Author: Elissa

Day Four of Color War brought another incredible day to Camp Chen-A-Wanda. The boys took to the pool for their swim meet while the girls competed in their track meet, and just like every day this week, camp was overflowing with energy, encouragement, and joy. Everywhere you looked, teammates were cheering each other on, counselors were celebrating every effort, and campers were discovering that they are capable of so much more than they ever imagined. Color War has a way of bringing out the very best in people. But today, one of my favorite moments had nothing to do with Color War at all.

As our morning games were wrapping up, I was giving one of our final tours of the summer to a great family looking at Chenny for their son. He’ll be an incoming Middy next summer, and as we walked around camp talking about all the things that make Chenny so special, something happened that I never could have planned. A group of boys, his age, walked over to us. Without hesitation, one of them looked at the boy and said, “Do you want to see our bunk” Before I knew it, they had completely taken over the tour. They marched him right up to their bunk and began giving what can only be described as the greatest camp tour I’ve ever witnessed. Forget me. Forget the adults.  These boys had it covered. It was like watching an episode of MTV Cribs: Chenny Edition. They proudly showed him the sports bins lined up on the porch. “You’ve got to bring a Diablo next summer.” “This is where we keep all our stuff.” “This is where we sleep.” “This is where we hang out.”They pointed out every corner of the bunk with so much pride that you couldn’t help but smile. The best part? They weren’t trying to sell camp. They were simply sharing something they loved. There wasn’t a rehearsed speech. There wasn’t a brochure. There wasn’t a sales pitch. There were just a handful of boys being completely authentic, welcoming someone they had met thirty seconds earlier into what already felt like their family. As someone who has given hundreds and hundreds of camp tours over the years, I can honestly tell you, I’ve never seen anything like it. The parents eventually looked over at me and smiled. “I think our son just found his camp.” And the truth is,  It wasn’t our beautiful fields. It wasn’t Fiddle Lake. It wasn’t Chenny Tech. It wasn’t our incredible facilities. It was a group of boys who simply loved where they were. Their excitement was contagious. Their kindness was genuine. Their invitation was effortless. When the family finally left the bunk, the boys yelled out, “See you next summer!” The future camper looked at his parents, smiled, and said, “I’m so going here.” I stood there for a second just taking it all in. This is Chenny.

Tonight brought one of Color War’s most iconic and time-honored traditions: Rope Burn and Water Boil. For days, counselors from both teams have been preparing for this moment, collecting wood, strategizing, and getting everything ready for one of the most intense competitions of Color War. Covered in zinc to protect themselves from the heat of the fires, they stepped into the arena with one goal: burn through the rope and bring their water to a boil before the other team. The entire camp gathered around, cheering every spark, every flame, and every ounce of effort.

Gold GOATS burned their rope first with only 1 minute 10 seconds later Red Racers burned theirs. It was so close and the drama was front and center. But a huge congrats to both teams.  And Red Racers boiled their water first followed by Gold GOATS only 2 minutes later. These teams were competitive and came to win! It was another unforgettable Color War night, filled with teamwork, resilience, and the kind of spirit that makes these traditions so meaningful year after year.And now, it all comes down to the final day. Tomorrow brings two of the most anticipated events of Color War: Apache Relay and Sing. If you’ve ever experienced Chenny Color War, you know exactly what that means. One more day to go!

 

 

 

 

There are moments during Color War that have nothing to do with the scoreboard. They don’t earn points. They aren’t written into the standings. Yet somehow, they become the moments we remember most. Today, on Day 3 of Color War, I was reminded that this week isn’t just about competition. It’s about doing the things you think you can’t. Every Color War event asks our campers to challenge themselves. Sometimes that means running a little faster, throwing a little farther, or digging a little deeper. But sometimes, the challenge is much greater than winning. Sometimes the challenge is simply believing in yourself.

