Everyone Finds Their Thing
One of the greatest things about Camp Chen-A-Wanda is that everyone finds their thing. That is the beauty of this crazy, magical place. Not every camper is going to score the winning goal. Not every camper is going to hit the walk-off home run or stand at center stage during Sign & Song. And that’s exactly the way it should be. Because here, there truly is something for everyone.
Today, I walked into Arts & Crafts and immediately stopped in my tracks. Sitting at one of the tables was a Senior boy carefully placing tiny Pix Brix pieces together to create the most elaborate giant Harry Potter crest I have ever seen. It wasn’t something he threw together in an hour. He had been working on it for days. What made it even more special was that somewhere along the way, another camper, a Senior girl, asked if she could join him. From that moment on, it wasn’t his project anymore. It became their project. They spent electives together. They spent free time together. Piece by piece, they built something remarkable. As I stood there watching this unlikely duo create their masterpiece, I couldn’t help but smile. Because what they were building wasn’t just art. They were building a friendship. That’s the part that means the most. One camper has an idea, follows something they’re passionate about, and another camper is inspired enough to say, “Can I help?”
That simple question changes everything. Those moments happen here every single day. Sometimes they’re loud and obvious, and sometimes they’re quiet enough that only a few people notice. But today, I noticed. And it filled me with a level of pride that is hard to describe. Connection happens here. Two kids who may never have crossed paths discover a shared interest. They spend time together. They learn about one another. They laugh. They create. Before they know it, their world has grown just a little bit bigger.
Those are the victories that don’t show up on a scoreboard. I love watching our campers compete. I love celebrating championships, performances, and accomplishments on the fields and courts. But I also love the quieter victories. The confidence a camper gains by stepping onto a stage. The joy of discovering a hidden talent. The pride of creating something with your own hands. And the friendship that forms because someone else decides to pull up a chair and join you. That Harry Potter crest was intricate. It was beautiful. It required patience, creativity, teamwork, and countless hours of effort.
As you know, we have temporarily paused traveling to other camps and hosting intercamp games due to the stomach virus that has affected several of our neighboring camps. We know how much our campers look forward to competing against other camps and seeing friends throughout the summer. Those games are an exciting part of camp life, and this wasn’t a decision we made lightly. However, the health and well-being of our campers and staff will always come first. With the virus continuing to circulate, we simply don’t feel the risk is worth exposing our camp community. That didn’t mean the competition stopped. It just meant we got creative.
Today, camp was filled with friendly rivalries as we organized Red vs. Gold, Freshmen vs. Juniors, Inters vs. Collegiates, and other matchups across campus. The fields were full, the sidelines were cheering, and the competitive spirit was alive and well. The games were played, the laughs were shared, and our campers had an absolute blast. Sometimes life asks you to adjust your plans. At Chenny, we believe in being the river, not the rock. We don’t dwell on what we can’t do, we focus on what we can do. We adapt, we innovate, and we continue creating unforgettable experiences for our campers.
Our GCs are still out West, exploring, adventuring, and having the time of their lives! Day 2 in San Diego was nothing short of incredible. The day began with an unforgettable whale-watching excursion, where campers experienced the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and all that it has to offer. Afterward, they enjoyed some well-deserved downtime, soaking up the California sunshine while relaxing by the resort pool. As the sun began to set, the adventure continued with a trip to Belmont Park, where they spent the evening enjoying the boardwalk, rides, games, and everything that makes this iconic beachfront amusement park so special. Every day of this West Coast adventure is creating memories that will last a lifetime. There is nothing quite like experiencing California with your closest camp friends. It’s good to be a GC!