Author: Elissa

There was a buzz all around camp today. From the moment campers woke up, one question was on everyone’s mind.When is Olympics breaking out? Everywhere you looked, campers were whispering, making predictions, and trying to crack the mystery. Was it going to happen after breakfast? Before lunch? During rest hour? The speculation only fueled the excitement, and the anticipation grew with every passing hour. Then our CIT boys decided to have a little fun. At Boys Line-Up, they orchestrated the perfect fake-out. Suddenly, the familiar Olympic Fanfare began playing, and without hesitation the boys sprinted toward Girls Side. Before anyone knew it, the entire camp was chasing after them, convinced Olympics had officially begun. The laughter was contagious as everyone realized they had been fooled. It was a brilliant prank, and it set the tone for what would become one of the most exciting days of the summer.

Camp returned to its normal routine. Or so it seemed. As the afternoon rolled on, the anticipation only intensified. Then, in the middle of the day, it happened. The Olympic Fanfare played across camp once again. This time, it was real.

Instantly, campers and counselors jumped to their feet and raced toward the amphitheater. Goosebumps spread across camp. Smiles stretched from ear to ear. The cheers grew louder with every passing second. Olympics had officially arrived.

As the entire camp filled the amphitheater, the excitement was almost impossible to put into words. Hundreds of campers and counselors stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the moment everyone had been counting down to. The announcement of our Olympic Captains and Sergeants. One by one, the leaders were introduced before the moment everyone had been waiting for.

The unveiling of our 2026 Olympic teams. ❤️ Red Canada 💙 Blue Greece 💛 Gold Egypt

In an instant, camp transformed. Campers proudly threw on their team colors, chants erupted throughout camp, and Olympic spirit officially took over Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Just like that, every camper became part of something bigger than themselves.

For the next two-and-a-half days, campers will compete with everything we’ve got. We will challenge ourselves, cheer for one another, celebrate victories, learn from setbacks, and proudly represent our teams with sportsmanship, determination, resilience, and heart.

Most importantly.We will have fun. The excitement paused briefly this afternoon as the entire camp gathered to watch the England vs. Argentina World Cup match together. There was something special about watching campers from all three Olympic teams sitting side by side, cheering, talking soccer, and sharing another memorable camp moment. The spirit of competition and the love of sports filled every corner of Chenny today.

After dinner, it was time for one of the most anticipated opening events of Olympics.Tugs of War. There is nothing quite like seeing an entire camp united around one rope. Every camper had a role. Everyone mattered. Every pull was met with deafening chants, encouragement, determination, and incredible team spirit. The intensity was unmatched, but so was the sportsmanship. Watching teammates encourage one another and leave everything on the field reminded us exactly what Olympics is all about.

The atmosphere was absolutely electric and served as the perfect opening to what promises to be an unforgettable Olympics. There is something incredibly special about watching your children embrace moments like these. They compete with passion, support one another without hesitation, and discover strengths they never knew they had. These games are about so much more than winning. They are about leadership, teamwork, resilience, friendship, and becoming part of something far greater than yourself.

Olympics has officially begun. The excitement is real. The spirit is unmatched. And the best part? Tomorrow, we get to do it all over again.

Let the Games Begin!

Some days at Camp Chen-A-Wanda are simply unforgettable. Today was one of those days. The excitement began first thing this morning when our campers received one of our favorite Chenny surprises, a brand-new Carnival Day T-shirt! Every summer, the reveal of the Carnival shirt is a tradition our campers eagerly anticipate, and this year’s design was an absolute slam dunk. Inspired by our love for the New York Knicks, campers and staff proudly pulled on their shirts, and the excitement spread across camp in an instant. The cheers, the smiles, and the buzz that filled the air made it clear that this year’s shirt was an instant classic. Everywhere you looked, camp was glowing in blue and orange, and the excitement for what was about to come was impossible to miss.

And then… The Carnival officially opened. It couldn’t have been a more perfect summer day. From the moment the carnival opened, camp transformed into the happiest place on earth.  Campers bounced through giant foam pits, raced down enormous water slides, laughed as counselors were splashed in the dunk tank, challenged their friends at game booths, and made memories at our always-popular Marriage Booth. There were smiles in every direction, giggles around every corner, and the unmistakable sound of campers having the time of their lives.

The joy was absolutely contagious. There is something incredibly special about looking across camp and seeing hundreds of campers laughing, running, cheering, and simply enjoying the freedom of being kids. No phones. No distractions. Just friends making memories together. It doesn’t get much better than that.

