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There is nothing quite like spending the 4^th of July here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It is the best place to celebrate our day of independence. Everyone got into the red, white and blue spirit. Faces were painted, flags were flying high, red, white and Blue tutus were everywhere and the continuous chants of “USA” were at every turn. Pride for our country was at an all time high and everyone got into the spirit. Our international staff was in awe of how spirited camp was today and how deep our pride is for our country. There is nothing more Americana than the 4th of July and today was just spectacular.

The spirit of today continued into every competition we played today. Our athletes played with lots of heart and soul.It was a great day to be a Chenny athlete.

Senior Girls Basketball – CAW 43 vs. Poyntelle 4

GC/CIT Girls LAX – CAW 4 @ Starlight 11

GC/CIT Basketball – CAW 29 vs. Poyntelle 37

Collegiate Boys Softball – CAW 13 @ Perlman 0

GC/CIT Boys Basketball – CAW 28 vs. Morasha 38

It was an incredible day here at Chenny but we all knew that the night was the best part and it did not disappoint. We all got cozy in our long and longs (that is camp lingo for long pants, long shirts). Then is was up to the amphitheater to watch our incredible firework show. We were decked out head to toe with glow sticks galore & flashing headbands.  We announced our 5, 7 and 10 year campers who received their sweatshirts and the pride was BIG. Spending summer after summer here is a big deal and each camper that had reached this milestone was given a standing O!  As the night grew darker and the anticipation was intense, we all counted down from 10 to 1 and then in a flash, the night sky lit up above us with the most spectacular firework show. I truly don’t know what is more impressive to watch; the sky light up with a rainbow of colorful fireworks or the look of amazement on your children’s faces as they watch with such anticipation for each firework to unveil above them.  They were just in amazement of what they were seeing and watching them enjoy it so, was a gift they gave to us. With every firework that shot into the night sky, there were eyes glued to the magic of what was happening.  There is something about watching a firework show that makes you feel young and reminds you that those summer nights are priceless. It was beautiful and fun. It was magical and it was a night we will never forget. It wasn’t just an ordinary night but a feeling that made you part of something pretty special.  We sang each song together and swayed our hands in the air in unison. There is  no place on earth would we rather be but right where we were, with one another at Chenny. We hope you all enjoyed your 4th because we sure did!!!!

Chenny Out

Part of this incredible experience is our cultural exchange with counselors that come from other countries. Our kids learn so much from people who may live completely different lives than they do. Different foods, different customs, different experiences and all these exchanges opens up a totally new world to our kids. Our international staff add so much value to our experience that it would be hard to imagine a summer without these incredible talented, kind, loving and committed people. My daughters have perfected an English accent and have been so positively effected from their counselors from across the pond. When we are open to people that may not be just like us, we have opened up a whole new world to our children and they are better people because of it. England played in todays Fifa World Cup and our campers got behind them. Our British staff was beyond excited about todays game – some even painted their faces with the UK flag on it. The spirit was insane today and when it was game time, it was all about England. We cheered together, we held hands with nerves together when the game went into overtime. We felt the same intense feeling watching this game together. The game ended in a tie which made it that more intense. There was a shoot out and England won 4-3. You can’t imagine how we blew the roof off this house with excitement. We ALL got behind England and celebrated together. Even the campers who may not have paid much attention to this game but it was England they were rooting for. It was the country of their counselors and there wasn’t a camper who didn’t feel the excitement and cheered with them. We are one family here and when we expose the world to our kids, the world becomes a place our kids feel safe in. That place that is so far away is right here next to us and always will be.

