connect us to everyone that was here before us. They provide us simplicity and an ease of what kids do automatically.  Your kids so enjoy these 2 centerpieces of cent camp. With all the advances in technology and gadgets to entertain and engage us, sometimes it’s just swinging on a swing or sliding down a slide that brings crazy joy to our kids.

It’s another Championship for Chenny today.

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 11 vs. Lohikan 0 – Chenny advances to Championship game

Super/GC Girls – Soccerama tournament at Camp Bryn Mawr – Chenny takes 2^nd Place

Collegiate Boys Roller Hockey – Westmont 10 vs. CAW 5

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 15 vs. Westmont 3 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIOSHIP!!!!!!

Congratulations to our outstanding Campers of the Week:

Freshman              Jamie Delilo                    Troy Golden

Juniors                  Jordana Yacht                  Jake Fersko

Middies                Brooke Kanganis             Matthew Blutig

Inters                      Rachel Novick                Drew Brassloff

Collegiate               Jolie Dinow                     Asher Slotkin

Seniors                   Skylar Bloom                  Noah Simpson

Supers                    Maci Rubenstein            Jeremy Schier

GC’s                         Haley Kushner              Zach Fischberg

CIT’s                        Morgan Perlman          David Tell

Tonight was all about finding that one VOICE and that was no easy task to do with the pool of talent who sang their hearts out tonight. Our 14 vocalists sang with passion, intensity, and feeling and brought our campers to their feet. The talent we heard in Shields Hall tonight was brilliant and beautiful. Ally Heller, Justin Oresky, Jordan Leeds, Laine Bishop, Daisy Chaskin, Arielle Ashkenase, Amanda Behrens, Sami Miller, Dylan & Maddy Grabow, Ashley Sukoff, Max Rover & Matt Leviss and Daniel Gur are talented beyond imagination. They each took center stage and sang like pros. Each one shined as they sang with their entire camp family watching in amazement. The judges were not in control anymore as tonight the vote was with the campers. Each vote counted and in the end there was just one voice…. Tonight our Chenny Voice winner went to the incomparable Daniel Gur. Though only one was crowned, all 14 kids won tonight. They each dug down deep, took a deep breath, moved their nerves to the side and sang from their hearts. It was a great night here at Chenny, one that all 14 singing talented kids will never forget!!!!!

Chenny out

It was brunch morning, which in camp terms means we got to enjoy some extra zzzz’ss and sleep in until 9:45. Then we all rolled out bed and headed to The Lodge for some grubbin’ brunch food. We filled our bellies and off we went to an afternoon of more camp fun. Girls Sing is heading our way so all afternoon, you saw divisions practicing their dances and singing their song. These words they will sing and the dances they perfect, will be ingrained in each one these campers for years to come.  Being a part of this long-standing camp tradition is what makes this place so special. From the looks of it, girl’s side will be putting on a great show this coming Wednesday night.

We win some….We lose some…. But we gave it our all and had a great time.

Middy Girls Gold Basketball – Westmont 18 vs. CAW 10

Collegiate Girls LAX – Indian Head 14 vs. CAW 7

Inter Boys Gold Soccer – Tioga 7 vs. CAW 3

Super Boys Gold Basketball Tourney – Wayne 34 vs. CAW 19 / Equinunk 19 vs. CAW 13

Super Boys Tennis – Island Lake 3 vs. CAW 2

GC/CIT Boys Basketball – Poyntelle 53 vs, CAW 48

The talk throughout camp today as all about tonight’s evening activity, Chenny Jam. It was Girls side vs. Boys side and the competition was fierce. There was a lot on the line, as this intense staff basketball game would bring pride to either Boys side or Girls side. Girls side was dressed in pink and boys side wore all black. Team spirit was contagious and the energy was just insanity. This game was more fun that any NBA game we’ve ever been at. The last two summers Girls side brought home the win so Boys side was determined and focused. The game was close the whole way through with both sides bringing it tonight. There were several score changes but with an intense second half, boy’s side claimed victory with a 46 – 43 victory!!!  Actually, everyone won because the fun was off the charts to make this night, a camp favorite. The GC girls division and Boys bunk I were awarded pizza parties for bringing the most spirit to tonight’s game. Just another phenomenal Chenny Jam!!

