Author: Elissa

There is nothing quite like spending the 4^th of July here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It is the best place to celebrate our day of independence. Everyone got into the red, white and blue spirit. Faces were painted, flags were flying high, red, white and blue tutus were everywhere and the continuous chants of “USA” were at every turn. Pride for our country was at an all time high and everyone got into the spirit. Our international staff was in awe of how spirited camp was today and how deep our pride is for our country. They too joined in the fun and got decked out, head to toe in red, white and blue. There is nothing more Americana than the 4th of July and today was just spectacular. We had perfect weather that added to todays great vibes. Just an all around ideal day at Chenny.

We had a full day of sports and our athletes brought their best effort today.

Inter Girls Softball – CAW 5 @ Wayne 3

GC/CIT LAX – CAW 2 @ Island Lake 3

Freshmen/Junior Boys Soccer – CAW 2 vs Starlight 3

Inter Boys Basketball – CAW 45 vs. Starlight 27

Collegiate Boys LAX – CAW 0 @ Wayne 10

Senior Boys Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 8

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 3 @ Wayne 5

It was an incredible day here at Chenny but we all knew that the night was the best part and it did not disappoint. The weather tonight was picture perfect. It completely set the tone for what was the best firework show, that  I can remember.  We were decked out head to toe with glow sticks galore & flashing headbands, all red white and blue.  As the night grew darker and the anticipation was intense, we all counted down from 10 to 1 and then in a flash, the night sky lit up above us with the most spectacular firework show. I truly don’t know what is more impressive to watch; the sky light up with a rainbow of colorful fireworks or the look of amazement on your children’s faces as they watch with such anticipation for each firework to unveil above them.  They were just in amazement of what they were seeing and watching them enjoy it so, was a gift they gave to us. There is something about watching a firework show that makes you feel young and reminds you that those summer nights are priceless. Boys side Director Brian Leahy, was sitting in and amongst the freshman boys  as one of the kids leaned over to him and said, “Brian, this doesn’t feel real. I feel like I’m in a dream.” I know that each one of us sitting in the amphitheater, watching the firework show, will always remember tonight. It wasn’t just an ordinary night but a feeling that made you part of something pretty special.  That perfect feeling of an ideal summer night. There is no place on earth would we would rather be but right where we were. It was a magical day and that is how your kids spent their 4th of July.

It was OBL day at CAW and it was spectacular. This 1v1 tournament is a hit with everyone at Chenny and I personally along with OBL creator NBA Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady couldn’t be more excited. The energy on camp was electric and from sunrise to sunset it was all about 1v1 basketball. We had 3 stars of The Ones Basketball League join us and spend the day at Chenny and our campers and staff loved every single moment. Zac Radz, John Jordan and Isiah “Leaky Roof” Brown loved the day as much as the campers and staff.  All three players star in the upcoming Showtime Docu-series, Bonded By Ball: Inside the OBL that is set to be released on July 28th on Showtime and Paramount +. We showed the trailer to all of camp and it added to the amazing vibe that was in every cornet at Chenny today.

The 1v1 trend is real and Biddy City was poppin’ with tournaments all day long. We had camper tournaments throughout the day as each division had players representing them and battling it out on the court. It was so exciting and so much fun and then for our evening activity the staff got into the action and played their own 1v1 tournament. The campers got behind their counselors and magic was made. So much good energy blanketed camp today and it just felt like one of those days you cant forget.

As if we couldn’t get enough basketball, we had our 3 incredible OBL ball players join our staff game against Camp Wayne for Boys and the late night game was more exciting that the NBA Finals. We let Inters, Collegiates, Seniors, Supers, GC’s and CIT’s stay up and watch the staff game. If your camper is in one of those divisions,  I encourage you to ask them about tonight’s staff game. It was a night that truly blew us all away. I cant quite find the right words to describe the energy in Shields Hall but I am so glad we all got to experience it. Chenny won the game but I think everyone won tonight. Even the players from Wayne stayed after to take pictures with these three phenoms. It became pretty evident early on that  Chenny definitely had some ringers. Electric is how you can describe our day and 1v1 basketball has been embraced by everyone here at  Chenny!!!

