Category: General News

The day belonged to color war games and we were all outside playing all day long. There were basketball games, softball, volleyball, BBG & soccer bouts being played all day long. Campers were pushing themselves and so committed to their teams. They laid it all on the fields and courts. You have to see an intense wiffle ball game of girls wearing tutus and face paint. Red Cowboys & Gold Indians where everywhere today. It is the best part of Color War that we can play hard and continue to have the most amazing time with a sense of spirit that is infectious. You can’t watch any one of these games without watching everyone on the sidelines cheer on their team with undeniable support and camp spirit. It is the essence of what these games are about. Play hard, cheer harder and have the best time of your life!!! After every goal there is a high five, after each basket there is a “way to go” and even after an intense game of BBG, there is a giant group hug. It is awesome to watch our kids truly enjoy themselves and embrace their last week of camp.

The scores were read at dinner and the entire camp gasped as they were read. Red Cowboys had earned 1610 and the Gold Indians had secured 1609. Only 1 point had separated these two battling teams. It has been an incredible Color War so far as we headed into rope burning with a mere one point difference.

The night belonged to rope burning. We all watched with great anticipation as Gary Shields counted down and rope burning/water boiling officially began. Gold Indians got off to an early start with a Camp Chen-A-Wanda  record breaker – the girls started their fire and boiled their water in 8min and 41 seconds. This has never is the history of Camp Chen-A-Wanda happened and it happened tonight. Within minutes of the Gold teams water boiling, the Gold Team boys had started their fire and it was taking shape. Their fire grew fast and furious and their rope burned quickly. All of the gold team jumped up with excitement and elation and they took all the points in tonights competition. Red Cowboys didn’t slow down or quit. You never quit, you dig down deep and finish what you start. They worked as a team and built a fire tonight and they too burned their rope. It was a celebration for everyone tonight regardless of the outcome. There is more Color War to get to tomorrow with the track and swim meets. Will be another incredible day of Chenny fun. These unforgettable moments we share with our summer family create a world that is hard to explain but incredible to experience.

Life is so great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny Out

 

The air was crisp, the sun had just risen over Fiddle Lake and it was time to wake up our campers and counselors to Color War. At exactly 7:00am a traditional Native American chants and songs were played over the loud speaker until every single person on this camp flew out of their bunks and headed to center camp. You could hear campers screaming with joy that this is it, COLOR WAR IS HERE!!! When they got to center camp, they saw a group of Indians making beats on their drums, standing in front of a massive tipi. It was awesome and campers knew this was no takeout. As our Indian Chief made a declaration for War, the Coboys were a hooting’  and a hollerin’ in a old time wagon as they were driven into camp by four majestic clydesdales. It was an incredible sight to see these giant horses pulling our Cowboys into an meanwhile our Indians were fierce and focused. As the Cowboys exited the wagon, they squared off with the Indians and a war was about to begin. We are definitely more lovers than fighters so what better way to start a Color War that to have a Riff Off and that is exactly what we did. It was perfect and our campers any along as they watched Head Staff battle it out Chenny style. And just like that, we had ourselves a Color War!!

The morning started with Tugs of War. There were chants and grunts  from our Indians as they fiercely pulled that rope while the Cowboys were holding on as they were rustling cattle yelling Ye Ha. Everyone was in the spirit and after this incredible display of force, passion and dedication to their team, scores were announced at launch and for the first time in Chen-A-Wanda history, Tugs of War was split evenly with each team earning 150 points. It looks like it is going to be one close War.

The day was packed with games and everyone was in it. You could feel the spirit on camp today and day 1 of of Color War 2015 was off to an incredible start.  It was mass games tonight with BBG, kickball, softball, flag football, basketball and sand volleyball. And just to add more fun to the night after mass games, it was contest night with races, balloon pops, hip pity hops, flying turtles and dizzy lizzy’s and more. The laughter that emanated from Shields Hall was contagious and infectious. Your kids a GREAT day today and it is just the beginning. So Color War 2015 is off to an amazing start and your kids are the stars of the show. Color War IS camp and we are in it to win it!!!

Chenny out

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