Author: Elissa

It was Western Day at Chenny and it was so much fun. The Rookies thru Inters had a gold rush scavenger hunt. There were gold rocks hidden throughout camp and the campers found them and traded them in to the banker for gold coins. They worked as a bunk and collected as many rocks as they could find. they had so much fun running all around camp trying to find these hidden gold rocks.  From there, it was off to our auction where the campers bid on amazing prizes. They bid and won Ice Cream Sundae parties for their bunk, a late late night Chen-A-Plex movie party and other amazing items. They had an absolutely incredible day. We were all dressed up in our western wear and all throughout camp you can heard country music playing loud and proud.

Our Collegiates  thru Seniors had their own fun at Casino Day. They learned and played casino games and budgeted their winnings on amazing prizes they bid on at their very own auction. It was such an incredibly fun day these campers had and you can see it in their smiles. Sitting around a casino table with your friends playing black jack and loving every minute if it is just what happens here. Just pure camp fun watching your kids thrive here, there is just nothing better.

We continued the country fun with learning square dancing. We do-si-do’ed and learned the two-step. It was an absolute blast. Every camper got into it and country square dancing was so much fun. Today was a great day. Just a perfect summer day spent with the most amazing people.  We dressed up, played all day, danced to and sang country songs, learned how to square dance, went to and was in a live auction and won incredible prizes. If it sounds like a jam packed awesome day, that’s because it was.

It was brunch day and we all needed that extra sleep. Getting to sleep in after the effort and intensity of our Olympic games was needed and appreciated by all.  The sun was shining bright today at Chenny and it was perfect weather here. Not too hot, not too cold and 100% no rain. Everyone seemed so positive and upbeat because the weather was just ideal.

Our Supers were off for their camping overnight at Hickory State Park. These kids are having an experience that they will never forget. They pitched tents, enjoyed beautiful hikes, roasted hot dogs, made S’mores and enjoyed making jiffy pop popcorn right on the open fire. You know that Jiffy Pop that has the foil that pops. They loved it. What could be better than sitting around the campfire with your friends on a warm summer night, roasting marshmallows and laughing until your stomach hurts? These summer moments are just the absolute best.

There is nothing quite like dressing up in your Halloween costume in July. We were all so into our Halloween costume parade as each camper strutted their stuff down the catwalk. They showed off their costumes and had the greatest night. Everyone was in on the fun and loving celebrating Halloween together. After the parade, it was off to trick or treat and campers went station to station as they filled up their bags with oodles of treats. The spooky halloween music playing all over camp set the stage for our ghouly evening. In true Chenny tradition, the Senior girls made a haunted spook house in the Dance Studio that spooked and creeped out everyone who dared to enter. It was a great night and one that won’t soon be forgotten.

We wanted to give our GC’s a night they would never forget as we celebrated all our Sweet 16’s. It was their night and it was remarkable. This group, these kids are AMAZING. They had the greatest night as they danced, took pics, ate amazing food, danced more, ate more, laughed more and had the absolute best Sweet 16. The venue was incredible and rustic and beautiful. The food was beyond delicious but it was the people there that made this night as special as it was. The GC group is one special group. It is more like a family who truly love being together. You can see it and you can definitely feel it.  It was just as perfect of a day as you can dream of. Best news, we get to do it all again tomorrow.

After two and a half intense days of Olympic games, Gold Belgium brought home the victory. Blue United Kingdom and Red Mexico were fierce competitors. The morning was full of games and the Olympic spirit was so strong. Everyone gave it all they had. No matter if it was a game of steal the bacon, kickball or basketball the intensity and desire to win was there. Each team fought a great battle to the very end.

It all comes down to SING!

We loaded into Shields Hall tonight and each team presented their Plaque, Banner and Songs.  The artwork was spectacular and will forever be a part of Chen-A-Wanda Olympic history, as we proudly will display them for years to come. Each team presented a Cheer, March and Alma Mater.  The lyrics they wrote and sang, the meaning and the heart in which they were performed made everyone in the Shields Hall feel as if they were part of something special. All singing in unison, these words will never be forgotten and will leave an indelible mark on all of us. To be present for such a display of sportsmanship, honor and camp pride is a feeling that stays with you forever.

