Author: Elissa

Where can you find a group of 14 year old boys sitting around a table playing card games for an hour? N0 phones, no Netflix, no distractions. Just 6 boys and a deck of cards and good conversation. I walked into the canteen and found this scene play out for me. I don’t know the game they were playing and it didn’t matter. It was the company they kept and how a deck of cards allowed these boys to find joy and humor and ultimately friendship in these moments that happen daily here.  You are just an ask away from sitting in a group of friends, making memories and connections that will ultimately impact your life in the most positive way. It’s the simple things that make the most impact and sometimes a game of Gin with your buddies can blow away all the video games they play alone at home. Our kids are hungry for these connections and it is joyful watching them dive in and play.

Congratulations to our first campers of the week of  Summer 2022. They are exceptional campers who have gone above and beyond being incredible friends, great listeners and all around good humans.

Freshman – Blair Amster & Tyler Lefkowitz

Juniors – Livi Pall & Sammy Heinl

Middies – Julia Feldman & Greg Katzenberg

Inters – Samantha Rosenthal & Max Bernstein

Collegiates – Bella Kovacs & Nick Einzig

Seniors – Mia Koenig & Tyler Sugarman

Supers – Sammy Simson & Justin  Ghorchian

GC’s – Addison Rubovitz & Alex Ichiuji

CIT’s – Sydney Geller & Charlie  Butler

“Just play. Have Fun. And enjoy the game.” Michael Jordan

Middy Boys Tennis – CAW 3 @ Wayne 2

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 3 @ Starlight 5

Two Champions from the New York region of a new elite 1v1 professional basketball league, OBL came to Camp CHEN-A-WANDA today and it was an absolutely incredible day for every single person who was lucky enough to experience the magic of today. I have spent 16 summers at this beautiful place and without question, today ranks as one my most favorites. There was a feeling that was felt by every single person on camp today and basketball was just the backdrop. It was Who came through our gates that made today feel so incredible in combination with every single camper and every single staff member that made this day so impactful.

Let me explain,  Zach Radz from Albany and Isiah “Leaky Roof” Brown from Queens are two of the best one on one basketball players in the country. Their game is insane and their skills are off the charts but what they brought today was pure gold. It was all one on one basketball today and everybody was involved and locked in, even if basketball may not be their thing, it was today. We had tournaments and dunk sessions and of course 1v1 battles but these 2 hoopers spent the day with your kids and gave way more than tips on how to improve their game. Zach and Leaky, though not your traditional celebrities, they sure were today because your kids embraced them with such adoration and with so much love. The energy that was at camp today could fuel a rocket ship to the moon. From our 7 year old girls to our 16 year old boys to every corner of our staff from the health center to circus, couldn’t wait to take pictures with, get autographs from and just hangout and be near these true champions. There were so many connections made today and every camper and staff just wanted a bit more time with these 2 great people.

As the sun set and the days events had come to a close, both Zach and Leaky just didn’t want to leave. They, like the kids wanted a bit more time too. Your children, became one of the players in todays magic. Crazy to say that an appearance made by 2 basketball players turned into something way bigger than an appearance made by 2 basketball players. They ate in the Lodge, in and amongst the kids  and even went to tonight’s evening activity. It became super apparent  how they not only impacted our camp family , but how our camp family impacted them. I knew this occurred when I watched Leaky, in the middle of a group of counselors and kids sang along at the top of his lungs too “Let It Go” at tonights staff talent show. Something definitely special happened today and your kids, ALL of your kids played a part in the true magic of what happened on camp today.

When you have your first call with your camper coming up soon, don’t forget to ask them about Zach and Leaky. There is just no doubt this was a day your kids will not forget.

We are at day 5 of our summer 2022 summer and I always say that a day here feels like a week. When you see campers already creating such close bonds and it has only been 5 days, it makes sense to us. Not even a full week and we are in full stride. That is why friendships are rooted in deep connection – because spending so much time together  in this environment brings people together in the most meaningful way. We create not just a community up here but a family. Everyone knows one another and it is happening in real time and it is the magic of why we keep coming back. The feeling we are creating up here is real and everyone can feel it. So much fun, so much love and so much more summer we get to experience ..

“You Miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky

Middy Boys Basketball @ Poyntelle  – CAW 48- Poyntelle 2

Senior Boys Tennis @ Poyntelle – CAW 3- Poyntelle 2

Camp is where your children rise to the occasion and help those around them that need an extra hand to get through a hard moment. These moments happen every day and even every hour and it is so beautiful to watch. You would be beyond proud of the care your kids provide to other kids. It is why the friendships made here are so deeply rooted in trust and kindness. Today, two campers were sitting with a new camper who was having a hard moment with homesickness. The two campers who were helping her, were sharing their stories of they felt exactly as she is feeling now. I watched in awe and heard them say, “We know exactly how you feel, and it goes away. Don’t worry, we got you.” That statement, “Don’t worry, we got you” really resonated as that is everything. They saw a new friend who they met just 3 days ago needing support, and they were there. Not being prompted by a counselor or asked by anyone. They took it upon themselves to help and be a friend. That small gesture can and did make a big difference. When our kids are kind, the world is just a better place.

It was a big sports tryout day and our fields and courts were full of athletes giving it their all. Basketball, soccer, softball, hockey and lacrosse were in full force, full of campers having a ball. Inter-camp games start tomorrow and the campers couldn’t be happier. Another reason why this summer is feeling back to normal. Our kids get to go to other camps and play sports and it feels GREAT.

Tonight’s evening activity was round robin and the kids had an absolute ball. Each division had their own activity and and everyone loved it. Camp was beyond fun today and it just feels so right. Smiling faces and kids just being kids and playing. Doesn’t matter if they are 7 or 16, they played and loved it. It was a great day at Chenny and we are so glad your kids get to experience the magic of Chenny.

The sun shined bright at camp today and as the official first day, it was perfect. Your kids woke up from the bugle playing reveille and hearing Brian Leahy’s voice with greeting them with “Gooooooddddddd morning Camp CHEN-A-WANDA. They will hear that same bugle and announcement, waking them up for the next 49 days. After the bugle and welcome greeting, Brian asks a trivia question and whoever is up and wants to try and answer it, runs to Headquarters and gives it a shot. The kids line up and the one who can correctly answer the morning trivia question, will receive a free canteen ticket. This process defines morning time at Chenny. It’s just what we do and it’s what the campers can relay on with certainty. It’s how we all start our day here at Chenny and it sets the tone for the amazing day we have ahead of us.

Then it was off to the pool for our swim tests and after our campers aced their tests, it was play time. The first full day of campers playing. There wasn’t a field or court or area that wasn’t full of happy campers. We didn’t waste a minute and the campers jumped in with two feet. It was just a great day full of fun and a day of kids being kids and just playing. Friendships are being made and you can see the connections happening right in front of your eyes. It’s just beautiful and why camp is the most special place on earth. I have watched and been inspired by the inclusiveness and kindness that I witnessed today. Our campers came to camp with an open heart to meet new friends and a willingness to let others in. We are building a community and everyone has open arms which is why these friendships are solid and long-lasting.

Tonights evening activity was spectacular as we all enjoyed and were blown away by the best magician ever. He dazzled us with his tricks and blew us away with his magic. Seeing may not be believing as we all saw what he did on stage but we still cant believe it. The kids loved it and the staff even got in on the fun. What a great way to get our evening activities going. Shields Hall was packed with sounds of “oooosss: and “aaahhhhss” and at times “noooo wayyyyy”. There was so much laughter coming from the show that our evening ended as our day started – just right!

And the great news is, we get to do it all again tomorrow.