Author: Elissa

Can you say AMAZING DAY at Chenny!!!!! What an incredible day each and every one of has today. The temperature was hot so all lower camp campers got into their bathing suits and played water games all day long. There was a giant pool party, water relays, kickball with water balloons and the Zone was the place to be. There wasn’t a camper who didn’t have the BEST DAY today.. It was one of those days that will stick out as the summers best for our youngest campers. They just enjoyed themselves at camp as all the older kids were off on their trips, the younger kids took over and it was off the charts fun. Today reminded us how special it is to be a kid here at Chenny. A lot of music, a ton of water, some insanely creative activities and put all that together and you have some very happy campers.

Collegiate’s left early this morning for their trip to Great Wolf Lodge and they had a blast too. They spent their day at the water park and so enjoyed their time there. The entire day was spent in the water and it was a perfect day. They came home exhausted, exhilarated and happy. You couldn’t ask for more as they got off the buses with huge smiles and sleepy faces.

Our Seniors rolled back into camp late tonight from their 2-day excursion to Hershey Park and this group of kids LOVED it. It was a homerun as they ate chocolate, rode rides, spent hours in the water park, won huge oversized stuffed animals at the arcade and had the time of their life. It was a perfect trip for our Seniors who had a ball these past 2 days. Another successful excursion was had by our Seniors.

The Supers are still on the road and spent their day at Virginia Beach. It was hot so no better way than to cool off than playing in the ocean. They relaxed and tanned, talked and jumped in the water and had a picture perfect day at the beach. It was off to Busch Gardens for some evening fun but soon after the group arrived, the rain came so it was back to the hotel for a pizza party and this group loved it. They are having so much fun and loving this excursion. What a terrific group of kids who are so enjoying this trip together.

Our GC’s are headed home as they depart Phoenix in a  few hours. They land in the morning and will be back at camp by lunch. We miss them and can’t wait to see them back at their summer home. They just went on a trip of a lifetime and we couldn’t be happier for the experiences and adventures they had. The CIT’s had a full of exploring Ithica and its natural beauty. All our kids had an amazing day. From the Freshman to our CIT’s, it was just the best day. One that sticks out as a pretty awesome day in summer 16. How lucky are your children to get to experience summers like this. You have given them a gift that will forever be etched in how they were raised and what experiences help shape them into the people they are growing into and becoming. When they look back at their summers at Chenny, days like these will standout!

Chenny out.

Early this morning, our Supers boarded the buses and off they went for their 4 day adventure to Virginia/D.C. and they were pumped. They all eagerly got up at the crack of dawn, grabbed some breakfast and you could see how excited they were to head off camp for an incredible trip they have ahead of them. They were giddy and the smiles said it all. This trip brings this group of kids together as one division. It bonds them unlike any trip they have been on before here at Chenny. They are ready for this 4 day experience that is all about them as a division. The sights they will see, the places they will go and even the bus rides is just them. Every year I love watching this group leave and get so excited when they return because something magical happens on this trip. They spend 4 days with ones another, without distraction or interruption. They grow together as a group and the memories they make form this journey together defines them as a unified division. They had an amazing first day as they stopped along the way at Towson Mall for some lunch and shopping followed by an afternoon that went into the night at Kings Dominion Amusement Park. They had a ball and are back in their rooms, exhausted from a full day of fun. They are loving it and it’s only day 1.. More fun to come tomorrow.

Our Seniors left soon after on their own trip to Hershey Park. They get to spend 2 full days at the park and they too are loving this trip. It rained a bit at the park today but our campers could care less. They were with each other, eating chocolate like it was going out of style and loving every minute. We also saw that it truly doesn’t matter where you go but who you go with that matters. You could go to Disneyland by yourself and you would probably have a not so great of a time but you can be with your friends sitting in your backyard and have the time of your life. Rain or shine, these kids loved their day at the park and loved being together. They are back safe and sound in they hotel room, and they too exhausted from a long day.It’s an early rise tomorrow morning as the head back to Hershey Park.

The GC’s trip is winding down and they are enjoying some down time in Phoenix in the pool and watermark at the resort. They have had a packed 10 days on the road and to say they loved every step of the way is an understatement. We cant wait to get our GC’s back but they have one more day to go and they deserve every second of this experience. They were so well mannered, kind and respectful along the way and we are so proud of each and every one of them.

It was a rainy day and if I can tell you how much we all loved to downshift, it wouldn’t do it justice. When it rains up here at camp, it’s an experience. Being on your bunk, cuddled up with friends, playing jacks or cards, listening to music and chilling out is something we rarely get to do. You know this days that you never want ti get out of your pajamas, well that was today. It felt lazy and it felt good. We loved today and a little rain cooled down camp and allowed us all to downshift and have a child out afternoon.

