Author: Elissa

It was another picture perfect day at camp. Hard to fully fathom that we get to live in this place for the entire summer, surrounded by such beautiful nature alongside the kindest and most caring people. There is just no place like it and there is no wonder why once you are here you just don’t want it to end. Even our newest campers who just arrived only 5 days ago have made themselves right at home. Chenny has that effect on anyone and everyone who comes through our gates.

Now that all the tryouts are completed, its time to play.We had a few Wayne County games and our athletes were busy playing. Congratulations for games played hard and more importantly, played with integrity.

Collegiate Boys Hockey – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 16

GC/CIT Boys Basketball – CAW 75 @ Morasha  25

There are camp events that truly define what Chenny is all about and Sign and Sing is one of those traditions that has lasted through time. It is a camp staple that you look forward to and tonight didn’t disappoint. Since we all rolled into camp, the first big event is Sign & Song and girls have been practicing their dance for days. Each bunk on both girls and boys side creates a bunk plaque with a creative twist to their bunk letter. Every camper and counselor’s name is on it and that plaque will forever stay inside their bunk. It is a reminder for years to come that they were here in summer 2017 and left their mark. We have alumni that come and visit and the first thing they ask to see, is to try and locate their plaques. You can’t imagine the joy when you are a 35 year old father, touring camp with your soon-to-be camper and have come back to Chen-A-Wanda and the first thing you need to do is find your plaque. It is a reminder that you were here and you were part of the fabric of this amazing place. Well tonight was our night and it was incredible. The energy inside Shields Hall tonight was absolutely insane. It was a packed house and with every dance girls side performed, they were cheered on and encouraged. It is an incredible sight to see an entire community come together in support of one another. This event does name winners for best plaques and best dance and tonight’s winners deserved every accolade they received.  Best Plaques went to: Girls Bunk F (lower camp) and Girls Bunk T (upper camp) and on Boys side – Boys Bunk E (lower camp) and Boys W (upper camp) won the big awards.  But tonight is all about the dances and boy do we have incredibly talented girls. They danced their hearts out and loved every minute of it. Tonight’s winners were Girls Bunk J (lower camp) and Girls Bunk W (upper camp). Over the last decade, we have seen so many incredible performances but tonights dance by our CIT’s (Bunk W) took our breath away. These girls put on show unlike any we have ever seen. The crowd went crazy and stood on their benches screaming “W” after their performance. There was no doubt that this group of CIT’s left their mark forever as the all time greatest Sign and Sing dance we have ever seen.

There was such joy inside Shields Hall tonight. Tradition ran strong and there wasn’t a camper who didn’t have the time of their life being a part of true Chenny history. No matter if this is your 1st or 8th summer, you become part of this experience that forever bonds us together. Camp traditions like this define why there is just no place like Chenny.

Chenny out.

 

 

 

 

 

It was an incredibly gorgeous day with the sun shining bright and very slight chill in the air. Campers spent the entire day in regular activities and the weather could not have been more perfect. There is so much activity during the day but I must highlight the night we all had. Evening activity was insanely fun for every single camper and tonight was just an epic evening. It was Round Robin night and that means that each division had their own activity that was over-the-top fun.

Freshman Boys spent their night making the coolest Lego Race cars and racing them against each other. It was nascar lego style and it was so much fun. They collaborated on design and built some pretty cool cars. Our Freshman girls had a cupcake decorating party in The Cookhouse. They created delicious masterpieces and of course had the most fun when they ate what they made. It was a night-time pool party for the entire Junior division. What could be more fun that a swim party at night?  The Middy boys were at the baseball field and had their own home run derby. They loved it! The Middy girls were in the Chen-A-Plex, all in their jammies watching a movie. The Inter and Collegiate divisions were in Shields hall playing The Quest. It’s hard to describe but ask your camper about the Quest and they will just say one word, AWESOME!!! Our Seniors enjoyed a trie tailgate party with snacks, s’mores and a fun coed social party. The Supers had their own bonfire under the stars. It was Trivia night for our GC’s who had an amazing time playing for some incredible fun camp prizes. They were all in the Canteen, putting their heads together in this fun trivia competition. The CIT’s enjoyed their evening of MTV Music awards. Each group had the BEST time. It was one of those nights that just felt great. There wasn’t a group that didn’t love their night. It was an ideal summer night.

