Author: Elissa

You can’t escape the excitement of what is happening tomorrow. Everyone is getting so very excited to see their families and the feeling here is unreal. We are all so excited for what tomorrow will bring. The kids just could not be more excited to see you and the day was spent getting our summer home ready for you. The campers made signs, cleaned their bunks and made everything just perfect for your arrival.

Even with the anticipation of tomorrow, we were able to play some great games.

Girls Middy Basketball – CAW 12 vs. Island Lake 24

Girls Inter Softball – CAW 9 @ Pearlman 3

Girls Collegiate LAX – CAW 7 @ Starlight 9

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 9 vs. Lohikan 0

Inter Boys Baseball – CAW 8 vs. Starlight 4

Super Boys Soccer – CAW 4 @ Westmont 0

GC/CIT Boys Soccer – CAW 1 vs. Starlight 0 (CAW wins in overtime)

GC/CIT Basketball – CAW 54 @ Nesher 13

We honored our Campers of the Week and we are so thrilled to give these campers their very well deserved Camper of the week Sunglasses. They wear them with pride and they should. They are great campers with tremendous character.

Freshman – Alexis Greenblatt & Jake Mongeluzza

Juniors – Samantha Simson & Charlie Horton

Middies – Jolie Krieger & Ben Gruberger

Inters – Summer Housenbold & Jake Weiss

Collegiates – Jillian Oresky & Tyler Katz

Seniors – Alexa Becker & Jared Simpson

Supers – Lindsay Komson & Derek Wills

GC’s – Ally Heller & Ben Einzig

CIT’s – Shelby Myers & Zach Olson

Tonight was so much fun as we were all in Shields Hall watching a camp favorite show, Minute To Win It. Campers were having a ball trying to get the cookie of their forehead into there mouths without hands. It was hilarious. So many laughs, so many games. As the show ended, that rain came into camp so we waited it out with a giant dance party in the Hall. It was awesome. The energy was electric and the kids are feeling the excitement with what is happening tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you all tomorrow morning.

Chenny out

 

Camp brings out the best of us, if you let it, let go and believe. We try and convey the beauty of what happens inside our gates with our pictures, videos and this blog but honestly there is just no way to truly give justice to how it feels in here. I sit and watch your children blossom and create connections that change their lives. Every day here deepens our connections to each other. There is no perfect place but this comes pretty close. When you see kids talking to one another day after day after day, amazing at it sounds, that just doesn’t happen out in the real world and what you have given your kids is priceless.  The experience of friendship on such a deeper level it changes how they will walk in the world and how they see themselves. There is such a freedom here to be exactly who they are intended to be and they are accepted for it. I sat and watched your kids playing on the swings this afternoon. You wouldn’t believe how much joy swinging on swings bring them. No screens, no phones, no iPads monopolizing their minds, just fresh air and being able to play and connect. That is the magic of what we see each and every day we are here. We can’t possibly go backwards eliminating phones and iPads from our lives but here, in this world going backwards without them feels like we have leaped 1ooo steps forward by not having them. I am realistic enough to know that in mid August when my kids go home, they will grab their phones and get sucked into that world of posting instead of talking, they will start texting in lieu of holding their friends hands but for this time, right now, in this moment – they are truly connecting and for that I am forever grateful.

Our Girls Side athletes played hard with tons of heart:

Gymnastics Tourney @ Bryn Mawr – CAW comes in 6th Overall (out of 14)

Girls Inter Soccer – CAW 10 vs. Perlman 0

Girls Super Tennis – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 3

Girls GC/CIT  LAX – CAW 12 vs. Lohikan 7

 

When we launched our Kind Camper Program, it started with about 100 nominations and over the 3 years, we have watched it grow to a place we never thought possible. We sit in our office reading each and every single nomination and cry with joy to read how our campers are treating one another and the acts of kindness  they show to one another. There is an overwhelming sense that we take care of each other here and we make those around us feel good. This is definitely the best part what I do here, read and watch how kind we all can be. When I stand in front of your kids, ready to announce the weeks Kind Campers, there is a pride we all feel knowing that I am about to highlight some pretty special kids. And when I announce each name, there is screaming with joy as WE ALL honor those among us that were chosen for their generous spirit and kind heart. It is with such joy that we announce this weeks Kindest Campers: Sophie Hornick, Ava DeRose, Lexi Nelson, Lindsay Gelfman, Addy Rubbovitz, Charley Halpern, Shelli Limsky, Emma Denson, Ava Giarantarra, Lily Passen, Liv mall or, Riley Jacobson, Bella Goodman, Alexa Selter, Jordan Katz, Syd Levitz, Kelsey Bloom, Sophia Jaffe, Gabby Katz, Emery Cohen, Evan Kay, Brandon Jaffe, Jake Mongeluza, Charlie Horton, Zach Friedman, Cole Wallis, Max Leff, Cole Weiss, Josh Klein, Gavin Ryback, Ben Schuster, Brady Bornstein, Mike Hellerman.

