Author: Elissa

We are getting it all in and with only 8 days left there isn’t much time. Someone wake us up and say it isn’t so but the calendar doesn’t lie. A Freshmen camper came up to me today and said it so perfectly,”I feel like I’m just getting started, how can we be leaving in a week?” as he followed that with, “Is there any way you and Jon would make a school up here.” We completely get it as this place gets into your heart and makes you never want to leave. He’s not alone in how he feels so rather than worry about the clock ticking away, we are living in the moment and loving every second!!!

Now from our sports desk:

Freshmen/Junior Girls Soccer (Gold ) CAW 2 vs Tioga 0

Collegiate Girls Softball  CAW 7 @ Blue Ridge 10

Collegiate Girls Lacrosse CAW 2 @ Tioga 8

Super Girls Basketball  CAW 48 vs Tioga 36

Middy Boys Soccer (Red) – CAW 7 @ Westmont 0

Middy Boys Soccer (Gold) – CAW 1 @ Westmont 1 (CAW lost in penalty kicks 2-3)

Middy Boys Tennis (Gold) – CAW 0 @ Tioga 5

Inter Boys Softball Championship Match – CAW 7 @ Westmont 0 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!

Around this time of summer, there is a constant paranoia about when this Color War is breaking. Everything is a clue and everyone is watching. Anything that seems out of place or strange becomes the focal point to what may be breaking out at any minute. It is beyond fun watching this heightened sense of excitement and then dismay when nothing actually happens. So in true Chenny spirit, during dinner, nothing that out of the ordinary occurred until….the giant screen in the Lodge turned on and the screams started!!! A video of old Coke & Pepsi commercials played while kids were chanting, “We Want Color War” It was dramatic and powerful. It was intense and persuasive. Could this be it? Is this what we all have been waiting for? Head staff all dressed in Red and Gold ran quickly throughout The Lodge selectively handing out Coke & Pepsi to every single camper. There was confusion and music and chants and cheers and then Associate Director Brian Leahy gets on the mic and speaks of these two giant beverage company battling it out for many many years. He has Red team hold up there Cokes and the Gold team hold their Pepsi’s high and then just when everyone was waiting, another video played this… COLOR WAR… 2015.. IS……NOT TONIGHT!!! Enjoy your beverage! The place erupted and there wasn’t a camper in the Lodge that didn’t love that Fakeout!!!! This was an insane one. Ask your kids about it and they will agree, it was just awesome. But they will all have to wait just a little bit longer for the real breakout…

We had amazing night as it was the Chenny Globes and the stars were out. It is our annual awards show and the kids love it. There is a red carpet, paparazzi and of course the Globes.  Nobody know who is nominated in 10 categories and the audience just goes crazy when those names are read. Campers dress up for the big night, as this is a real deal Hollywood-esque celebrity show. Without further adieu, Tonight’s Chenny Globes goes to:

Camp Clown – Lexi Heifler & Justin Horowitz

Most likely to Save the World – Lily Glickman & Josh Polansky

Most likely to become President – Sammi Leon & Corey Ash

Best Hair – Kylie Richardson & Tyler Skrief

Most likely to have a Minion Following–Bella DeRose & Matt Rosen

Future Head Staff – Molly Williams & Lincoln Williams

Dynamic Duo – Molly Rouder/Amanda Scheman & Daniel Greenfield/Max Secular

Best Siblings – Matthew & Olivia Leviss & Jillian, Abby & Emma Baskind

Best Camp Spirit – Blair Mittleberg & Matthew Kellner

Most likely to Brighten your Day – Ashley Sukoff & Scott Pinsk

So another phenomenal day is in the books for summer 2015. No if our campers can just have that Color War they have been chanting about, all will great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. 1,2,3,4 our campers are desperate for a Color War!!!!! They may not have to wait too long now….. all great things are worth the wait.

Chenny out

 

With only 9 days left you think we would be winding down, but we don’t think so. Not a chance. As long as we are here, we are going strong and making every moment count. It feels like we’ve been here forever and just got here at the same time. Crazy how that works but we haven’t a moment to waste. There is more to do and we are getting on it with it. Camp is full of smiling happy kids and for 9 days this is what it will be. You can bank on it!!!!

It was a a great day for Chenny sports today. Here’s the days scores:

Middy Girls Soccer Tournament @ Westmont – CAW Places 1st!!!

