We woke up to a chilly brisk summer morning and everyone rolled into breakfast in their cozy jammies. It was that kind of morning. After we ate our delicious breakfast, it was time to get down to camp business and get outside for some serious fun. We had a few sun showers throughout the day but that didn’t stop the action. The Cookhouse was cooking some amazing desserts and the School of Rock was just rockin’. The fields were full of active kids and when the sun stayed out, we were flying on the trapeze. Walking around camp its truly an awesome site seeing our campers hit homeruns over the Big Red Monster at Wiffle Ball while kids are getting blobbed off the water trampoline in the lake. Its nonstop fun from dusk to dawn.

With all we have here, the most important components are being able to do these things with our friends. There were two campers in ceramics that were building a bowl together. They called it their friendship bowl. It started as a chunk of clay and ended up as a beautiful symbol of what happens here everyday. There are no cell phones to text each other here. There are no computers or facebook to occupy us. We are face to face, we are communicating with one another and we are making friendship bowls. This is the magic that happens here on a daily basis. How lucky are we to have these moments to connect, truly connect with one another.

Everyone was looking forward to tonight’s evening activity, the Dating Game. Each division had a bachelor or a bachelorette asking questions to the three potential dates behind the curtain. It was hilarious, it was fun and everyone had a ball. There is so much support and encouragement to everyone of our campers who gets up on our stage. Can you imagine being applauded by a packed house for just answering a question about what your favorite ice cream is and why? It happens here. We are a family who plays together, who supports each other and who are all experiencing this crazy fun together.

Today was a perfect example of why life is great at Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out.

Oh what a a great day we had. The energy at camp was off the charts. The weather was picture perfect and the mood was amazing. Happy campers got off the buses and ice breakers began. We all got to know each other a bit better and new friendships started to take form. Our new campers got the lay of the land as our returning campers were just so excited to be back in their summer home. So many magical moments took place today but the one that stands out above all, happened in The Lodge at dinner. As we dined on spaghetti and meatballs, the first bang bang clap cheer began and boy was it amazing. It took only a few seconds for the new campers to catch on and the official start to summer 2012 began. The traditional camp cheer was followed by the biggest sing-a-long ever!! We blew the roof off The Lodge as we sang on the top of our lungs and danced on our seats. It was extraordinary. There was so much Chenny pride, our goosebumps had goosebumps. It was a moment that everyone in The Lodge will never forget. You must see it for yourself and we are happy to share. Stay tuned to our video gallery for videos of this great first day. A truly spectacular start to what looks to be a truly spectacular summer.

How lucky we all are to get experience this magic. New friendships began today and old friends reconnected. It’s why we are all here. There was a feeling of calm here in the midst of fun craziness.

Summer has started and it feels so great to be home here at Chen-A-Wanda.

A very busy day we had and all the campers are sleeping peacefully. The best news of the night is that we get to do this again tomorrow.

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

Chenny Out.