 

Chenny’s Got Talent, Yes We Do!!!  And tonights semi-final show was off the charts… 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, dance, beatbox or tell jokes they receive an ovation of cheers followed by hundreds of people screaming for them.  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. We know that for those 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 huge smile and a happy heart. A Huge Congratulations to every camper who performed tonight for our camp favorite show Chenny’s Got Talent. We advanced our Top 8 that are vying for the Grand Prize. Congratulations to Laine Bishop, Ally Heller & Maya Cohen, Drew Schimmer, Gabby Hoffman & Ava Cahn, Emma Goldenberg, Austin Frankle, Sami Miller, Ashley Sukoff.  We cant wait to see you shine in the finals!!!!

We are getting ready for you and your kids just cant wait to see you TOMORROW!!!!!! Our gates open at 10am.. Drive safe and see you on Saturday.

Chenny out.

It was a brunch wake up today and we all LOVED the extra sleep. After our lazy sleep-in morning, it was off to the Carnival for one amazingly fun day. There were dunk tanks, carnival games, water slides, cow milking, inflatable obstacle courses, snow cones, cotton candy and so much more. The highlight at today’s carnival was without a doubt the Gaming Truck we brought in and the giant Foam Pit Party. Our campers were diving into the foam, jumping around and getting covered head to toe with loads of bubbly fun. It was by far the campers favorite today. It’s a camp tradition to give away Carnival T-shirts on this special day and this years was a huge hit. All our campers were proudly sporting the coolest carnival T-shirt to date. They looked fly and camp looked completely in synch with everyone wearing their Carnival shirts!

The Carnival wrapped up at 4pm but at around 3:45  it was a downpour and there wasn’t a camper or staff member who wasn’t dancing in the rain. We got soaked and it was so much fun. When is the last time it rained and you just stomped in puddles looking to jump into them? When it rained so hard you just laughed getting soaked form head-to-toe and didn’t care for a minute how wet you were or how soaking your sneakers were. That was how our carnival ended today, with everyone drenched and everyone loving it!!!!

It was a fantastic night of Deal or No Deal for our Cherokee and Mohican campers as they vied for great prizes. Everyone was on the edge of their seat watching the board and hoping to keep the good prizes in play. The campers were loving the excitement of our own favorite game show hosted by our beautiful CIT girls. Our Navajo campers had their own fun with an awesome night at Fiddle Lake, chilling out with a campfire on the beach. They relaxed and chilled with friends, ate s’mores and had a blast. The sunset was spectacular and it was an absolutely perfect night at Chenny.

It was a sweet day and now sweet dreams for your children and only 2 more days until you all come to camp and see  where they have been thriving all summer long.

Chenny out.

 

It was trip day today at Chenny and all our campers had the absolute best time as they ventured out of camp for their adventurous fun day.

Our youngest and most adorable campers had just about the cutest day ever as they went to Claws and Paws Zoo. They saw cool animal exhibits and went on an animal scavenger hunt. They got back to camp and couldn’t tell us fast enough about how great their day was showing us the awesome things they bought today and the minerals and rocks they collected too. It was back to camp for a pizza party and into the Chen-A-Plex to watch a movie all cuddled up any cozy in their pi’s. They were exhausted as many of them fell asleep before the movie ended. All you could see were their counselors carrying sleeping kids back to their bunks. Couldn’t be a cuter and more fun day for our Freshman.

Juniors & Middies had a ball at Leahy’s fun park playing in their giant arcade and mini golf course. After an afternoon winning prizes and having a great time, it was off to the movies to see this summers blockbuster. Some watched Despicable Me 3 and the other kids enjoyed Spiderman. Our kids munched on popcorn and goodies and had a great time being together doing what friends do best, having fun with friends. When they got back to camp after their fun day, it was a pizza party of them too. To end their perfect day it was hanging out in the canteen, watching the MLB All-Star game and playing cards and jacks before it was bedtime for this group.

