Author: Elissa

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” by anonymous. This is what happens here. For two month we learn about others. For two months we listen to each others stories. For two months we nominate our friends and share what kind acts they did that deserved recognition. For two months we laugh at the jokes our friends tell us and for two months we can learn a lot about someone else. For two months our focus is outside our ourselves and that is why these two months bring so many people into our lives. Thank goodness for these two months

When campers are recognized as Campers of the Week and their name is announced at line up, to see their faces light up is watching the purest form of pride there is. To know that you are being recognized for being a great kid, camper and friend is huge deal at Chenny. These moments are priceless and they help create the magic of this place. It’s where your kids do really great things, are kind and are a joy to be around. What is better than knowing that the world around your baby recognizes their awesomeness. A huge congratulations to the weeks Campers of The Week. We are so proud of you

Boys Side

Freshman-Jordan Schwebel , Junior-Sid Havens, Middy-Cole Pruss, Inters-PJ Bussel, Collegiates-Alex Michales, Seniors-Jake Marin, Supers-Max Eber

Girls Side

Freshman-Emily Udler, Junior-Kelsey Locker, Middy- Blake Schissler, Inters-Bailey McAleavy, Collegiates-Remi Friedberg, Seniors-Dylan Schissler, Supers-Emma Bruno

It was 3rd period and I walked into ceramics where I saw a group of Middy boys having the best time using the pottery wheel. They were all laughing and so excited to show me their works of art. Some were creating hand made bowls and a few made coasters but why this moment stuck out to me today is because these same boys who were having a ball with clay just got off the field from a serious soccer game they had with their division. Their faces were flushed and they still had sweat running down their cheeks and  these kids went form a fun game of soccer where they ran up and down the field  to sitting down  in Arts & Crafts making a cool clay bowl. They were focused and loved showing me what they were making. This is the Chenny kid in a nut shell. Fierce athletes playing with all their heart, straight to ceramics as they so delicately molded a clay masterpiece. When you think of a well rounded kid who can pop in and out of activities that each equally engage their mind, body and spirit, you think of a Chenny Kid. This is what we do here and this is why your kids love spending their summers at Chenny.

To feel the love in Shields Hall tonight was to be in the presence of something pretty special and moving. When our kids take that stage, no matter if they  play guitar, sing a song or do tricks with their diablo, they receive an ovation of cheers followed by hundreds of people screaming in awe of their performance and courage to take the stage. Can you imagine the feeling of getting that response when you put your talent out their in the Chen-A-Wanda universe? It’s insanely awesome and those kids who performed tonight loved every minute of it. Confidence is built here and support thrives amongst us all. We love making our fellow campers feel the love and tonight was off the charts. We know that for those 20 campers who stood on that stage and entertained us all tonight, they felt the love. We all felt it and you couldn’t help but leave Shields Hall tonight with a huge smile and a happy heart. There is so much talent here that we had to make another Chenny Talent Show for next week. It was an awesome night.

There is something about kids jumping off a diving board that love when people watch them. I was at the pool watching a group of Middy campers in the pool and every single one them would say, “Watch me” as they dove, jumped, or cannon balled into the crisp cool pool. Each camper loved running down the board and jumping in. So many smiles, so many happy kids, so many great moments on that diving board. At the other end of the pool there were the campers chilling out on floaties. Giant pizza slices, donuts and pink flamingos were floating in the shallow with campers relaxing all over them. The vibe at the shallow end was just chillin’ compared the cannon ball city in the deep end, always with “watch me” as they leaped in. Its was just a perfect pool day for everyone regardless if you wanted to float and chill or run and jump. Both accomplished that same thing, everyone had fun and everyone cooled off on this hot day.

“Focus on the steps in front of you, and not the whole staircase.” Anonymous

It was back to regular activities today. No matter the temperature, we were ready to play. Water bottles were full and everyone was well hydrated. As we are approaching the end of week four, it seems like we’ve been here forever and we just want time to slow down. The heat was high so all that meant was our campers were loving cooling off in the pool and lake. The Zone was fun to be at too cause who doesn’t love a water gun flight to cool you down. Just an amazing fun day full of ice pops and Loys and loots of water.

“My coach said I run like a girl and I said if he can run a little faster he could too.” Mia Hamm

As the sun set, it was time for an outdoor movie for our Freshman thru Inter campers. Campers grabbed their creek chairs and blankets and it was an incredible night under the stars as they munched on popcorn and watched Sing 2. Collegiates had their our fun inside the Chen-A-Plex watching a fun flick and the seniors and supers had an incredible fun at their night pool party. Our oldest campers are living their best life in California and enjoying every minute of their adventure out west. It was a morning spent at the hotel pool followed by an afternoon at Universal studios. Oh to be a GC/CIT.

It was another great day to be a Chenny kid.

Part of the Chenny experience is heading out of camp for trips. Everyone puts on their Gold Camp T-shirt and there was an excitement in the air this morning. Though we all love our summer home, heading out for some incredible trips makes our summers that more special.

Our Freshman, Juniors and Middies started their spectacular day jumping around at SkyZone. It was dodgeball mania and the kids had so much fun. As we left, the manager told us that our kids were unbelievably well behaved and respectful and that she has never seen such a well mannered group of kids at SKyZone. How proud we felt of our Chenny kids. Then after all that jumping around it as off to the movies to catch the latest summer Blockbuster.  We munched on popcorn and enjoyed a phenomenal movie. After the movies it was back to camp. Everyone was wiped and exhausted from the day. Lights out never happened so fast for our Cherokee campers. It was a perfect summer trip day.

Inters and Collegiates, Seniors and Supers had a perfect day at Camel Beach Water Park. There is nothing better than spending a hot summer day at a water park. It was an ideal day and the kids loved it. The fun didn’t end there as the Inters  & Collegiates changed out of their bathing suits and it was off to the movie theater for them. The Seniors and Supers had their own late afternoon fun at the The Crossings for some outlet shopping fun.

Our GC’S & CIT’s landed in Los Angeles this am and started their west coast adventure with and afternoon at UCLA. They explored Westwood, toured around the campus and even took pics on the floor of Pauley Pavillion. The campers took over the student store and had an incredible day 1. They spent their evening at Universal City Walk grabbing dinner and embracing the LA experience. It was a perfect start to their incredible adventure they have ahead of them.

Its good to be a Chenny kid!