Chenny Blog

Today, I was lucky enough to walk by a game of Newcombe between the Inter boys and what I saw defined what Color War is all about. The game was mid way through and gold was dominating this match. One by one, the Gold team picked off all the Red players except one, Jake Zamkoff  who stood solo on his side of the net and looked determined to survive. Odds were most definitely against Jake as he was facing 7 gold opponents. But there was something inside Jake that just wouldn’t quit. Every serve, every catch and every throw was going his way and one by one Jake was defeating the gold team until there was just one single player left standing in front of him. The crowd grew bigger with every opponent Jake took down and it was becoming obvious that this game was one to watch.  It was Jake vs. Cade Modica, his best friend btw. They went back and forth and each camper was giving their absolute all but in the last play Cade threw the ball in the perfect corner spot and  took Jake out for win. Jake fell to ground in exhaustion and the crowd went nuts as everyone was chanting “MVP”to Jake even though he didn’t bring home the win. What he did bring, was pure heart. Jake never gave up, not for minute and everyone wanted to celebrate his effort. The entire Gold team showed respect and shook his hand and told him how incredible his game was. It was Color War perfection right in front of me. Everything we want from our kids was displayed in that Newcombe match and it was incredible to see. Every camper recognized Jakes effort first and foremost regardless of getting a win. A true Chenny win for everyone who was at that game of Newcombe.

There was a freshman boy who was having a bit of a struggle at dinner and when I asked him what was wrong, he replied “I don’t know if my friends like me.” My heart hurt to hear that he felt this way, even for a minute. I walked over to the red  kid captain, Caleb Gene who is in his division and I asked for his help. I explained that his friend was feeling a but down and Caleb  immediately found his friend and what happened next took my breath away. Caleb marched directly to his teammate and friend, put his hand on his shoulder and said, “I want you to feel safe here and camp is better because you are here. The Red team is better because you are on it.” That sweet boy made his friend smile and feel not alone. This is what camp does to our kids, they step up, show up and help one another when needed. There is no mystery to why Caleb was chosen as a kid captain.

This Color War is so close and the teams are within a mere of each other.  It is anyones game as these teams head into Quiz night. Tonight was all mental, as campers and staff had to answer questions about anything and everything from pop culture to math equations to Camp Chen-A-Wanda facts and everything in between. All day, our bodies were challenged and tonight we stretched our minds.  There isn’t a camper or staff who isn’t giving it their all and pushing it to the limit. It is an outstanding Color War and with just 3 more days to go and the scores so close, it is anyones game. So here is to 3 more amazing days of exhaustion, exhilaration, competition and meaningful moments. We are making every single moment count until we get on those buses next Saturday and all head home. The end is near but not a day will be taken for granted. There is bit more to do.

 

Day 1 – Kids got dressed head-to-toe in their colors and went right into Tugs of war. The battle was fierce and the kids dug down deep to do their teams proud. They pulled hard and worked as team and showed a strength that they may not have even been aware they had. The faces of fierceness and the grunts of grit, Tugs of War brought the spirit of the games to life and set the tone to what is looking to be an incredible War.

It was fun afternoon full of games and competition with steal the bacon, BBG, softball, basketball and soccer, kickball to name a few. Your kids played all day and I say play, they played hard. After six weeks of non-stop action here at camp, their energy is pure adrenaline as they are giving everything they got. Campers and counselors went hard today and didn’t hold back on effort and so much spirit.

What happened tonight was a standout night. After mass games, it was contest night and there was something in the air. The energy was just INSANE. Kids were going crazy with dancing and singing in between their games of hip-pity hops and relay races. The vibe was just electric and the energy tonight was something special. Everyone was feeling good and having the best time.  It was a GIANT party where everyone was in the best mood to party and dance. There is no doubt that from the physical energy your kids produced today, that at this very moment, all our camp is fast asleep. Camp is quiet but not for long – In just a few hours, we have to get to Day 2!

 

It’s that time in the summer when everyone is thinking Color War and wondering when it’s breaking. at Chenny, we are known for our breakouts and equally famous for our Fake-Outs. Keeping kids on the edge is what we do and this summer did not disappoint. The campers kept checking the calendar posted at Headquarters and were desperately trying to figure out which day it’s happening. There was a general consensus that it was most definitely breaking after Carnival on Thursday or Friday morning early or even Friday at snack call. The theories were flying everywhere and we LOVED it!!! Nobody, not anyone thought we were breaking on Wednesday night. We love when a plan comes together and this day, this plan, this Color War Breakout was seamless.