What made this summers’ Olympic games so special was to see the elation of each team member on Gold Belgium as they worked so hard over the past few days and reached their goals.  There were tears of joy for winning and there was heartache of defeat for the teams that didn’t win but in the end these three separate teams came back together as one camp family and showed respect for the games and honor for one another. We played fair, we played hard, we played with integrity and most importantly we had so much fun. With our Olympic games, there will always be a victorious team, but everyone in Shields Hall won tonight.  After the winning team was announced, the energy inside the Hall was unreal. The spirit and elation could have literally moved a mountain. Your children experienced something insanely magical tonight which will be hard to explain to you at home but will forever be a part of who they are here at Chenny.

It will be hard to come down from our incredible night we all just experienced but tonight your children will sleep well. It’s late wake-up tomorrow and the kids couldn’t be happier. Olympics 2022 is in the books and boy was it a great one.

Life is so Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Our Olympic games stands out as a true picture to why Chen-A-Wanda is truly a remarkable place. Victory is not defined by wins or losses. It is defined by our effort. Today our campers gave it everything they had. Every camper put their heart and soul into each battle and gave it their all in every competition. The battles were fierce, they were fun and in the end it was the undeniable effort that made today such a standout day. We played hard, had fun and in the end supported one another. When you walk around camp, in the midst of hearing all the chants and cheers during all the games, you also heard “great job, amazing effort, proud of you.” There is something equally valuable to encouraging those around us that actually feels better than getting the win.

Being part of a community that comes together and supports one another regardless of the outcome is what makes Chen-A-Wanda Olympics so spectacular.  Tonight was Contest Night and everyone from our Rookie campers to our GC’s played an integral part. The fun they had took center stage and the only word that can accurately describe tonight was Electric. The energy was incredible, absolutely awesome.  We sincerely hope that the pics and videos we post on our social media platforms gives you at home an up-to-date snap shot of much fun your kids are having. Olympics brings the best out in us all. There are so many valuable moments each and every day here but Olympics feels different. We are watching the joys of winning and the sting of defeat. We are seeing your kids put everything they have into making this Olympics incredible. The spirit, the heart, the dedication, the emotion – it’s all here front and center.

It was Contest Night tonight and if you happened to catch our Facebook and Instgram stories, you would have seen a snip of Freshman camper Zach Capon riding that turtle bike with a determination on his face, that said it all. He was focused and in the zone. His counselors and Captains Ben & Connor were right by his side, cheering him on. They were doing it together and it was magical. As Zach crossed that finish line first, Conor picked him up and put him on his shoulders as the entire team surrounded him chanting his name. It was a scene right out of Rudy. He was a champion and felt like a hero. The race was so close and Zach brought it home with a win for the gold team. A moment he wont forget, and neither did anyone who was lucky enough to watch it too.

When all is said and done, it’s not the shots that won the championship that we will remember, but the friendships we made along the way that will stay with us forever. All are sleeping peacefully as we rest our bodies for another amazing day of Olympics. Doesn’t get much better that this!!!

 

There was a buzz all around camp today about when Olympics would break out. A rumor began and the chatter turned from when Olympics would breakout to if we were having Olympics at all this year. Questions were flying and the excitement was building. You could actually feel the energy in the air but the day just went on as business as usual.

Well, our campers did not have to wait long as the entire camp was enjoying snack call when a very familiar song began to play throughout camp. The Olympic Fanfare sent chills up our spine and every camper ran to Shields Hall. There were chants and cheers and the Olympic spirit was alive today at Chenny. As every camper and staff were inside Shields Hall, the energy got bigger and the excitement was indescribable. We started with a highlight video from Olympics 2019 and it got every single person so pumped up to see what the next 3 days will bring. We announced the Captains and for the first time in Chen-A-Wanda history, we have chosen Sergeants from our GC division to help run Olympics and their contribution to the leadership team in invaluable. The addition of Sergeants will now become a Chenny tradition for years to come.  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!  Our camp is now split in three equal teams, Red Singapore, Blue Brazil and Gold Jamaica.

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. We are so proud to be part of these games as we watch your children thrive and be the best they can be. Best news is we get to do this again tomorrow. There is no place like CAW.