Author: Elissa

After five days of fierce competition, unforgettable moments, and nonstop spirit, Gold Broadway has taken center stage as the winners of Color War! From the electric Defying Gravity breakout to the final Sing, both teams left it all on the fields, courts, and stage—heart, hustle, and pure Chenny pride. Watching your kids dig deep, push themselves, and play with everything they had was worth it all. Color War at Chenny is something you can’t quite explain, it’s a feeling, a magic that changes each of us in ways only those who’ve lived it can truly understand.

The battle was tight all week, with Red Circus fighting hard at every turn. Every game, every contest, and every performance mattered. But in the end, Gold Broadway shined the brightest, bringing their A-game to every event and sealing their victory in true Broadway style – big, bold, and definitely unforgettable. Tonight, our CITs delivered their heartfelt psych speeches before the silent meal, sharing how much Chenny has meant to them and how these summers have shaped who they are. They spoke directly to our youngest campers, urging them to soak in every moment, because it all goes by in the blink of an eye and to not waste a minute of this experience.

When the announcement came after a serious game of musical chairs, the cheers shook the hall, and the smiles on our campers’ faces said everything. This week wasn’t just about winning—it was about teamwork, resilience, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. But after just a few moments of Gold celebrating their win, it was everyone back together dancing together and embracing the moment inside Shields Hall.

Congratulations to Gold Broadway, and hats off to Red Circus for an incredible week of competition. Now, we come back together as one camp family to enjoy our final four days of summer 2025. Tomorrow is Carnival—and the fun is far from over! Life is great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

Color War brings out every emotion and for one Middy camper, it brought out her intense competitiveness. She wanted to win so badly that when she felt her teammates weren’t giving it their all, she would head back to the bunk frustrated. Today, she came to me and asked, “How do I do it?” I smiled and asked, “Do what?” She replied, “Not be so competitive so my friends stay my friends.” She recognized that her need to win was starting to overshadow her friendships, and she wanted to change that. We sat together and talked about how she could still give her all in the games while keeping things friendly in the bunk. That’s one of the most powerful parts of camp, facing challenges, learning about ourselves, and working through them in a safe, supportive community. We came up with strategies she could try, and she promised to put them into practice. Tonight, after evening activity, she came to me beaming. “I did a lot of great work today,” she said. “When our team lost the relay race, I counted backwards to calm myself down. I reminded myself that my friends are more important than that race.” Her competitive spirit is still strong, but now she’s learning to channel it in ways that build friendships rather than strain them. That’s what camp is all about, real moments, real growth, and finding ways to bring people closer, not push them away. Here at Chenny, we’re not just playing games—we’re learning how to be our best selves.

Tonight was all about using our brains instead of our bodies—and the fun was huge. Quiz Night is a loved Color War tradition, and this year did not disappoint. Everyone played, everyone laughed, and what I learned is that we have some seriously smart campers and staff here at Chenny. From solving algorithm equations to tackling tricky geography questions to nailing pop culture trivia, our community proved just how much they know. We’ve got some sharp minds in Red and Gold! The night was filled with big laughs, clever answers, and plenty of “I had no idea!” moments that made the game as entertaining as it was competitive. Heading into Quiz Night, Red Circus had 2,561 points while Gold Broadway held 2,610, a razor-thin margin of just 49 points. In Color War, that’s nothing. Tomorrow, we head into the very last day of these amazing games, and soon a Color War Champion will be crowned. Will it be Red Circus or Gold Broadway? The stage is set—let’s finish strong!

It was a glorious morning, bright, clear, and absolutely perfect for another full day of Color War games and contests. Campers poured onto the fields with faces painted, hair sprayed in bold team colors, and Red and Gold gear proudly on display. The spirit here runs deep and everywhere you look, there’s pride, excitement, and a true sense of belonging. Color War is unlike anything else. You can try to explain it, but to truly live it is to feel the magic—the competition, the camaraderie, the joy. It’s what makes this week the absolute best of the summer.

Today, Boys Side took to the track for their meet while Girls Side dove into the pool for theirs. Both were filled with cheers, high-fives, and endless encouragement as campers pushed toward their finish lines. There was one moment, though, that took my breath away. In a Middy boys relay, the race was neck and neck until, the Gold runner stumbled and fell. Everyone watching saw it happen and  without a second’s hesitation, the Red runner stopped mid-race to help him up. In that instant, the race no longer mattered. What mattered was compassion, sportsmanship, and looking out for one another. It was a moment that captured the very essence of camp, full of heart, humanity, and the understanding that sometimes helping someone else stand up is the greatest victory of all.

