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A Middy girl camp up to me at breakfast and said, “Today is the day I am going to face my fears.” to which I replied “That is fantastic, tell me how.” She then began to tell me how today was the day she was ready to finally try the trapeze. This was her goal. This was her fear. This was her challenge and she was ready. Her two friends were by her side and they were all smiles and couldn’t wait for their friend to climb that giant ladder and take the leap. I told her when she was ready to have the circus staff get me because I wanted to watch her fly. The call came and I ran up to the trapeze. That middy girl climbed that ladder and halfway through you could see her fear. She just couldn’t do it. Her friends were the most encouraging, supportive kids that were doing everything in their power to tell her the she can do it. This camper was caught in between two worlds; wanting to do something so badly and having so much fear that it literally keeps you from doing what you want to do. Her friends put their arms around her and told her that its ok and they know she will do it soon. It was like a burst of courage over took her and she quickly asked to go up and try again. They put the belt on her and up she went. This time, she went up to the top and there was just no stopping her. She was close and we all knew this was it. She was about to take a leap of faith and her cheering squad below was giving her that boost she so desperately needed. She grabbed that bar, closed her eyes and stepped off and started to fly. There are moments at this place that I sit in awe of and this was one of those moments. I watched this camper doubt herself and then I watched this camper look fear in the face and tell it, not today.

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS

Inter Soccer – CAW 4 vs Poyntelle 5

BOYS SIDE SPORTS

Junior/Middy/Inter Hockey Lokanda Cup – CAW 0 vs Lokanda 8/ CAW 0 vs. Wayne 10

Super Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Starlight 5

It was a Round Robin night at CAW and each group had a fantastic evening activity. The weather was perfect and everyone was outside. An absolutely perfect summer night. Freshman, Juniors and Middies enjoyed an outdoor flick of the latest Diary of a Whimpy Kid. Under the stars, watching a great summer blockbuster was ideal for our youngest campers. Inter Boys and Girl spent their night running Quest which is an all camp scavenger hunt. They ran up, down and all around.  Senior Boys were on the major league field and it was Record Book for them. They were trying for the longest hit, farthest jump, fastest throw etc.. It was a record breaking night for our Seniors boys. Senior Girls enjoyed a movie in the Chen-A-Plex and loved it. Super Boys and Girls  were together at the tennis courts and played Water Games and Tailgated. It was a fun chilled out evening for our Supers. CIT Girls had a ball at  Knockerball while the CIT boys played an intense game of Manhunt.

Our GC’s are thriving in LA and so enjoyed their day in Santa Monica and time at the beach. It was a gorgeous day for our traveling GC’s and they consensus is, they ALL LOVE LA!

Another phenomenal day spent with great people, doing great things at the greatest place. This is why we say LIFE IS GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

 

Tonights Blog had to be called Days Like This… Because the world would be a happier place if everyone had days like this.  Its hard not to be completely fulfilled when you start your day eating breakfast overlooking the most beautiful peaceful lake with all the glass doors wide open and you can feel that morning breeze. Then it’s off to play activities, maybe a baseball game or a biddy basketball tournament or just flying on the trapeze.. You find yourself making a friendship bracelet in Arts and Crafts or building the most awesome tower at Lego. Then you and your friends head out to a few more awesome fun activities like playing hard at the Ninja Warrior Course or sliding down the Chenny Zoom slip and slide. You have worked up quite a sweat so a nice jump in the lake and playing in the aqua park is exactly what you want. You enjoy an afternoon snack and then wrap up your day with one last fun activity to do as you make chicken fried rice at the Chenny Shack.  It’s time to shower and after that you head back into the Lodge for some incredibly delicious pizza. Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, it’s off to your evening activity for some serious laughs and great times. This is the day your children had. This is why we have happy campers – because they have days like this.

Girls Side Sports:

Collegiate Soccer – CAW 9 vs. Wayne 5

Collegiate Tennis – CAW 2 @ Starlight 3

Boys Side Sports:

Freshman Soccer Tournament at Starlight – CAW 6 vs. Wayne 2 / CAW 9 vs. Startlight 1

Middy Hockey – CAW 15 vs. Westmont 0

Collegiate Basketball – CAW 55 vs. Starlight 51

Do You Know Your Counselors? This was tonights evening activity and it was so much fun. Girls bunk O was the winner tonight as they most definitely knew their counselor and answered every question correctly. It was a blast to see the campers know their counselors favorite food, pets name, where they grew up etc… Our campers always bring the fun to whatever we do and tonight was just a blast. Shields Hall was packed tonight with campers screaming out answers about their counselors who they adore and love. It’s how we get so close to everyone here. We all now know that Abby from Perth, Scotland has a dog named Mini. Just a great night here at Chenny that everyone enjoyed.

Our CITs came back from their Hershey Park overnight trip happy and exhausted. The GC’s loved their day in Cali spent at Universal Studios and shopping at the Grove and Farmers Market. The campers ran into a few Tik Tokers along the way, which felt very LA and even got some selfies. They are loving their trip of a lifetime and we couldn’t be happier for the experience they are having.

Talk about a GREAT DAY – If you are a Chenny camper, your day was fantastic!! Our trips are not your average field trips. Our trips are packed with fun and created to bring your camper joy and amazing moments. Everyone put on their camp gold T-shirt and headed out for an amazing day.

Freshman, Juniors and Middies  started their day jumping around SkyZone.  They jumped and flipped and flopped all morning long.  After the campers wrapped up Skyzone, it was off to the movies to catch some summer block busters and chill out in the theater. Movies was a perfect second act to todays trip as our campers were ready to sit, relax and watch a movie while munching on popcorn. Our youngest campers  had an incredible day and as one camper who got off the bus and said it so perfectly when she said, “I loved going on the trip today but I loved coming back to camp even more.”