Then it was off too bed for our kids. Jon and I walked around boys and girls side saying goodnight to the kids and what happens inside those bunks at bedtime is even more engaging than the activities they just finished. We went bunk to bunk saying goodnight to the kids and we walked into a girls bunk who happened to be doing Rose and Thorn which is a activity during flashlight time when each camper is quiet in their bed and then one-by-one, share their Rose(favorite part) of the day and their torn(least favorite) thing they did that day. It was incredible to listen to each one of them share what brought them joy and things they liked the least today. It was peaceful and quiet and each camper had a chance to share with a captive audience. What each one shared mattered and the incredible piece was that each camper listened. Within minutes of the last camper sharing, they all fell peacefully asleep. It was so sweet and the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Chenny out.

There is something I’ve learned after running this camp for the last ten years and it’s that our CIT’s set the tone for how spirited and connected our camp feels. We’ve watched our oldest kids grow from their junior year till now. Seeing them develop into who they are right now has been a privilege that I can’t quite put into words. They start the chants, the spread the cheers and they can electrify a room with their love for Chenny. Our younger kids look up to them and even the kids just a few years younger want to be them. There is an aura in being a CIT here at Chenny and that feeling blankets every single division. Some years have stood out more than others but these kids have started this summer with such incredible and contagious camp spirit it is just awesome. Being a CIT is the first step into truly owning a sense of responsibility and giving unselfishly to the campers they CIT for. They are learning to care for others and give of themselves. They assist for 3 periods a day with a bunk of campers and the other periods throughout their day, they can do whatever activities they choose. I knew this group was bound for greatness as their Group Leaders pulled me aside and asked me if it was ok for the CIT’s s to work with their kids for more than the assigned 3 periods. They loved working with their kids so much and just wanted to do more. So when our CIT’s have the opportunity to be off or go to activities themselves, they are choosing to spend time with their kids. They are litterally passing on their love for Chenny to the kids just starting out. That relationship makes this summer family a giant circle with no beginning or no end. It is a continuous feeling of love and camp spirit and this group of incredible CIT’s are defining how incredible summer 2017 will be.

The fields were full of athletes trying out for teams, the studios and stage were packed with campers auditioning, the trapeze was in full swing with circus auditions and Arts & Crafts was hopping with kids creating works of art. It was a perfect camp day and you could see it on the faces of our kids. Happy and content would be the best description. Your kids have let go, gotten into their groove and embraced living happy and content for the next 48 days. It was Bingo night at Chenny and the prizes were flying. Kids were screaming with excitement as they won pizza parties, milk shakes for their bunk and Chenny fidget spinners for their entire division. If you can imagine your kids having the time of their lives screaming out “BINGO”. Evenings here are unlike anywhere else. You can have the most incredible time as you and your buddies laugh and scream out loud that you only need 1 more until you have BINGO. No fancy video games, no sitting in front of the TV, no staring at screens – just good old fashion fun with a bingo board and a room full of excited happy kids playing a game that they may never play at home – This is CAMP!

Chenny out.

Summer for us represents total peace and when I say that I am referring to watching your children navigate to a place of total and complete peacefulness. I walked around camp today and saw groups of campers and counselors playing card games together, throwing the ball to one another, getting into a basketball biddy game, dancing around together, sitting and just talking to one another. Yes of course they were completely engaged in their activities but it’s the other times that they form these moments that literally fill up their souls with what they haven’t had in a  long while. It’s why we send our kids to camp, to connect and you just cant walk 10 feet without seeing their connections. It is my most favorite part of this experience and I think its theirs too. A group of boys were sitting around the apple tree playing cards, getting along, laughing and could only be describe as total and complete peace. It happens organically and it is the magic of this place.

