You know those days that everything just makes sense and feels so right? The ones that are notably close to perfect. The weather set the the tone – not too hot, not too cold and only can be described as just right.  Today, there was a feeling on camp. A feeling of calm. A feeling of being relaxed. A feeling of being at home.  Maybe it was a combination of starting week 5 and everyone is completely and totally in their groove here or the fact that we all have developed a feeling of confidence and security in this camp family we have built together or maybe it’s both. Whatever the reason, today was magical.

Fiddle Lake looked like a postcard with a glistening glow that just was so peaceful today. I spent some time on the beach today and had the absolute pleasure of watching a few junior boys build the coolest sand castle . I was watching these campers work together as they each had a purpose in their sand creation. One was making a mote, as the other kept bringing water up from the lake while one was building the castle. These boys were having the best time together making sand castles  and I couldn’t help but think that were no devices present, no screens or need to plug anything in. They had buckets, shovels, their imagination and friends. That is all they needed. That is why these friendships are so meaningful and connections are so strong. Time is spent together, face to face. Nothing to hide behind, that keeps us separate. The castle they created was incredible but watching these boys hang out, build and bond together was the true work of art.

Girls Side Sports:

Freshman/Junior Basketball Championship – CAW 18 vs. Wayne 4 – Chenny WINS CHAMPIONSHIP

Middy Softball – CAW 5 vs. Tyler Hill 6

Inter Basketball (Gold Team) – CAW 22 @ Westmont 26

Senior Basketball – CAW 26 @ Wayne 16

Boys Side Sports:

Collegiate Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Wayne 2 – CAW looses in PK

Halloween in July!!! What a blast we had tonight and the costumes were AAAmmmaaazzzing. Truly incredible. The campers went all out and so did the staff. There wasn’t one person on campus who didn’t get dress up and celebrate our awesome camp Halloween and that is why Chenny’s spirit is inside everyone here. It’s just what we do up here. We started with our costume walk and that was electric. Each bunk got to show off their costumes and the fun they had, walking with their bunkmates down the cat walk. What a great night it was and it didn’t end there. It was time to Trick or Treat and each group went station to station, filling their bag with candy and chips. In true Chenny tradition, the Senior girls made a haunted scare mansion that spooked and creeped out everyone who dared to enter. The night was a perfect continuation of our amazing day. Great vibes all around.

Our CITS are on their last leg of their incredible trip of a lifetime as they relax in Phoenix and recover from a crazy busy week traveling out West. Supers are en route to Boston for their next adventure. It just keeps getting better. Life is so Great at Camp Chen A Wanda.

In exactly three weeks from this moment,  your kids will be back home with you. Hard to believe how fast the days are passing. We know how quick times goes here at camp and we don’t want to waste a second, a minute, a moment. We hosted a rookie day today and welcomed a whole group of kids who spent the day with us seeing if Chenny was a right for them for next summer. When the day wrapped up, I over heard a rookie boy run to his mom and dad and say, ” I am definitely going to this camp next summer. Mom, can I just stay now? Please can I stay?” This is what this place does to you, it makes you want to stay here because when you are here, it just feels good. Your kids for the next three weeks, get to feel and experience this place in all its glory. As that rookie boy headed to his car, he thanked me for a fun day and told me how lucky all the kids  are that go here because he just had the best day of his life here and they get to wake up here tomorrow. Yes, we are the lucky ones who get to wake up at Chenny and do this again tomorrow.

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS

Collegiate LAX – CAW 7 vs. Wayne 1

Senior Soccer – CAW 5 @ Starlight 3

Super Softball – CAW 5 vs. Wayne 0

BOYS SIDE SPORTS

Senior/Super LAX Championship – CAW 12 vs. Starlight 4 – Chenny Wins Championship

Awards at The Amphitheater is always a fun evening as we all sit together under the lights celebrating our standout campers who deserve the recognition. We brought back this camp tradition and the campers are absolutely loving it. It feels so campy to be outside, singing songs and dancing as one camp family. A huge congratulations to our Week 4 Campers of the. Week. Our camp is better because these campers are here with u s.

