Category: General News

Dear Chenny Families,

It’s the day before you send your kids off to us, and we wanted you to know how excited we are here at Chenny to see them in just 24 hours. Our staff is absolutely incredible. They are the most spirited, fun, talented, kind, and all-around great people who cannot wait to spend their summer with your children. We have had an epic orientation getting ready for your kids, and WE ARE READY! The energy on camp is incredible, and your kids are walking into a world full of positivity and insane camp spirit and about to have an enormous amount of fun.

The journey you have set your kids on is the right one; we will take it from here. We are ready, excited, and cannot wait to see their faces as they walk off that bus. Their beds are ready, clothes are all put away, and we are officially ready for Summer 2023. All we need are your incredible kids, and then our journey begins.

Our goal this summer is to Make an Impact, and with the team we have, an impact will most definitely be made. Your kids will try new things this summer. They will laugh a lot this summer. They will make new friends this summer. They will become more independent this summer. They will be silly this summer. They will play this summer. They will be out in nature this summer. They will not be on any device this summer. They will feel connected to a community that will make them feel welcomed and accepted this summer. They will love singing and dancing on the tables in the Lodge this summer. They will have the most fantastic time this summer.

We have a lot to get to, and it all starts tomorrow. After four very long years, it is our joy to say WE WILL SEE YOU AT VISITING DAY!!!

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Jon & Elissa

Day 2 of Color War started with a jolt of energy from morning’s psych speeches, which set the tone for a day full of sports. The games were fierce yet friendly, fun and spirited. This is what we do at Color War. We play fair, we play hard and we always support one another. You see the desire to win in our campers faces but you always see respect for the game and for each other. As I walked around camp, I could not help but to be inspired by our campers’ immense spirit and passion for Color War. Kids were decked out in red and gold glitter, tutus, mustaches, glasses, and much more, while counselors are walking around in colored capes. Everywhere I walked there were “PSYCH Circles” with kids screaming of excitement. Whether it was with just their teammates, their friends, or their division, that camp spirit and emotion is just contagious.

Tonight was a camp favorite. Rope Burning and Water Boiling are activities that only camp people get. Build a fire, burn a rope or boil water, and call it evening. Well, it is so so so much more than that. The spirit, passion, and dedication our campers and staff show, when they are continually cheering for those in the fire pits is just the very definition of spirit and enthusiasm. Many think that it’s the wood, leaves, bark, and hay that fuel the fire, but it’s really the team sitting in front of them. The cheers of “Watermelon, cantaloupe, ugh baby burn that rope,” “build that fire higher, higher,” and many many more is really what gives the “burners” the strength and drive to accomplish this challenge. All four teams started their fires quite quickly, which can often be a challenge, and soon thereafter, for the second time in CHEN-A-WANDA history, water boiling finished ahead of rope burning. What can we say, the girls from Red Summer simply rock! It wasn’t long after until the boys from Red Summer and then from Gold Winter had their ropes break from the immense flames.

It was an amazing day and even a more amazing night. Walking down from the hill you could see some of our campers get emotional, holding each other arm and arm as they walked down to canteen, recording yet another amazing memory for Summer 2016. Although the day is over, there is another action-packed day of Color War ahead. The boys will head to Track & Field while the girls head down to the Pool and Lake.

We are two days into this unforgettable competition and everyone’s energy level is just as high as when we started. It just keeps getting better and better, and we can’t wait for another great day.

Chenny Out.

Our campers could hardly sleep as they were filled with excitement from last night’s amazing breakout. From the reveille bugle this morning, all the way through our oldest campers going to bed tonight, you could feel the color war spirit in the air. It is a feeling like no other, a feeling of competition, spirit, camaraderie, and just pure love of camp and all that it stands for.

Today started with Tugs of War. Seeing the campers march up the hill with faces painted, hair sprayed red or gold, and wacky clothing of all sorts, it is just so apparent that our kids are feelin’ that color war pride from head to toe. The competition was fierce as the rope pulling 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 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.

After an amazing afternoon, the evening started with Mass Games and ended with Contest Night. It was a picture perfect evening to have our campers playing Softball and BBG at twilight and participating in relay races as the evening went on. Weather it was the Freshmen, Juniors, Middies, or Inters enjoying the fun contests and relay races in Shields Hall, or the Collegiates, Seniors, Supers, GCs, and CITs on the outdoor court, the music was bumpin’, the spirit was intense, and fun was had by all.