There was a camper who shared with me she felt anxious reconnecting with her group of friends and worried about not fitting in. The worry was all over her face when she arrived at camp and she shared how her school year was pretty difficult so she came here desperately wanting to be at peace. She shared how navigating her world on line was so hard and she was so eager to have real friends rather than virtual ones. It took only 1 day for this amazing young woman to get into her groove. She was able to be herself and that worried anxious face she arrived with was replaced with a relaxed ease that drew her friends towards her. I watched her throughout the day and it was as if that coat of armor she wore all school year long was way to heavy to wear here at camp. By days end, she was holding hands with her camp friends and this young amazing girl found her peace. I literally saw her transform in a matter of 24 hours. After tonights evening activity, I approached her and gave her a wink as she ran off with a group of friends who accept and love her. She didn’t seek me out for advice or support. She didn’t need me and I couldn’t be happier. That world outside our gates is sometimes cruel and hard to navigate for some kids but here they can find comfort in being themselves. It was magical and my heart is full knowing for the next 49 days, that camper is at peace here at Chen-A-Wanda.

The day was full of team tryouts and kids were actively playing all over camp. Dance team, baseball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, circus etc.. There was so many happy active kids – nothing better than seeing our kids outside playing and doing what kids are intended to do, Just to Play. After a full day of play, the evening was all about being entertained and Chenny didn’t disappoint. There was love in the air with our camp tradition of The Dating Game. From the Freshman to our CIT’s there were bachelors and bachelorettes asking hilarious and sweet questions and the answers were even better. We laughed from our bellies and had a night that was incredible. It’s days like this that make camp the most incredible experience and why we fall in love with this place. Best news is we get to it all over again tomorrow.

Chenny out.

Day 1 was everything we thought it would be, just PERFECT! Our campers jumped right into activities and boy were there happy campers all over camp. There is nothing like watching everyone begin their summer adventure and it started today. The day began with all our campers getting swim tested. The weather was warm so jumping into the pool was awesome. Smiling happy faces were EVERYWHERE.. If you can imagine a place where everyone you see is so happy and content, that is where we live for the next 50 days. Just pure bliss. We start our day walking to breakfast where everyone greets each other with “good morning” and “have a great day today” is our norm. It’s just what we do here and it’s contagious. The feeling of being here makes you smile at people you just met and it happens that quickly. The activities are awesome but the feeling inside our gates is better. There is just nothing that matches this feeling. It is no surprise why this is true happy place.

Activities were hoppin’ and kids were playing all day long. Watching them outside in nature, breathing this gorgeous fresh air, excercising their bodies, and relating to one another other in person vs. texting friends  in front of the computer is why there is no better place for our kids. There was a Junior girl who is new to Chenny this summer and as I watched her contemplate if she would try the trapeze, her new group of friends she just met encouraged her to climb that ladder and try it. She was tentative but looked at her new friends and said “ok…Im gonna do it, even if I am a little scared”. She took a deep breath, climbed that ladder and never looked back. She grabbed the bar, closed her eyes and all you heard and she went flying was a giant..”WEEEEEEE”. As she flew back and forth her eyes finally opened and that smile was priceless. When she was back on solid ground, her new friends all hugged her. It was magical and I felt so privileged to watch this happen right in front of my eyes. This is why Chenny is all of our happy place. Going from strangers to family on day 1.

As the sun set over Fiddle Lake, it was time for dinner and this night set our dance parties into high gear. It began with a flash mob our staff had practiced all throughout orientation. The kids went nuts, stood on the tables and watched our mob get down and it wasn’t long before the kids got into the rhythm and jammed right along with us. We became ONE tonight at dinner and the party just started. After a full day of insane fun, followed by a crazy dance party in the Lodge who thought this day could better and it did…. Our campers were entertained with some incredible magic by Eric Wilzig who blew our minds. The kids LOVED it. There were so many, “how’d he do that?” We all left Shields Hall scratching our heads not believing what we just saw.

So Day 1 Summer 2017 is in the books and if today is a sign of what is to come this summer, we are one lucky summer family because it was a perfect day. We are in the Chenny bubble and there is just no other place we want to be. Feeling pretty lucky we get this all summer long.

Chenny out.