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It was late wakeup and we all loved the extra sleep. The pace of camp is fast and furious so when we get to sleep in we all love it and today was that day. It was off to activities and a full day of crazy Chenny fun. The campus was buzzing between Chenny’s Got Talent Finals tonight and Girls Sing tomorrow night. There is so much going here and everyone is involved. You just gotta love camp and you gotta really love Chenny. This place where your children spend their summers is full of so many things happening you can go form one incredible activity to the next in the matter of moments. It is truly one incredible place we all call home and with only 2 more weeks to go, we are getting it all in and enjoying every single minute. Life is just great here and we have 14 more days to live it up at Chenny and that is what we plan on doing.

Now onto our sports scores of the day:

Middy Girls Basketball Championship Game – CAW 10 @ Lavi 13

Inter Girls Soccer – CAW 4 vs. Westmont 2 – Chenny is going to the Championship Game

GC/CIT Girls LAX – CAW 12 vs. Starlight 16

Middy Boys Basketball – CAW 12 @Tioga 21

Middy Boys Soccer Tournament – CAW took 3rd Place in Tourney

GC/CIT Boys Baseball – CAW 15 vs. Poyntelle 0 – Chenny is going to the Championship Game

We have so many talented campers here and they put on quite a show tonight. It was Chenny’s Got Talent Finals and boy do we have some incredible talent.  All 6 of our finalists took the stage and wow’d us with their incredible talents.  They were fearless and phenomenal. They engaged us and entertained us. They were just brilliant and tonight was all about their special talented abilities. Congratulations to Emma Goldenberg, Ashley Suchoff, Sam Rochlin,  Drew Schimer, Arielle Ashkenase and the Three Muskateers (Zoe Grabow, Jesse Gatto and Brooke Bortnick). After all the finalists performed, the vote was in our campers hands and tonights winner went to the amazing and dazzling, we cant believe it with our own eyes, Magician SAM ROCHLIN. His card tricks were so outstanding, we couldn’t believe what he was dong right in front of our eyes. We are so proud of every one of our campers who competed tonight and took that stage and gave it everything they had with such confidence and poise. What a night we all had. Chenny has got some serious talented kids. We know that one day we will say, we knew them when……

Chenny Out

We have heard that phrase before and at camp it certainly does take a village. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t sit in awe of what kind of village we have here. The term village applies to every aspect of this experience. People who just met only 5 weeks ago are now family. You cant walk by people here without feeling the strongest connection. There was a camper that was having a hard moment today. She was sad and stuck and immediately had 10 people around her. I watched not only her bunk mates and counselor but 3 older campers and a specialist that wasn’t even in her division , go to her and give support. She had a a team of people to pick her up. Whatever disappointment she was feeling was immediately seen by anyone who walked by and was drawn to help her. They listened to her, hugged her and got her through this moment. I want you to know  that this is how your kids get through the tough spots here. It is the magic of leaning on others that give a helping hand. It is a village who cares for your kids here. There is nobody that doesn’t receive this support here. Can you imagine feeling sad and have people, lots of people rush to you and tell you its going to be alright while they are literally putting their arms around you? This actually happens here on the daily here. I often tell our kids here that the only way to move that mountain in front of you is to lean on those around you and they will carry you through. It works.. I see it everyday as your children get support and provide it for others. There is this caring thing that is alive and well here and we get to experience this for 50 days, all summer long. feeling pretty grateful that there is a place where this attention too caring for others is front and center.

It was time to play some games today and that we did.

Middy Girls Soccer – CAW 0 @ Starlight 5

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 5

Senior Girls Tennis – CAW 0 @ Wayne 5

GC/CIT Girls Soccer – CAW 5 @ Westmont 2

Freshman/Junior Boys Hockey – CAW 4 @ Starlight 20

Inters Boys Softball – CAW 3 @ Seneca Lake 4

Collegiate Boys Baseball – CAW 6 @ Starlight 4

Senior Boys Baseball – CAW 1 vs. Westmont 9

Magic Cube entertained our lower camp kids with an awesome game show full of trivia, games and a pie in the face. Our kids loved it and had a great night. There was so much laughter coming from Shields Hall tonight. Navajo campers were in the Lodge and played QUEST. They were all separated onto teams wearing different colors competing against one another in crazy quests. They loved it too. It was just an awesome camp night with all our campers having fun. It’s going to be hard for these kids to go back home after spending every night here being engaged and entrained.. The life of a Chenny kid is uber fun!!