Chenny out

Another funtastic day at Chenny was enjoyed by all. Camp looked and felt amazing as we were outside playing under the gorgeous bright sun. As we are approaching the last 2 weeks of camp, we are appreciating every single moment we have here and making every day count.

Today was another incredible day for our Chenny athletes with 3 Championships!! We are racking in the wins but most importantly is we exemplify great sportsmanship on our fields and courts.

Freshman/Junior Girls Basketball – CAW 7 vs. Lavi 5 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

Senior Girls Basketball – CAW 28 vs. Starlight 26 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

GC/CIT Girls Basketball – Starlight 23 vs. CAW 18

Inters Boys Basketball White team – Westmont 19 vs. CAW 9

Collegiate Boys Soccer – CAW 7 vs. Westmont 2

Senior Boys Baseball – CAW 14 vs. Lavi 6 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!

There is nothing quite like dressing up in your Halloween costume in July. We were all so into our Halloween costume parade as each camper strutted their stuff down the catwalk. They showed off their ghostly creations and creative costumes. Everyone was in on the fun and loving celebrating Halloween-A-Wanda together. After the parade, it was off to trick or treat and campers went station to station and they filled up their bags with oodles of treats. In true Chenny tradition, the Super girls made a haunted canteen mansion that spooked and creeped out everyone who dared to enter. It was a great night and one that won’t soon be forgotten.

Our Supers arrived back to camp after their exciting trip to Virginia Beach/DC. They rolled of the bus, exhilarated and exhausted and as they were walking back to their bunks with eyes barely open, and shlepping their bags which were dragging on the ground, a group of girls turned to me and said, “Thank you for this incredible trip with my best friends.” Life is Great at Camp Chen-Wanda!

Chenny out

There is nothing quite like waking up by the ringing bugle each morning, rolling out of bed and heading to The Lodge in your pajamas and eating with your camp family. We are a family here the simple act of eating breakfast in your jammies says it all. It’s comfortable and cozy and it’s what family does. No better way to start off your day by eating breakfast in your pj’s with your camp family. It just sets the tone for us all to have a great day.

Two Championships today for CAW!!!

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 10 vs. Wayne 8 – Chenny Wins Championship!!!

Inter Boys Tennis – CAW 3 vs. Wayne 2 – Chenny Wins Championship!!!

Inter Boys Gold Baseball – CAW 5 vs. Tioga 4

Collegiate Boys Gold Baseball – CAW 11 vs. Tioga 9

Collegiate Girls Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Tioga 2

Our Super kids spent their day touring DC and enjoyed a private tour of the Capital. They saw all the monuments and got to experience the historic sights of this great city. They ended their day with a bit shopping at Georgetown. It was a great day for this Super group!!! They have one more day on the road will be back at camp tomorrow.

Tonight was one of those night’s that we love here at Chenny.  We had so much talent that the campers that weren’t able to perform in our first camper talent show displayed their unique and entertaining skills for all us tonight. We had 16 acts and every single one of them was outstanding. There is something that happens here that does not exist outside our gates: it’s true genuine overwhelming support for one another. Regardless if you sing, tap dance, tell jokes, do cartwheels or play piano, you will have the entire Shields Hall full of your friends behind you. No matter if you miss a step or sing off key, it just doesn’t matter here. Your courage to take that stage overrides what you do on that stage. Its awe-inspiring to witness and life changing to be a part of it. We provide the stage and our campers provide the talent. Where in the world can you ever go to get this support and encouragement?  You get it here at Chen-A-Wanda.

You have to see it, actually you have to experience it as we all did tonight. That’s what we do here, we find our courage here, we are brave here, we sing out loud here, we are the best we can be here!!!

Chenny Out.