Category: General News

Each summer I am amazed with the simple things I see your children spending their time playing with and today was no exception. With all the excess stuff our kids are surrounded by, it was a simple game of Jacks that occupied this group of phenomenal Inter girls today. They had a Jacks tournament and this simple game consisting of a little red ball and 10 metal jacks brought so much joy to this group of girls. Watching these happy campers play something that existed decades before they were even born, connected them to a time when life was much simpler than today. It wasn’t a screen that your children were gazing at today but a little red ball, 10 metal Jacks and their friends by their side. When given the opportunity, our kids thrive with the simple things and being able to offer these moments to your children is our mission here. This game of Jacks doesn’t light up, talk back to you or have to be downloaded it but it sure feels great play with your friends.

Chen-A-Wanda wins its first Wayne County Championship of Summer 2014!!

Freshman/Junior Girls Soccer – CAW wins Championship!!  CAW 8 vs. Wayne 2 – Congratulations to our girls who scored in today’s game. Jessica Locker, Sloane Brodie, Tali Fox, Jillian Baskind and Jillian Oresky!!

Middy Girls Gold Soccer – Westmont 4 vs. CAW 3

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 3 vs. Westmont 2

Middy Boys Basketball – Tioga 22 vs. CAW 18

Inter Boys Baseball – CAW 17 vs. Chestnut Lake 7 – CAW moves onto Championship Game

Collegiate Boys Basketball – Tioga 23 vs. CAW 20

Collegiate Boys Tennis – Westmont 3 vs. CAW 2

It was Round Robin Tonight and our kids had an absolute great night. Freshman girls cuddled up in their PJ’s and watched Frozen in Chateau Leahy while the Freshman Boys made candy Rice Krispie treats in the Cookhouse. The Junior girls spent their night playing a mass game of kickball under the lights while the Junior boys had their own fun playing in a huge dodge ball tournament in the roller hockey rink. The Middy girls made were in the canteen making chocolate as the Middy boys enjoyed a night at the Wiffle Ball stadium having their own crazy fun up there. The Inter girls spent their night in Arts and Crafts learning jewelry making and creating beautiful works of art. It was Chipwhich making in the Lodge for our Inter boys tonight. Collegiate girls and boys watched a movie in the Chen-A-Plex. Senior girls had a mass BBG game and had a ball. Senior boys had March Madness basketball tourney in Shields Hall. Super girls spent their night enjoying S’mores at the campfire. Super Boys got wet and wild at the Slip n’ Slide. It was an absolutely perfect night for all.

Our Wanderers had their own amazing last day in Los Angeles spending their day hanging at the hotel pool. Then it was off to Six Flags Magic Mountain for a fun night at the amusement park. They are off to Las Vegas in the morning and are having the time of their lives out west.

Just when you think it can’t possibly get better, it does!!

Chenny out.

 

 

 

For over three weeks now, we have lived together in this magical world we call Chen-A-Wanda. Every single day unveils more magic as we learn more about one another and ourselves; opening ourselves up to the possibilities of new connections; discovering what kind friends we want and what kind of friend we want to be. This is where your children learn these crucial social valuable lessons that help shape who they are. Today, two boys had a disagreement and didn’t know how to express how they felt about what had happened. It was not about avoiding the issue at hand or walking away from each other but it was about engaging in resolution and that is exactly what they did. Camp provided these two boys the opportunity to learn something about themselves today. Of course they worked it out and moved on as the argument became so secondary. The process was where the magic happened. With the support and guidance of some amazing counselors, these two boys grew a little more today and got through a challenging situation today. They coped today, they shared today, they resolved conflict today, they listened to someone else’s feelings today and today will stay with them always.  The benefits of these experiences are immeasurable and your children thrive as they grow by leaps and bounds every single day.

Five Wins and a Tie today for our Chenny athletes.

