The People Make The Place
Jon and I spent the morning giving tours to new families who are considering Camp Chen-A-Wanda for their children. It was a busy and exciting day, filled with parents eager to experience firsthand what makes Chenny so special. What we didn’t expect was that our very best tour guides weren’t Jon or me. They were our campers. We couldn’t walk more than ten feet without a camper jumping into the conversation, eager to tell prospective families why they love this place. Their pride, enthusiasm, and genuine love for camp were impossible to miss. They weren’t prompted. They simply couldn’t help themselves. They wanted these families to understand why Chenny means so much to them.
One of my favorite moments happened in Arts & Crafts. An Inter boy camper looked directly at the group of parents and confidently said, “Why wouldn’t you send your kids here? There is no place like Chenny.” One of the dads smiled and asked him, “What’s your favorite activity?” Without missing a beat, the camper replied, “It’s not the activities that matter so much, it’s the people here. But tubing is pretty cool.” The entire group laughed. Then they paused. Every parent standing there looked at him with a sense of awe because, in one simple sentence, this young camper captured everything we have spent the past 20 years trying to build. Yes, we have incredible activities. Yes, we have amazing facilities. But those things are not what make Camp Chen-A-Wanda extraordinary. It’s the people. It’s the friendships. It’s the counselors who become role models. It’s the community that embraces every child. It’s the feeling of belonging. That Inter camper couldn’t have said it any better. At Chenny, it’s never been about what we do. It’s about who we do it with. And that’s what makes this place unlike anywhere else.
Sports Center:
Freshman Boys Baseball – CAW 12 @ Wayne 2
Senior/Super Boys Hockey – CAW 1 @ Starlight 6
GC/CIT Boys Hockey – CAW 4 vs, Lavi 5
Supers Girls Basketball – CAW 23 vs. Westmont 36
Tonight was one of those evenings that reminded us why the simplest ideas often create the biggest smiles.Our Lower Camp campers took part in an old-fashioned Gold Rush, and from the moment the first gold rock was found, camp came alive with excitement! Bunk by bunk, campers raced all over camp searching high and low for hidden gold rocks. There was only one rule, you had to stay together with your bunk as you hunted for treasure. Every time someone spotted a gold rock, you could hear a loud “YEEHAWWW!” all across camp, followed by cheers and laughter as another piece of treasure was found.
Once the hunt was over, each bunk turned in their gold for camp cash, which they used during a live auction. The strategy was almost as much fun as the hunt itself! Campers huddled together deciding whether to spend big on their favorite prizes or save their money for something even better. The excitement, teamwork, and competition made for an unforgettable night, and it was impossible not to smile watching our youngest campers having the time of their lives.
Meanwhile, Upper Camp enjoyed an evening of their own at Casino Night inside Shields Hall. The room was transformed into a bustling casino where campers tried their luck at roulette, blackjack, and other classic casino games. With every hand played and every spin of the wheel, campers earned chips while laughing, cheering, and enjoying a little friendly competition with their friends. At the end of the evening, all those chips became the key to another exciting live auction, where campers decided how to spend their winnings. The bidding wars, celebrations, and teamwork made for the perfect ending to a fantastic night.
Whether searching for hidden gold or trying their luck at the casino tables, our campers spent another evening making memories with their closest friends. Nights like these remind us that camp isn’t just about the activities, it’s experiences that bond us together.
Another incredible night. Another unforgettable Chenny memory.