Super Girls Soccer – CAW 7 vs. Lohikan 0 – CAW Wins Championship!!!

GC/CIT Girls Tennis – CAW 0 @ Bryn Mawr 5

Middy Boys Soccer – Westmont Soccer Invitational – CAW Places 1st!!!

Inter Boys Basketball –  CAW 46 vs. Tioga 22

Senior Boys Soccer (Gold) – CAW 2 @ Tioga 11

GC/CIT Boys Baseball – CAW 15 @ Starlight 11

When I say that our Chenny Circus Show was the best evening activity yet, I am not exaggerating. Each year it gets better and that is hard to do.  The production, the storyline, music and costumes were phenomenal but to see our kid’s flying high was breathtaking. Tonight’s theme was Under The Sea and each act connected to the next as they shared the story of creatures under the sea. Our campers were the stars of the show and to see how they performed was just stunning. Campers come here with some skills in traditional sports or in the arts but to see what they learn here at Circus and be able to perform at such a high level is awe-inspiring. The cast of tonight’s show, just amazed, entertained us and took our breath away. We are so proud of them. You could hear a pin drop as all eyes were on them in pure amazement. Hats off to our talented Circus Staff Rodrigo, Annie, Arturo, Elisa and Michael for their commitment and incredible ability in teaching our kids how to fly. You can’t miss the video as you will see a show like no other.

There was lots of chatter of possible fake outs and when each camper thinks the breakout will come. As the campers were prepared and convinced a fake out was to happen tonight as they kept searching for one, they will have to continue their wait. The anticipation is getting to them. There is one thing that our campers can expect.. is the unexpected!!!!! Looks like a Color War may be right around the corner.

Chenny Out

 

 

Our last trip day has come and gone and it is bitter sweet as we all know what that means. Summer is winding down. It is crazy to think our summer is almost over but of our trips today were just awesome. We kept our Freshmen back at camp so they ran show here and loved it. It was a day full of chocolate making, playing games at the Zone and we even brought in a Zoo mobile with the coolest animals . There was a snake, an armadillo and a skink and so many other cool animals that the kids had never seen up close. We sent them on a alphabet hunt followed by a movie in the Chen-A-Plex. It was an early night for our littlest campers and with what is coming up around the corner, they needed the extra sleep. What a great day our Freshies had.

Our Juniors and Middies had a blast of a day at Camel Beach. The weather was warm so a day spent at a water park was just perfect. The park was empty so getting on rides was as easy as 1,2,3. They swirled around the giant Toilet Bowl and raced down the Triple Venom and relaxed as they floated around the Blue Nile Lazy River. It was such a great day for our Cherokee campers.

Our Inters and Collegiates spent their morning at the State park lounging and relaxing at the beach. They caught some rays, tossed the frisbee around with friends and cooled off in the gorgeous lake. It was an absolutely perfect summer day then it was off to the movies to see this summer latest blockbusters. What could be better than a day at the lake followed by a night at the movies, all with our friends that makes time just fly by.

The Seniors, Supers and  GC’s spent their day at Dorney Park. They had an absolute great day too as they rolled of the buses with giant stuffed animals they won at the park. Can you think of anything that is more fun than to spend a day at an amusement park with all your friends when you are a 13,14 or 15 years old. Not a care in the world, just riding a roller coaster or playing an arcade game. Doesn’t get better than that.

Our CIT’s came home from their incredible adventure to Lake George. This was the first time we sent a group on this trip and they couldn’t tell us fast enough how amazing this trip was. The trip was full of adventure as they white water rafted, climbed incredible adventure courses and zip lined through the dense forest. It was another once in a  lifetime trip taken by this incredible group of kids who just had their very last trip as campers her at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. There were lots of emotions as they rolled off the buses. Most was excitement and exhilaration as they are ending their camper career here in the highest high!!!

It’s not quite over yet with our incredible circus show tomorrow and a few other fun things we have up our sleeves. It is so great to have everyone back home safe and sound back in their bunks as we head into the last and final stage of summer 2015.  Just when you think it cant better, it does!!!