It was just an AMAZING day. This is the best part of camp. Color War encompasses every important part of this incredible journey and this incredible place we call home.

It’s only day one of color war and we can’t wait for more!!!

Chenny Out.

As the buses rolled in and each camper got off the bus they were greeted with open arms, hugs and high fives. The sun was shining bright today on all of us. It’s the first day of camp and you could feel the energy from here too the moon. Our returning campers jumped into the arms of their friends and counselors with tears of joy running down their faces. It is what they have been looking forward to all year long. I heard one camper say to her friend as she jumped from the bus into her friends arms, “It’s really happening, we are back home and we are together all summer long – I am so happy.” Then they hugged one another so tight and ran off holding hands. The pure joy they find in each others friendship was authentic, real and profound. It is why they keep coming back to this magical place, for one another. It was a day that felt good from our toes to our the top of our head. Smiles came from the heart and it was plain as day that Camp Chen-A-Wanda was full of love today.

Our new campers had wonder in their eyes as they saw what was in store for them. They were greeted with a big warm embrace and you could see their excitement as their journey has just begun. There is just so much positive energy and joy here, it just doesn’t seem real but it is. It is exactly what you want your kids to feel and experience all summer long and it’s just day one. After our lice checks, it was playtime and our fields and courts were full of campers running around playing. Exactly what we want our children to do. No stress, no tests, no chaotic schedules. They are in a beautiful place experiencing nature in its purest form and your children are filling their tanks with friendships that matter, kindness that is contagious and a peacefulness that is just indescribable.

There is nothing quite like a meal in the Lodge and tonight was insane. The music was bumping and your children stood up on their tables and sang without fear of being judged. They let go and embraced the Chenny spirit tonight. We danced, sang and ate. Everyone in the Lodge felt it and it felt GREAT. Then it was off to Shields hall to kick summer 2016 with our first evening activity. The hall was packed and the energy from the Lodge just transferred to Shields Hall. It was an incredible day. One that we all won’t forget. An absolutely perfect day. Lights are out and all are sleeping safe and sound. Summer 2016 is off to one amazing start! Thank you for giving us your children for the summer, they give this place its heartbeat.

Chenny out.

To you our parents at home that have sifted through 1000’s of pictures, watched all of our videos, read our blogs and let their children spread their wings with us all summer long – we say thank you for trusting and believing in us with your beautiful children. We read this letter tonight to them at our last evening in Shields Hall.  We give them back to you a little taller, a little more confident, a lot more capable and with a ton of more friends and a summer family that loves them dearly.  Thank you for sharing them with us. We will never forget summer 2015.

To our Summer Family:

It’s hard to believe it’s over and that tomorrow we all go back  home to a year of school, work, SAT’s, college applications, school team tryouts, homework, play dates, Hebrew school and spending 10 moths away from our summer family. Everyone in this Hall has shared a piece of him or herself with each another and we are all better because of that. There are never two summers that are exactly alike and this one was definitely a standout. Every single one of you matter and helped make summer 2015 insanely awesome.

At this time of the year I typically stand in front of you and reiterate all that you have done and accomplished this summer but this year I must address the invaluable lessons that you taught us every single day. Spending the summer with a group of energetic, creative, fearless, talented, inspirational, funny and caring people enrich our lives and change who we are for the better. You had no devices to separate you from your friends and your connections to each other were stronger than ever. You didn’t text or tag all summer long but instead you talked and had real conversations. You proved to all of us, even me, that a break from the World Wide Web is the best thing you can ever do. We lived in a “real” world these past 7 weeks not a virtual one. You showed us that with laughter and kindness the world is just a better place.

To our incredibly talented, caring and loyal staff:

We watched you give and give and when you thought you had no more to give, you gave more. You put others first and that will forever change who you are. When your campers fell, you picked them up and held them tight. When they felt homesick, you sat with them, put your arms around them and told them they were going to be ok and they would get through this time with you by their side.  When they struggled and felt things were way too hard, you sat with them on your golf cart until wee hours in the morning and showed them how to face their problems. You made them believe that there was no problem too big they couldn’t conquer. When they cried you were there, when they laughed you laughed with them and you affected their lives in ways you will never truly grasp. We are in awe of your spirit and ability to give of yourselves selflessly to our children. Thank you.. thank you.. thank you, from the bottom of our hearts thank you.

