Baby You’re A Firework

There is nothing quite like spending the 4th of July here at Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It is the best place to celebrate our day of independence. Everyone got into the red, white and blue spirit. Faces were painted, flags were flying high, red, white and blue tutus were everywhere and the continuous chants of “USA” were at every turn. Pride for our country was at an all time high and everyone got into the spirit. Our international staff was in awe of how spirited camp was today and how deep our pride is for our country. There is nothing more Americana than the 4th of July and today was just spectacular. Spending the 4th with our camp family is a gift we are so grateful for.

Whether You Think You Can Or Think You Can’t, You’re Right… by Henry Ford

Middy Girls Basketball – CAW 16 vs. Lavi 26

Middy/Inter Girls LAX – CAW 4 @ Westmont 2

Super Girls Soccer – CAW 8 vs. Lavi 0

Freshman Boys Hockey – CAW 5 vs. Westmont 4

Collegiate Boys Soccer – CAW 4 @ Westmont 1

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 7 vs. Lavi 6 (game went into extra innings)

It was a great day for our Chenny athletes who played with determination, grit and  whole lot of integrity. The moment that took my breath away was watching the Super girls play their soccer game vs. Camp Lavi. We took a giant lead early on and the last 5 minutes of the game didn’t resemble a competition at all but a great opportunity to make new friends. Our girls and the girls from Lavi started introducing themselves to one another during the last five minutes of the game. They were having the absolute best time making new friends. Knowing that the game was almost over, the goalie of Lavi overheard one of our campers say she had never scored a goal to which this total stranger from another camp didn’t stop her shot and she scored. The goalie from Lavi could have easily stopped the shot but gave it to her and the Chenny girls went crazy as they cheered for their friend who was beaming with pride. This was certainly not a typical game with intense competition and fierceness but I witnessed something pretty cool between a group of total strangers having the best time and meeting new friends.  Chenny won the game but every girl on that field were winners. Both teams together walked down the hill chatting the whole way. This was way more than a game for our Super girls.

It was an incredible day here at Chenny but we all knew that the night was the best part and it did not disappoint. We all got cozy in our long and longs (that is camp lingo for long pants, long shirts). Then is was up to the amphitheater to watch our incredible firework show. We were decked out head to toe with glow sticks galore & flashing headbands.  As the night grew darker and the anticipation was intense, we all counted down from 10 to 1 and then in a flash, the night sky lit up above us with the most spectacular firework show. I truly don’t know what is more impressive to watch; the sky light up with a rainbow of colorful fireworks or the look of amazement on your children’s faces as they watch with such anticipation for each firework to unveil above them.  They were just in amazement of what they were seeing and watching them enjoy it so, was a gift they gave to us. There is something about watching a firework show that makes you feel young and reminds you that those summer nights are priceless. I know that each one of us sitting in the amphitheater, will always remember tonight. It wasn’t just an ordinary night but a feeling that made you part of something pretty special.  That perfect feeling of an ideal summer night. There is  no place on earth would we would rather be but right where we were, with one another.

Chenny Out