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Our last day of Color War started out with more games. All the campers played hard and were great competitors. It’s been a great 4 days of competition and today was no different. The weather was ideal and the mood was perfect. All the campers had great attitudes and an excitement to get out and play. Didnt matter if this was first Color War or 7th, everyone was pumped.   This five day competition brought out the best of us but it all came down to Sing. The score was so close that heading into to tonight’s Sing competition, it was any one’s game.

Both Gold Star Wars and Red Harry Potter had phenomenal costumes and they were ready to sing their hearts out. They performed their Cheer, their March and their Alma Mater. Both teams were outstanding and the judges had a difficult decision to make.  As the artists held up their teams banners and plaques, the campers went crazy with excitement. Both Star Wars and Harry Potters artwork were amazing and will be hanging in the Rec Hall for all to see for years to come. The artists bring it all together with their creative work that tells the story of what we were all apart of this week.

The campers were waiting to hear the announcement of who won this years Color War. They watched the judges dance around as they played musical chairs and one by one, they were eliminated. It came down to one red and one gold left in the game. The music stopped and the Red judge grabbed the last seat. The Rec Hall erupted with excitement from the Red Harry Potter team who won Color War 2022. The race was so close with the final scores being Red Harry Potter 3,752 & Gold Star Wars 3,662. Only 90 points separated the teams.

The celebration was intense and the energy inside Shields Hall could move mountains. There were hugs and high fives and cheers of accomplishment. There were tears of defeat but those faded fast when our camp family came back together as one.  This night is a summer standout and brings up every emotion possible but in the end the feeling is being together and experiencing something that is bigger than us all. We went through this Color War as two separate teams, fought hard battles and gave it everything we got.

For five days our camp was divided and tonight we are again one. Back together for the end of a great summer.  We made memories that we will never forget and have gone through experiences that will impact who we are. What we learned during Color War is profound and we will carry these lessons throughout our lives. Only a few short days left and not a moment to waste.

We are excited for late wake up tomorrow and are grateful for the extra sleep. We still have three more days full of fun, friends and Banquet. It’s not over yet!!!

 

It was an absolutely perfect day for an Apache Relay. This race includes every single player on both teams and everyone matters in our Apache Relay. No matter if you are doing the elephant walk, diving to the bottom of the pool to pick up 8 spoons or assigned for infamous “unknown”, you count. There are 54 events that make up the Apache and each one of them are essential to the integrity of the race. It is a 3-hour event that utilizes the entire camp and being a part of it is just plain insane fun. To run the Apache is like nothing you have ever done before and after you have done it, you can’t wait to do it again. The race was close the whole way through with lead changes happening at every turn. You could hear the cheers from each team that took the lead but in the last few challenges Gold Star Wars crossed that finish line and celebrated with a burst of our joy and energy that was felt by everyone wearing gold shirts. Apache 2022 is in the books as one exciting race. There are events and activities that define Camp Chen-A-Wanda and Apache is one of them.

Girls  side had their track meet today and boys side battled in the pool at their swim meet. The kids had so much fun as they relayed to their finish lines getting cheers, praise and encouragement for their hard work and effort. The spirit was high and heat was on. To watch how this community gives one another support and encouragement is really life changing. It starts from our staff as they jump up and down cheering for the campers and that is infectious and it just catches on from there. There is so much positive energy in this camp, it is infectious, it is contagious and it is everywhere. This last week is giving us everything we want and everything we need. It’s passion, it’s hard work, its dedication and it’s knowing that summer is coming to an end in just a few days. It’s our last push and we are all giving it all we have.

Our night was spent at counselor games as we watched our staff play hard and play fair. Basketball, soccer and volleyball were the games our staff played tonight and it was so much fun watching them give it their all. We are all in this together and tonight our kids cheered as our staff was playing. Every minute & every moment we have left here is important and we aren’t wasting a second. This summer has been incredible and as we face the end of of Color War, we know camp is ending. One more day and in true Color War form, it all comes down to Sing!! There are only 50 points separating the teams and its anyones War. One last day to give it our all and one last night to make Color War 2022 the best on yet!!!!

 

Boy’s side had their track meet today and girls side battled in the pool at their swim meet. The kids had so much fun as they relayed to their finish lines getting cheers, praise and encouragement for their hard work and effort. The spirit was high and heat was on.  It starts from our staff as they jump up and down cheering for the campers and that is infectious and it just catches on from there. There is so much positive energy in this camp, it is infectious, it is contagious and it is everywhere.

Not a day goes by where I don’t witness a moment that tells a story of why this experience is so profound. In Color War, there is ample opportunity to bear witness to greatness, strength, grit, determination, sportsmanship and selflessness. Today was no different and I was blown away at one of these many moments. It happened at the pool where the girls were competing in a swim meet and one camper was a bit panicked and nervous for her portion of the relay. She didn’t want to let anyone down but was so fearful she would be the reason her team wouldn’t win the race. I overheard her telling her friend how nervous she was and what her friend said back was just beautiful. She said, “The most important thing is that you try, that’s it. You will be so mad at yourself if you don’t get in the pool & at the end of the day, you cant let your fear stand in your way of being great.” These moments our kids are motivating one another is just so powerful, even if they don’t recognize it, its happening. I watched that camper jump in the pool and finish her race. She paused for a brief moment, doubting herself until that friend lifted her up and nudged her forward.