The sun was out in full force today and you could feel the excitement. Every area of camp was full of happy campers. From ATV’s to gaga and everything in between was full of campers who had smiles on their faces and a sense of appreciation to be outside all day long playing with their friends. We have been here for a week and everyone has settled into their routine. Waking up to bugles and heading into the Lodge for breakfast in our jammies is what we do and feels like we’ve been doing this together for a lot longer than 7 days. The day was as close to perfect as perfect can get. When we see our campers engaged, happy, connected and at ease, there is nothing that fills a parents heart more than that. We hope that the pictures and videos tell that story, that your children are engaged, happy, connected, at ease and feeling free.

Lower Camp Boys Plaque Winner goes to Bunk F

Upper Camp Boys Plaque Winner goes to Bunk W

Lower Camp Girls Plaque Winner goes to Bunk G

Upper Camp Girls Plaque Winner goes to Bunk W

Lower Camp SONG goes to the ladies of Bunk L and Upper Camp SONG was awarded to the girls of Bunk W.

IT WAS A CIT SWEEP tonight and they deserved it. From their costumes, to their make-up to their choreography to their awesome camp spirit.  They were mesmerizing and so in unison. This group of incredible young women understood the assignment.  The work and effort they put into their performance mirrors their dedication and loyalty to one another. It is a group that came together so beautifully and created a memory they will forever remember and cherish. They are the best of the best and deserved the Win.  The tears were running down their faces as they came to the realization that tonight was the last Sign & Song of their camper career.  It was a night they will never forget. Our beautiful CIT’s dominated the stage tonight and shared their love of Chenny with us all.

When you think of sports and competition at home it tends to be cut throat and intense. There are endless hours of practice, upset feelings when our kids don’t make the travel team and stress the players feel when they hear parents an onlookers coach them from the sidelines. It couldn’t be more opposite here. There is competition yes but the entire focus on playing sports at camp is all about the joy of playing, nothing more nothing less. When you think about our kids playing a sport just for the joy of playing, it makes sense and it can inspire them rather than deflate them. Today we hosted Camp Westmont for the first games of our summer season. Our kids played great and had a ball, they actually won every single game they played. But that wasn’t the story of the day. The Inter Boys were playing baseball and for the most part, Chenny was trailing until that last play as one of our kids hit a 2 run home-run to win the game for us.  Chenny kids were going crazy with excitement as boys were running the bases and coming into home plate . The pitcher for Camp Westmont broke down and was visibly distraught. You could see how he felt responsible for giving up those 2 runs that gave Chenny the win. He had a very tough moment and our kids noticed he was struggling. Everybody there could see his struggle. Their coach wasn’t having any luck helping this kid who was breaking down but our kids, our team noticed and a handful of the boys walked over to him and said, ” It’s all good, you pitched a great game.”  One camper said, “your team is really good. I hope we can play you again this summer.” Our boys celebrated the win but were able to help someone out that needed it with a few words of encouragement. I was so glad to be there and to see that moment. The win was great but seeing our kids with incredible character was everything!!!

Powder Puff is a camper favorite evening activity and tonight didn’t disappoint.  Friday Night Lights came to life tonight at Chenny and it was an incredible game to watch. Girls side was feeling fierce, powerful, strong and ready as our GC ‘s and CIT’s played an intense game of flag football.  CIT’s were dressed in all black and GC’s in all white. The boys in each division were the cheerleaders and they got the crowd on their feet. It was a great night of flag football and we all had a fantastic time outside under the lights. The competition was intense and each team brought it tonight. . There were great plays, interceptions, long passes and incredible defense. The kids had a ball watching the girls on the grid iron. CIT’s brought home the victory with a 9-7 win. After the whistle blew and the game ended, every camper rushed the filed in celebration for the CITS and their last play of the game that brought them the W. A huge congratulations to Brooke Gordon, tonight’s MVP who dominated and helped bring home the win for our CIT’s.

Feeling pretty lucky that we get to do another incredible day at Camp Chen-A-Wanda, tomorrow!!!!!