Category: Uncategorized

It was right back to the fun after one amazing Visiting Day. There is a sense of calmness or maybe the word I’m looking for is better defined as comfort but the feeling here we are all experiencing is just the feeling of being home. After a very emotional and awesome day it was as if every camper didn’t skip a beat. The campers got right back in the swing of it with a full day of activities and play. The mood was electric and our kids are just so happy to be outside playing with their friends. I was touring a new prospective family today and the parents were in awe as the mom in my golf cart said to me, “You have amazing facilities and activities here but I cant get over how happy the kids are.” She had tears in her eyes as we ended the tour, she leaned over to her husband and whispered, “This is what we want for him, a place that makes him this happy.” I was so happy to have heard her words. They spent an hour and a half at our home and they got the feeling of why Chenny is so magical.

I witnessed something pretty special today as a Middy boy tried the trapeze for the first time today, you could see his hesitation and nerves but he mustered up all his strength and headed up that ladder. He reached out and trusted the circus counselor who had a hold of his harness as he reached out to grab the bar. With one deep breath, he stepped off the ledge and flew. Like this experience of camp, he trusted someone else to hold him when he was frightened and then after soaring back and forth on that giant trapeze, he let go and that huge net below provided safety as he dropped. That net is all of us here. We are each a piece of the net that catches each other. It so easy to see how in the past 3 weeks we have all unplugged, connected to each other and have provided that human connection that makes us better people. I was so glad to watch this camper soar.

Our athletes were back on the fields and courts and ready to play.

Middy Girls Tennis – CAW 0 @ Starlight 5

Middy Girls Softball – CAW 2 vs. Starlight 8

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 4 vs. Towanda 3

Inter Boys Tennis – CAW 0 @ Starlight 5

Collegiate Boys Baseball – CAW 8 vs. Towanda 10

Senior Boys Basketball – CAW 42 @ Starlight 57

Senior/Super Boys Hockey – CAW 9 vs. Equinunk 2

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 8 @ Starlight 1

What a fun night we had as the Chicago Boyz dazzled us with their amazing acrobatic stunts. This troupe was on Americas Got Talent and the kids went wild as they  took center stage. The blew our minds with their talent and had us all oooohhhing and aaahhhhing. The jumped and twisted and flipped and turned and we were amazed at what we were watching. Everyone was into it and it was a great show. Just an awesome way to end this awesome day!!!

Chenny out.

 

There is nothing in this world better than that first hug you get on Visiting Day from your kids after not seeing or holding them for 3 weeks. We all know logically that sending our kids away to camp all summer long will enrich their lives and benefit their growth as human beings but not being able to hold, hug and talk to our children for 3 weeks is hard. That space makes today so intense. You can feel the anticipation and excitement as our all families line up at the gate, bags overloaded, siblings in tow and a smiles so large you can actually feel the intensity of that moment when you are reunited with your kids. That first embrace when you have your babies back in your arms is like no other feeling that can be easily described but is so full of emotion and it makes everything right in the world.  We have the privilege of watching you and your families experience pure bliss right in front of our eyes. All is right in the world when your kids are back in your arms. It takes a leap of faith and a tremendous amount of trust  when you send them off and out in the world and from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you trusting us to take care of your precious babies.

We hope you all had an amazing day at this amazing place. We hope you felt the love that your kids feel here everyday. It is a place like no other and today was remarkable. The ideal weather was set for a perfect day here at Chenny. We hope you enjoyed all the fun things your kids do on a daily here but more important than the waterfront and climbing tower, we hope you felt a sense of kindness and love from the staff who take care of your kids when you aren’t with them. We hope you felt what they feel everyday. I always tell the kids that the magic of this place isn’t the stuff but its every single person inside our gates that makes this place a home. So for this day, visiting day we hope your heart was full and you saw how your children have thrived for the past 3 weeks surrounded by beautiful kind and caring people who love them so.

When the last car rolled out, it was back to business and though there were some tears and heavy hearts, we were there to pick them up and stand by their side. Every single one of them got through their moments of sadness and even fought through their doubts they could do this, they did it. These moments allow them to grow with confidence that they can get through it, navigate murky waters and get across that river to the other side. We, as parents can coach them but it’s here where they truly learn these empowering life lessons that they strong, powerful and capable to get through anything.

