Friday Nights Lights!
Friday at Camp Chen-A-Wanda means it’s time for one of our favorite weekly traditions… announcing our Kind Campers. Each Friday, the entire camp gathers together in Shields Hall for a moment that reminds us what Chenny is truly all about. As each name is called, the room fills with applause, cheers, and smiles because everyone knows what this recognition represents. Being named a Kind Camper isn’t about scoring the most points or winning a game, it’s about the way you treat others. It’s about choosing kindness, showing empathy, including those around you, lending a helping hand, and making our camp a better place every single day.
We want our Kind Campers to feel just how much they are appreciated. We want them to hear the thunderous applause from their fellow campers and staff, to know that their actions matter, and to understand that kindness is something worth celebrating. Congratulations to this week’s Kind Campers:
Tatum Kerner, Sadie Sutton, Madyson Zimmerman, Hailey Eichenbaum, Sadie Weiss, Avery Worth, Hudson Wachler, Bennett Schwartz, Caleb Grossman, and Jonah Haskell.
Thank you for leading by example and reminding us all that kindness will always be one of the greatest strengths a person can have. We are so proud of each of you!
There are some nights at Camp Chen-A-Wanda that become part of our story forever, and tonight was one of them. It was time for one of our favorite traditions of the summer… Wiffle Cup! From the moment everyone arrived at the stadium, you could feel the energy. Girls Side came dressed in bright neon, while the Boys Side, united in black, was determined to bring the Wiffle Cup home. The field quickly transformed into a sea of signs, chants, music, dancing, and nonstop excitement. It wasn’t just a game, it was an event under the lights. The vibe was Friday Night Lights for lower camp and it was awesome!
What makes Wiffle Cup so special isn’t simply the competition. It’s that every single camper is part of the experience. Whether you were stepping into the batter’s box, making a spectacular play in the field, leading the cheers from the sidelines, or dancing with your bunk between innings, everyone contributed to the incredible atmosphere. There truly isn’t another place quite like Chenny when our camp comes together. The game delivered everything we could have hoped for. There were towering home runs, unbelievable defensive plays, close calls, huge rallies, and so much fun. Every inning seemed bigger than the one before as both sides battled until the very end. The cheering never stopped, and neither team ever backed down. When the final out was recorded, it was the Boys Side celebrating an unforgettable 31–27 victory, reclaiming the Wiffle Cup after an incredible battle. Congratulations to every player who competed with heart, sportsmanship, and pride.
A special congratulations goes to our Wiffle Cup MVP, Matthew Einerman, who put together one of the greatest performances we’ve ever seen. In his three trips to the plate, Matthew hit three home runs, igniting the Boys Side offense and delivering a performance he’ll remember for the rest of his life. It was truly a night to remember. Wiffle Cup is about much more than the final score. It’s about teammates lifting one another up, campers cheering until they’re hoarse, friendships growing stronger, and creating so memories. Tonight reminded us once again why traditions matter and why life at Camp Chen-A-Wanda is so incredibly special. Our Lower camp had an absolute ball tonight.
While Wiffle Cup brought the excitement to lower camp, our Upper Camp enjoyed a spectacular evening of their own with a Senior vs. Super Soccer Match and tailgate. It was the perfect summer night as we fired up the grills, serving burgers and hot dogs while campers gathered along the sidelines to cheer on tour Senior and Super Boys. The game was intense, fast-paced, and filled with great plays, but what made the night truly special was the atmosphere surrounding it. It felt like a true Friday Night Lights experience. Campers lined the field, enjoying dinner with their friends, cheering for every goal, celebrating big saves, and soaking in one of those magical Chenny nights that simply can’t be recreated anywhere else. For our oldest campers, it was the perfect night of soccer, friendship, and yummy food. Nights like these remind us that some of the best camp memories aren’t just made during special events, they’re created when everyone comes together to enjoy an unforgettable evening under the lights.