Our lower camp gymnasts had an incredible day at their competition at Bryn Mawr. We are so proud of our team who placed 3rd out of 13 Wayne County camps that competed today. We are so proud of our kids who worked hard and gave it everything they had. With smiles on their faces and Chenny pride in their hearts, they did their best and we couldn’t be happier for them.

Our Collegiate Girls softball team beat Westmont today in softball with a  3 -0 victory. Lucky for the girls, they got their game in before the rain hit. We are proud of our girls who are headed to the Championship game.

We had another incredible night of some serious Chenny talent. It was Cherokee Talent night and these kids brought the sparkle to our stage. They danced and sang and made us laugh all night long. It always makes me smile when I watch your children take center stage. Regardless if they stand alone on that stage or are with their friends, they have a confidence that is electric. There is just no fear and they feel so good about themselves. I stand in the back of Shields Hall with a smile that comes form my heart because I see your kids do things they probably would never do at home. I know many of you say, my kids would just never do what they do at camp back here at home. It is inexplainable how much I love to watch your children get up on that stage in front of their friends and perform. They just are never alone at Chenny as they get cheered along the way followed by a standing ovation. It is just respect we show our friends here and it changes who we are. They are free to be silly and dramatic, they are encouraged to be perfectly imperfect. Missed dance steps and crackling voices just don’t matter here. The end result isn’t to be picture perfect but it is truly to bring the fun and joy of just getting up on that stage. Our kids get it and I am so glad they do because every performance makes us smile. It was a great night and it’s good to be a Chenny kid!!!

Chenny out.

Chenny won it’s first Championship of the summer and in true CAW tradition when we we win, THE ENTIRE TEAM JUMPS IN THE LAKE TOGETHER. They stand on the dock, hold hands and jump in together. Today our Inter girls basketball team beat Wayne in the Wayne County Championship Game. They were so excited  and full of pride that when they came back to camp you could hear the horn honking which means Chenny won!! They jumped out of the van and went directly to the waterfront with only one thing on their mind, to jump into that lake with their teammates by their side. It is a thing we do here and I was watching this amazing group of girls stand so proudly on that dock, and grab one another’s hands, looked at each other and counted 1..2..3. and as a group they all jumped in together. What a moment that was and one they will never forget. They were fully dressed in their uniform and loved every minute of that celebration. They ran through camp giggling with laughter and everyone knew they had brought home the Championship!!! We could’t more proud of the teamwork they had to bring home the win.. What a great day for our Inter Girls Basketball team.

Senior/Super Girls LAX – CAW 4 @ Westmont 9

Super Girls Tennis – CAW 0 @ Wayne 5

Tonight our Supers had their Road Rally which they all split up into teams and ran like crazy al throughout camp doing tasks for a giant scavenger hunt. It is a traditional event for this group before they head out to Virginia/D.C early tomorrow morning. It was such a great night for these awesome kids who have been having an incredible summer. Every single Super is so beyond excited for their trip tomorrow and got to enjoy a huge ice cream party tonight as a send off for their journey tomorrow.

The Seniors are getting as equally excited for their trip to Hershey Park as they enjoy 2 full days at this Chocolate Heaven. They head out in the morning and can’t wait. So much fun for our navajo kids.

GC’s spent their day at the Grand Canyon and were in awe of its beauty and vast magical hold on them. They sat together and experienced this wonder together as a camp family and that made this experience more special than they ever imagined. These kids have been so appreciative and grateful for these incredible experiences and that has made this journey so special. They have arrived at their final destination on this trip of a lifetime as they spend the next 2 days resting and relaxing at the most gorgeous resort in Phoenix. We cant wait to get them back here!!!

The rest of camp enjoyed Minute to Win It tonight and loved every minute if it!!! They laughed as they watched their friends compete with the most hilarious tasks to be completed and timed. It was a race to the finish and all the campers were on the edge of their seats.. Another outrageous and fun Chenny night!!!! There is no place like Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny Out

There was a large group of  Junior girls in jewelry making that spent their time in Arts & Crafts making friendship bracelets for one another. They each picked another camper to make this symbol of friendship for. The table was full of colored string, happy smiling faces and a mission to create friendship bracelets for everyone at the table. It was group activity that involved and included everyone. The best part was listening to all of their conversation that was had during this group experience. They chatted and laughed and connected with one another as they spent their time creating something beautiful for a friend. As they finished each bracelet and put it on the wrist of their friend, it bonded them together as they experienced the act of giving something from their heart, something they made that had meaning behind it. I watched one camper slip it on the wrist of her friend and apologized for a few missed spaces and knots that were accidentally there to which the recipient said with so much enthusiasm, ” It’s perfect and I will never ever take it off.” The girls were as excited to make these bracelets as they were to receive them. This group of girls proudly walked out of Arts and Crafts arm in arm, hand in hand all wearing the most beautiful hand made bracelets we’ve ever seen.