After dinner, it was all about Chenny Jam. Girls were head-to-toe in pink and boys side were all sporting everything black. This was such an intense game with prizes, dance parties and sing-a-longs. There was no better way to get the kids right back into the camp spirit. It was neck and neck to the very last second but boys side won with a  51-50 victory over girls side. The excitement was off the charts and there was not a camper who didn’t have the time of their life tonight. It was just that much fun.

We had the best day watching you and your families enjoy your day. Thank you for being a part of our family. Our hearts are full today and we hope yours are too.

Chenny out.

You can’t escape the excitement of what is happening tomorrow. Everyone is getting so very excited to see their families and the feeling here is unreal. We are all so excited for what tomorrow will bring. The kids just could not be more excited to see you and the day was spent getting our summer home ready for you. The campers made signs, cleaned their bunks and made everything just perfect for your arrival.

Even with the anticipation of tomorrow, we were able to play some great games.

Girls Middy Basketball – CAW 12 vs. Island Lake 24

Girls Inter Softball – CAW 9 @ Pearlman 3

Girls Collegiate LAX – CAW 7 @ Starlight 9

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 9 vs. Lohikan 0

Inter Boys Baseball – CAW 8 vs. Starlight 4

Super Boys Soccer – CAW 4 @ Westmont 0

GC/CIT Boys Soccer – CAW 1 vs. Starlight 0 (CAW wins in overtime)

GC/CIT Basketball – CAW 54 @ Nesher 13

We honored our Campers of the Week and we are so thrilled to give these campers their very well deserved Camper of the week Sunglasses. They wear them with pride and they should. They are great campers with tremendous character.

Freshman – Alexis Greenblatt & Jake Mongeluzza

Juniors – Samantha Simson & Charlie Horton

Middies – Jolie Krieger & Ben Gruberger

Inters – Summer Housenbold & Jake Weiss

Collegiates – Jillian Oresky & Tyler Katz

Seniors – Alexa Becker & Jared Simpson

Supers – Lindsay Komson & Derek Wills

GC’s – Ally Heller & Ben Einzig

CIT’s – Shelby Myers & Zach Olson

Tonight was so much fun as we were all in Shields Hall watching a camp favorite show, Minute To Win It. Campers were having a ball trying to get the cookie of their forehead into there mouths without hands. It was hilarious. So many laughs, so many games. As the show ended, that rain came into camp so we waited it out with a giant dance party in the Hall. It was awesome. The energy was electric and the kids are feeling the excitement with what is happening tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you all tomorrow morning.

Chenny out

 

Camp brings out the best of us, if you let it, let go and believe. We try and convey the beauty of what happens inside our gates with our pictures, videos and this blog but honestly there is just no way to truly give justice to how it feels in here. I sit and watch your children blossom and create connections that change their lives. Every day here deepens our connections to each other. There is no perfect place but this comes pretty close. When you see kids talking to one another day after day after day, amazing at it sounds, that just doesn’t happen out in the real world and what you have given your kids is priceless.  The experience of friendship on such a deeper level it changes how they will walk in the world and how they see themselves. There is such a freedom here to be exactly who they are intended to be and they are accepted for it. I sat and watched your kids playing on the swings this afternoon. You wouldn’t believe how much joy swinging on swings bring them. No screens, no phones, no iPads monopolizing their minds, just fresh air and being able to play and connect. That is the magic of what we see each and every day we are here. We can’t possibly go backwards eliminating phones and iPads from our lives but here, in this world going backwards without them feels like we have leaped 1ooo steps forward by not having them. I am realistic enough to know that in mid August when my kids go home, they will grab their phones and get sucked into that world of posting instead of talking, they will start texting in lieu of holding their friends hands but for this time, right now, in this moment – they are truly connecting and for that I am forever grateful.

