Chenny Blog

We are so happy to share that our first full day of camp, Flash & Splash Day, was an absolute home run!

From the moment the sun came up, the energy, excitement, and joy could be felt in every corner of Chenny. It was one of those magical days where everything just clicked, and we couldn’t wait to tell you all about it. Our day kicked off with Picture Day, where your kids showed off their brightest smiles. It was such a beautiful sight to see campers standing side by side, new friends and old.

After bunk photos, campers headed to the pool for swim tests, and we were blown away by their enthusiasm. As they waited their turn treading water, they sang together, laughed together, and cheered each other on. The encouragement was contagious. It’s always so inspiring to watch our camp family come together, lifting one another up and encouraging each other.

One of the coolest moments of the day came during snack call, when our incredible School of Rock specialists treated camp to live music right in center camp. The vibe was absolutely amazing. Campers were singing along, and soaking in the energy. For a moment, it felt like we had our own music festival right here at Chenny. The combination of great music, beautiful weather, and so many happy campers created one of those unforgettable camp moments that perfectly captures the spirit of summer.

The afternoon brought our first full round of regular activities, and wow, did camp come alive!

From the fields and courts to arts & crafts, adventure courses, and our incredibly awesome double slip ’n slide, every corner of camp was buzzing with fun, energy, and excitement. It was pure Chenny magic.

Our new campers are settling into camp life beautifully. They’re learning the schedule, finding their way around, and most importantly, beginning to feel that special Chenny magic. It’s amazing to watch their comfort and confidence grow in such a short amount of time. And for our returning campers, you can see it written all over their faces, being back at their favorite place on earth means everything. They’re reconnecting with friends, diving right back into traditions they love, and already creating brand new memories to add to their Chenny story.

From all of us here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda, thank you for sharing your incredible children with us. We are honored to be part of their journey, and we cannot wait to watch them grow, shine, and be amazing this summer. Here’s to the best summer yet.

And we’re just getting started.

What a day. Truly, what a beautiful, unforgettable start to Summer 2026.

From the moment those buses pulled in, Camp Chen-A-Wanda came alive in the most magical way. The sun was shining, music was playing, signs were waving, and the entire camp was filled with cheers, hugs, and so much love. You could feel it instantly, this place, your children’s summer home, was back.

There is nothing quite like that first moment when campers step off the bus. The mix of excitement, nerves, joy, and anticipation… and then, just like that, it all melts into smiles, laughter, and connection. Within minutes, friendships were forming, old friends were reuniting, and something special began all over again.

From our youngest Freshmen taking it all in, to our CITs up on the Hill leading the way, the energy across camp was contagious. Every single child arrived with their own hopes for the summer and already, you can see those hopes beginning to come to life.

We kicked off the evening in true Chenny fashion with a spaghetti and meatballs dinner, followed by a dance party in the Lodge that was pure joy. Campers singing at the top of their lungs, standing on benches, dancing like no one was watching and it was everything camp is meant to be.

As the sun began to set, divisions gathered around campfires, making s’mores and sharing those first quiet, meaningful moments together under the stars. And then we all came together in Shields Hall for Opening Night, a room filled with excitement, laughter, and the feeling that something incredible is just beginning.

Tonight, your children are in their bunks, tired, happy, and already feeling more connected to this place and to each other. This is just the beginning of something truly special. I stopped by the Freshman girls’ bunk at bedtime, and the cuteness was on overload. They were all cozied up in their beds, some reading, some coloring, and others quietly listening to music with their headphones. It was one of those moments you wish you could bottle. One camper said it perfectly, “My first day here was better than my dreams.” Honestly, does it get any better than that?

We know how much trust it takes to send your children to us, and we feel that responsibility deeply. Please know they are surrounded by a team that is all in and ready to care for them, guide them, support them, and create a summer filled with laughter, growth, and memories that will stay with them forever.

Take a deep breath. Enjoy your summer. Your kids are exactly where they are meant to be.

And just like that, Summer 2026 is officially underway.

