Author: Elissa

Each summer I am privileged to witness the best parts of your children and today didn’t disappoint as I saw kindness and love rise to the top in a very special way. We have a camper who has been coming to Chenny for years but this year, nerves knocked on her door and it hasn’t been an easy ride. From her smiling face, you would never know that on the inside she was feeling homesick and uneasy. But she kept it inside and just didn’t want anyone to know. When she sat with me today and cried and saw a huge mountain in front of her, I asked if she shared these feelings about missing home with her friends to which she shook her head no. I told her the only way to get over that huge mountain in front of her was to trust her friends and let them in and talk about it and that support would get her through the times she felt alone. I knew she needed backup and she couldn’t do it alone, nobody can do it alone.  She named 2 friends to which she thought could be her support and with her permission agreed for me to fill them in. Feeling shy and nervous about revealing her homesickness, I sat with these two amazing girls and brought them up to speed on what their friend was facing and how she was keeping it all inside. Without hesitation, they wanted to help their friend whom they had no idea how sad she was feeling on the inside. These two incredible kids showed compassion and kindness and said it so perfectly, “We got her. We won’t let our friend do this alone. We will have her back and help her through this.” You see, this little girl who has been here for years just didn’t want to burden anyone with how she was feeling and her friends had no idea but when they heard that she was struggling, they stepped up, grabbed her hand, put their arms around her and told her that they are by her side, always. I saw the three of them on their way to dinner and when they saw me they stopped and gave me a wink as to say, Don’t worry we got her covered.  The camper who had cried to me earlier today looked happier than I have ever seen. A smile so genuine and a look as she shed that weight that was heavy on her heart. She opened up, trusted and let her friends help. It was magical and she wasn’t alone. She is climbing that mountain with her friends right by her side. This is what it’s all about.

Onto our athletes who played with dedication and incredible sportsmanship today. We couldn’t be more proud of our Chenny athletes.

Inter/Collegiate Girls Tennis Tournament @ Tyler Hill – Congrats to Jillian Oresky, Julia Knobloch and Shaya Roth made it to the Semi-Finals

GC/CIT Girls LAX – CAW vs. Towanda – CAW wins by forfeit

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 11 @ Starlight 4

Inter Boys Hockey – CAW 9 @ Westmont 2

Collegiate Boys Hockey – CAW @ Island Lake – CAW wins by forfeit

Senior/Super Boys  LAX – CAW 11 @ Island Lake 12

GC/CIT Boys Baseball – CAW 10 @ Starlight 4

It was Round Robin tonight for our evening activity and each division had their own awesome event planned. There was beach bonfires, and candy sushi, there was birdcage making in Arts & Crafts along with Biddy Basketball tournaments. There was movies and wiffle ball tournaments and we even had an Escape room. The kids loved their night at Chenny and it was just a remarkable day. Just can’t get better than this!!!

Chenny out.

 

 

 

 

Our Freshman – Collegiate campers had an absolute incredible day here at camp while Navajo campers were all out on their trips today. Camp belonged to our youngest campers and they had a ball. It was Color Mudder today and they got down and dirty, literally they were in the mud and couldn’t have been happier. They started at the front gate and the bugle blew and their were off on their race to the finish line. Through the course, it was muddy and wet and it was awesome. There is nothing like watching children jump in and over puddles and squish around in mud pits. As they took heaps and handfuls of mud slopping it on their heads, it was joyful. They were encouraged to get dirtier and just as they couldn’t have been messier, they crossed the finish line where they were doused with color powder adding to this insanely messy day. The messier and squishier the better then everyone jumped into the lake and exhilaration spread throughout camp. Your kids loved it and as one camper said it perfectly as he dove head first into the mud pit,  he yelled “I’ve been wanting to play in the mud my whole life, woohooo!!!”