Inters & Collegiate enjoyed their day at Camel Beach. It was a perfect day to be at a water park. It was a hot one so getting soaking wet at the park was a perfect combination. These moments and memories they are creating are just priceless. Another ideal day spent in an ideal way. Its good to be an Inter & Collegiate,

Seniors & Supers had their fun at Kalahari. This extreme waterpark didn’t disappoint and our Seniors & Supers took advantage of everything Kalahari offered. It was all smiles for these kids as they got off the bus tonight. Actually it was a combination of exhaustion and elation from a day spent well.

GC’s landed in Los Angles and didn’t waste a minute. It was right to UCLA and the kids loved it. They explored Pauley Pavillion and even got to take a look at the UCLA practice football field up close and personal. They explored the bookstore and walked around this gorgeous campus. I know I am biased but as a Bruin (class of ’91) I truly think it is the most beautiful campus and I love the fact that our campers get to experience a day at my awesome alma mater.

CIT’s enjoyed an overnight at Hershey Park. They enjoyed the park today and get to do again tomorrow. What’s better than one day at Hershey Park?? Two days at Hershey.  There is just something so special getting to experience an amusement park with your camp besties. It defines summer and today was spectacular.

All our campers are all back in their bunks or hotel rooms (Cali and Hershey kids), sleeping peacefully from a day spent so well. It’s great to be a Chenny kid!!!

 

There are certain camp traditions you can always count on at Chenny and Boys Lip Sync is definitely one of them. For decades, this camp favorite has successfully allowed boys side to just let it all out there and embrace the performer inside of them. There is something quite unique about this day that brings boys side closer together and bonds become stronger. In between activities and utilizing any down time, boy divisions were practicing their act and working hard to learn lyrics and dances. All throughout camp today you could see boys side work together, coordinate their dance steps, laugh a lot and ultimately have the absolute best time continuing this crazy fun camp tradition. From the cutest Freshman to to the coolest CIT’s, Boys side was rockin’ today and everyone was ready to watch the big show.

 

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS:

Inter Tenis – CAW 4 vs. Poyntelle 1

Super Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 5

Super Basketball – CAW 19 vs. Poyntelle 39

SUPER/GC/CIT Basketball Tournament at Tyler Hill : CAW made it to the finals – CAW 28 vs. Westmont 32. Way to go Girls!!!

BOYS SIDE SPORTS:

Inters Tennis – CAW 2. vs. Poyntelle 3

Collegiate Softball – CAW 1 @Westmont 6

Senior/Super Hockey – CAW 5 vs. Westmont 7

Tonights evening activity is the most perfect example of why the bonds are so tight here and the vibes are so good. Where can you just let go and not worry about wearing a tutu as you dance across the stage jamming out with your air guitar. You do that right here and you will have an entire hall of people, cheering you on and singing with you. For boys side, these remarkable moments will forever stay in your campers memory. It was a standout show and boys brought the entertainment tonight. Girls side, was up on their feet, cheering them along, singing with them. When you are in Shields Hall experiencing Boys Lip sync, these words come to mind: Unity, Connection, Having Fun, Spirit, Freedom, Fearless, Bonding, Support, Entertaining, Funny and Tradition. We thank boys side for putting on a great show and a huge congrats to Lower Camp winners, Middies Michael Jackson and Upper Camp, CITaylor Swift!!

As everyone went to their bunks for the night, our GC’s were just getting started as they boarded the bus heading to the airport for their West Coast adventure. They have been waiting a longtime for this incredible trip and it happens tonight!! GC’s are on their way.

Oh, how life is so great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

We are all still floating from the most spectacular visiting day I think we’ve ever had. But it was back to business today and we didn’t waste a minute.  Our campers were loving a fun day of full activities, it was time to play.   We also welcomed our sibling rookies for their official rookie day today and these younger siblings definitely have the Chenny spirit. We cannot wait for them to join us next summer. There is a whole new Chenny class coming through and they are adorable and fun!!!!!

GIRLS SPORTS

Middy Tennis – CAW 3 @ Starlight 2

Inter LAX – CAW 3 @ Starlight 4

Collegiate Basketball – CAW 18@ Westmont 22

BOYS SPORTS

Freshman Basketball Tournament at Camp Wayne: 1) CAW 25 vs. Starlight 15 2) CAW 20 vs. Wayne 23

Inters Softball – CAW 1 vs. Westmont 5

GC/CIT Hockey Tournament at Lokanda – The Lions Cup: CAW made it to the finals!! CAW 1 vs. Tyler Hill 4

The talk throughout camp today as all about tonight’s evening activity, Chenny Jam. It was Girls side vs. Boys side and the competition was fierce. There was a lot on the line, as this intense staff basketball game would bring pride to either Boys side or Girls side. Girls side was dressed in pink and boys side wore all black. Team spirit was contagious and the energy was just insanity. This game was more fun that any NBA game we’ve ever been at. The last two summers Boys side brought home the W so Girls side was determined and focused . The game was close the whole way through with both sides bringing it tonight. There were several score changes but with an intense second half, GIRLS SIDE claimed victory tonight.   Actually, everyone won because the fun was off the charts to make this night, a camp favorite. The fun we have at Chenny has to be illegal. When a staff basketball game makes your kids feel like they are part of the action and integral to what is happening on the court, WE ARE WINING!!

Thank you again to the all our families that made this entire weekend so incredibly special. It takes a village and we love the village we have all created together!!

Feeling grateful.