To our campers:

You always bring the heartbeat into this camp from the moments the buses roll in, the party starts and it ends the minute you all board those same buses and head home. So many of you faced things this summer that made you better people. You dealt with being away from your parents for the first time and you got through it. You opened your arms to new friends that came into your life and with each new relationship you embraced, your heart grew bigger. You climbed to the very top of the climbing tower even when at first glance you said you cold never do that, you did and with every step, you were encouraged by a group of friends who told you can!!! You found your voice and sang out loud and you learned that dancing in front of your friends in the Lodge is just plain cool. These things you would not ever dare do at home, you do here. The rules here are just different here.  There is no judgment or fear here and this is where you can be the best version of yourselves. We want you to always remember that you are perfect just the way you are.

And when I stood right on this very spot 49 days ago and shared with you that this was the summer of Kindness and challenged you to do 2 kind acts a day for someone else this summer, YOU ALL turned that small idea into a huge movement. Our hearts exploded seeing that kindness box overflowing with over 1300 nominations this summer. There were 75 kids who are sporting the coolest “I’m an kind camper” T-shirt but the truth is everyone here deserved that same recognition as we read each and every nomination you all put in that box.  When we sat in base camp and sifted through hundreds and hundreds of kind acts every week, tears would fill my eyes as you described the kind things you saw your friends do this summer and maybe more importantly how they made you feel. When you wrote, “She included me when I felt left out” and “He made me smile when I felt sad” and maybe the one that tugged our heartstrings the most was – “My friend saw me crying after everyone fell asleep in my bunk cause I was homesick so he came over to my bed and put his arm around me and told me it’s gonna be ok because we’d get through this night together, just him and me” Those moments define why Camp Chen-A-Wanda is a family. Thank you for sharing those priceless moments with us. We could not be more proud of everyone on this Hall for being so kind to one another. It changes who you are and changes the world we live in. Keep it going and bring kindness home. Spread the love so everyone knows how good it feels to be kind.

So this is it Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Summer 2015 is officially in the books. Don’t ever forget the time we spent together and always, always be the river.  Thank you… Thank you …from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!!!!!

Until next summer….Chenny out

Reality has set in that our last days of summer 2015 are upon us. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the mood was just pure excitement for our big night. It’s banquet and this camp was looking good.

As the sun shined bright 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 so beautiful.  We walked into The Lodge for an amazing dinner, and were all in awe of how beautifully decorated the room was. It was College Night for banquet 2015 with pennants and pom poms everywhere. From the Big East, SEC, PAC 10, Big 10 to the Ivy league Universities, all were represented.  As all the college fight songs were played, we dined on a 5-course meal and so enjoyed this night we all look forward to all summer long.

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 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.

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 over but we definitely went out with a bang. As campers headed back to their bunks, full of flashing rings, tiaras, glow sticks, glasses and T-shirts 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 season. It was just an incredible way to end an incredible summer. One more day to go!

Chenny out

Today was the last official day of regular activities and we enjoyed every single minute. Camp was full of happy campers. Our fields & courts were full of campers playing on them. We all knew that this is it and everyone was getting it all in before we load those buses on Saturday. Reality is setting in and the end is in sight for everyone here and we just don’t want this feeling to end.

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. Can you imagine a world where there is just no pressure and good feelings surround you? Your children are in that world for at least the next 2 days!!

It was time for the last Kind Camper Awards for summer 2015 and the kids were excited to see who received this new camp favorite award. Congratulations to our kind campers. We could’t be more proud of your kindness: Devin Chen, Alex Brandoff, Alexa Selter, Ben Selter, Ben Yatch, Sarah Haber, Hannah Nissenbaum, Sabrina Marpet, Jacob Pinsk, Olivoa Metzger, Noah Marcus, Lexi Tave, Jake Berlin, Dylan Grabow, Talia Kaplan, Cole Sussman, Jordana Deandrea, Sydney Rosenberg, Jack Santoro, Hailey Wolff, Matty Kellner, Drew Sandler, Lily Glickman, Mack Schnell, Mychael Schnell and Julia Bromley

The night was all about Late Night with Leahy and this is by far the most anticipated show of the entire summer delivered by our truly remarkably talented Associate Director Brian Leahy. Brian produces the most hilarious and relevant array of great videos and presentations that leave us in stitches. It was hilarious and referenced everything funny about camp this summer. Every camper and staff member laughed till it hurt. It’s our very own late night show with comedy sketches, TV commercial spoofs, head staff mean tweets and a Top 10 List. This evening’s activity is a camp favorite and even our counselors that were off duty, stayed in to see tonight’s show because it’s just that entertaining. Campers absolutely went crazy for the hilarity of what they witnessed. It was a perfect way to end a perfect day.

