Category: Uncategorized

The sun was out and the day was incredible. It is as if we all now our time here is numbered in days so we are doing every activity, we are playing every game and we are getting it all in before August 13th. With only a week and a half to go, life continues to be great up here and the smiles on your children’s faces say it all.  It’s like a dream that we don’t want to wake up from so until those buses roll into camp to bring us back to our homes, we are embracing every moment we have here.

It was a pretty awesome day for our athletes.. We are Wayne County Champions!!!!

Freshman/Jr/Middy Girls Soccer Tourney @ Weastmont  – CAW 0 @ Westmont 3 / CAW 4 vs. Tioga 2

Inter Girls Soccer – CAW 3 vs. Starlight 0 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 0 vs. Lohikan 6 – CAW

GC/CIT Girls Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Starlight 0 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONS!!!

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Westmont 6

Collegiate Boys Baseball – CAW9 vs. Westmont 4 – CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

Super Boys Soccer – CAW2 @ Starlight 1- CAW WINS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 7 vs Lohikan – CAW WINS CHAMPION!!!!

Boy did we put on a show tonight as our Circus show took our breath away.We had tumblers and acrobats, adagios and lyra performances. There were single trapezes and spanish webs and our kids dazzled us with their abilities on the triple trapeze. To watch our kids create a performance that defies gravity and takes total 100% concentration and are able to execute with such ease and grace is a testament to our Circus Directors and specialists. Michael and Rodrigo along with their team of Olivia, Annie, Mikaela and Lianna produced a show that was spectacular. From start to finish our minds were blown as we watched our kids dazzle and razzle us. To watch our kids pour their heart and soul into this program and show us all what dedication looks like is truly what its all about. There is nothing we can’t do when we apply ourselves and try until we get it. So many kids may look at that huge trapeze and see it’s enormity as something they can’t do but this summer, our campers saw what they can do and we could not be more proud of each one of them. The soared tonight and literally flew to new heights. They worked so hard and it showed. The show was phenomenal, funny, entertaining, electric and just plain awesome.

There isn’t one person on this campus that thought tonight was the night. We LOVE surprises and tonight was the night. Color War 2016 break was insane and nobody anticipated it happening this soon. As everyone made their way down the hill from the most amazing circus show we just put on, it was line-up for canteen. Just as the freshman were making their way to the canteen, Shields Hall erupted with DC Marvel/Batman music and all the kids ran into the Hall to find Batman and Captain America standing there with the huge white screen behind them. The place was going nuts, the chants were filling every space inside the Hall and then, it happened… A letter came across the screen..while a very eloquent english voice read the following message:

t’was the night before color war when all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The freshman were sleeping, with all their beds made

while the CIT’s were planning their 17th raid

When on top of Shields Hall, there arose such a clatter

That the GC’s awoke to see what was the matter

They looked to their left, then they looked to their right

and discovered that Color War was breaking TONIGHT!!

HEAD TO THE LODGE!!!!!

 And with that the entire camp picked and ran to The Lodge  – It was lit up like a Christmas Tree, actually we literally have a 25 foot Christmas tree decorated from top to bottom in the entrance. The smell of pine filled the lodge and it was breathtaking. Twinkling  lights where everywhere and it made this night so festive. The Lodge has never looked his beautiful. At the other end of the Lodge were Tiki Huts, Paddle boards, sand, kayaks and loads of oversized beach balls. The kids ran in to see Santa and Mrs. Claus handing out candy canes while holiday music was creating the mood. After we rocked out to Surfin’ USA, the entire lodge danced to Hanukkah O’ Hanukkah and were ready for latkas and apple sauce. The fun and giant surprise that nobody expected made this night spectacular. After we announced the Lieutenants and Captains, handed out the T-shirts and went over tomorrows schedules, Holiday Cookies and Capri Sun drinks were handed out to all campers as they left the Lodge with huge smiles on their faces. Oh what a night we had.. and now for the most awesome next 5 days. 1..2..3..4.. Chenny has a Color War!

Chenny out.

Our Cherokee campers (Freshmen – Middies) spent today cooling off at Camel Beach. It was water ride after water ride and we had some very happy Cherokee campers today. The sun was hot but we were cool.  As the sun set, it was dinner at the park then back to camp.  What could better than that? Not much for our youngest campers. They got off the bus, all exhausted and all equally loving their biggest trip yet.