Our Girls Side athletes played hard with tons of heart:

Gymnastics Tourney @ Bryn Mawr – CAW comes in 6th Overall (out of 14)

Girls Inter Soccer – CAW 10 vs. Perlman 0

Girls Super Tennis – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 3

Girls GC/CIT  LAX – CAW 12 vs. Lohikan 7

 

When we launched our Kind Camper Program, it started with about 100 nominations and over the 3 years, we have watched it grow to a place we never thought possible. We sit in our office reading each and every single nomination and cry with joy to read how our campers are treating one another and the acts of kindness  they show to one another. There is an overwhelming sense that we take care of each other here and we make those around us feel good. This is definitely the best part what I do here, read and watch how kind we all can be. When I stand in front of your kids, ready to announce the weeks Kind Campers, there is a pride we all feel knowing that I am about to highlight some pretty special kids. And when I announce each name, there is screaming with joy as WE ALL honor those among us that were chosen for their generous spirit and kind heart. It is with such joy that we announce this weeks Kindest Campers: Sophie Hornick, Ava DeRose, Lexi Nelson, Lindsay Gelfman, Addy Rubbovitz, Charley Halpern, Shelli Limsky, Emma Denson, Ava Giarantarra, Lily Passen, Liv mall or, Riley Jacobson, Bella Goodman, Alexa Selter, Jordan Katz, Syd Levitz, Kelsey Bloom, Sophia Jaffe, Gabby Katz, Emery Cohen, Evan Kay, Brandon Jaffe, Jake Mongeluza, Charlie Horton, Zach Friedman, Cole Wallis, Max Leff, Cole Weiss, Josh Klein, Gavin Ryback, Ben Schuster, Brady Bornstein, Mike Hellerman.

 

Chenny’s Got Talent, Yes We Do!!!  And tonights semi-final show was off the charts… To feel the love in Shields Hall tonight was to be in the presence of something pretty special and moving. When our kids take that stage, no matter if they  play guitar, sing, dance, beatbox or tell jokes they receive an ovation of cheers followed by hundreds of people screaming for them.  Can you imagine the feeling of getting that response when you put your talent out their in the Chen-A-Wanda universe? It’s insanely awesome and those kids who performed tonight loved every minute of it. We know that for those campers who stood on that stage and entertained us all tonight, they felt the love. We all felt it and you couldn’t help but leave Shields Hall tonight with huge smile and a happy heart. A Huge Congratulations to every camper who performed tonight for our camp favorite show Chenny’s Got Talent. We advanced our Top 8 that are vying for the Grand Prize. Congratulations to Laine Bishop, Ally Heller & Maya Cohen, Drew Schimmer, Gabby Hoffman & Ava Cahn, Emma Goldenberg, Austin Frankle, Sami Miller, Ashley Sukoff.  We cant wait to see you shine in the finals!!!!

We are getting ready for you and your kids just cant wait to see you TOMORROW!!!!!! Our gates open at 10am.. Drive safe and see you on Saturday.

Chenny out.

It was a brunch wake up today and we all LOVED the extra sleep. After our lazy sleep-in morning, it was off to the Carnival for one amazingly fun day. There were dunk tanks, carnival games, water slides, cow milking, inflatable obstacle courses, snow cones, cotton candy and so much more. The highlight at today’s carnival was without a doubt the Gaming Truck we brought in and the giant Foam Pit Party. Our campers were diving into the foam, jumping around and getting covered head to toe with loads of bubbly fun. It was by far the campers favorite today. It’s a camp tradition to give away Carnival T-shirts on this special day and this years was a huge hit. All our campers were proudly sporting the coolest carnival T-shirt to date. They looked fly and camp looked completely in synch with everyone wearing their Carnival shirts!

The Carnival wrapped up at 4pm but at around 3:45  it was a downpour and there wasn’t a camper or staff member who wasn’t dancing in the rain. We got soaked and it was so much fun. When is the last time it rained and you just stomped in puddles looking to jump into them? When it rained so hard you just laughed getting soaked form head-to-toe and didn’t care for a minute how wet you were or how soaking your sneakers were. That was how our carnival ended today, with everyone drenched and everyone loving it!!!!

It was a fantastic night of Deal or No Deal for our Cherokee and Mohican campers as they vied for great prizes. Everyone was on the edge of their seat watching the board and hoping to keep the good prizes in play. The campers were loving the excitement of our own favorite game show hosted by our beautiful CIT girls. Our Navajo campers had their own fun with an awesome night at Fiddle Lake, chilling out with a campfire on the beach. They relaxed and chilled with friends, ate s’mores and had a blast. The sunset was spectacular and it was an absolutely perfect night at Chenny.

It was a sweet day and now sweet dreams for your children and only 2 more days until you all come to camp and see  where they have been thriving all summer long.

Chenny out.