Freshmen/Junior Girls Gold Basketball – CAW 12 vs. Tioga 10

Freshmen/Junior Boys Gold Basketball – CAW 10 vs. Tioga 10

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 8 vs. Island Lake 2

Inter Boys Tennis – CAW 4 vs. Weequahic 1

Middy/Inter Boys Softball – CAW 6 vs. Equinunk 3

Collegiate Boys Tennis – CAW 5 vs. Westmont 0 (CAW moves on to Championship)

We all had a great time tonight as we played Minute To Win It in Shields Hall. Each division had a contestant who was representing their division at tonight’s exciting game. They played 8 rounds of games from Ka-Broom to Rapid Fire to Sticky Situation to name a few. As each round eliminated a contestant, we were left with 2 finalists who battled it out at he BIG VOLCANO. The last standing were Carly Wills who represented the Super girls and Jake Quadrino who represented the Super Boys. As both stood on platforms, they were attempting to drop Mentos into a soda bottle creating a huge volcano explosion. The task wasn’t easy but Jake Quadrino was victorious and hit the bulls-eye. As the soda erupted so did Shields Hall. Jake won a pizza party for his division and in camp those are worth gold!!!

Our Wanderers enjoyed their day in Santa Monica. They spent time at the beach, played on the pier and shopped on 3^rd street. They ended their day watching the Anaheim Angels play the Baltimore Orioles. Another fantastic day at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!!

Chenny out

 

There is something quite special about heading out of camp on trips with your campies. Everyone is wearing their camp shirts and we all load the buses to some amazing fun places. It unifies us as a group as we exit our gates for some fantastic adventures. Each group had a ball today as they enjoyed themselves beyond imagination.

Our youngest Freshmen campers spent their day at Claws and Paws Zoo and it was remarkable. They fed the giraffes, they watched the monkeys play, they saw some great animal shows and in one adorable Freshmen’s own words, “That was the best day ever.” They rolled back into camp right at shower hour, all with the stuffed zoo animals they bought there. The cuteness was too much too handle. After a yummy dinner, they brought their new zoo animal friends into the Chen-A-Plex as they watched The Lion King.

The Juniors and Middies started their day at Leahy’s fun park where they played in the arcade, zoomed around the go-kart track, played mini-golf and had a blast of a day. They arrived back to camp just in time for dinner and then spent their night in Shields Hall, watching a movie in their jammies. An absolutely remarkable trip and a fun relaxing night back at camp.

Inters and Collegiates got wet, wild and wacky at Camel Beach today. It was a hot day and there is no better way to spend it than with your campies swirling around the giant toilet bowl!!!! They relaxed in the lazy river and had a blast in the wave pool. It was an all around perfect way to cool down and have an ideal summer day day.

Seniors and Supers spent their day at Great Wolf Lodge and it was perfect. This huge indoor water park was the ideal spot for these campers. They relaxed at the pool after they spent hours on the rides. It was another amazing day for these campers who made memories that will last their lifetime.

Our Wanderers had a true LA day as they strolled down Hollywood Blvd checking out the stars and hotspots. They ate at Farmers Market, window shopped through Beverly Hills and spent their evening at Universal Studios. They are getting the real deal Los Angeles experience and we couldn’t be happier for them. They are soaking it all in and enjoying every moment.

With the exception of our Wanderers, we are all back in camp, snuggled in our beds and sleeping soundly from a day well spent.  We are not wasting one moment here and living out our summer dreams.  Best news is we are only halfway through our summer and  there is so much more to do.

Chenny out

 

It was back to regular activities today and camp was looking and feeling great. The lake was full of happy campers and the fun we all had today was just incredible. The fields and courts were full happy campers playing on them.  The trapeze was busy with highflying campers. Wiffle Ball Stadium was also the place to be today with bumping music and homeruns over the big Red Monster. It was one of those perfect camp days we dream about all winter long. Being outside playing with our friends without a care in the world.

Our athletes had a great day playing their fav sports today.