Everyone is looking forward to banquet tomorrow night. It is an incredible evening to celebrate the summer we all had and we do it in style. We dine on amazing cuisine in the Lodge, which will be transformed to our theme of off to College!! Then we all head into Shields Hall for our big end of the year Awards ceremony and honor our campers and counselors that have shined this summer.  After awards, it’s back to the bunk to get on comfortable clothes and shoes for one amazing night of dancing and celebrating. Best night of Chenny is just around the corner. It’s one big party and everyone looks forward to this night all summer long. It’s hard to believe it’s actually here as it feels like we just rolled into camp but 48 days have passed and here we sit at the end. Just a few more days to go and we plan on cherishing every single moment we still have together. Going the distance with all these amazing people makes it so difficult to say goodbye.

Chenny Out.

With the last day of Color War upon us, everyone was working hard, having fun and giving it every ounce of effort they had. It meant that much to all of us. Win or loose, each team put their heart on the line and played hard. Each field and court was full of Red and Gold spirit, chants and cheers. The feeling on camp is just plain inspirational. To see groups of kids rally around one another in the true sprit of competition and do it in a way that is uplifting and encouraging is awe-inspiring. It’s the way it should be and it exists here at camp.

Tonight was a silent meal and never was The Lodge so quiet. It was oddly silent as this is the place where we dance and sing but tonight in Color War tradition, we ate silently.  The campers wanted more than anything to talk but knew that every word spoken would loose points for their team. Try and visualize The Lodge full of campers and counselors that just don’t speak. It was a sight to see and a hilarious buzz of silence.

As both teams entered into Shields Hall dressed as Cowboys and Indians, there was a sense of elation and true Color War pride. This was it, and everyone knew it. Each team presented their plaque and banner and they were truly works of art. Masterpieces if you will. It was time for Sing and both were ready to perform the songs they worked so hard on and had so much meaning in every verse. There were tears as Red Cowboys sang their Alma Mater and included beautiful lyrics that embodied the feelings they have as their summer comes to an end:

We stand here, looking at the faces around

At this amazing place and friendships  we’ve found

I have been changed because of you Even when I didn’t know, I need you

But in these next few days, we’ll go our separate ways

Tears fall from our eyes as we start to say goodbye

It was emotional and everyone knew that the end of Color War signifies the end of camp. What we have all gone through will be with us forever but for now is ending and the last five days as two teams are now back together as one amazing unified camp.  Gold Indians so poetically conveyed in their Alma Mater:

Chenny’s far from ordinary, nothing can compare

‘Cause this isn’t the end of our story, I’ll leave a page for you so don’t worry

I’m telling you to take one look at what we’ve been through

Just keep in mind, that a piece of you will always remain here cause going on without you will always be my fear

In a Chenny tradition of musical chairs, the last Judge to grab his seat was Red and that relayed the winner of Color War 2015. This years Color War was so close, a mere 21 points separated these two incredible teams. There was joyous elation throughout the Red team but just for a moment until they realized that their fallen Gold comrades suffered feelings of defeat. What amazed me in Shields Hall tonight was to see the empathy and compassion of the Red team embracing their friends on the Gold team. There was that moment beyond the win, it was true friendship and respect. There was honor and good will, there was pride and compassion. We all put into practice what we learned all summer long. That kindness matters more that winning and true friendship is more important than competition. This is the essence of Camp Chen-A-Wanda.  There were so many tears tonight. Some were of joy from winning this 5 day battle, some were of loosing and the heartache of defeat but regardless of why we all began to cry we all ended in tears because we know the end to summer 2015 is near.