It was fun day of sports.. sports…sports…

Inter Girls Tennis – CAW 1 @ Wayne 4

Collegiate Girls LAX – CAW 10 @ Starlight 11 (game went into overtime)

Middy Boys Hockey – CAW took 2nd Place in the Tourney @ Wayne – CAW 2 vs. Wayne 7

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 8 @ Starlight 2 – CAW going to Championship

Congratulations to our outstanding Campers of the Week:

Freshman  –          Lila Klasrfeld    & Ben Diamond

Juniors –         Abby Isaacson & Trent Hernandez

Middies –      Addison Goldstein & Ari Hirshfield

Inters –        Sarah Lord & Jonah Marcus

Collegiates –    Lexi Tave & Jared Simpson

Seniors –      Sophia Jaffe & Colby Frankle

Supers –    Nikki Younger  & Mike Hellerman

CIT’s –   Carly Wills & Josh Liebman

It was time to honor more KIND CAMPERS and these kids are spreading the kindness at camp. We just could be more proud of: Annie Isaacson, Lexi Heifler, Pepper Margulis, Rachel Farhi, Jordana Ruderman, Sarah Gershman, Melissa Borker, Bari Klein, Jordana Reissman, Zoe Grabow, Skyler Adamchak, Alex Brandoff, Ben Diamond, Ben Gruberger, Aaron Hafkin, Trent Hernandez, Justin Horowitz, Michael Kalina, and Jerry Kessler. Keep on Being Kind!!!!

Everyone loves to watch Brad Henderson as he gets our staff into a deep trance and hypnotizes them right in front of our eyes. His mesmerizing voice gently guides our staff into a deep sleep and has them do the most hilarious things on stage. Our kids belly laughed so hard it was contagious. Watching our male staff dance like Britney Spears and bark like seals and twirl around like prima ballerinas in front of the entire camp while under total hypnosis is just hysterical. The counselors who were up there were convinced they fell asleep and have no recollection of what just happened to them. That made tonight all the more hilarious. Tonight was just another incredible night of hilarity at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out.

 

 

 

 

You may or may not have noticed the craze for fanny packs at Chenny this summer and let me tell you that it’s really a thing. I have to admit that I started the craze this summer when I busted out an old fanny pack for convenience and ease. Carrying everything around camp that I needed was just so much easier when it was in my fanny pack so on day 1, I was rocking the pack. It caught on like wild fire on girls side and every day at least 4 or 5 new fanny’s arrive in packages you send from home. Girls side is wearing these throwback waist purses with so much pride. The fanny’s were out in full force yesterday at the baseball game but even on a regular camp day like today, girls were proudly wearing them. They are a badge of honor for girls side and it is now a movement. You can hear campers walk by one another and say, “Happy Fanny Friday”. I saw a group of “fanny” girls compare what was in their packs and this one camper had it packed to the brim full of items she deemed absolutely necessary for her day. As she explained , she had a set of jacks, because you just never know when you want to get a game going. She packed chapstick because her lips were chapped. She needed hairbands because she was on her way to get her hair french braided so that was a must. She had a stick of suntan face lotion to which I was very proud of her being responsible for her reapplying throughout the day. She had hand sanitizer hanging from the outside and the sweetest thing of all was in her pack as she carries a letter from home. I asked why she carried that around too and she told me that it made her feel like her mom and dad were right here with her all day long. She thanked me for bringing the fanny pack to Chenny this summer and with that I hugged this sweet girl and I knew that my small little act of bringing out my fanny allowed this camper to have a piece of home with her all day long, right at her fingertips.

Our athletes had a ball all day long playing the sports they love.

Inter Girls Basketball – CAW 24 vs. Lavi 11

Inter Boys Basketball – CAW 27 @ Westmont 14

Inter Boys LAX  Tournament @ Wayne – CAW played 2 games and went o for 2 in tourney

Super Boys Soccer -CAW 14 @ Island Lake 2

The evening was absolutely perfect. You couldn’t get more campy that what happened tonight at Chenny. All of Cherokee was in Shields Hall playing Quest. It is this insanely fun game that has a little of everything, singing dancing, acting and you cant explain it but love doing the QUEST. Mohican camp had a pool party tonight followed by s’more at the beach. It was so beautiful tonight at the lake and the sunset just took our breath away. Novajo campers LOVED their tail gate party. They were at the top of the hill, some playing frisbee, some sitting around the camp fire, some making s’mores, some just sitting eating chips and listening to music, some played wiffle ball but all together having one amazing tail gate party. Our Navajo kids have brought the positive this summer and you can see it in their faces and feel it in how happy they are. It was a perfect summer night for all our kids. We miss our GC’s and so happy they are loving it in Vegas. Today was a standout day and a remarkable night. Life is just so great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out.