As amazing as Carnival was, somehow the day still wasn’t over. When the sun went down, it was time to turn up the music because Party Harty rolled into Chenny, and the celebration reached a whole new level. Shields Hall became the hottest dance party around as our campers danced the night away with the coolest DJ in town. The music was pumping, the lights were flashing, and the energy was off the charts. From the very first song to the last dance of the night, campers and counselors packed the dance floor, singing at the top of their lungs, dancing with their friends, and making memories they’ll be talking about long after summer ends.

Watching campers let loose, laugh, dance, and simply enjoy being together is one of the greatest gifts of camp. It was impossible not to smile as you looked around the room and saw nothing but happy faces. By the end of the day, we were all a little sun-kissed, a little hoarse from cheering, a lot tired from dancing, and completely exhausted but in the very best way.

Today was perfect from beginning to end. And once again, Chenny delivered a day none of us will ever forget.

 

One of the most unexpected and unforgettable highlights of this summer has become our daily Snack Call. What was once simply a time for campers to grab a snack has been transformed into one of the best moments of the day. Thanks to Will, one of our incredibly talented first-year counselors and music specialist, and Jake, a counselor who grew up right here at Chenny, Snack Call has become a live concert every single afternoon. As the entire camp gathers together, campers sit with their friends enjoying their snacks while live music fills the air. Before you know it, a crowd begins to gather. Campers and counselors sing along, clap to the beat, and simply soak in the moment. It’s hard to put into words the feeling they’ve created. There’s something about live music that brings people together in a way nothing else can. It slows you down, it lifts your spirits, and creates an atmosphere you simply want to be part of. Will and Jake have completely transformed this daily tradition, and their music has become the soundtrack of Summer 2026. We feel incredibly lucky to have this special addition to camp, and every afternoon, as voices rise together in song, we’re reminded once again that the magic of Chenny is often found in the simplest moments.

Sports Center:

Freshman/Junior Boys Hockey – CAW 1 vs. Lavi 11

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 7 @ Westmont 11

Inter Boys Basketball – CAW 14 @ Lavi 31

Inter Boys Softball – CAW 8 vs. Westmont 0

Middy Girls Soccer  – CAW 6 @ Westmont 2

Inter Girls Tennis – CAW 4 @ Westmont 1

Super Girls Tennis  – CAW 1 @ Westmont 4

Love was definitely in the air tonight as one of Camp Chen-A-Wanda’s most loved evening traditions returned, The Dating Game!

Beginning with our adorable Freshmen and continuing all the way through our CITs, every division had its chance to shine. The questions were full of personality, but somehow the answers were even better. The wit, confidence, and humor of our campers had everyone smiling from ear to ear. There is something special about watching our campers step outside their comfort zones, make each other laugh, and simply enjoy being together all in the name in love. For one night, there isn’t a care in the world. It’s just friends laughing with friends, counselors laughing right alongside campers, and an entire camp community sharing an unforgettable experience.

A day filled with sunshine. A night filled with love. And another unforgettable memory made together.

 

Jon and I spent the morning giving tours to new families who are considering Camp Chen-A-Wanda for their children. It was a busy and exciting day, filled with parents eager to experience firsthand what makes Chenny so special. What we didn’t expect was that our very best tour guides weren’t Jon or me. They were our campers. We couldn’t walk more than ten feet without a camper jumping into the conversation, eager to tell prospective families why they love this place. Their pride, enthusiasm, and genuine love for camp were impossible to miss. They weren’t prompted. They simply couldn’t help themselves. They wanted these families to understand why Chenny means so much to them.

One of my favorite moments happened in Arts & Crafts. An Inter boy camper looked directly at the group of parents and confidently said, “Why wouldn’t you send your kids here? There is no place like Chenny.” One of the dads smiled and asked him, “What’s your favorite activity?” Without missing a beat, the camper replied, “It’s not the activities that matter so much, it’s the people here. But tubing is pretty cool.” The entire group laughed. Then they paused. Every parent standing there looked at him with a sense of awe because, in one simple sentence, this young camper captured everything we have spent the past 20 years trying to build. Yes, we have incredible activities. Yes, we have amazing facilities. But those things are not what make Camp Chen-A-Wanda extraordinary. It’s the people. It’s the friendships. It’s the counselors who become role models. It’s the community that embraces every child. It’s the feeling of belonging. That Inter camper couldn’t have said it any better. At Chenny, it’s never been about what we do. It’s about who we do it with. And that’s what makes this place unlike anywhere else.

