Author: Elissa

Today was one of those magical days at camp—the kind that reminds you why this place is so special. The sun was shining, the fields were full, the pool was buzzing, and the energy was contagious. Campers were smiling from ear to ear, soaking up every moment, and creating memories they’ll carry with them forever.

During snack call, one of our Freshman campers, Cameron, ran up to me with pure excitement. He proudly shared that he made the basketball team and couldn’t wait for tomorrow’s big game against Starlight. He told me he needed to be “locked in” and that his coach, Delly, was proud of how hard he had practiced. Cameron met Coach Delly just seven days ago, and yet, the impact is already so deep. “He’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” Cameron said with a huge smile. Cameron even invited me to come watch him play. And you better believe I’ll be there, cheering him and his teammates on as they give it their all on the court. These are the moments that define what camp is all about. Letting people in that impact your worlkd.

Our athletes have been showing up in big ways all week, playing with heart, sportsmanship, and team pride. Here’s how they did today:

• Freshman/Junior Boys Baseball: CAW 6 vs. Wayne 5

• Middy Boys Basketball: CAW 26 @ Wayne 22

• Middy/Inter Boys Lacrosse: CAW 8 @ Starlight 4

• Collegiate Boys Basketball: Game 1: CAW 46 @ Starlight 43 / Game 2: CAW 41 vs. Starlight 44

• Collegiate Girls Softball: CAW 15 @ Starlight 1

• Collegiate Girls Tennis: CAW 0 @ Starlight 5

• Senior/Super Boys Flag Football Tournament at IHC:

  • Game 1: CAW 0 vs. IHC 7

  • Game 2: CAW 18 vs. Blue Ridge 20

  • Game 3: CAW 38 vs. Towanda 8

Tonight’s evening activity was one for the books—Sign and Song—a long-standing Chenny tradition that connects us to generations of campers who came before us. Each lower camp bunk designed a unique plaque with camper and staff names that will be proudly hung in their cabins for years to come. It’s a timeless tradition, and every summer, alumni return to find their plaques, reliving the memories of their own camp days.

But that wasn’t all—our lower camp girls took center stage and lit up Shields Hall with dance routines inspired by their bunk names and themes. The energy, the creativity, the spirit—it was incredible to witness. Every bunk brought their A-game, but special congratulations go to Boys Bunk J and Girls Bunk L for their standout plaques.

And for the first time ever, a Freshman bunk took home the top prize for dance—Girls Bunk A stole the show! These little stars danced with heart, confidence, and so much sass, captivating the entire camp and making history with their win. It was pure magic.

Tomorrow it’s the big kids’ turn to shine—and if tonight was any indication, we’re in for something extraordinary.

Just another unforgettable day in our summer paradise.

There’s truly nothing like celebrating the 4th of July at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It’s not just a day on the calendar—it’s a full-on experience, a camp tradition bursting with pride, unity, and pure joy. From the moment the bugle rang this morning, the energy was off the charts. Campers and staff alike were dressed head to toe in red, white, and blue—faces painted, tutus twirling, flags waving, and USA spirit radiating from every corner of camp.

You could feel the excitement in the air. It wasn’t just the decorations or the outfits—it was the shared feeling of being part of something special. From our youngest Freshmen to our oldest CITs, everyone was all in—laughing, dancing, and soaking in every magical moment. The 4th of July at Chenny is about togetherness, pride, and joy, and today, that spirit was alive in every smile, high-five, and hug.

Our Chenny athletes had another incredible day of competition, showing up with heart and hustle:

• Middy Boys Hockey: CAW 8 @ Wayne 6

• Inter Boys Softball: CAW 8 vs. Westmont 0

• Collegiate Boys Lacrosse: CAW 1 @ Wayne 9

• Supers Boys Basketball: CAW 41 @ Westmont 21

• Supers Boys Basketball: CAW 36 vs. Morasha 48

• Middy Girls Basketball: CAW 14 vs. Starlight 6

• Collegiate Girls Soccer: CAW 7 @ Island Lake 2

• Senior Girls Softball: CAW 6 @ Westmont 7

• Super Girls Basketball: CAW 18 @ Wayne 19

• GC/CIT Girls Soccer: CAW 16 vs. Lavi 1

Win or lose, our campers played with heart, determination, and Chenny pride!

But the highlight of today wasn’t just in the games—it was in the kindness. Today, we celebrated one of the most meaningful honors at camp: our Kind Campers. These individuals consistently go above and beyond to show care, compassion, and kindness to those around them. We are so proud of them!

Kind Campers – Girls Side:
Harlow Fass, Noa Ockner, Fara Kimowitz, Charlotte Schwartz, Ava Nadel, Paige Cohen, Lulu Harris, Maya Park, Mollie Behar, Sydney Garnock

Kind Campers – Boys Side:
Logan Bank, Devin Luhrs, Evan Freeman, Mac Cohen, Noah Pease, Linus Itzkowitz, Beckham Tunis, Miles Geller, Harrison Pilkington, Sam Schrager, Gabe Horton

We also honored our Cleanest Bunks—because keeping your bunk neat and tidy matters!

• Boys Side: Bunks J & Q

• Girls Side: Bunks K & V

To cap off an unforgettable day, we threw an epic 4th of July party for the ages. Our party was outside under the nights stars and the weather was perfection. Campers and staff danced their hearts out—feet flying, voices singing, and smiles stretching from ear to ear. It was a night to remember, filled with pure camp joy and celebration. From light up rings and necklaces to a food extravaganza made this night just so special.

Days like this are what make summers at Chenny truly magical. From start to finish, it was a day overflowing with joy, energy, tradition, and heart.

