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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 campers wearing tutus, bunny ears and face paint. Red DC’s and Gold Marvels 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 DC has earned 1703 and Gold Marvel has secured 1530. Only 173 points separate these two battling teams. After eating our delicious meal and hearing the scores, the entire camp got on the tables and started singing on the top of their lungs. We rocked out and danced like nobody was watching us. If you can imagine the feeling of a room full of people of singing so loudly and dancing so freely it literally moves you to a place that you cant believe exists. There is just no fear to let go and cut loose and it happens here. We see kids who started this journey reserved and timid and these same kids are singing like they are alone in the shower but there are hundreds of friends around them. There is a freedom without judgement to be the most authentic you here. When a giant group of people come together in song and dance, it can literally move a mountain. The energy is tangible, contagious and feel so awesome. Our camp family is united, connected and know to have fun when we sang and dance together.

It was Quiz night and as each camper pushed themselves physically all day long, our minds were stretched and challenged as they had to answer questions ranging from math equations, history challenges all the way to pop culture quizzes. It was a great night as we each challenged our minds to think outside the box and recall information that we haven’t thought about all summer long. It was a fun night full of challenging questions and fun factoids!!! There is 3-more days of Color War and with the scores only 173 points apart,  the next few days will bring some crazy intensity and definitely lots of fun.

Chenny out

 

 

Today was EPIC. It is hard to put into words the feeling on camp today but I will try my best to relay how it felt to be part of this community who celebrated the beginning of Color War 2017. The day started like any day here at Chenny – everyone rolled out of bed and headed to The Lodge in their jammies, bed hair and all to eat some delicious chocolate chip pancakes. After they filled their bellies, it was off to line-up but it stared to feel like something was in the air. Every bird that flew by looked suspicious, every announcement from Chenny Central seemed strange – everyone was anticipating that Color war was breaking at line-up. They were sure of it. But they would have to wait a bit longer. After line-up it was back too the bunks for clean-up and inspection. You could literally see the disappointment on their faces as they headed back to the bunks. After a good cleaning and waiting for that moment…. IT HAPPENED! You could suddenly hear something, something that didn’t sound like a bugle.. It was Batman music getting louder and louder and louder.. and just like that, the kids started to scream and run around wondering where.. where do they go? Everyone headed to center camp and in rolled the Batmobile with Batman and Robin behind the wheel. Out of nowhere came Superman, Flash and Wonder-women and the kids went nuts. The car was insane but there was more to come.. As the kids followed Batman up to the top of the hill, they were met by 4 skydivers landing at Camp Chen-A-Wanda for a real Superhero battle.  Captain America, Spiderman,  Ironman and Deadpool came down from the sky and made there way to Chenny. We have a true battle happening here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda and just like it’s Color War – Red DC vs. Gold Marvel!

Kids got dressed head-to-toe in their colors and went right into Tugs of war. The battle was fierce and the kids dug down deep to do their teams proud. They pulled hard and worked as team and showed a strength that they may not have even been aware they had. The faces of fierceness and the grunts of grit, Tugs of War brought the spirit of the games to life and set the tone to what is looking to be an incredible War.  It was fun afternoon of games and competition with steal the bacon, BBG, softball, basketball and soccer but what happened tonight was a night we will remember forever. After mass games, it was contest night and there was something in the air. The energy was just INSANE. Kids were going crazy with dancing and singing in between their games of hippity hops and relay races. The vibe was just electric and the energy tonight was something I haven’t ever felt on contest night, EVER! It was a GIANT party where everyone was in the best mood to party and dance. There is no doubt that from the physical energy your kids produced today, that at this very moment they are having a very deep sleep tonight. Wow is all we can say about what happened at camp today!

Everything about Color War brings out the best in each and every single person on camp. It allows us to be a part of a team, to fight for a common goal, to reach our own personal best, to support our friends, to celebrate our wins, to accept our defeats and to a part of something greater than ourselves. So for now our camp is Red and Gold and the pride runs deep. From psych speeches to song practice – this experience transforms us and Day 1 is in the books. Cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!!!!!!!

Chenny out

Today was by far the most epic and over the top Color War Fakeout we have ever produced. It was a typical amazing day and the kids were enjoying their activities like normal. Like every other day the bugle rang at 2:30pm for snack call. This is where all the campers come to center camp for their afternoon snack. Well this day would not be like all the other days as just as the kids were enjoying their cookies and milk, in came Ronald McDonald and the Burger King. They took center stage, having a lively debate on who has the best burgers, fries and everything else. After several one ups on who has the ultimate burger, Ronald said “McDonalds is the BEST and I can even make it rain burgers.” And with that, a plane flew over and dropped hundreds of McDonald Burgers. It was raining burgers. Kids were gathering the goods and eating what was coming out of the sky. It was hilarious, it was delicious and then just when the Burger King told the campers to look once more up in the sky, it was another drop and hundreds of papers flew from the plane. When they reached the ground, the kids held them up to see notes reading FAKEOUT!!!! For a moment or two, kids were really believing that this years Color War would be Red McDonalds vs. Gold Burger King. And just like that, the dream was gone. They would have to wait because Color War was not today. This memory they have of burgers falling from the sky will be one they never forget. The smiles and laughs from all our campers were worth every burger that fell from the sky.

More Chenny Champions Today..

Inter Girls Soccer – CAW 0 @ Starlight 3

Collegiate Girls LAX – CAW 13 @ Starlight 11 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!

Super Boys Tennis – CAW 3 @ Tioga 2 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!

Super Boys Basketball – CAW 57 @ Lavi 50 – Semi Final Game

GC/CIT Boys Baseball – CAW 6 vs. Starlight 5 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!

GC/CIT Boys Softball – CAW 12 vs. Equinunk 1 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!