Mohican campers (Inters & Collegiates) spent the afternoon at the State Park. Their very chill afternoon was spent hanging out in the lake, having a catch together and just enjoying the beautiful day they had. It was a perfect to sit back, relax and enjoy each other. Then it was to the movies to catch a summer block buster. What could be better than a relaxing afternoon at the park, followed by a night at the movies. All Mohican campers are back in their bunks with smiles on their faces, tummies full from all that popcorn and a day they all enjoyed so much.

Navajo campers (Seniors – GC’s) spent their last trip day at Dorney Park and it was awesome. Rides, games, food and friends was the ideal combination for their picture perfect day. They rolled back into camp, all exhausted but with smiles on their faces. They went big for their last trip and Dorney was just an incredible place to spend their last trip day of summer 2016.

Our CIT’s arrived safely back at camp from their amazing 3 day trip to Lake George. It was an adventurers paradise. They white water rafted, they climbed intense adventure courses, the zipped across beautiful forests and they experienced an awesome 3 days as they end their Chenny camper experience.  Getting to this stage and seeing your camper years coming to an end in this way makes for a truly perfect ending for these incredible young adults.  This is truly a remarkable group of kids who we are proud to have watched grow up in front of our eyes.

This is what Chenny summer’s are  all about. Sharing these amazing days with some of the most amazing people we have ever met and choosing to come back every summer and do it again. All of your kids are safely back at camp, sleeping soundly in their bunks. A perfect ending to Summer 2016 last trip day.

Get ready Chenny, now with our trips for Summer 2016 officially in the books……. looks like Chenny may be getting ready for Color War.

Chenny out

It is crazy to think that in just 12 days your children will be back home with you. It feels like we have been here forever and living in this Chen-A-Wanda bubble is nearing the last phase for summer 2016. With only such short time to go, we are gearing up for some insane days ahead. Twelve days is still an eternity here with Color War, the Circus show, Chenny Globes, Late Night With Leahy and of course Banquet, we have some serious great times ahead of us and we are not going to waste one minute of what lays ahead.

And now from our Chen-A-Wanda sports desk:

Middy Girls Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 5

Inter Girls Soccer – CAW 2 @ Towanda 4

Collegiate Girls Tennis – CAW 1 vs. Tioga 4

Freshman/Junior Boys Tennis – rescheduled to due weather

Middy Boys Tennis Tourney @ Independent Lake – rescheduled to due weather

Collegiate Boys Softball – CAW 15 vs. Lavi 0

Super/GC Boys Soccer – CAW 3 vs. Independent Lake 2

Tonight’s evening activity was our summer production of Legally Blonde. Our campers took center stage and sang, acted and danced. Shields Hall was packed and all we couldn’t be more proud of our actors up on that stage. The courage and confidence it takes to perform will forever stay inside every single one of our kids. They jumped for joy after the performance with so much excited celebration on what they just accomplished. Whenever our campers are on stage, everyone gets behind them. It is what makes this camp a family.We knew how much time, effort and dedication our actors put into this production and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who performed tonight. Bravo to the cast and we thank you for putting on quite a fun show tonight. Hamilton has nothing on our Chenny kids tonight!!!!

Chenny out.

Today was Rookie day and we hosted a great group of potential Chenny Kids. They arrived all eager and excited to start their journey. With that first step into sleep away camp, I sat watching their faces as they separated from their parents, all excited, some nervous but with an eagerness to explore this next step. What was interesting throughout the day was to watch the older kids notice these new young kids, start their Chenny journey. I over heard one of our older kids say to his buddy, “remember when we were rookies?” They smiled to one another as to acknowledge this journey goes so quick. Faster than you can imagine. I watched these rookies from their very beginning. Some I’ve seen over the years at Visiting Day as they visit their big sister or big brother and now it’s their turn. Some are brand new to Chenny but equally amazed about this whole experience. I see the beginning and I see the end and everything in between. When you pick the camp for your children, it is such a huge decision as you are making a choice on where they will grow up and that will change who they are, forever. I had so much joy in my heart today watching their first steps, these rookies who spent their day with us. They may have rode the Great Big Mable in Fiddle Lake today, or hit a wiffle ball way over the big red monster this afternoon but what they really did was take their first step into what will most definitely change the course of who they become. It was an absolute honor to be part of that process. Was a great day at Camp Chen-A-Wanda as we were able to introduce it’s magic on a whole new group of amazing kids.