Chenny out

It is crazy to think that in just 12 days your children will be back home with you. It feels like we have been here forever and living in this Chen-A-Wanda bubble is nearing the last phase for summer 2015. With only such short time to go, we are gearing up for some insane days ahead. 12 days is still an eternity here with Color War, the Circus show, Chenny Globes, Late Night With Leahy and of course Banquet, we have some serious great times ahead of us. So the game plan is to live it up, laugh a lot and spend as much time with our friends we call our summer family. Boy is life great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

And now from our Chen-A-Wanda sports desk:

Inter Girls Soccer Championship Match – CAW 2 vs. Wayne 0 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 11 vs. B’nai Brith 1

Middy Boys Soccer (Gold) – CAW 3 vs. Tioga 4

Inter Boys Tennis (Gold) – CAW 2 vs. Tioga 3

Collegiate Boys Tennis  (Gold) – CAW 2 vs. Tioga 3

Collegiate Boys Soccer Championship Match – CAW 7 vs. Equinunk 1 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Seniors Boys Baseball Championship Match – CAW 2 vs. Equinunk 3

Tonight’s evening activity was our summer production of High School Musical. Our campers took center stage and sang, acted and danced. The packed house was singing along with every song. We clapped and cheered along  with this awesome cast who had so many memorable moments tonights. Whenever our campers are on stage, everyone gets behind them. It is what makes this camp a family.We knew how much time, effort and dedication our actors put into this production and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who performed tonight. Bravo to the cast and we thank you for putting on quite a fun show tonight.

Chenny out.

 

When I try and capture what I will write about in my daily blog, I typically observe our campers and am able to describe to you at home what has happened here at camp that day but today I was compelled to play so I jumped in. There was a group of Collegiate girls sitting playing cards and I just had to join. They taught me a few ard games I have never heard of. These 4 girls and I had the absolute best time playing card games for 45 minutes. There was not a care in the world for those 45 minutes. As they each explained the games to me, I kinda felt like a camper as we all sat indian style playing card games in front of Arts & Crafts. No distractions , no ringing phones or buzzing devices and I even turned off my walkie talkie for that 45 minutes. I haven’t sat and played cards laughing and giggling for a very long while and as my point of view is normally of our campers and the great benefits that occur for them being here, tonight I am speaking to you at home. Put those devices down, step away from your computers and learn a few new card games. I can’t tell you how amazing it felt to just and play. The world didn’t end and all was ok without my immediate attention for those 45 minutes. I was energized and silly for 45 minute. These kids may really be onto something. So I have made a commitment when life returns to normal as of August 15th, I will carve out 45 minutes to sit indian style with my girls, unplug and play some card games.

Sports Sports Sports…….

Freshman/Junior Girls Tennis – CAW 5 @ Tioga 0

Middy Girls Basketball – CAW 26 @ Starlight 6 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!

Collegiate Girls Basketball (Gold) – CAW 6 @ Tioga 24

Middy Boys Soccer Championship Match – CAW 3 vs. Starlight 3 (CAW Lost 5-4 on penalty kicks)

Inter Boys Baseball Championship Match – CAW 10 vs. Starlight 15

Collegiate Boys Baseball Championship Match – CAW 1 @ Starlight 2

Super Boys Soccer  – CAW 2 @ Trails End 4

It was time to honor our Camper of The Week. It is always a pleasure watching the faces of these outstanding campers receive their very well deserved awards!!!!

Freshmen      Alexa Klein                     Jake Chafetz

Juniors          Summer Housenbold    Brett Hafkin

Middies         Jessica Locker                 Tyler Jurist

Inters             Chloe Ross                       Brett Sachs

Collegiates   Alexa Plotkin                    Ben Peskin

Seniors         Maddy Grabow                 Jayson Stern

Supers          Olivia Hornik                   Drew Sandler

GC’s              Cami Oresky                    Ethan Greenfield

CIT’s are on their incredible trip to Lake George

Tonight was an incredible night as we had out Head Staff Lip Sync Battle. There were 5 that had advanced and were ready to put on a show tonight. The winner won an ice cream party for the division they represented. Basketball Director Troy Tonsil represented the Freshman, Assistant Head Counselor Kevin Breen represented the Juniors, Athletic Director Ashley Milks represented the Middies, Activities Coordinator Stephen Grossman represented the Collegiates and Head Counselor Paul Elmendorf represented the Seniors. Each performed 2 songs and the competition was fierce and so much fun. It was so close and literally came down to the last performance of the night as Troy Tonsil sealed the deal as Chenny Lip Sync Champion!!! The Freshmen went nuts with excitement and pride as their guy won the show, not to mention the ice cream party that is coming their way. Another amazing night spent at the best place in the world!!!

Chenny out