Author: Elissa

The campers enjoyed their trip day out of camp on Tuesday and spent today doing what we all do best, LOVING CAMP! I hope the pictures and videos we post do justice to how it feels living here all summer long. It’s just joyful and easy. There was a great feeling here on camp today. Campers are in their stride and have beautifully settled in. Today was one of those days that felt relaxed and content. Maybe we were all exhausted from Olympics and yesterdays trip day but being on camp today just felt great and there was a complete chill vibe happening at camp. One of those summer days you just don’t want to end.

“You have to take a leap before you can fly.” Anonymous 

Middy Boys Hockey  – CAW 3 @ Wayne 12

Before the campers arrived to camp, we discovered a bird that was nesting on her three eggs waiting for them to hatch. This mama bird made her spot right on the road next to the soccer field. Everyday, campers would walk by this bird and take note of its process. There was a giant growing concern from each camper about its safety due to its location.  We made a barrier for its safety and ensured that no flying soccer balls or running campers would pose a threat. This mama bird proudly sat atop of her 3 eggs day after day after day while the daddy bird was sitting across on a tree branch, looking over making sure his family was safe. We all have become part of this birds family. Since the kids arrived, not a day has gone by without campers gently peering and saying hello to the mama bird as she sits on these eggs waiting for them to hatch. When campers would get close to take a look, she would spread her wings and chirp so loud as to protect her babies is her only job. No rain storm, or wind or the 100’s of campers walking by her daily or even the soccer games she is next to would take this mama bird away from her eggs until they were ready to hatch. Today, they hatched. All 3 baby birds were ready to make their entrance and every camper was so excited with the news that the mama birds babies were safe. The kids were so excited and we truly became part of this process with this unlikely mama bird and her babies. When I think about it, WE are that mama bird who sits and protects until their babies are ready, then we send them off to fly. It was a beautiful to see and a daily reminder to everyone who walked by and witnessed the love of a mama bird. Thank you all for being incredible mama birds.

“Inhale Confidence, Exhale Doubt” – Anonymous

We are in full competition mode and loving every minute of. There is so much Olympic spirit in the air and each team is putting their heart and soul in every battle and every game. There are wins and losses, there are cheers and chants and above all there is a respect for the game and for each other. We congratulate those who have brought home a victory and support the teams that may have lost their games today. It is having respect for one another that makes these Olympics Games so magnificent.

Tonight was all about Apache Relay. Each team has 72 events to complete and the first team to finish will be crowned the winner of the Relay. The horn blew and the race began. Every member of each team is an integral part of the race. No matter if you are a Freshman or a CIT, your parts are equally important. This event emphasizes what a family we are here and brings us all together. The entire camp was utilized tonight from archery to arts and crafts. Campers were in their spot and ready to go when the baton was handed to them. Intensity, grit, determination are just a few words to describe the effort each team member displayed during the relay. Red Mexico was the first team in the race to finish, followed by Blue United Kingdom just a few minutes behind. The beauty displayed tonight wasn’t the first or second place teams hitting that baton on the flag pole as they crossed the finish line but was the entire camp chanting “Let’s Go Gold.” Gold was a bit behind but nobody gave up on them. The red team & the blue team joined the Gold team as they cheered and chanted until that last competitor rode up and banged his baton on the flagpole. Yes there was a winner for tonight’s Apache but the real winners were everyone in the game. We reveal the best parts of humanity here and it is celebrated.

After a full day of games, our Olympic athletes were glad to get to bed. They know that the battle continues tomorrow with more games and ends with Olympic Sing.  There can only be one winner. Red Mexico, Blue United Kingdom and Gold Belgium are determined, focused and can feel the win within their reach. One more day of competition and the winner will be crowned but as we all know, It All Comes Down To Sing!!!!!