It was trip day for our Navajo campers and what an incredible day they too. Our Seniors spent their day at the State Park, relaxing, sunning, swimming and enjoying a gorgeous day  with perfect weather. The campers were in heaven as they chilled out and had a perfectly relaxing day. Then it was off to the movies to catch this summer’s blockbusters. A perfect relaxing summer day for our Seniors. Our Supers and GC’s spent their day white water rafting up the Lehigh River and it was exhilarating, challenging, beautiful and a trip our campers loved. They got off the bus when they returned to camp and though they were physically exhausted from the rigors of the river, they were energized from a day well spent. Every single camper said the same thing, “It was AWESOME” and “We LOVED it!!”  Out CIT’s  had a fun day playing laser tag followed by a movie and as the big kids on campus, they chose their own day off and loved it. Our CIT’s are truly amazing kids and they are making their last camper year count. They are spirited, happy, appreciative and so happy to be here. They grew up here at Chenny and they define what a Chenny kid is. We are so proud to have watched them grow into these incredible responsible, kind hearted people who we are proud to call our CIT’s of Summer 2016.

Our first trip day is in the books. Everyone is back home safe and sound and sleeping peacefully from a day well spent. Life is Great!

Chenny out

There is nothing quite like spending the 4^th of July here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It is the best place to celebrate our day of independence. Everyone got into the red, white and blue spirit. Faces were painted, flags were flying high, red, white and Blue tutus were everywhere and the continuous chants of “USA” were at every turn. Pride for our country was at an all time high and everyone got into the spirit. Our international staff was in awe of how spirited camp was today and how deep our pride is for our country. There is nothing more Americana than the 4th of July and today was just spectacular. Spending the 4th with our camp family is a gift we are so grateful for.

Even with our athletes faces painted and wearing tutus, it was an awesome day of Chenny sports.

Middy Girls Soccer – CAW 8 vs. Island Lake 1

Inter Girls Basketball – CAW 16 @ Lohikan 6

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 9 @ Lohikan 2

Super Girls Basketball – CAW 27 vs. Island Lake 19

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 20 vs. Island Lake 2

Senior/Super Boys Tennis tourney @ Starlight – Congratulations to Sam Tell and Michael Hellerman who made it to the Semi-fimals in 8th/9th grade doubles

It was an incredible day here at Chenny but we all knew that the night was the best part and it did not disappoint. We all got cozy in our long and longs (that is camp lingo for long pants, long shirts). Then is was up to the amphitheater to watch our incredible firework show. We were decked out head to toe with glow sticks galore & flashing headbands.  We started the night with the biggest dance party to get us going and that it did. It was boys side vs. girls side and I think they heard us all the way home.  The smiles were priceless and the fun was off the charts. As the night grew darker and the anticipation was intense, we all counted down from 10 to 1 and then in a flash, the night sky lit up above us with the most spectacular firework show. I truly don’t know what is more impressive to watch; the sky light up with a rainbow of colorful fireworks or the look of amazement on your children’s faces as they watch with such anticipation for each firework to unveil above them.  They were just in amazement of what they were seeing and watching them enjoy it so, was a gift they gave to us. With every firework, there were Ahhhhhh’ss and so many Ooohhhss. There is something about watching a firework show that makes you feel young and reminds you that those summer nights are priceless. I know that each one of us sitting in the amphitheater, will always remember tonight.It wasn’t just an ordinary night but a feeling that made you part of something pretty special.  That perfect feeling of an ideal summer night. There is  no place on earth would we rather be but right where we were, with one another. We had an incredible 4th of July!

Chenny Out

Another awe-inspiring Chenny day was had by all. So much happens in a day here and you can literally go from a guitar lesson, to flying on the trapeze, play in a soccer game, make something outrageously delicious in the cookhouse, climb on the new rock wall, take a spin class and end the day with getting blobbed into the lake. The fun is off the charts and our campers are loving every minute of their packed days. We are keeping our kids, busy, engaged and loving their days spent at Chenny.