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

It’s hard to believe we’ve only been at camp for six days—because it truly feels like we’ve been here forever. There’s a special kind of ease that settles in when you’re surrounded by people who share the same goal: to make every moment count in a summer filled with adventure, friendship, and memories we’ll carry with us long after the buses leave in August.

In just under a week, strangers have become best friends. Campers who met for the first time last weekend now walk arm-in-arm like they’ve known each other for years. That’s the power of Camp Chen-A-Wanda. There’s no need for texts or tags or stories—just being together, really being present, is what makes this place so powerful. Camp strips away the noise and brings us back to what really matters: connection, laughter, and joy in its purest form.

One of today’s most beautiful moments came on the way to the lake: four Middy girl campers, all holding hands, running full speed toward the water. Without hesitation, they leapt in together, their joy echoing across the lake as they laughed and jumped in together.  That moment was so simple and so perfect—captured everything we strive to create here. It was magic.

Today also brought more Wayne County competition, and our athletes showed up with heart and hustle:

• Middy Boys Baseball: CAW 0 vs. Westmont 1

• GC/CIT Boys Hockey: CAW 4 vs. Morasha 4

• Senior Girls Basketball: CAW 17 vs. Wayne for Girls 27

No matter the score, our campers gave it their all, showed great sportsmanship, and represented Chenny with pride. It’s not just about the wins—it’s about the effort, the teamwork, and the growth we witness each time they step onto the field or court.

Tonight’s evening activity was a Round Robin across camp, and each division had their own special experience.

• On Girls Side, it was all about Sign & Song—energy, creativity, and a whole lot of spirit as they are preparing for their big show.

• On Boys Side, the fun was everywhere: Biddy basketball tournaments, movies in the Chen-A-Plex, Knockerball on the soccer field and dodgeball in Shields Hall.

Another day at Chenny, another day spent surrounded by amazing people doing incredible things. The smiles, the laughter, the comfort of belonging—it’s all building into something unforgettable. And the best part? We still have a whole summer ahead.

Camp feels like home. And we are just getting started.

Today was the kind of day that reminds us why camp is pure magic. The sun was shining, the skies were crystal clear, and the energy around camp was simply electric. From the moment the bugle rang this morning, there was a sense that something special was in the air—and it didn’t disappoint.

We kicked off our first Wayne County Games of the summer, and our campers showed up with spirit, heart, and hustle. Whether they were on the fields giving it their all or cheering on their friends from the sidelines, the sense of unity and pride in wearing “CAW” across their backs was unmistakable. Here’s how our amazing athletes did today:

• Middy Boys Soccer: CAW 11 @ Westmont 2

• Collegiate Boys Softball: CAW 7 @ Westmont 5

• Freshman/Junior Girls Soccer: CAW 8 vs. Westmont 1

• Collegiate Girls Lacrosse: CAW 13 @ Westmont 11

• GC/CIT Girls Basketball: CAW 10 vs. Westmont 27

Win or lose, every player gave it their all—and that’s what makes us so proud. The sportsmanship, encouragement, and love of the game were front and center all day long.

But the day didn’t end there…

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, we all gathered together at the amphitheater for our Chenny Fireworks Spectacular—and it was nothing short of breathtaking. The sky came alive with color. The music played, the fireworks soared, and the oohs and ahhs echoed across camp.

For so many of our campers, this was their first fireworks show under the stars at Chenny—and the joy on their faces said it all. It’s a night they’ll never forget. Watching their eyes light up with wonder and hearing the laughter and cheers all around, we were reminded once again why these shared moments mean so much.

It wasn’t just a show—it was a celebration of community, of friendship, and of everything we’ve already experienced together in just a few short days. These are the moments that shape a summer. These are the memories your children will carry with them forever.

From competitive games to magical skies, today was everything we love about Camp Chen-A-Wanda. And the best part? We get to do it all again tomorrow. Let the summer magic keep rolling!

One of the most wonderful things about camp is that even when plans change, the magic still shows up. Today was the perfect reminder that flexibility, fun, and friendship go hand in hand at Chenny. While we originally planned to kick off our first trip day with an epic Color Run, Mother Nature had other plans, and with rain in the forecast, we knew we had to pivot. What a day it turned out to be!

Our Inters through CITs loaded the buses and headed out to catch summer’s hottest new blockbusters. The energy on the bus rides was high, and the excitement of a spontaneous movie trip had everyone smiling from ear to ear. Once at the theater, they settled into comfy seats, shared giant tubs of popcorn, and enjoyed some downtime watching a great film with their best camp friends. There’s something special about experiencing a movie together—it becomes more than just a film, it’s a shared memory. And for campers and counselors alike, it was the perfect rainy-day escape.

Meanwhile, back at camp, the Freshmen through Middies had the entire camp to themselves—and they loved every second of it! They ran from activity to activity, and soaking up that special feeling of having Chenny all to themselves. The smiles were huge, the laughter was nonstop, and the freedom to explore camp at their own pace made for an unforgettable afternoon.

As the sun set, our younger campers all gathered in Shields Hall for a cozy movie night as they watched Minecraft: The Movie. With blankets, pillows, and their bunkmates by their side, they wrapped up the day in the most heartwarming way possible—together, happy, and already buzzing about what’s to come.

Today was proof that at Chenny, even when Plan A turns into Plan B, the result is still something truly special. Rain may have washed away our original plans, but it couldn’t dampen our spirits. Our campers rolled with the changes, embraced the day, and created new memories that will last a lifetime.

We can’t wait to reschedule the Color Run and keep the good times rolling—because here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda, every day is an adventure, no matter the weather!