We walked into Shields Hall tonight as two very separate teams, dressed head to toe in costumes representing our separateness but we all walked out back together as one camp. Sad tears quickly turned into tears of joy as everyone held onto one another and walked back to their bunks and cherished the night being together. We have three more days and much more fun to be had here at Chenny. Though the end is near, Life is still so great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out

It was an absolutely perfect day for an Apache Relay. This race includes every single player on both teams and everyone matters in the Apache Relay. No matter if you are doing the elephant walk, diving to the bottom of the pool to pick up 8 spoons or assigned for infamous “unknown”, you count. There are 56 events that make up the Apache and each one of them are essential to the integrity of the race. It is a 3-hour event that utilizes the entire camp and being a part of it is just plain insane fun. To run the Apache is like nothing you have ever done before and after you have done it, you can’t wait to do it again. The race was close the whole way through with lead changes happening at every turn. You could hear the cheers from each team that took the lead but in the last few challenges Gold Indians crossed that finish line only to beat the Red Cowboys by a mere few minutes. It was so close and a race well run. Apache 2015 is in the books as one of the most exciting races ever run at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. So close and so much fun. Your kids are having an absolute ball.

Before each breakfast and dinner during Color War the Captains and Lieutenants give psych speeches that will inspire and motivate their teams. A speech that stood out tonight was given by a Lieutenant on the Red Cowboy team, Jason Levine. He spoke from the heart about how important being on a team is supporting your teammates help define your charter. He shared how he grew up as a camper here at Chenny and he wasn’t the most athletic or the loudest camper by any means but he always loved the Apache Relay because his contribution mattered and it played a part in the outcome to a team he was committed to. Jason is no longer a camper but a tall, smart, confident leader who spoke words that resonated with every camper listening tonight. He told them how it feels to be part of something bigger than themselves and to give their all and some day those of you who may not be the best athlete on the field or those who may be quiet and shy will lead their team as he is as a Lieutenant in a Color War. You could hear a pin drop as he inspired everyone at line up tonight.

It was skit night tonight and it was hilarious. Each team created creative and brilliant skits that told the story of their journey through Color War 2015. Red Cowboys got all countryfied while Gold Indians shared their stories and the Camp Chen-A-Wanda ancestry and how it camp about. Both were fantastic but the overall winner of skit night went to the Gold Indians. At the conclusion of skit night the scores were read only 31 points separate both teams right now as the Red Cowboys are in the lead. Tomorrow is our last day of Color War and like we alway say…..IT ALL COMES DOWN TO SING!!!!

Chenny out.

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 and encouragement for their hard work and effort. To sit back and watch the encouragement we all give one another here is really life changing. 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 feels as if there is a constant stream of encouragement all around us.

When we sit back and watch what Color War means to our campers, it is apparent that they all believe in it with their heart and soul. 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 so proud of them, we sure are! The cheers of victory are deafening and the anguish of defeat is real. This 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 changes who we are and how we see ourselves.

I had the privilege of watching a softball game between the Senior girls and a very special camper had a moment that will forever stay with me. I saw this camper, who is certainly not the most athletic, she hit a home run with such fury and passion, it went way beyond the center fielder. Something she had never ever done before. She ran around those bases as her team was chanting her name, and  I saw the look of pride she felt bringing in those runs for her team. Hitting that homerun would have been a great moment for her, something she had never done before but in the last inning with her team up by only one run and the opposing team had a player on first base, this same camper made the play of the game by catching a line drive and making a double play to end the game and cinch the win. It was incredible to watch as this feeling she felt went way beyond a softball game for her. She found a confidence that she didn’t know she had during that game. I know how much this meant to her as this camper is my daughter and I saw something magical on that field today happen with her. She walked over to me after her game and whispered in my ear, “I didn’t know that I could do that mom.” She smiled a smile I hadn’t seen before and ran off with her friends. As a Camp Director, I see this everyday with your children and today I was just a mom, watching my own daughter find something inside of herself she never knew was there. A moment, I will forever cherish.

This Color War is so close and the teams are within a mere 54 points of each other. Red Cowboys have earned 2271 points with the Gold Indians close behind with 2212 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 anything in between. All day, our bodies were challenged and tonight we stretched our brains.  It was such a great night and we are all giving everything we have into this Color War. It’s not over yet and we have more to give to our team and of ourselves. It just keep getting better here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Life is GREAT.

Chenny out.