 

 

For the past seven weeks, I’ve written to you at home, hoping my words helped you feel just a little of the Chenny magic happening here every day. Tonight, my message was for everyone inside Shields Hall.

We are filled with gratitude—for every camper, every counselor, every staff member—who touched our lives and made this summer extraordinary. Each of us leaves better than we came, and we hope your children come home bursting to share all the incredible things they did, learned, and felt here.

In just a few short hours, you’ll have your babies back in your arms, and we cannot thank you enough for trusting us and our team to be part of their story. Summer 2025 has come to a close, but the spirit of camp doesn’t end here. Life will always be great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

To our Summer 2025 Chenny Family –

Every summer, we assemble a unique group of people—counselors, staff  and campers—who come together to share something truly special: a  summer at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Each Summer has its own personality, its own magic, but every single summer brings us the same deep joy—because we get a front-row seat to watch you live out your childhood in the most extraordinary way. It’s a privilege and an honor to watch you experience this place and embrace Chenny.

All year long, our team works to create a world for you—filled with caring people; activities that create growth and joy; trips that open your world; and moments that change your life. And then, each summer, we sit here on this very night, in awe of all the magic that unfolded. This summer was no exception—it was truly remarkable because you all were here.

To our veteran staff: You come back every summer because you know how this place makes you feel. You understand that the madness, the long days, and the joyful chaos all make sense here. It just makes sense. You are our steady hand, our “I’ve got this,” and our example of what it means to truly care. We thank you for your loyalty, your heart and your commitment to Chenny and we love how much this place matters to all of you.

To our first-year staff: YOU DID IT! You survived and thrived through the gauntlet of your first Chenny summer. We hope you discovered something new about yourself—that you can do hard things—being a camp counselor is the hardest job you will ever have as it truly requires every part of you to be fully present for 7 weeks. There is no other job that starts from the time you open your eyes to the time you close them for sleep and when you are needed in the middle of the night, you were still and available to care for your kids. In the not so distant future, when you are back at school or home or at work, your campers will pop into your head, and you’ll smile. You’ll remember that freshman girl who fell asleep on your lap at evening activity or that middy boy you comforted through homesickness or that senior girl camper who cried to you over her first heartbreak, or the GC camper who made you laugh so hard until you cried. These kids are now a part of your heart—and long after the hard parts fade, these moments will they stay with you forever.

To the heartbeat of this place—our campers: You make Chenny come alive. Watching you become the best versions of yourselves here is a joy like no other. From the freshman to the middies, your hugs and giggles filled camp with happiness. Our youngest campers brought the joy this summer and we loved watching you embrace Chenny. To our Inters, Collegiates, Seniors, and Supers—middle school and high school is no walk in the park, but we hope this summer filled your hearts with enough happiness to carry you through those cold winter nights and the memories you made brings you joy. You were incredible this summer – And yes, thank you for all your Canteen help—you were fabulous!

To our GC’s—:  Dare I say My GC’s – This was my first time traveling with campers, and it was everything and more. The places we visited were amazing but seeing them through your eyes made them unforgettable. Watching you experience so many incredible moments was pure joy but watching you with one another as you have created a true brotherhood and sisterhood took my breath away. I couldn’t have picked a better group to experience the Grand Canyon with, or to kayak up the Colorado River alongside. That night under the stars was magic for me too. You are an absolutely incredible group of kids – Thank you for being the best travel partners—I had the time of my life.

To our CITs: It feels like yesterday you all just started your journey as freshman and juniors and today you finished your CIT summer. That went fast and finishing your camper journey here is an achievement to be so proud of. You finished what you started, and you’ve built bonds that will last throughout your lifetime—all rooted in shared summers, shared memories, and mutual respect. Life will lead you to new stages and new places, but this journey and this place will always be a part of you. It’s been an honor to watch you grow into the incredible young people you are today. You lead camp this summer with spirit and so much Chenny pride and watching you take care of your campers was awe-inspiring. You passed the torch onto your campers and we could not have been more proud of each and every one of you.

