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When you think of sports and competition at home it tends to be cut throat and intense. There are endless hours of practice, upset feelings when our kids don’t make the travel team and stress the players feel when they hear parents an onlookers coach them from the sidelines. It couldn’t be more opposite here. There is competition yes but the entire focus on playing sports at camp is all about the joy of playing, nothing more nothing less. When you think about our kids playing a sport just for the joy of playing, it makes sense and it can inspire them rather than deflate them. Today we hosted Camp Westmont for the first games of our summer season. Our kids played great and had a ball, they actually won every single game they played. But that wasn’t the story of the day. The Inter Boys were playing baseball and for the most part, Chenny was trailing until that last play as one of our kids hit a 2 run home-run to win the game for us.  Chenny kids were going crazy with excitement as boys were running the bases and coming into home plate . The pitcher for Camp Westmont broke down and was visibly distraught. You could see how he felt responsible for giving up those 2 runs that gave Chenny the win. He had a very tough moment and our kids noticed he was struggling. Everybody there could see his struggle. Their coach wasn’t having any luck helping this kid who was breaking down but our kids, our team noticed and a handful of the boys walked over to him and said, ” It’s all good, you pitched a great game.”  One camper said, “your team is really good. I hope we can play you again this summer.” Our boys celebrated the win but were able to help someone out that needed it with a few words of encouragement. I was so glad to be there and to see that moment. The win was great but seeing our kids with incredible character was everything!!!

Powder Puff is a camper favorite evening activity and tonight didn’t disappoint.  Friday Night Lights came to life tonight at Chenny and it was an incredible game to watch. Girls side was feeling fierce, powerful, strong and ready as our GC ‘s and CIT’s played an intense game of flag football.  CIT’s were dressed in all black and GC’s in all white. The boys in each division were the cheerleaders and they got the crowd on their feet. It was a great night of flag football and we all had a fantastic time outside under the lights. The competition was intense and each team brought it tonight. . There were great plays, interceptions, long passes and incredible defense. The kids had a ball watching the girls on the grid iron. CIT’s brought home the victory with a 9-7 win. After the whistle blew and the game ended, every camper rushed the filed in celebration for the CITS and their last play of the game that brought them the W. A huge congratulations to Brooke Gordon, tonight’s MVP who dominated and helped bring home the win for our CIT’s.

Feeling pretty lucky that we get to do another incredible day at Camp Chen-A-Wanda, tomorrow!!!!!

It was a beautiful day here at Chenny. Not a raindrop in sight. The sun was shining today and felt as if it was shining down on just us.  There is no difference between how a Thursday feels or a Saturday does up here at Chenny. No concept of time other than hearing the bugles and announcements that direct us where we need to be. I often say how “free” we are up here but it is a word that truly depicts what it feels like to live here all summer long. There is no time to feel bored, no opportunities to sit and watch Netflix or stare at a screen for hours on end. Our days a packed with things to do and relationships to build.

A first year counselor approached me after dinner with tears in her eyes and asked me “how does this place make me feel this way?” She explained that dancing in front anyone was something she would never do. She relayed how she is painfully shy and would never in a million years dance or sing in front of anyone, even her family. She said how free she feels here and couldn’t believe this piece existed inside of her. She danced with co-counselors and sang with her campers at the top of her lungs during dinner tonight – I know this because I was watching her transform into someone who was so very different when she arrived at camp. She was guarded and quiet and kept to herself. It was like watching a flower blossom. She felt free and let go of those insecurities. I explained to her that this is what happens here – you are truly allowed to be exactly who you are here without judgement. She left the Lodge with her campers surrounding her, holding her hands and feeling just as limitless she she did. That is the power of this place. We let go, we trust and then we fly.

We are as good as our team and our team is beyond incredible. They have blown our minds with their contagious energy and  insane amounts of camp spirit. Even just meeting our newest campers just 5 days ago, they have fallen for every kid on this camp.  To watch a counselor walk though camp holding hands with an 8 year old camper they just met last Saturday, is witnessing magic, pure magic. I am always so amazed at how quick the bonds are formed but when our hearts are open to new people coming into our lives, the results are meaningful and impacts us all.