Mohican Camp (Inters & Collegiates)  spent their day at Camel Beach for some fun in the water park. It was great way to beat the heat while having the time of their lives.  They swooshed down the toilet bowl, got lazy down the lazy river, slipped down the slip and slide and got bounced off the giant bungee blob. They had an absolute awesome day. They came off the bus exhausted and happy. They headed to their bunks for showers and sleep. Just an awesome time for our Mohican campers.

Navajo spent their day at Dorney Park and LOVED it. Nothing is better than amusement parks in the summer with your best friends. It was a day full of roller coasters, log rides, park food, belly laughs and memories that will last forever. What could be better than that? The kids rolled into camp late tonight and got off the buses with huge smiles and even bigger stuffed animals they won at the park. There are some things that truly define our summers and experiencing amusement parks with your campies is one of them.

CIT’s started their day at a local breakfast joint that is so famous and so delicious, all you gotta say is Bingham’s and everyone knows you had the best breakfast in town. Then it was off to Cornell University to tour that beautiful campus and the surrounding area that is breathtaking. They even got to go to a movie to end their day of fun.

All the campers are safe and sound back in their bunks, all exhausted from an amazing day out. Sleeping peacefully and all excited that tomorrow is Brunch day which means they get to sleep in until 9:45am, which was received with giant cheers and many “thank you thank you thank you”. What a successful  trip day, full of memories that will last a lifetime. Your children were absolutely fantastic and every place our Chenny kids were today, we received praise on how well behaved and respectful our campers are.  Gotta love that. We sure do.

Chenny Out

We all got some needed extra sleep this morning after the past 2 ½ days of Olympic fun. It was a lazy late wake-up morning and then off to The Lodge for a delicious breakfast.  We’ve been on high gear since the Olympic games started so our lazy morning was so very needed.

We got right back into camp action this afternoon with regular activities. The weather was perfect and the mood was ideal. It was great getting back to our regular schedule. We went right back into our Wayne County Tournaments.

Collegiate Girls Soccer – CAW 10 @ Island Lake 3

Senior/Super/GC/CIT Girls Tennis Tournament @ Indian Head – Jayden Bier WON Singles/ Corrine Packel & Arielle Ashkenase played in Finals but were defeated (Doubles)/Kylie Gorsky made it it Semi Finals

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 9 @ Westmont 13

Collegiate Boys Basketball – CAW 88 vs. Poyntelle 15

Senior/Super Boys Hockey – CAW 5 vs. Lavi 2

Senior/Super Boys Basketball Tournament @ Towanda – Game 1 CAW 20 vs. Towanda Game 2 CAW 15 vs. Island Lake 30

At evening line-up we announced our Camper’s of the Week. There is nothing quite like hearing your name being called knowing that you have done a great job this week. These campers earned it and deserve it. Congratulations to these outstanding campers!! We are so very proud of you.

Freshmen                        Hayden Garland                                     Bennet Hamuy

Juniors                             Remi Zaben                                            Owen Isaacson

Middies                           Alexa Galan                                              Austin Levitz

Inters                              Jessica Jaffe & Haylin Roth                  Derek Satz

Collegiates                     Nikki Heifler                                             Josh Baum

Seniors                           Jackie Marpet                                           Mason Berlin

Supers                            Jordan Katz                                               Alex Rosenbaum

GC’s                                Emily Sobel                                               Emery Cohen

CIT’s                               Arielle Ashkenase                                    Joey Block

When you say Nancy Tucker to any camper anywhere, they start to smile, jump up and down and say, “I Love Nancy Tucker”. Everyone loves Nancy Tucker. Nancy is an old school folk music singer that entertains us with her FAMOUS songs like, One Meatball, Jellyfish, Buttons Buttons and her most popular Habitat.. Each one comes with its own hand movements that everyone knows and if they didn’t know it, they do now. I truly can’t explain what Shields Hall looked like tonight with every camper singing along with the very famous Nancy Tucker at Chenny! Such a fun night and one that wont be forgotten. No matter how old our campers get, no matter where their lives take them, they will always remember those nights that they sang along with Nancy Tucker.

Chenny out.