Today, I witnessed one of those moments. Girls side had their swim meet and our Freshman girls were at the pool for event.  Every camper participated in a relay race where each swimmer had to swim one length of the pool while holding a kickboard before passing it to the next teammate. One of those swimmers was Arielle Laffer. As the race drew closer, Arielle had tears in her eyes. She kept saying the same words over and over. “I can’t do this.” The fear had completely taken over. She was nervous.  She worried she would take too long. She worried she would let her team down. She worried about putting her face in the water. She worried about everything. She kept shaking her head no. But something beautiful happened. Her counselor took both of her hands and looked her right in the eyes. “You can do this.” “There is nothing to be afraid of.” “We believe in you.” And then something even more beautiful happened. Everyone else believed too. Counselors. Campers. Friends. Everyone surrounding Arielle became her confidence before she could find it herself. They held her hands as she stepped into the pool. They stayed beside her. They reminded her she wasn’t alone. It was as if her teammates and counselors became her floaties. Arielle was the fourth and final swimmer.As her turn approached, you could see the nerves building again. But then, she wiped away her tears, she grabbed her kickboardm she jumped in and she swam. At that moment, it wasn’t about winning a relay anymore. It wasn’t even about Color War. It was about something so much bigger. It was about a little girl refusing to let fear make the decision for her. Every single person at that pool was cheering. Her name echoed across the water. “Arielle!” “You’ve got this!” “Keep on going!” And then something incredible happened. About halfway across her leg, you could actually see it, her face changed. The fear that had been written all over it began to disappear and in its place came confidence. She realized she was doing it. The thing she was certain she couldn’t do, she was doing. Stroke by stroke. Kick by kick.She reached the other side, grabbed the edge of the pool, and finished her race. The moment she climbed out of the water, the entire pool erupted. She finished her race. She had conquered something much bigger. She looked fear in the face and said,  “Not today.” The smile on Arielle’s face afterward was one I’ll never forget. It wasn’t the smile of someone who had won a race. It was the smile of someone who had just discovered she was stronger than she ever believed. That lesson will stay with her far longer than any Color War win ever could. Because the next time life puts something in front of her that feels impossible, she’ll remember today. And somewhere inside herself, she’ll remember that she once thought she couldn’t, until she did.

That’s what camp is. That’s what Color War is. It’s not really about the races. It was about courage. It was about community. It was about discovering that sometimes the only thing standing between “I can’t” and “I did” is a group of people who refuse to stop believing in you until you believe in yourself. Today, Arielle won something far greater than a race, she found her confidence. And all of us were lucky enough to watch it happen.

And today was Alumni Day too! It was more than a reunion. It was more than a visit. It’s like welcoming family home. Today, campers who once called Chenny their summer home returned to the place that helped shape their childhoods. Some of our alumni spent their summers here as recently as 5 years ago. Others hadn’t walked these grounds in decades. In fact, we were honored to welcome alumni whose Chenny story began as far back as 1953.  Think about that for a moment. More than seventy years ago, they were the campers running down these same paths, swimming in this same lake, swinging on those same swings and making the same lifelong friendships that your kids are making today. As they walked around camp, there was a look on their faces that was impossible to miss. Joy, gratitude and a feeling of peace. It was as if time had stood still. Everywhere you looked, memories came rushing back. “I slept in this bunk.” “I swam in that lake.” “I sat around this apple tree. ” “I can’t believe this is still here.” Watching alumni search for their old bunk plaques was one of the most touching parts of the day. The moment they found their names, they smiled like kids again. Those small wooden plaques represented something so much bigger than a name on a wall. They represented a chapter of their lives that helped shape who they became. Every story they shared mattered. Every walk up the hill meant something. Every stop along the way sparked another memory. You could see that camp had never really left them. Because the truth is,  Chenny isn’t just a place you come to. It becomes part of you and It becomes part of your story and ultimately, It becomes part of who you are.

One of the most beautiful things about Alumni Day is watching today’s campers interact with those who came before them. Without even realizing it, they become connected by something much bigger than age. The campers of today are walking the very same paths that generations before them walked. They’re laughing in the same places. Playing on the same fields. Sliding down the same slide. Creating memories that one day they, too, will return to relive.

As Jon and I walked around camp today, we couldn’t help but think about how fortunate we are to be a part of something that means so much to so many people. Our camp isn’t measured by its buildings or its activities or even its traditions. Chen-A-Wanda is measured by the way people feel about it long after they leave. When someone who hasn’t been here in 10, 20, or even 70 years walks through our gates and immediately feels like they’re home, that’s when you realize Camp Chen-A-Wanda is so much more than a summer camp. It’s a place that leaves fingerprints on your heart.

To every alum who came home today, Thank you. Thank you for reminding all of us that the magic of Chenny doesn’t end on the last day of camp. It stays with you for a lifetime. Because once you’re part of the Chenny family, You’re part of it forever!

There is a rhythm to Color War. One that has existed for generations. Breakfast. Line-Up. Team Meetings. Morning Games. Lunch. Afternoon Games. Evening Line-Up. Evening Activity. Day after day, the schedule stays the same. But somehow, every day feels completely different. Today was another standout day of Color War, and as we moved from field to field, court to court, and event to event, the competition remained incredibly close. The cheers were louder. The friendships grew stronger. The pride in wearing red or gold seemed even deeper than it was yesterday.