 

“Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single game.” – Michael Jordan

Collegiate Girls Soccer – CAW 8 @ Poyntelle 1

Senior Girls Tennis – CAW 4 @ Lohikan 1

Senior Girls Tennis – CAW 1 @ Poyntelle 9

Super Girls Tennis – CAW 5 @ Lohikan 0

Middy Boy Basketball – CAW 21 vs. Nesher 7

Collegiate Boys Hockey – CAW 10 @ Starlight 2

Senior Boys Tennis – CAW 4 vs. Lohikan 1

We surveyed 100 people what the absolute best and most awesome camp is and the top answer is on the board…. CAMP CHEN-A-WANDA!! We played Family Feud tonight and the kids LOVED it. It was Boys vs. Girls and the game was close all the way through . Girls squeaked out a win by 1 point. The campers belly laughed, yelled out answers to the contestants and shouted out when they got an X. It was so interactive and all the questions were based on everything Chenny.

Chenny out!

We surprised our CIT’s this morning with a quasi strange packing list (to throw them off) and 10 minutes to grab and go. With no idea where they were headed. The excitement was building and the suspense was intense. Lots of guessing and half the fun was watching them wrack their brains on where they were heading. They boarded the bus and off they went. After a few stops along the way, they arrived at their destination and it became clear they were camping. The CIT’s hiked to a beautiful waterfall, swam in a crystal cool lake, pitched their own tents, cooked their own dinner, sang songs and told stories around the campfire. It was an incredible day our kids had and they deserved every minute of it. Good old fashioned fun and they will never forget the day they were surprised with a camping trip in their CIT summer!

Camp presents such a creative outlet for our kids to play and I have to share how much fun our Middy girls had building a spa right in Bunk F. The girls invited me to their bunk during rest hour and it was transformed into a peaceful, restful spa. There was a reception desk, a few spa mangers and of course a ton of technicians. I made my appointment and off I went to get my mani and facial. These girls created Relax.Inc. and it was relaxing. They had relaxing spa music and tons of customers who came to their bunk for services. They offered manicures, pedicures, makeup, hair styling, facials and more. I cannot fully explain how sweet it was to see your kids play spa and not to mention they know how to give an incredible manicure. It was sweet, it was creative, it was cooperation and it was incredible. Word has spread about the spa at Bunk F and the middy girls were ecstatic. I overheard one of them say to another that her books were full and they may need to be open up another spa. Entrepreneurs in training and it looks like Relax.Inc may become a franchise.

 

We play hard and We play humble.. Chenny athletes Rock!

Freshman/Junior Girls Soccer – CAW 3 @ Wayne 4

Fresh/Junior/Middy Boys LAX  – CAW 11 vs. Westmont 8

Middy Boys Tennis – CAW 5 @ Poyntell 0

Inter Boys Baseball   – CAW 5 vs. Lohikan 0

Collegiate Boys Basketball – CAW 38 vs Lavi 58

Senior/Super Boys Hockey – CAW 11 @ Wayne 8

Senior Boys Baseball – CAW 15 vs. Lohikan 0

With the weather still hot, our campers were either in the pool, lake or inside air conditioned buildings today. The kids had a ball today and we beat the heat. It looks as if the heat wave has ended and tonight a cool breeze came over camp. There was a chill in the air and happy campers all around. We live in a city with happy people and positive vibes. Even high temperatures just can’t take away our mojo here at Chenny. We go with flow and see where it takes us. Life is Great!

Chenny out

It’s hot up here but we definitely know how to keep cool. Our campers were well hydrated, sun screened to the gill, spent the day in water, ran in in sprinklers and all around had a day of play being wet. Sure it was a heat wave but that didn’t stop us. Chenny kids have things to do and heat or no heat, we are ready to play!

Kindness matters here and it is my absolute pleasure reading every single nomination. I get chills upon chills when I see a camper nominate a person they want to recognize for their kindness. One camper wrote about a friend she nominated, “You have to pick her for Kind Camper this week because she is the overall nicest person I have ever met. She puts a smile on everyones face, everyday. She makes me feel safe and is always inclusive. She would only say positive things about people and she inspires everyone to be better. Her heart is made of gold and she is the definition of a kind person.” Your kids are nominating people who make a difference and it is an honor to call them out and highlight their greatness. Congratulations to outstanding kind campers. They are the best example of what goodness is. If your child is listed below.. kudos to you because your children are amazing people. There is no bigger compliment than for your peers to see you as a kind person. It’s Cool To Be Kind!