Our Supers rolled back into camp full of memories they just made that will last their lifetime. So many stories, so much bonding, so much fun and so much LOVE. This group became one division this trip. They left as a bunch of bunks and came back a DIVISION. This is what the camp journey is all about. These kids have spent summer after summer here at camp and their Super summer, they bond like no other summer can provide. It happens on this trip. The endless hours on the bus in which they connect, and get to know one another in a way they haven’t before. They now have inside jokes and stories that belong to them as a group. Getting caught in a down pour in DC to literally sweating bullets on the beach in Virginia- they did this together. When they got off the buses, though exhausted from a  very full 4 days, their joy was undeniable. Every single camper, hugged us and thanked us for a trip that was their best. One camper summed it up so beautifully as he said, “Just when you thought camp couldn’t get better, it just did.” He thanked Jon and myself , hugged us both and walked off to his bunk with a smile that was so genuine, it made my heart melt. We have known these campers for years and to watch them get to this stage is joyful. They have grown up in front of our eyes and this trip was so meaningful to each one of them. Life is so great.

Chenny out.

 

Our day started with a bang. Our GC’s rolled back into camp and there was just joy as they got off the buses. When camp heard that they were back, campers swarmed around Chenny Central waiting to see our Wandering GC’s come back home.They made signs and as those buses rolled through the gates, we were all jumping and cheering with pure joy. That is what makes this place so joyful. It’s where everyone knows you name. Little kids, big kids, counselors, nurses, head staff, we are ALL CONNECTED to one another here. You see it by the hugs and piggy back rides we give one another all throughout the day and when our GC’s came back this morning, they were greeted with hugs, cheers and so much love. All of us wanting to know just how great their trip was. Just like a family, when one member comes home form being away, we anxiously await their return and thats how it was this morning. I sat watching this spectacle of love, smiling from what we have going on up here. Chenny is a place where everybody knows your name.

We are so beyond proud of our Lower camp girls who took 1st Place at the Tyler Hill Dance Competition. They worked so hard on their dance and it showed as they wowed the judges with their ability, technique, stage presence and overall effect. They were a force to be reckoned and had a blast of a day dancing all the way to 1st Place!!!!

Ineter Boys Basketball – CAW 29 vs. Morasha 43

Collegiate Boys Basketball – CAW 24 @ Tioga 39

Seniors Boys Hockey Tournament @ Lokanda – Game 1 CAW 1 vs. Timberlake 4 – Game 2 CAW 1 vs. Lokanda 5

Though we are in July, it was Halloween tonight at Camp Chen-A-Wanda and we all got in the spirit. We all got dressed in our costumes and had a ball all throughout camp as we trick or treated filling our bags full of candy. The costumes were awesome and everyone was in the Halloween spirit. There was spooky music all throughout camp and even a haunted house. It was the perfect summer halloween night. With bellies full of goodies, our campers are fast asleep, dreaming of another amazing day in paradise.

Chenny out.

 

Can you say AMAZING DAY at Chenny!!!!! What an incredible day each and every one of has today. The temperature was hot so all lower camp campers got into their bathing suits and played water games all day long. There was a giant pool party, water relays, kickball with water balloons and the Zone was the place to be. There wasn’t a camper who didn’t have the BEST DAY today.. It was one of those days that will stick out as the summers best for our youngest campers. They just enjoyed themselves at camp as all the older kids were off on their trips, the younger kids took over and it was off the charts fun. Today reminded us how special it is to be a kid here at Chenny. A lot of music, a ton of water, some insanely creative activities and put all that together and you have some very happy campers.

Collegiate’s left early this morning for their trip to Great Wolf Lodge and they had a blast too. They spent their day at the water park and so enjoyed their time there. The entire day was spent in the water and it was a perfect day. They came home exhausted, exhilarated and happy. You couldn’t ask for more as they got off the buses with huge smiles and sleepy faces.

Our Seniors rolled back into camp late tonight from their 2-day excursion to Hershey Park and this group of kids LOVED it. It was a homerun as they ate chocolate, rode rides, spent hours in the water park, won huge oversized stuffed animals at the arcade and had the time of their life. It was a perfect trip for our Seniors who had a ball these past 2 days. Another successful excursion was had by our Seniors.

The Supers are still on the road and spent their day at Virginia Beach. It was hot so no better way than to cool off than playing in the ocean. They relaxed and tanned, talked and jumped in the water and had a picture perfect day at the beach. It was off to Busch Gardens for some evening fun but soon after the group arrived, the rain came so it was back to the hotel for a pizza party and this group loved it. They are having so much fun and loving this excursion. What a terrific group of kids who are so enjoying this trip together.

