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After all the countdowns and get togethers, preparing and packing, play dates and sleepovers, Camp is finally here. I sit in awe of each of our families as I watch you hug your campers so tight, tell them how much you will miss them this summer and send them on their way.  You have given them a gift that will enhance and change their lives forever. What lies ahead of every single one of them is magical and life changing. They will make new friends and try new things they thought never would. They will laugh and they will cry. They will sing and they will dance. They will find their voice and they will gain confidence and a sense of independence they didn’t know they had. They will win and they will loose. They will be part of a summer family that will change the way they view the world. They will make friends with people from all around the world who will inspire them to be the best they can be. They will navigate their way through this amazing place they will call home for the next 50 days. Your kids journey starts today!!!

No amount of rain can damper the spirit of this place and as your kids got off the buses, the returning campers jumped into the arms of their friends and hugs to the familiar staffers they have missed all year long. Our new campers were met with open arms and an excitement that was contagious. The campers got checked for lice before running to they bunks to see where they will be living for the next seven weeks. Since the rain didn’t allow for outside play, it was hanging in the bunks for an afternoon of getting to know you or reconnecting. Card games and mad libs were out in full force and real life connecting was in motion. Tagging on Instagram was quickly replaced with real face-to-face conversations and Likes on Facebook pails in comparison to holding hands and piggyback rides. It was afternoon full of connecting, what our children crave and so desperately deserve.

After our bellies were full of delicious food from dinner it was time for a true Chenny dance party and that is exactly what we did. We boogied down and danced on the tables. We sang out loud and let loose. This is what we all do at Camp Chen-A-Wanda, we sing loud and dance without hesitation. The energy in The Lodge was electric and the mood was insanely fun. Your kids let loose tonight and it was AWESOME!!!!

Thank you for the bottom of our hearts for sharing your beautiful children with us. They are the heart and soul of this place and the minute they rolled through our gates, camp began too beat.

Life just got Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny Out!!!

Click here to find out what teams your campers are on!

With the last day of Color War upon us, everyone was working hard, having fun and giving it every ounce of effort they had. It meant that much to all of us. Win or loose, each team put their heart on the line and played hard. Each field and court was full of Red and Gold spirit, chants and cheers. The feeling on camp is just plain inspirational. To see groups of kids rally around one another in the true sprit of competition and do it in a way that is uplifting and encouraging is awe-inspiring. It’s the way it should be and it exists here at camp.

The score was close and as all the campers entered the Lodge for the evening’s silent dinner, less than 100 points separated the teams. It was close and as always, it all comes down to Sing.

As both teams entered into Shields Hall dressed in costumes right out of the 80’s and 90’s, there was a sense of elation and true Color War pride. This was it, and everyone knew it. Each team presented their plaque and banner and they were truly works of art. It was time for Sing and both were ready to perform the songs they worked so hard on and had so much meaning in every verse. There were tears as Red 80’s sang their Alma Mater and included beautiful lyrics like:

Friendships like this

Are hard to find

We wish we could just rewind

Don’t regret decisions made

That led me to this place with you

Seeing how my life has changed

You’ve turned me into someone new

It was emotional and everyone new that the end of Color War signifies the end of camp. What we have all gone through, will be with us forever but for now is ending and the last five days as two teams are now back together as one amazing camp.  Gold 90’s so poetically conveyed in their Alma Mater:

Hanging on as the days are fading

Take me back to the beginning

To when the summer seemed so new

Replay the times we’ve been through

Shed the colors that divide us

Red & Gold together we must

Take the next step forward as One!

In a Chenny tradition of musical chairs, the last Judge to grab his seat was Gold and that relayed the winner of Color War 2012. There was joyous elation throughout the Gold team but just for a moment until they realized that their fallen red comrades suffered feelings of defeat. What amazed me in that hall tonight was to see the empathy and compassion of the Gold team embracing their friends on the Red team. There was that moment beyond the win, it was true friendship and respect. That is what we do here at Chen-A-Wanda. No matter if it is your first summer or 8^th, we all get it and it is magical.  We are a family up here who genuinely care for one another and it showed tonight.

We all entered Shields Hall tonight as two teams but left as one camp. Arm in arm supporting one another, knowing we have only 3 days left here. There is great sadness about leaving this place. Can’t blame us because life is just great here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out