Tomorrow, Summer 2025 officially comes to an end. We hope you all had a ball, we hope you made lifelong friends, we hope you tried new things, and we hope you learned more about yourself and are proud of who you are. Be safe, be smart, be the river and how about we all meet back her in just 10 short months for another incredible summer.

You are the stars of tonight’s show so enjoy Memory Night, and every beautiful moment we shared and created together.

We adore you, Chenny. Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

With love and gratitude,

Jon & Elissa

 

It’s getting real that camp is nearing the end as it was cleaning day. That is the day we organize and clean so packing day tomorrow is a breeze. We took down the pictures behind our beds that has made it so cozy and homey all summer long, We started writing our bus notes to friends we made this summer and we all know the end is just around the corner.

As the sun set over Fiddle Lake, camp came alive in its finest. Everyone was dressed to impress, taking pictures with friends and counselors against the breathtaking backdrop. The dock was lined with campers, arm in arm, smiling for group shots that will be looked at again and again—forever tied to the magic of this night. The air was filled with joy, the kind you can see on every face. Here at Chenny, this night and these moments stand still for a lifetime. After we took pictures on this glorious night, it was into the Lodge for a delicious steak dinner we all enjoyed so very much. But if our dinner wasnt perfect enough, it ended with Chocolate Chip babka that the kids went crazy for.

Then it was time for one of the night’s biggest highlights: our Counselor of the Year Awards. Tonight was about celebrating the extraordinary staff who pour their heart and soul into making this summer unforgettable.

Boys Side: Joe Brown, Scott Cowie, Liv Foster, Flora Fuller, Louis Howe, Jayden Walker, Rory Goodwin, Robbie Newman, Seamus Reel, Louis Rogerson, Amelie Tassel, Dylan Torres and Tighearman
Girls Side: Mill Cutler, Madeline Glover, Laura Fahy, Abbie Johnston, Cera Malone, Brooke Mann, Holly Maw, Tal Tucket, Tyleer Runyan, Ashley Schwartz

After the awards, it was all-out party time in Shields Hall. Music blasted, lights flashed, and the dance floor was packed until the very last song. Campers left with arms full of LED party sticks, light-up  headbands, T-shirts and glow rings —a perfect party sendoff.

It’s hard to believe summer is almost over, but tonight, we celebrated in true Chenny style—with laughter, music, and the joy of being together. One more day to go, and we’re making every moment count.

The most anticipated evening activity of the summer—Late Night with Leahy—took the stage tonight, and it was nothing short of INCREDIBLE. Beyond-belief funny, brilliantly produced, and completely entertaining, Brian Leahy once again delivered a show that had campers and staff laughing, cheering, and buzzing about it long after the lights went down. With hilarious videos, perfectly executed dances, TikToks, surprise giveaways, and even Beats headphones prizes, every moment was pure magic. It was the perfect way to cap off the day and the ultimate late-night talk show twist to close out the season. Ask your camper about it, and you’ll probably hear, “Best show ever!”

With just two days left of Summer ’25, our Chenny spirit is still flying high. The energy is electric—you can feel the joy, but also that quiet awareness that soon we’ll be heading home. Friends are making the most of every last minute, knowing that in just a few days they won’t be waking up side by side, sharing every meal, or spending all day together. The gratitude for this summer is everywhere. That’s what it’s all about—giving our campers experiences that shape them, bring joy, and leave a lasting impact.

In a newer Chenny tradition, today was also a celebration of Ice Cream in every form. Lower Camp enjoyed a full sundae bar for snack call, piling their bowls high and savoring every last bite. Upper Camp had to wait until late night for their Pint Night—but it was worth it. Every camper and staff member in Upper Camp enjoyed their own pint of Ben & Jerry’s, turning the evening into a sweet, laughter-filled late night party. Pint Night and Sundae Snack Call have now officially earned a spot in our summer’s end traditions, it’s too good not to repeat.

Now we head into our final two nights—tomorrow is Banquet—and we’ll close out Summer ’25 Chenny-style, with a memory night worthy of the unforgettable season we’ve shared. Its almost over.