Our GC’s are headed home as they depart Phoenix in a  few hours. They land in the morning and will be back at camp by lunch. We miss them and can’t wait to see them back at their summer home. They just went on a trip of a lifetime and we couldn’t be happier for the experiences and adventures they had. The CIT’s had a full of exploring Ithica and its natural beauty. All our kids had an amazing day. From the Freshman to our CIT’s, it was just the best day. One that sticks out as a pretty awesome day in summer 16. How lucky are your children to get to experience summers like this. You have given them a gift that will forever be etched in how they were raised and what experiences help shape them into the people they are growing into and becoming. When they look back at their summers at Chenny, days like these will standout!

Chenny out.

Early this morning, our Supers boarded the buses and off they went for their 4 day adventure to Virginia/D.C. and they were pumped. They all eagerly got up at the crack of dawn, grabbed some breakfast and you could see how excited they were to head off camp for an incredible trip they have ahead of them. They were giddy and the smiles said it all. This trip brings this group of kids together as one division. It bonds them unlike any trip they have been on before here at Chenny. They are ready for this 4 day experience that is all about them as a division. The sights they will see, the places they will go and even the bus rides is just them. Every year I love watching this group leave and get so excited when they return because something magical happens on this trip. They spend 4 days with ones another, without distraction or interruption. They grow together as a group and the memories they make form this journey together defines them as a unified division. They had an amazing first day as they stopped along the way at Towson Mall for some lunch and shopping followed by an afternoon that went into the night at Kings Dominion Amusement Park. They had a ball and are back in their rooms, exhausted from a full day of fun. They are loving it and it’s only day 1.. More fun to come tomorrow.

Our Seniors left soon after on their own trip to Hershey Park. They get to spend 2 full days at the park and they too are loving this trip. It rained a bit at the park today but our campers could care less. They were with each other, eating chocolate like it was going out of style and loving every minute. We also saw that it truly doesn’t matter where you go but who you go with that matters. You could go to Disneyland by yourself and you would probably have a not so great of a time but you can be with your friends sitting in your backyard and have the time of your life. Rain or shine, these kids loved their day at the park and loved being together. They are back safe and sound in they hotel room, and they too exhausted from a long day.It’s an early rise tomorrow morning as the head back to Hershey Park.

The GC’s trip is winding down and they are enjoying some down time in Phoenix in the pool and watermark at the resort. They have had a packed 10 days on the road and to say they loved every step of the way is an understatement. We cant wait to get our GC’s back but they have one more day to go and they deserve every second of this experience. They were so well mannered, kind and respectful along the way and we are so proud of each and every one of them.

It was a rainy day and if I can tell you how much we all loved to downshift, it wouldn’t do it justice. When it rains up here at camp, it’s an experience. Being on your bunk, cuddled up with friends, playing jacks or cards, listening to music and chilling out is something we rarely get to do. You know this days that you never want ti get out of your pajamas, well that was today. It felt lazy and it felt good. We loved today and a little rain cooled down camp and allowed us all to downshift and have a child out afternoon.

Our lower camp gymnasts had an incredible day at their competition at Bryn Mawr. We are so proud of our team who placed 3rd out of 13 Wayne County camps that competed today. We are so proud of our kids who worked hard and gave it everything they had. With smiles on their faces and Chenny pride in their hearts, they did their best and we couldn’t be happier for them.

Our Collegiate Girls softball team beat Westmont today in softball with a  3 -0 victory. Lucky for the girls, they got their game in before the rain hit. We are proud of our girls who are headed to the Championship game.

We had another incredible night of some serious Chenny talent. It was Cherokee Talent night and these kids brought the sparkle to our stage. They danced and sang and made us laugh all night long. It always makes me smile when I watch your children take center stage. Regardless if they stand alone on that stage or are with their friends, they have a confidence that is electric. There is just no fear and they feel so good about themselves. I stand in the back of Shields Hall with a smile that comes form my heart because I see your kids do things they probably would never do at home. I know many of you say, my kids would just never do what they do at camp back here at home. It is inexplainable how much I love to watch your children get up on that stage in front of their friends and perform. They just are never alone at Chenny as they get cheered along the way followed by a standing ovation. It is just respect we show our friends here and it changes who we are. They are free to be silly and dramatic, they are encouraged to be perfectly imperfect. Missed dance steps and crackling voices just don’t matter here. The end result isn’t to be picture perfect but it is truly to bring the fun and joy of just getting up on that stage. Our kids get it and I am so glad they do because every performance makes us smile. It was a great night and it’s good to be a Chenny kid!!!

Chenny out.