Tonight brought one of camp’s most long-standing traditions—Rope Burning and Water Boiling. Counselors from both teams had spent days gathering wood, designing their fire structures, and strategizing for this big moment. With faces streaked in zinc to shield them from the heat, they were ready. The camp gathered around, eyes locked on the flames, as Gold Broadway’s fire caught first. The crowd roared only for Red Circus’s fire to ignite moments later. Soon, all four fires were blazing. Gold Broadway burned their rope first, quickly followed by Red Circus. Then the race shifted to the water boil—Gold Broadway’s pot boiled over first, but within minutes, Red Circus’s water boiled over too. It was the kind of back-and-forth, heart-pounding Rope Burn that made tonights event amazing. Going into dinner, Red Circus held a 21-point lead, but after tonight’s fiery showdown, it’s still anyone’s game. Color War is far from over, and tomorrow promises even more magic.

Until tomorrow, Chenny.

The weather could not have been more perfect—clear, crisp, and made for games and competition. From the moment the day began, campers were decked out head to toe in their Red and Gold, faces painted, spirits high, and ready for Day 2 of Color War. The schedule was packed: games, psych speeches, team meetings, and song practice. The competition was fierce yet friendly—spirited and full of heart. This is what Color War is all about. We play fair, we play hard, and above all, we support one another. You can see the desire to win written across our campers’ faces, but right alongside it is a deep respect for the game and for each other.

Tonight’s evening activity was Counselor Games, and watching our staff compete with such passion on the fields and courts reminded us that the Color War spirit lives in everyone here—not just the campers. The energy was incredible, and with only a 37-point difference between teams, every single match is making an impact. The splits are spot-on, the games are intense, and there isn’t a person on camp who isn’t giving it everything they’ve got.

All day long, everywhere you looked, there were moments that showed exactly why this tradition means so much. From the junior boys’ game-winning soccer goal to the freshman girls’ nail-biting tie-breaker in Steal the Bacon—every play, every win, every effort mattered. It’s a privilege to watch these kids rise to the occasion and do incredible things before our eyes.

Tomorrow brings Day 3, and we’ve still got so much ahead of us. Tonight, though? The kids are sleeping well—tired, proud, and ready to do it all again.

This morning at Camp Chen-A-Wanda will go down in history as one of the most epic Color War breakouts ever. Before the sun was even up, the excitement began—campers were woken by an unexpected and hilarious invasion of clowns. Sleepy eyes quickly turned to wide smiles as the kids poured out of their bunks and ran to Shields Hall Court, not quite sure what was in store. Waiting for them was a full-blown circus. Jugglers tossed balls into the air, stilt walkers towered above the crowd, unicyclists zipped around, and acrobats wowed us with their flips and tricks. At the center of it all was the charismatic Ring Master, who kept the energy pumping and the suspense building. The circus had truly come to Chenny.

The Ring Master soon directed everyone inside for “the main event.” The music was thumping, the lights were flashing, and the atmosphere was pure magic. Just when the crowd thought they’d seen it all, we unveiled a surprise guest—TikTok sensation Chloe Hechter—sending the excitement through the roof. Then, in a perfect twist, Glinda made her grand entrance. And just as the first notes of Defying Gravity filled the hall, our very own Brian Leahy appeared as Elphaba—green face, full costume, and all. With a little help from our circus crew, Brian soared across the stage, belting out the high notes to perfection. The crowd absolutely lost it. In that moment, the anticipation that had been building all summer exploded into pure joy—Color War had officially begun. The hall was electric, the kids were cheering at the top of their lungs, and the mash-up of circus spectacle and Broadway magic created a breakout we’ll never forget. For me, it was my favorite breakout ever—creative, thrilling, and filled with Chenny spirit. The wait was over, and the games had begun!

From there, it was straight into Tugs of War, and the energy only got bigger. The cheers were heard across camp as each side dug in, pulling with everything they had for that first big Color War win. Laughter, determination, and team spirit filled the air—it was classic Chenny at its best.

The excitement rolled right into the evening with Contest Night, where campers went head-to-head in a series of wild and wacky challenges. Relay races, balloon pops, hippity hops—you name it, we did it. The competition was fierce, the smiles were huge, and the laughter was nonstop. And to think—this was only day one. With just 8 days left in our summer, we are still giving it everything we’ve got, soaking in every moment, and having the absolute time of our lives. If today was any indication, this Color War is going to be epic!