Sports…. Sports…. Sports….and more Sports…

Freshman/Jr. Girls Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 3

Collegiate Girls Tennis – CAW 2 @ Wayne 3

GC/CIT Girls Tennis – CAW 1 @ Weequahic 4

Freshman/Junior Boys Baseball – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 5

Inter Boys Baseball – CAW 2 @ Wayne 4

Super Boys Basketball – CAW 36 @ Island Lake 8

GC/CIT Boys Tennis – CAW 1 vs. Poyntelle 4

The night belonged to Boys Lip Sync and they were AMAZING!!!! To watch boys get up on stage and dance in sync with one another is a sight to see. It is an incredible experience for our boys to feel the freedom to let go, be silly and dance on stage in front of the entire camp. It just doesn’t happen outside our gates but it happens here. This is where they shine and are free to be the best versions of themselves. Shields Hall was electric tonight. Girls side was in full support cheering on the boys with standing ovations. It was a hard call to make with so many great performances but a huge congratulations goes out to the Inter Boys for Lower Camp and CIT’s for Upper Camp for winning Boys Lip Sync 2016!!!  Boys side rocked and rolled and it was another perfect Chenny night.

Chenny out.

 

 

It has been only one week since we arrived here at Chenny and it feels like we have always been here. There is a comfort, a familiarity, a sense of home and it’s only been 7 days. Crazy how much happens in a day and times that by seven and you get a bond between every single one of us here at CAW.  This summer has started out with so much positivity, so much incrediblae energy, tons of kindness and an overall vibe of complete happiness to be here. You can feel it and it is real is as real is. When you see kids skipping to breakfast, holding hands, feeling totally comfortable sitting on the shoulders of their counselors, laying in laps of their friends at line up, getting form one activity the next from piggy back rides, you know the feeling is just pure comfort and security. And we all just got here only 7 days ago. It happens quick and it lasts all summer long. These connections have happened and the magic of this place is no illusion – Everyone is feeling the Chenny love!!!

Our athletes gave it al they got today on our courts and fields. They played hard, they played fair and we couldn’t be more proud of our kids today.

Middy Girls Basketball – CAW 30 vs. Poyntelle 7

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 13 vs. Island Lake 2

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 1 @ Westmont 7

Super Girls Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Poyntelle 5 (CAW wins in overtime shoot out)

Freshman/Junior Boys Soccer – CAW 1 @ Westmont 6

Senior Boys Flag Football Tourney @ Trails End – CAW lost in Semi Finals to Tyler Hill 13-14

Super Boys Tennis – CAW 1 @ Wayne 4

GC/CIT BOYS LAX – CAW 7 @ Westmont 10

We honored our campers of the week tonight and and there is nothing like seeing their faces when their names are called. Every week, the Group Leaders choose one camper from their division to honor and highlight. To receive this honor is saying that these campers have great character, are good friends, are helpful, have positive attitudes and are just great kids all -around.  It is an incredible honor to be named Camper of the Week.  A huge congrats to our amazing campers of the week on this first week of camp.

Freshman – Brianna Duetsch & Cole Wallis

Junior – Sloane Irizarry & Matthew Donchek

Middies – Dara Heifler & Drew Schimer

Inters – Aydan Goldstein & David Stulberger

Collegiates – Dani Covey & Jed Katz

Seniors – Emily Weiss & Jordan Saltzman

Supers – Maya Cohen & Reid Feldman

GC’s – Brooke Mohr & Sam Rochlin

CIT’s – Rachel Schier & David Smolowitz

Tonight was an absolutely incredible night as our GC’s and CIT girls played flag football under the lights. It was Powder Puff Night and it was so much fun. The girls played ball and the boys cheered the crowd on. There were prizes and giveaways all throughout the game. The kids had the best time and of course in true Chenny style it was a spontaneous dance party. We love dancing her at CAW and why not bust out with the Cha Cha slide at a football game. They rocked tonight and our girls played with their heart. This year the CIT’s brought home the victory and they deserved it. The crowd was cheering them on all the way and everyone felt part of this game. It was a night we wont forget.

Chenny out.