Chenny Wins 171 Cup

Today was one of those perfect Chenny days that reminds us why camp truly is the best place on earth. The sun was shining, the weather couldn’t have been more beautiful, and from the moment the bugle sounded this morning, camp came alive. Every basketball court, tennis court, athletic field, waterfront, and activity area was filled with happy campers doing what they love most—playing, laughing, learning, and spending the day with their best friends. Everywhere you looked there were smiles. The energy was contagious. The vibes were high. Camp simply feels like home.

It’s hard to believe we’ve already been together for three weeks. In that short time, your children have built something truly remarkable. They have created a community where campers know one another by name, cheer each other on, include everyone, and genuinely care about the people around them. It is a place where friendships grow stronger every day and where countless moments, both big and small, shape who our campers become.

Today was filled with those moments. As we get closer to two of Chenny’s most loved traditions, Boys Lip Sync and Girls Sing, the excitement is building all across camp. Everywhere you turn, divisions are rehearsing, practicing, laughing, and perfecting their performances. You can hear music coming from every corner of camp as campers put the finishing touches on routines they’ve been preparing to perform.

But today, one of my favorite moments happened with our Freshman boys. Like many younger campers trying something new, a few of them were feeling a little unsure about Boys Lip Sync. They weren’t quite convinced this was something they wanted to do. Then our CITs stepped in. We gathered the boys around and showed them a video of last summer’s Boys Lip Sync performance. The boys became silent. The Freshmen watched in amazement as the CITs danced together with confidence, enthusiasm, and pure Chenny spirit. One lcamper proudly pointed at the screen and said, “That’s my CIT!” Another smiled, jumped to his feet, looked at his friends and said, “Let’s get to work!” Just like that, everything changed. It was one of the sweetest moments I’ve witnessed  And it perfectly captured what Camp Chen-A-Wanda is all about.

Sports Center:

Freshman/Junior Basketball Championship – CAW 11 @ Wayne 1

Middy Girls Basketball – CAW 16 vs Morasha 21

GC/CIT  Girls Tennis: CAW 0 vs. Island Lake 5

Freshman/Junior Boys Basketball – CAW 29 @ Wayne 31

Tonight was more than a game.

Tonight was the 171 Cup. The third and final event in this summer’s inaugural rivalry with Camp Westmont. Everything had come down to this one night. The Cup was on the line, and both camps knew exactly what was at stake.  Then came the Pep Rally. It was everything we hoped it would be and more. The music was blasting. The cheers were deafening. Team chants shook the room. Every camper and counselor was dressed in all black, creating an incredible sea of Chenny pride. The unity and spirit in the room were unlike anything we’ve experienced this summer. It felt like Friday Night Lights, only louder, bigger, and even more meaningful.

When the buses pulled in carrying Camp Westmont, the atmosphere reached another level. This wasn’t just about football. It was about community. It was about tradition. It was about pride. Our campers cheered for every play, every first down, every defensive stop, and every touchdown. The energy never let up. Every chant was louder than the one before. Every camper believed they were part of something special. And they really were.

Tonight our boys played with tremendous heart, grit, and determination. They left everything on the field, competing with passion while displaying outstanding sportsmanship all hroughout the game. Every player represented Camp Chen-A-Wanda with pride.

The final score was 14 – 13 US in overtime.  And with that … The 171 Cup belonged to Camp Chen-A-Wanda. But as amazing as it was to win the Cup that’s not what we’ll remember most. What we’ll remember are the moments. The 171 Cup has done something truly remarkable in its very first summer. It has united our camp. It has strengthened our Chenny pride. It has given our oldest campers an experience unlike any they’ve ever had. And it has become a tradition we already can’t imagine camp without.