Moments that Matter
Sometimes the most meaningful moments at Camp Chen-A-Wanda aren’t the ones we plan. They simply happen. Today, I was walking through camp when I saw two of our Junior boys sprinting up the hill as fast as they could. They weren’t just running, they were racing each other with huge smiles on their faces. As they flew by me, I laughed and called out, “Where are you guys headed?”Without missing a beat, and completely in sync, they both yelled, “SLIP N SLIDE!” And they never slowed down. I couldn’t help but stop and smile. These two boys weren’t just running to an activity. They were racing each other…so they could race each other again on the Slip N Slide. That was all that mattered. Not who won. Not what time it was. Not what was happening tomorrow. Just two buddies running as fast as they could to get to the top of the hill so they could throw themselves down a giant Slip N Slide, laugh all the way to the bottom, race back to the top, and do it all over again.
There were no worries. No stress. No homework. No tests. No phones. No notifications. No social media. No pressure. Just two boys, two pairs of sneakers pounding up a hill, and the excitement of hanging with your friend. That is one of the greatest gifts camp gives, the freedom to leave their bunk with a friend when the bugle rings, run up the hill together, and spend an afternoon doing nothing more than laughing until their stomachs hurt.
The moments when friendships grow stronger without anyone even realizing it. The moments when joy comes so naturally that you don’t have to think about it. The moments that remind us that happiness doesn’t come from screens or schedules or anything money can buy. Sometimes happiness is simply running up a hill with your best friend because you can’t wait to race each other down a Slip N Slide. I watched those two boys disappear over the hill, and I couldn’t help but think…this is what joy looks like.
Sports Center:
Dance Competition at Tyler Hill – Lower Girls placed 6th, Upper Girls 3rd
Freshman Boys Flag Football Tournament – CAW 15 vs Westmont 12 / CAW 20 vs. Starlight 12 – CAW CHAMPIONS!
Collegiate Boys LAX – CAW 7 vs. Wayne 4 – CAW Champions!
Senior Boys Baseball – CAW 3 vs. Wayne 0
Super/GC/CIT Boys Basketball @ Timber Lake – Jacobs Cup – CAW won 2 games to advance in quarter finals and in 3rd game gave a great effort but didn’t advance
It was a Round Robin evening activity and that means every division was busy doing something but tonight the moment was about our GC Girls who had the absolute best night at the Chenny Shack. The Shack is right outside my office, and from my desk I have a front-row seat to some of the sweetest moments of the summer. Whether campers are grilling, cooking, or simply spending time together, there is always something happening that reminds me what camp is really all about. Tonay, it was our GC Girls who stole the show.
Around each table was a group of girls laughing, talking, rolling out dough, adding sauce, sprinkling cheese, choosing toppings and all singing in unison. There was music playing in the background, plenty of dancing mixed in with the cooking, and smiles that never seemed to leave their faces. Every girl was involved, helping one another and enjoying every minute of the experience. It wasn’t really about making pizza. It was about making memories.
Once their pizzas came out of the oven, they all gathered around the tables together, proudly admiring their creations before digging in. They laughed, shared slices, complimented each other’s masterpieces, and enjoyed one of those simple moments that somehow become the ones you remember forever. Everyone who walked by the Chenny Shack slowed down to take a look. It was impossible not to smile watching ou GC’s enjoying each other’s company without a care in the world. Those are the moments that leave me in awe. Watching our GC Girls tonight reminded me once again that the magic of Chenny isn’t just found in the big events, it’s found in moments exactly like this.