Tonights evening activity was Dueling Pianos and the sing-a-long party was epic. There is something about 2 pianos, a hyped up staff and campers who love to sing at the top of their lungs that makes for a great night. The party was high energy and so much fun. Just another incredible night.

It was another day living well, happy and free at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

Our Chenny athletes took to the fields and courts with more team tryouts happening all throughout the day. Enrichments started as well so our campers who want more specialized time in basketball, baseball and soccer enjoyed their enrichment periods learning and playing more in their favorite sports. Playing sports at Chenny is so much fun. The focus is on learning and playing. There is no stress, no pressure, just a focus on skills and sportsmanship. There are no disappointed coaches or stressed out players worrying about really anything. Our games are played for the literal love of the game. Having my own kids involved in school and travel sports I am aware of how those programs at home can leave our kids stressed and more worried about being perfect rather than just loving to play a game. We want to provide our kids a place to fall in love with a sport and the opportunity to learn skills that make them better but ultimately we want our campers to just play and walk off the courts and fields having had a great time.

It appears that the we have a lot of very talented singers, actors and dancers with us this summer. Auditions for our summer show, Matilda began today. We are anticipating a show of all shows. The excitement for this production is at an all time high. The campers have taken their auditions seriously and are rehearsing together and all are committed to making this years show, one to remember!!! You can be anything and everything you want to be here at Chenny.  The choice is theirs and that is where I believe the magic is at. A Junior boy came to me and asked if he can audition for the play and also tryout for the baseball team. I said yes, of course you can do both to which he replied, “Best Day Ever.” Why choose when you can have two things in your life that make you happy.

The great camp vibes of the day continued into our evening activity, The Hustler Game Show.  The campers competed in this trivia game of deception, clues and truths. It was so much fun watching our campers up on stage playing for their bunks to claim victory but only 3 bunks can call themselves Hustler Champions. It was a boys side sweep – Congratulations to Boys Bunks, J, N and P. They are the official Chenny Hustler Champions each winning an Italian Dinner party for their bunks!!!!

5 nights down 43 to go !!!

All  campers and staff got dressed in their camp T’s today,  looking gorgeous to take their bunk pictures. Everyone looked great, cheerful and excited to capture the moment of their 2023 summer.  These bunk photos are forever and they will represent that special summer spent at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. After the morning of photos, it was off to activities.

If you wan to see the cutest thing ever, you would need to be watching our freshman girls crush the new Ninja Warrior course. They had the best time and loved it. These girls were strong and powerful and they felt so great as they dominated the course. The campers are absolutely going bonkers for Ninja. It is a great addition this summer and Chenny Ninjas could not be happier.

If you want to see the energy, spirit and vibe at camp right now, I urge you to take a peek at our Instagram and watch our story. Those brief snip-its of tonight’s staff talent show was SPECTACULAR. There is just nothing better than having staff show off their incredible talents and hear their campers cheer with pride. It was magic in Shields Hall tonight your kids loved every minute of it. We have such a talented group of people and they proudly put that on display tonight. As the show ended and all the campers left the Hall, it appeared as if they all were floating. What a night!!

Where can you find a group of 14 year old boys sitting around a table playing card games for an hour? N0 phones, no Netflix, no distractions. Just 6 boys and a deck of cards and good conversation. I walked into the canteen and found this scene play out for me today. We had some rain so the kids moved inside for activities. I don’t know the game they were playing and it didn’t matter. It was the company they kept and how a deck of cards allowed these boys to find joy and humor and ultimately friendship in these moments that happen daily here.  You are just an ask away from sitting in a group of friends, making memories and connections that will ultimately impact your life in the most positive way. It’s the simple things that make the most impact and sometimes a game of palace with your buddies can blow away all the video games they play alone at home. Our kids are hungry for these connections and it is joyful watching them dive in and play. Not even a rainy day can get in the way of the magic that happens here.

After a full day of play, the evening was all about being entertained and Chenny didn’t disappoint. There was love in the air with our camp tradition of The Dating Game. From the Freshman to our CIT’s there were bachelors and bachelorettes asking hilarious and sweet questions and the answers were even better. We laughed from our bellies and had a night that was incredible. It’s days like this that make camp the most incredible experience and why we fall in love with this place. Best news is we get to it all over again tomorrow.