But tonight, for me, it wasn’t the games that stood out the most. It was Evening Line-Up. Evening Line-Up is one of those Chenny traditions that everyone looks forward to. The entire camp gathers together as Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants stand before their teams and deliver the psych speeches they’ve been thinking about, dreaming about, and preparing for. Their job isn’t just to speak. Their job is to inspire. To encourage. To remind every camper that they matter.

Tonight, both the Gold GOATS and the Red RACERS took time to recognize campers who had done something extraordinary during the day’s events. One camper was applauded for making three incredible catches during a flag football game. Another was recognized, not for scoring points, but for showing remarkable sportsmanship by congratulating the opposing team after a loss. Think about that for a second. In the middle of the most competitive week of the summer, one of the biggest cheers of the night came because someone chose kindness. That says everything about what Color War is really about. Watching the expressions on those campers’ faces when their names were called was priceless. They stood a little taller. Their teammates erupted. And for this moment, they felt seen.

But what captured my attention most tonight were our Sergeants. These are our CITs. They have sat through seven Color War Line-Ups as campers. They were once those little Freshmen sitting in the front row, looking up at the leadership team with wide eyes, dreaming that one day it might be their turn. Tonight, It was. Standing shoulder to shoulder with their Captains and Lieutenants were: Red Racers, Jordana Kohen, Brandon Worth, Nate Wellikoff – Gold GOATS, Maddy Rosen, Ashton Nadel, Jordan Morris. As I watched them address their teams, I couldn’t stop thinking about the journey that brought them here. They’ve waited years for this moment. Years of watching. Years of hoping. Years of imagining what it would feel like to stand exactly where they stood tonight. Then I looked down at the front row. There sat our youngest campers. Listening. Watching. Dreaming. Looking at these Sergeants with the very same wonder these leaders once had. And just like that, the circle continues. That is what makes Color War so special. It’s so much bigger than competition. It’s about watching children grow into leaders.It’s about seeing years of hopes and dreams come full circle. It’s about giving young people moments that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. As I watched each Sergeant look out at the teammates they now lead, I saw something that took my breath away. Pride. Responsibility. Gratitude. Passion. You could feel how much this meant to them. And I couldn’t help but think about their families. What an incredible gift it is for parents to watch their children grow from that little camper sitting cross-legged in the front row into a young leader standing confidently before an entire camp, inspiring hundreds of people. Those are the moments that stay with families forever.

As dinner approached, Gary Shields stepped forward to announce the latest Color War scores. Just 36 points separated the teams. Thirty-six. The splits this year were extraordinary, and the scoreboard proves just how evenly matched these teams are. The excitement only continued into the evening as our campers traded in their jerseys for their cheering voices during Counselor Games. Basketball and soccer belonged to the staff tonight, while our campers filled the sidelines, cheering every play as loudly as if they were the ones competing.

Two days down. Three unforgettable days still to come. And if these first two days are any indication, the rest of Color War will be epic! Tomorrow is another day to be great and to do great things and its Alumni day!! We are so excited to welcome our alumni to their summer home. It just keeps getting better

There is something that happens during Color War that is unlike any other time spent at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it.Maybe it’s because we’re later in the summer and everyone has settled in. Camp no longer feels new, it feels like home. Maybe it’s because we’ve spent weeks building this community together. When you compete together, celebrate together, encourage one another, and believe in something bigger than yourself, you become part of something extraordinary. Or maybe it’s because Color War is one of Chenny’s greatest traditions. Generations of campers before today’s campers have worn these same colors, stood on these same fields, and felt these same emotions. There is something incredibly powerful about knowing you’re part of a tradition that stretches back decades and decades. It creates a connection that is hard to put into words.

Today, every camper woke up wearing either red or gold. Every child belonged to a team. A team that believes in them. A team that cheers for them. A team that celebrates them. There is something so comforting about that. We began our first full day of Color War with one of its most iconic events,  Tugs of War.

Standing there and watching your children dig their heels into the ground, gripping that rope with everything they have while teammates pull beside them and counselors scream words of encouragement from the sidelines is truly inspiring. You see determination. You see grit. You see resilience. You see kids discovering they have a little more strength than they thought. These moments become deeply rooted in a camper’s Chenny experience. Years from now, many of these kids won’t remember every score or every result, but they’ll remember how they felt standing shoulder to shoulder with their teammates, pulling together toward one common goal. And when they win,  there is a look that comes across their face that is difficult to describe. It’s joy. It’s pride. It’s confidence. It’s the feeling of believing that together, anything is possible.