There were so many kids who got to jump in the lake today and we couldn’t be more proud. Arlos shakes for all our Champions..

It was the Head Staff Lip Sync finals tonight the show was so entertaining it could have been aired on TV. Each finalist performed two songs and they were all on point. The lip sync was perfect, the choreography was brilliant, the costumes were elaborate and performances were insane. The kids loved it, the staff loved it and there wasn’t a person inside Shields Hall who wasn’t entertained tonight. The difference between the runner-up and the winner was a mere half a point. But tonight, it was a repeat winner as Ally Grossman representing the GC’s and CIT’s was named Champion of of Head Staff Lip Sync 2017. A show you just gotta see and we hope you check it out when the vid comes out. After the show ended, the chants started… 1….2….3….4…. WE WANT COLOR WAR – they will have to wait a wee bit longer until Color War 2017 breaks..

Chenny out.

 

There is truly no place like Chenny. When you wake-up and are greeted with hugs, piggy back rides and someone holding your hands it starts your day in a  pretty positive way. When you walk by someone and hear, Good morning with a smile, it just brings joy to your heart. How can you have a bad day with so much positive energy around you? Even if you wake-up on the wrong side of the bed, it wont take you long before the energy of camp make you smile. You just can’t help but feel good when you are here and we have 9 more days of living surrounded by a world of happy and content people. Just really inspirational, positive people who appreciate every second they spend here and the vibes spread like wild fire. Your kids skip to breakfast, literally skip! And to see it daily makes your heart full. 9 more days  of this.

Championships All Day long!!

Collegiate Girls Basketball – CAW 18 @ Tioga 17 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP – This group of great athletic kids has been undefeated for the past 4 years. Congratulations to the 4peaters who always show dignity, grace and sportsmanship on the court.

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 7 @ Starlight 6 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP – This game was scoreless and went into overtime. The rain came in and overtime was delayed. Chenny won with 7 penalty kicks vs. Starlights 6. Congratulations to our girls who worked hard together as team and brought home the Championship.

GC/CIT Boys Basketball  – CAW 46 vs. Lavi 43 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP! So proud of these amazing kids who worked hard and played together to win big today.

In late afternoon the rain moved in but that wouldn’t dampen our spirits and ability for the show to go on. It was too wet to have the show up at the trapeze so we do what we do best and solve a problem. We moved the show into Shields Hall and it was INCREDIBLE. The theme was All Around the World and we all took the trip with them. What was plan B became a more intimate and exciting show. All the elements were there and we didn’t miss a beat. Triple trapeze, silks, spanish web to name a few. We had it all indoors and it was Grade A incredibel. The show went on in the most positive way. Our kids blew our minds with what they learned here  and how they did what they did.  They did things you just cant believe and made it look so easy. Our circus show is a camp favorite and every one of our kids put their heart and soul into tonights performance. Sitting in the audience was such a treat as I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Your kids hit new heights and did things that would take your breath away. Our Circus staff, Michael, Rodrigo, Cheryl, Nick and Ashley felt a pride so deep that all their time with your children paid off big time. The kids soaked up all they were taught and performed more beautifully than any reshesal they had. Just wait until you see your kids when the video gets uploaded. We have some pretty talented kids who put on quiet a show tonight. The Big Top was a Big Success!

Chenny out.

Today was our last official trip day  for summer 2017. All campers were out enjoying their final trip of the summer, all dressed in their Gold Chenny shirts ready to start their off camp adventures.

Cherokee Camp (Freshman, Junior & Middies) defined being the “river” today and we couldn’t be more proud of our youngest campers and their incredible attitude. The day started out brilliantly as they boarded the buses, ready for their big trip to Camel Beach. The sun was shining as they entered the park and within 20 minutes the skies opened up and that rain came down. The forecast was sunshine but the weather quickly turned and right above Camel Beach it was a rain, rain rain that just wasn’t going away. So with the news of the park closing it was back on the bus for our littlest campers who took it in stride. The literally went with the flow and handled it with such amazing attitudes, you at home would be beyond proud of your kids. They were making jokes about how wet they all got and didn’t even get on a ride. The got back to camp to a giant pizza and dance party waiting for them in the Lodge. Our youngest kids just rolled with the punches today with a great attitude and a smile.

Mohican Camp (Inters & Collegiates) spent their last trip day at the state park with an afternoon of chilling out on the beach, listening to music, throwing a ball around, playing cards with friends and splashing around the lake to get cool from the hot day. After the sun was setting on their ideal chilled out beach day it was off to the movies to watch a summer blockbuster. The kids munched on popcorn, sipped their slushies, got comfy in their seats and spent their night watching a movie with their best friends.

Navajo Camp (Seniors, Supers & GC’s) spent their last trip day at Kalahari Waterpark and had the BEST day. This ginormous watermark provided an entire day of water ride fun for our oldest kids. They whooshed around the giant toilet bowl, the slipped down slides, they played in the wave pool and so much more. It was an absolute incredible day and the kids came back exhausted and loving their trip.

The CIT’s had their own magical adventure on their last day in Lake George. This trip was full of action packed fun and gave our CIT’s a unique way to end their camper journey her at Chenny. They experienced a ropes course like no other that challenged each one of them to dig down deep and achieve their personal best. For each one of them, this trip represented a personal goal to push through when they may think what is in front of them may be too tough and that they can’t do it. They just very may well get through anything and can achieve what looks impossible and they are stronger than they realize.  It was the best way to end an amazing summer for our incredible CIT’s.

So now, we are all back in camp, safe and sound and most right now are sleeping peacefully from a day spent very well. Today, there was a lot of laughs, a ton of memories made, experiences that enriched our lives and moments that will stay with us forever. So now onto the last 10 days of camp. There is more to do. It ain’t over yet.

Chenny out.