Our dance team took 2nd place at the Wayne dance competition today. We are so proud of our contemporary dance group as they dazzled the judges with their beautiful lyrical performance. There were so many amazing performances today and Chenny just blew everyone away. Our girls are graceful and had the time of their lives today.

A GIANT congratulations to or Collegiate Girls Basketball team as they are Wayne County Champions defeating Morahsa with a  41-24 victory in todays Championship game. In true Chenny form, it was a jump in the lake after the win!!! Our girl swede fierce and played one heck of a game.

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 10

Super Boys Basketball – CAW 28 @ Island Lake 45

Congratulations to our Campers of the Week – They were spectacular camper wall week long.

Freshman         Skye Housenbold  &  Alex Minkoff

Juniors              Eden Lebovitch   & Jonah Burke

Middies             Sydney Sacks  & Zach Marasia

Inters                 Shaya Roth  & Max Gutman

Collegiates         Lexi Gruberger   & Zach Goodman

Seniors               Sarah Haber   & Aarn Marasia

Supers                 Kaley Morabito  & Andrew Larheim & Drew Korn

CIT’s                     Mel Borker  & Reed Dooskin

It was a great week to be kind here at Chenny. Our Kind Campers are: Ally Schwarz, Addy Goldstein, Samara Goldman, Dylan Grabow, Sloane Irizarry, Elaina hammy, Emily Kushner, Elana Kessler, Sammie Pariser, Addy Rubbovitz, Alex Mallor, Alexa Selter, Hailey Nydish, Gracie Murphy, Skyler Fensterstock, Abby Nussbaum, Tyler Agulnick, Alex Berman. Ethan Coulthard, Alex Gatto, Noah Kule, Benji Herzog, Jagger Morgan, Jared Simpson & Bradem Schwartz.

Tonight was Head Staff Lip Sync Battle and they show was insane. It was a night to remember and our Dance and Fitness Director, Sandra Belleiu was crowned the unanimous winner of the battle and won for the entire Middy division. She took control and put on 2 performances that brought us out of our seats. It was a night that nobody will forget.

Chenny out.

There seems to be a vibe on camp that is quite contagious. As we are quickly approaching the last two weeks of camp, there is a renewed appreciation of where we are. We are all noticing how fast our summer is going by so we aren’t sweating the small stuff here. Everyone is relaxed and fully embracing the home stretch of summer 2016. We are trying to stretch the days and lengthen the nights. With each bugle that rings it means that time is passing and soon we will be heading home so we are getting it all in while we can and making every second matter. Friendships are becoming deeper and more meaningful by the minute. In just two weeks our hugs and long talks face-to-face will be replaced with texts that read ilysm (I love you so much – for those of you who don’t know text talk). The smiles we see everyday will soon become a little happy face emoji we type into a screen. It’s unreal that what we experience here everyday has to end in just fourteen days but what we are left with are hearts full of great memories and a summer that embraced us all.

The afternoon brought rain so even though it was a wet day, it didn’t damper the mood of what was happening tonight at camp. There are so many new things here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda and then there are those things that stay the exact same. Girls Sings is one of those very long standing Chenny traditions that we can count on summer after summer. The pride, the joy and the honor of this night is tremendous. Each division worked so hard and it showed. When boys side can sit in awe for 2 hours, you know something special is happening. The support boys side gives girls side is just breathtaking. From our adorable freshmen through our crazy talented CIT’s, they all brought the house down. I could never bring justice to describing the bonds these girls have with one another but watching them up on stage perform together allows us all to witness it for ourselves.  They have all created a sisterhood that will follow them throughout their lives.  Each division picked a theme, danced and sang from their heart. The emotion that was felt by every single camper and staff inside Shield’s Hall could have moved the building. There were chills upon chills upon chills as each division wrote and sang their alma mater to a very captive audience. They held hands and did it together and by the time the CIT’s performed an extremely heartfelt performance, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Congratulations goes out to the Middy girls for winning lower camp and our CIT’s brought home the win for upper camp. Even though winners were crowned, this night was not a loss for anyone. Girls side grew closer as they shared something with their division that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. As the CIT’s captivated the audience with their very emotional performance, the reality set in that this was their last Girls Sing as a camper. The tears were flowing in Shields Hall tonight and you just couldn’t help get caught up in it. When you watch the Freshmen begin their journey and see the evolution of how strong these friendships become,  you just feel so grateful that our kids get to experience this. There are just no words but an enormous amount of love.

Chenny out