All of camp was focused and excited for Head Staff Lip Sync Battle. The show was perfection and all of camp was together in Shield’s Hall having the best night. There is something magical that happens when the entire camp is together, enjoying a traditional camp event, just being one camp family. The energy was high all throughout the show and after we crowned Haley Kushner and the CIT’s, Head Staff Lip Sync Champions – the  Fakeout bagan. We showed a trailer of Barbie vs. Super Mario Bros clips and ended with that famous word , FAKEOUT! For a few moments, the campers were thinking this could be it – as the chants and cheers got louder and louder and louder. Our kids wanted Color War but it was not happening yet, until……….

As soon as we stated dismissing everyone from the hall, they could hear loud music down at the beach. WAS THIS IT????? As the kids ran from the hall to the beach, the excitement was at an all time high and we all knew something spectacular was about to happen. The most incredible and impressive drone show took our breath away as we all watched in awe the magic of this night. Maybe it was the most perfect weather or maybe it was the music or the theme we picked or the insane drone show that was happening over Fiddle Lake or a combination of it all, last nights Color War breakout was INCREDIBLE!!! Your kids experienced a night that they will never forget.

Red New York vs. Gold LA – It’s On!!!!!!

This is it, our last trip day for Summer 2023. Crazy to think that there are only 11 days left to our magical summer here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Our Freshman, Juniors and Middies started their day at the Leahy’s Fun Park. They played in the arcade, went on bumpers cars, had a ball driving the go-carts and enjoyed mini-golf. There was just so much to do . Then if that wasn’t enough fun, it was off to the ice rink for some fun on the ice. The campers loved ice skating in the middle of summer.  We ended the day back at camp with a movie in Shields Hall. It was a perfect day and a perfect way to end this summers trip days for our youngest campers.

The Inters & Collegiate’s, Seniors, Supers and GC’s loved their day spent at Dorney Park. Nothing defines summer more than a day spent at an amusement park with your besties. A day full of rides, games, more rides & so much park food was the ideal way to spend their last trip day of the summer.  They all rolled off the buses with giant stuffed animals they won at the park. It was all smiles and great vibes from our upper camp kids. They just enjoyed an amazing day at Dorney Park.

The CIT’s enjoyed their last trip spent all together as a division at Lake George. They had 3 glorious days spent at the most beautiful and scenic place. They did a little bit of everything and it was perfection because they did it together.   As their bus rolled into camp tonight, they all knew this was the last time they would roll through out gates as Chenny campers. The emotions were definitely there for every single one of them. One our CIT boys came off the bus and said to me, “I just rolled by the Chenny sign coming back into camp for the last time ever as a camper. I never thought I would feel this way about this place. It’s home to me.”

Trips are done and WE ARE ALL IN – Our house in Full. Now onto the last and best 11 days of Chenny. We have a Color War to get to……..

Life is so GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

 

It was another spectacular day here at Chenny as we hosted 2019 World Series Champion, Matt Adams for our first MLB Day. His impressive powerful home runs paled in comparison to his approachable connection to the kids and staff. Matt spent the entire day here at Chenny, signing autographs, taking pictures and of course hitting dingers out of the ball park. Everyone here is a Matt Adams fan and we can say with confidence that Matt is a fan of Chenny. He loved playing ball with us today and after the Home Run Derby, he had a personal request to go tubing and ATV’ing and that is exactly what he did. No matter if you are a World Series Champion or a Chenny camper, when you are here, tubing and ATV’ing are a must do. A great day was had by all and we know that no matter how much time passes, our kids will always remember when a true MLB hero came to visit their camp that sunny beautiful day.

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS

Inter Tennis Finals – CAW 1 vs. Wayne 4

Super Softball Finals – CAW 10 vs. Lohikan 3 – CHENNY WINS CHAMPIONSHIP

BOYS SIDE SPORTS – No games played today

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 web 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 staff. From start to finish our minds were blown as we watched our kids do things that they only learned here at camp. They were brave and fierce, talented and composed.  You just can’t imagine how spectacular your kids were as they were the main acts. To watch you kids pour their heart and soul into this program and show us all what dedication looks like is truly what it’s all about. There is nothing they can’t do when they apply themselves and try until they nail 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. So many kids in the audience were in awe and said to me afterwards that next year they DEFINITELY trying out for the Circus show. They soared tonight and literally flew to new heights. They worked so hard and it showed. The show was phenomenal, funny, entertaining, electric and just awesome. Here is to our incredible team who taught our children to dream big, fear less and go for it. Bravo Bravo!