Junior/Freshman Girls Soccer – CAW 4 vs. Starlight 0

Inters/Middies Girls LAX – Westmont 12 vs. CAW 6Girls Swin Meet at Starlight – CAW took 5^th Place

Super Girls Softball – Island Lake 11 vs. CAW 0

Inter Boys Roller Hockey – Equinunk 9 vs. CAW 5

Inter/Collegiate Boys Tennis Tournament at Tyler Hill Congratulations to Justin Oresky who came in First Place at today’s tournament

Our Wanderers landed in Los Angeles and had the most amazing first day as they toured UCLA and lunched in Westwood. After a busy afternoon, they checked into the hotel and spent the night at the pool. They are back in their rooms having a good night sleep as they prepare for the amazing day they have ahead of them. It is a trip of al lifetime and they get to experience this with their camp family. What could possibly be better? We will continue to post pictures and updates on our Facebook page throughout their journey.

Tonight we were entertained by a legendary folk singer, Nancy Tucker. It was good old-fashion fun as we sung songs together that are campy and squeeky clean. We did the jellyfish and a little peanut butter and jelly sprinkled in with other camp favorites that we wont soon forget. They are songs that were easy to sing and fun to learn. It was just a throw back to the songs we sung when we were kids. Once you hear them and sing them, they stay with you forever.  It was just an amazing old school fun campy night. It just keeps getting better and better.

The night ended as we hosted Camp Weequahic for 2 staff games. Chenny was victorious in both games as we won Mens’ basketball 62-45 and our Men’s soccer with a 2-1 victory. Our campers loved cheering on our staff. Serious camp pride and spirit was all around tonight’s game!!!!

Chenny out

 

 

A father of a camper mentioned something to me yesterday at Visiting Day that stuck out and was worth mentioning in tonight’s blog. He was overwhelmed with emotion as he described how his daughter shines here and is authentically herself here. “She is free to be exactly who she is here and for that I am eternally grateful”, he said.  “There is no inhibition, no worries that she will be judged here.” There is no way to pretend to be someone you are not day in and day out. The mask comes off here and the real you is encouraged to emerge. You get to be yourself, without judgment or ridicule. There is acceptance and appreciation here. His daughter shines here. She found her stride here. He thanked me and enjoyed the day with his beautiful daughter. I watched them throughout the day and as she was smiling cuddled up beside him, she exuded a confidence from the inside out. We have watched this camper blossom and become her authentic self. This is a world like no other as this is the story of what happens inside our gates.

It was beautiful day for our athletes who put their everything into each game. We are proud of their effort and the sportsmanship they exude on the fields and courts.

Senior Girls Tennis – Tyler Hill 3 vs. CAW 2

Super Girls Soccer – Wayne 3 vs. CAW 0

Inter Boys Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Westmont 0

Collegiate Boys Basketball – CAW 30 vs. Westmont 26

Super Boys Basketball – Westmont 39 vs. CAW 27

Super/GC LAX – CAW 16 vs. Lohikan 5

GC/CIT  Boys Basketball – CAW 52 vs. Island Lake 10

Camp is where shine and tonight we were as bright as the sun, as our campers took the stage in the Camper Talent show. There were 13 acts that stood up on our stage and performed in front of the whole camp. That is not an easy fete for anyone but this Chenny audience was overwhelmingly supportive giving standing ovations after each performance. Imagine being 8 years old and singing all by yourself as a packed house was singing along with you. That initial shaky voice very quickly grew stronger with each note. Looking out a the audience who was rocking out, clapping along and singing with you gives you something you can’t quite explain; a confidence that will be with you forever. To be present at these moments is seeing the best part of humanity. Every year this evening activity restores my faith in how good we are to one another here. A collegiate boy camper took center stage and started playing his guitar. A few keys were missed but he kept the beat and within just a few moments he had us all singing Radioactive along with him. We joined in with him and as he looked out at the entire Shields Hall singing with him, he had his moment to shine. It was electric and everyone in that hall had chills upon chills. We are a community, a family of sorts and tonight allowed us to be our authentic self and shine. Our Chenny kids are remarkably unique, brilliant, and talented and they put on one fantastic show tonight.  Just another day in paradise.

Chenny out