There are certain things Chenny campers can count on and Olympics is high on that list. It is a camp tradition that is rich with history and meaningful for everyone that spends their summers at CAW. There was a buzz all around camp today about when Olympics would break out.  It’s typically around this time but you just never really know even if you think you do. The anticipation makes it that much more exciting. You could actually feel the energy in the air and its is in every corner of camp. Just when you think you may hear the Olympic song over the loud speakers, you may have to wait a bit longer. The entire camp was enjoying snack call and the campers were positive it was time. They truly couldn’t enjoy their snacks as the anticipation was killing them. You could literally see the angst and excitement waiting and listening as they were sure it would break at snack call. As the bugle blew for the next activity period , all the kids were cautiously walking and still waiting for that big moment.

Deep into activity 3, the Olympic Fanfare song started playing and sent chills up our spine and out from the The Lodge came our Head Counselors with a lit torch symbolizing Olympics is upon us. The entire camp ran into Shields Hall knowing what is bay out to happen. Olympics 2022 is here!! There is no more waiting or wondering. The gas are upon us.

We announced the Sergeants and Captains and highlighted what the games are all about. We will compete. We will play hard. We will show spirit and dedication. We will play fair but most importantly we will have fun in our Olympic Games 2022!  Our camp is now split in three equal teams, Red Mexico, Blue United Kingdom and Gold Belgium.

Just when we thought that camp could not possibly get any better, Olympics takes us to a whole new level. Tonight was a great night as we started our battle with Tugs of War. There has never been a Camp Chen-A-Wanda TUGS OF WAR WITH MORE SPIRIT AND INTENSITY.  It was an electric night up on our small soccer field.  We are so proud to be part of these games as we watch your children thrive to be the best they can be. For the next 2 days, we will eat, breath and sleep Olympics. We will win and we will loose but most importantly we are all part of something bigger than us that drives us all to a shared goal. Another reason why this experience is profound and meaningful as it pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves. Let the Games Begin!

Its hard to believe we are approaching the end of our second week here. Time goes by so quick and yet so much happens in a single day here that a day feels like a week. This experience of being here is different for everyone but you can see how meaningful it is to us all. That is why we keep coming back. We may not always remember every detail of every summer spent at Chenny but we can always recall how we feel when we’re here. That is the draw for why summer after summer we come back. The interesting and really cool full circle moments are when we watch campers become counselors and take care of kids here. We are so lucky to have amazing campers that have gone through our system and just can’t leave. They aren’t ready to say goodbye to their summer home so they transition into incredible counselors who share their heart and soul with campers here. When you grow up here, you have so much to give and they all give so much. They want to pass on their love for Chenny and they do with so much heart. Seeing so many incredible camper counselors we have this summer taking care of your children is just awe-inspiring. They know how their campers feel. They are keenly aware of how they can help make their campers summer spectacular. They lived it and now they want to pass it on. I watched 2 campers sit with their favorite counselor in the middle of camp today as that counselor told stories of when he their age. Those boys were locked in and listening to every word their counselor shared with them. It happens so naturally and it is why this place is as special as its is. The love is just continuous and never ends.

“Dream It. Believe it. Achieve it.” Serena Williams

Senior/Super Boys LAX  CAW 12 @ Lohikian 4

GC/CIT Boys Softball  CAW 12 @ Poyntelle 2   *** CAW WINS Championship Game

The night belonged to Boys side with an amazing Boys Lip Sync at  Camp Chen-A-Wanda. We always hear from parents that their boy just won’t get up and dance and every year not a single boy opts out as they come together with their division, lip sync, dance and have an amazing time. From the cutest and most adorable Freshman through the emotional CIT’s, these boys put on one heck of a show. The entire Shields Hall was mesmerized as they watched, clapped and sang along with the every boy who was on stage tonight.  It is the absolute best part of camp watching the support we give each other. We call it Chenny Pride but call it whatever you want, it is how we become family to one another. Tonight’s lower camp winners were the Inter Boys and our CIT’s took the win for upper camp. To see boys let loose, dance in front a packed house with such confidence and joy is awe inspiring. It was a great night with so much camp spirit here, you could feel it in every corner at Chenny. Another incredible day had by us all.