The afternoon kept the vibe going with games across camp before everyone packed into Shields Hall for one of the most entertaining nights of Color War. Contest Night. Trying to explain Contest Night to someone who has never experienced it is nearly impossible. The best description might be,  Organized, joyful chaos. Sack races. Balloon pops. Hippity hops. Relay races. Music blasting. Campers dancing. Counselors laughing. Teams cheering. The Hall was absolutely alive. If you joined us on Instagram Live, hopefully you caught a glimpse of what it felt like inside Shields Hall. We love sharing those moments because a picture simply can’t capture the energy. You have to hear the music. You have to hear hundreds of campers singing together. You have to see  kids laughing without hesitation, dancing without self-consciousness, and celebrating every silly victory as if it were the championship of the world. There wasn’t a single person in that building who wasn’t having the absolute best time. The energy was electric. The joy was contagious. And perhaps my favorite part,  There was complete freedom. Freedom to laugh. Freedom to dance. Freedom to cheer. Freedom to be completely yourself without worrying about what anyone else thinks. As I looked around the Hall tonight, I found myself doing something I often do during Color War. I stopped watching the games. Instead, I watched your kids. The expressions on their faces said everything. Pure joy. Complete freedom. Total immersion in a world that exists only here.

You see it throughout the summer, but during Color War it becomes even more powerful. It’s as if every child gives themselves permission to let go, to be fully present, and to embrace every single moment. That is the magic of Color War. But the feeling. The feeling is being a part of something  so much bigger than yourself and being exactly where you supposed to be.

Best part is we have 4 more days to go!!

 

If there was ever a day that captured the spirit, energy, and excitement of Camp Chen-A-Wanda, today was it. From the moment campers woke up, camp was buzzing with great vibes. The fields were full, the courts were alive, games were being played in every direction, and laughter could be heard all across Chenny. There was just something special in the air. As if the day wasn’t already sweet enough, Kona Ice rolled into camp, and our campers couldn’t have been happier. There is something about an ice-cold treat on a beautiful summer afternoon that just feels right. It was the perfect mid-day surprise, refreshing everyone and putting even bigger smiles on already happy faces.

As the sun slowly began to set over Fiddle Lake, it was time for one of our most anticipated traditions… Head Staff Lip Sync. Every single year our head staff somehow raises the bar, and tonight was no exception. The performances were absolutely incredible. The choreography, the costumes, the lip syncing, the creativity, and the commitment were on another level. Every act brought its own personality, and every performer brought their A-game. Shields Hall was absolutely packed, and the energy inside was electric. Campers were singing along, dancing in their seats, cheering for every performance, and laughing from beginning to end. It wasn’t just a show.It was one of those unforgettable Chenny nights that reminds us how much joy can fit inside one room.

When the performances ended, the judges had one very difficult decision to make. This year’s Head Staff Lip Sync Champions were our CITs, led by our incredible Dance Director, Grace Overdijking, whose Jennifer Lopez performance absolutely brought the house down. Grace didn’t just perform J.Lo, she became J.Lo. The crowd loved every second of it. But little did anyone know, the night was far from over. Just after we announced the winners, a loud engine suddenly echoed across Shields Hall Court. Everyone stopped. Heads turned. Then campers sprinted outside. Sitting in the middle of the court was a fire-engine red Lamborghini. The screams said it all. Before anyone could fully process what they were seeing, campers were guided toward the beach where another surprise awaited them.

And then, the lake came alive. Two Flyboard performers raced across Fiddle Lake before launching high into the air, soaring above the water, spinning, diving, hovering, and seemingly defying gravity. Lit up against the night sky, it looked as though someone was literally flying over our lake. It was mesmerizing. The campers stood shoulder to shoulder along the beach, completely captivated, cheering after every trick and wondering how something so incredible was even possible. And just when they thought the show was over, The sky exploded. Fireworks lit up the night over Fiddle Lake, creating one final unforgettable moment that left everyone smiling, cheering, and soaking in every second. Then came the words every Chenny camper waits all summer to hear, COLOR WAR 2026 is here!

The wait is over. For the next five days, camp will transform into something unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Lifelong memories will be made. Friendships will be strengthened. Traditions will continue. New stories will be written. This year’s teams are…Red Racers vs. Gold G.O.A.T.S. The teams have been chosen. The excitement is through the roof. The banners are ready. The chants have already begun. And just like that…

We have ourselves a Color War.