Knowing what Color War means to our campers, makes these 5 days not only emotional but significant in the entire summer journey they have been on. Every single camper is an integral piece to the whole and they each matter to the outcome. They wear their colors with pride and everyone on camp is putting  their heart into every match, game and meet. You can see it on their faces and feel it in their effort and hard work. Your kids are digging down deep and giving it all they got. You would be beyond proud of them. The cheers of victory are deafening and the anguish of defeat is real. This Color War matters to each of us and it is providing meaningful competition and pushing ourselves when we think we can’t, we are being encouraged knowing that we can. When we think we’re tired, we get up and push harder. Crazy to think about the impact this Color War has on each and every one of us. It inspires us, it motivates us, and teaches us that we are stringer than we think.

This Color War is so close and the teams are within a mere 3 points of each other. Yes, only 3 POINTS – That is INSANITY. It is anyones game  as these teams head into Quiz night. Tonight was all mental as campers and staff had to answer questions about anything and everything from pop culture to math equations to Camp Chen-A-Wanda facts and everything in between. All day, our bodies were challenged and tonight we stretched our minds.  There isn’t a camper or staff who isn’t giving it their all and pushing it to the limit. It is an outstanding Color War and with just 2 more days to go and the scores so close, it is anyones game. So here is to 2 more amazing days of exhaustion, exhilaration, competition and meaningful moments. We are making every single moment count until we get on those buses next Saturday and all head home. The end is nearing but there is two much more to do.

 

 

 

It has been 2 days since our epic laser show break and we have been busy having the absolute best time with Color War. Every summer is different and each Color War has it’s own character and feeling as well. The only way to fully describe what is happening here at camp is INSANE SPIRIT & ENERGY and It’s CONTAGIOUS. The campers are 100% into it and the staff has enough energy to power up an entire city. The feeling is fun not fierceness, camaraderie not cut throat competition and spirit prevails over all. It is palpable and you can’t walk 10 feet  without seeing the energy and feeling the fun. Teams are cheering on one another and encouraging everyone around them to be involved and be a part of something pretty special. Everyone matters in Color War. Every at bat, every catch, every basket counts. You are part of something bigger than yourself and that is why Color War is so special to each and every one of us. It is why we come together and have each others back during Color War. It is how we bond and how we play that defines the brilliance of Color War. No matter a win or a loss, we keep going and do our part for the greater good.

The Senior girls were at Wiffle Ball and as I walked up to watch their game, I couldn’t quite tell if it was a game or a dance party. The fun all of these girls were having was the story of the day. The girls were dancing in between each at bat and even the batter got in a few moves before she swung the bat. It was a party up at Wiffle Ball with one of the kids saying to me, “I had no idea Wiffle Ball was this much fun.” You just couldn’t help but smile and nor could they. It was contagious and what this War is all about. Our kids are loving life and feeling free. They are experiencing intense fun and joy. It is why we send them to camp and they are at the pinnacle of happiness. If we could bottle up the spirit and energy here at camp it could move mountains. What is happening here at camp is what we all want and desire for our kids – to feel joy, to have purpose and to be surrounded by the most supportive and energetic community. There is nothing quite like the feeling of Color War and we have 3 more days of pure joy.

A moment I was fortunate enough to be a part of today came from two adorbale freshman girls who were on opposite teams, one on Red and the other on Gold. I sat with one at lunch and when I asked her how her first color was going she replied, “It’s fun but I miss my best friend Mackenzie. Can you tell her how much I miss her.” My answer was, of course I will tell her so I walked over two tables away and plopped down with Mackenzie and relayed Talia’s message. Mackenzie was so happy to get her message, she asked me tell Talia that she cant wait for rest hour so they can be together again in their bunk. So of course I walked back over to Talia who smiled so big as I gave her that message. Talia then asked me to tell her friend one more message which went straight to my heart. Talia said, ” Tell Mackenzie that I hope she wins Color War and that would make me happy because she’s my best friend and when she is happy so am I.”  These two little girls met just six weeks and in that short of time, this happened. The best parts of ourselves come out and the is exactly what happened with Talia and Mackenzie.

Tonight was Rope burn and this long standing camp tradition didn’t disappoint. The campers were watching and cheering while the counselors burned the rope and boiled the water. It was female domination as the Gold StarWars team boiled their water first followed by the female team of Red Harry Potter. Then the men of the Gold Team burned their rope followed by the Red team within minutes. It was a great night and this Color War has been so much fun. The spirit is high and this is what camp is all about!!!

 

 

This is time of the summer when the days are on hyper speed and what we we do to make time slow down. With Girls Sing behind us and only a week and a half to go that only means one thing – Color War is approaching and you can feel the excitement building. There was a plane that passed over camp and that sparked the color war fever, wondering if it’s today. There is an anticipation that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plane wasn’t for us, not today at least. Everyone will have to wait just a bit longer until our color war breaks out. But that doest stop the insane anticipation for what is the best part of camp, COLOR WAR!!!

A huge congratulations to our Champions. Their game today vs. Wayne was a nail biter and our girls prevailed with the win!

GC CIT Girls Softball wins Championship!! –  CAW 11 @ Wayne 10

All eyes were on our amazing Circus show tonight. That was the highlight of art entire day. The campers who performed in tonights show worked so hard all summer long and it showed. It was incredible. It defied gravity and these campers who performed were fearless. The campers went crazy for this unique circus show that included several of our campers who dazzled us with their trapeze and gymnastic abilities. The rig was lit and the performances were out of this world. As the show ended, all you heard was how everyone wants to sign up for circus tomorrow for their hobby and learn how to do what they did in the show tonight. Standing ovation to a fabulous show. One that we will never forget. We had our own Cirque de Soleil here at CAW!!!

It was another perfect day in paradise