The Future is Clear…

Dear Chen-A-Wanda Families,

For the past 20 summers, we have had the incredible honor and privilege of leading and operating Camp Chen-A-Wanda. It is not simply what we do, it is our purpose, and without question, the most meaningful work of our lives.

There has not been a single day in these past two decades when camp has not shaped how we think, how we plan, and how we live. Every decision we make comes back to one simple question: How do we continue to create a place where children feel seen, protected, valued, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves? A place that becomes part of who they are forever.

And it’s not just our campers. It’s our staff, so many of whom discover their confidence, their leadership, and their purpose right here. It’s the friendships, the traditions, the songs, the laughter, and the memories that live on for a lifetime. Chenny becomes something far greater than any one of us.

Because Camp Chen-A-Wanda is more than a camp. It is a family.

It is a family because it belongs to every camper who has stood on the athletic fields, every counselor who has changed a child’s life, every parent who entrusted us with their greatest gift, and every alumnus who still smiles when they hear the words, “Life is great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda” It belongs to all of us.

So when something this meaningful is threatened, you don’t step back. You step forward. You fight. And you fight with everything you have.

That is exactly what we did.

Over the past six weeks, we have walked through the most professionally difficult chapter of our lives. But we never gave up. This journey changed us. It strengthened our resolve, deepened our appreciation for this extraordinary community and reaffirmed something we have always known in our hearts: Camp Chen-A-Wanda is worth fighting for.

Your support and love became our fuel. And today, with hearts overflowing with gratitude and emotion, we are incredibly proud to share these words:

Camp Chen-A-Wanda is ours. We are currently under contract to purchase Camp Chen-A-Wanda with a closing date of mid to late September.

We are honored to share that, upon the closing under our contract, we will have 100% ownership of Camp Chen-A-Wanda and will proudly continue as its Owners and Directors. Protecting this extraordinary place and ensuring its future has been our greatest mission, and we are beyond grateful that the next chapter of Chenny’s story will continue with the people who have dedicated their lives to it.

As part of this exciting new chapter, we were thrilled to offer a minority ownership stake to one of Chenny’s own, Howard Berman. Howard is a true Camp Chen-A-Wanda lifer whose 31 years of unwavering commitment, leadership, and love for this place have helped shape its values, vision, traditions, and culture. There is no one more deserving to stand alongside us as we continue building the future of the camp we all love.

Together, we are proud to say that Camp Chen-A-Wanda is led by a united, deeply committed, and 100% in-house team, a team whose hearts have always belonged to Chenny and whose shared purpose is to protect its legacy while ensuring it continues to thrive for generations of campers, families, and staff to come.

Standing beside us is an extraordinary leadership team that has devoted their lives to making Camp Chen-A-Wanda the remarkable place it is today.

• Brian and Laura Leahy have dedicated more than two decades as our full-time Directors, pouring their hearts into every aspect of camp. Their unwavering passion, compassion, and commitment have shaped the experience of generations of campers and staff. Their leadership has created a culture where campers feel safe, valued, inspired, and loved, and their impact on Camp Chen-A-Wanda is truly profound and immeasurable.

• Gary Shields has devoted 37 summers to Chenny, helping preserve the character, traditions, and spirit that define our camp. His dedication ensures that every new generation of campers experiences the same timeless magic that has made Camp Chen-A-Wanda so special for decades.

• Nancy Berman, now celebrating her 26th summer, is the welcoming heart of our office. With warmth, kindness, and genuine care, she greets every camper and family, making each person feel like they belong from the moment they arrive.

• Ally Grossman grew up at Camp Chen-A-Wanda and has spent the past 30 years helping shape the extraordinary culture of Girls Side. Her wisdom, compassion, and unwavering love for Chenny have influenced generations of campers, while her guidance and support have become an invaluable resource for both new and returning families. Her devotion runs deep, and her commitment to this community is unwavering.

• Emily Gordey and Zac Krieger, our full-time leadership team members, have each spent the past decade immersed in the Chenny experience. Their energy, dedication, and passion for our mission have made them an integral part of our future, and they are deeply committed to preserving everything Camp Chen-A-Wanda stands for while helping lead it into the next generation,

This leadership team represents well over a century of combined dedication to Camp Chen-A-Wanda. Their passion, loyalty, and commitment are woven into the fabric of this place, and together we remain united in our promise to protect its traditions, strengthen its future, and continue creating life-changing summers for generations to come.

Together, we are stronger than ever. Together, we will continue to protect the traditions that make Chenny so special while ensuring its future remains as bright as its remarkable past. We will proudly continue serving the families who have placed their trust in us, while welcoming future generations who have yet to discover the magic waiting for them here.

To our entire Chenny family: Thank you. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for standing beside us. Thank you for encouraging us when the days were hard and for reminding us why this fight mattered.

We couldn’t imagine a more meaningful time to share this exciting news than tonight, as we prepare to welcome all of you tomorrow for what will be a truly special Visiting Day. We are so grateful to celebrate this moment with the people who love Camp Chen-A-Wanda as much as we do.

The future is clear… Life is, and always will be, Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

With all our love and gratitude,

Jon & Elissa Grabow