Parker Margulis, Ava Lefkowitz, Abby Leeds, Sammie Keane, Sammie Seldon, Hayden Garland, Gabby Hoffman, Alexa Haber, Eve Lindenauer, Talia Kaplan, Bari Klein, Evan Marcus, Asher Slotkin, Jake Shiffman, Kobe Koren

Win, lose or draw, Chenny Kids give it their all!

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 1 @ Poyntelle 11

Senior/Super Girls LAX – CAW 5 @ Lohikan 8

GC/CIT Girls Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Wayne 4

Freshman/Junior Boys Baseball – CAW 0 @ Wayne 4

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 0 @ Wayne 3

It was Round Robin tonight and the kids had the absolute best time ever. Our Freshman Girls were busy with decorating cakes and the Freshman Boys spent their night at the Chenny Shack making Pizza’s. The Juniors had an amazing time playing a camp fav, Quest. Middy Boys were loving their Biddy tourney at Biddy City and the Middy Girls  loved Cake Wars. All the Inters and Collegiates had a great time at their pool party. Senior boys enjoyed Ultimate Frisbee Challenge while the Senior Girls were in the Chen-A-Plex watching a fun summer flick. The Supers had an insane evening at their Slip N’Slide Foam Party while the GC’s Tailgated. Our CIT’s got off camp and spent their night at Arlos enjoying Milkshakes and ice cream sundaes.

When you think it can’t possibly get any better, it does!!!!

Life is great at Chenny 🙂

Chenny out.

With the temperatures raising, it was all about getting in the water. There wasn’t a camper on camp that wasn’t in the pool, lake or just getting drenched with water. Everyone was wet and happy. We were cool, wet and having a great day getting soaked.

Sports… Sports….Sports and more Sports….

Inter Girls Tennis – CAW 4 @ Tioga 1

Inter Girls Softball – CAW 6 @ Tioga 5

Collegiate Girls Tennis – CAW 1 @ Westmont 4

GC/CIT Softball – CAW 9 @ Tioga 2

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 9 vs. Island Lake 2

Middy Boys Hockey – CAW 7 @ Wayne 6

Collegiate Boys Tennis – CAW 2 vs, Island Lake 3

At evening line-up we announced our Camper’s of the Week. There is nothing quite like hearing your name being called knowing that you have done a great job this week. These campers earned it and deserve it. Congratulations to these outstanding campers!! We are so very proud of you.

Freshmen                     Lexi Liberman                 Nate Wellikof

Juniors                          Billie Margulis                 Jed Schissler

Middies                          Lola Housenbold            Jordan Klatsky

Inters                             Jillian Shohet                   Jacob Coffman

Collegiates                     Sammi Leon                  Logan Salzman

Seniors                           Cassidy Reese                  Alex Frank

Supers                            Morgan Klein                  Bradley Luts

GC’s                                Rachel Novick                  Aaron Platt

CIT’s                               Maya Cohen                     Benji Herzog

When you say Nancy Tucker to any camper anywhere, they start to smile, jump up and down and say, “I Love Nancy Tucker”. Nancy Tucker was in the house. Nancy is an old school folk music singer that entertains us with her FAMOUS songs like, One Meatball, Jellyfish, Buttons Buttons and her most popular Habitat.. Each one comes with its own hand movements that everyone knows and if they didn’t know it, they do now. I truly can’t explain what Shields Hall looked like tonight with every camper singing along with the very famous Nancy Tucker at Chenny! There is just no doubt that Nancy Tucker nights will never be forgotten and her songs will forever be part of your children’s Chenny experience.

Chenny out.