Sports Center:

Freshman Boys Baseball – CAW 12 @ Wayne 2

Senior/Super Boys Hockey – CAW 1 @ Starlight 6

GC/CIT Boys Hockey  – CAW 4 vs, Lavi 5

Supers Girls Basketball – CAW 23 vs. Westmont 36

Tonight was one of those evenings that reminded us why the simplest ideas often create the biggest smiles.Our Lower Camp campers took part in an old-fashioned Gold Rush, and from the moment the first gold rock was found, camp came alive with excitement! Bunk by bunk, campers raced all over camp searching high and low for hidden gold rocks. There was only one rule, you had to stay together with your bunk as you hunted for treasure. Every time someone spotted a gold rock, you could hear a loud “YEEHAWWW!” all across camp, followed by cheers and laughter as another piece of treasure was found.

Once the hunt was over, each bunk turned in their gold for camp cash, which they used during a live auction. The strategy was almost as much fun as the hunt itself! Campers huddled together deciding whether to spend big on their favorite prizes or save their money for something even better. The excitement, teamwork, and competition made for an unforgettable night, and it was impossible not to smile watching our youngest campers having the time of their lives.

Meanwhile, Upper Camp enjoyed an evening of their own at Casino Night inside Shields Hall. The room was transformed into a bustling casino where campers tried their luck at roulette, blackjack, and other classic casino games. With every hand played and every spin of the wheel, campers earned chips while laughing, cheering, and enjoying a little friendly competition with their friends. At the end of the evening, all those chips became the key to another exciting live auction, where campers decided how to spend their winnings. The bidding wars, celebrations, and teamwork made for the perfect ending to a fantastic night.

Whether searching for hidden gold or trying their luck at the casino tables, our campers spent another evening making memories with their closest friends. Nights like these remind us that camp isn’t just about the activities, it’s experiences that bond us together.

Another incredible night. Another unforgettable Chenny memory.

 

At Camp Chen-A-Wanda, kindness is more than just a word—it is the heart of who we are. It is the foundation of our community and the standard by which we hope every camper and counselor chooses to live each day. While athletic victories, performances, and accomplishments are exciting, nothing makes us prouder than recognizing campers whose character shines through in the way they treat others. Being named a Kind Camper is one of the highest honors at Chenny. It means you are someone who includes others, lifts people up, shows compassion, leads with empathy, and helps make camp feel like home for everyone around you. These campers remind us that the smallest acts of kindness often have the biggest impact. Congratulations to each of you! We are so proud of your kindness, your heart, and the way you make everyone around you feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Thank you for leading by example and showing our entire camp community what it means to live the Chenny values every single day.

This week, we are incredibly proud to recognize our Kind Campers:

Skylar Braverman
Ava Wahler
Alexa Hammer
Audrey Levenberg
Emerson Bodner
Jordyn Schneider
Peyton Shackman
Jordyn Ascher
Juliette Sitman
Skyler Grossman
Charli McClure
Amelia Matlock
Zach Merrill
Jack Barry
Harrison Bodner
Cameron Zigler
Sid Havens
Miles Cabat
Davin Holzman
Brayden Kahn
Jacob Goldman
West Gottlock

Sports Center:

Middy Girls Tennis – CAW 4 @ Wayne 1

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 10 vs. Wayne 0

Middy Boys Hockey – CAW 0 @ Starlight 8

Super Boys Tennis – CAW 1 @ Island Lake 4

GC/CIT Boys Soccer – CAW 1 @ Island Lake 0

Tonight belonged to one of Camp Chen-A-Wanda’s most cherished and time-honored traditions, Upper Camp Sign & Song. This was our older campers’ night to shine, and they certainly did. The history behind this tradition runs incredibly deep. Every plaque created tonight will hang proudly in its bunk for generations to come, joining decades of Chenny history and serving as a reminder that this group of campers was here, together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The dances, carefully choreographed and perfected over the past week, were performed with confidence, pride, and so much spirit. There is something so meaningful about being part of a tradition that has connected thousands of campers before you. Tonight, our Upper Camp girls didn’t just perform, they left their mark on Camp Chen-A-Wanda forever. The plaques were thoughtful and creative, the performances were entertaining and inspiring, and every bunk that took the stage was met with cheers and standing ovations from the entire camp. It was a beautiful reminder that when one camper shines, the entire Chenny family celebrates. Congratulations to our winners: Upper Camp Boys Plaque-Bunk N, Upper Camp Girls Plaque-Bunk W, and Song Champion-Girls Bunk Z! What an incredible night, and another unforgettable chapter in the story of Camp Chen-A-Wanda.