Girls Side: 

Freshman – Savi Yecies

Junior – Dylan Allaire

Middies – Skyler Rudnick- Fernand & Ava Rudnick-Fernand

Inters – Dylan Tacktill

Collegiaties – Hayley Price

Seniors – Eve Lindenauer

Supers – Mia Koenig

CIT – Addy Rubovitz

Boys Side:

Freshman – Chase Pillersdorf

Junior – Benji Spivak

Middies -Spencer Braverman & Gabe Porat

Inters – Harrison Pilkington

Collegiates – Miles Geller

Seniors –  Nick Einzig

Supers – Cole Sadofsky

CIT’s – Dylan Nydish

Kindness is spreading and our Week 4 Kind Campers are so deserving of this honor.  There is just nothing sweeter than calling their names and seeing the deep pride on their faces as they run to the stage to get their shirt and snap a photo. Its a moment that I know will stay with them forever. When the entire camp recognizes you as a kind kid, there is just nothing sweeter. – Girls Side: Emma Rice, Mia Steinberg-Rodriguez, Gabby Hassenbein, Emme Shulman, Mila Kovelman, Skyler Rosenberg, Savy Lieberman, Jagger Sacks, Morgan Fischer, Brier Schweibel, Madison Frankel, Lyla Miller, Marissa Holzman, Morgan Bassuk, Pauline Blash Boys Side: Spencer Weinstein, Mason Friedman, Mason Kohen, Luca Heiferman, Levi Sarrell, Max Israel, Noah Sitman, Samuel Heinl, Parker Agulnick, Max Goodman, Troy Golden.

Each summer we have the privilege to witness the best parts of your children and today didn’t disappoint as I saw kindness and love rise to the top in a very special way. We have a camper who has been coming to Chenny for years but this year, nerves knocked on her door and it hasn’t been an easy ride. From her smiling face, you would never know that on the inside she was feeling insecure and unsure of herself. But she kept it inside and just didn’t want anyone to know. When she sat with me today and cried and saw a huge mountain in front of her, I asked if she shared these feelings with her friends to which she shook her head no. I told her the only way to get over that huge mountain in front of her was to trust her friends and let them in and talk about it and that support would get her through the times she felt alone. I knew she needed backup and she couldn’t do it alone, nobody can do it alone.  She named 2 friends to which she thought could be her support and with her permission agreed for me to fill them in. Feeling shy and nervous about revealing her feelings, I sat with these two amazing girls and brought them up to speed on what their friend was facing and how she was keeping it all inside. Without hesitation, they wanted to help their friend whom they had no idea how sad she was feeling on the inside. These two incredible kids showed compassion and kindness and said it so perfectly, “We got her. We won’t let our friend do this alone.”  You see, this girl who has been here for years just didn’t want to burden anyone with how she was feeling and her friends had no idea but when they heard that she was struggling, they stepped up, grabbed her hand, put their arms around her and told her that they are by her side, always. I saw the three of them on their way to dinner and when they saw me they stopped and gave me a wink as to say, Don’t worry we got her covered.  The camper who had cried to me earlier today looked happier tand more relaxed than I have ever seen since she arrived 4 weeks ago. A smile so genuine and a look as she shed that weight that was heavy on her heart. She opened up, trusted and let her friends in. It was magical and she wasn’t alone. She is climbing that mountain with her friends right by her side. Sometimes you have to take a leap before you are able to fly.

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS

Middy basketball CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – CAW 19 vs. Lavi 11

BOYS SIDE SPORTS

Freshman Flag Football Tourney @ CAW  – game 1. CAW 40 vs Westmont 14 – Game 2 CAW 20 vs. Starlight 27

SUPER/CIT Soccer Tournament @ Equinunk – game 1. CAW 3 vs IHC 0 game 2. CAW 0 vs. Equinunk 2 game 3. CAW 3 vs Westmont 0 FINALS CAW 0 vs. Equinunk 0 – Equinunk wins with a penalty kick

Tonight lower camp had an awesome evening activity with The Gold Rush. Each bunk had to look all over camp for gold bars and collect them. It was hilarious as they searched high and low and everywhere in between. The campers were eager to find the gold because they knew the more they got, the better their chances were for getting some premiere prizes at the auction. Our older kids had their own fun at a Vegas style casino night inside Shields Hall. They too, were vying for more chips as they played blackjack and other card games in their own private Chenny Casino. As the night came to a close, the entire camp gathered by bunk on Shields Hall court and pooled the gold they found and chips they won to give each team the money value they had to use at the upcoming auction. It was a real deal auction as Jon and yours truly, were the auctioneers of the night. The kids were going for some very desirable prizes for their bunk from the likes of a late night pool party to a McDonalds Party to breakfast in bed too mention a few. Bunks were out bidding one another and the campers just had the most amazing time, hootin’ and hollarin’ and having a ball. It was another remarkable night your kids enjoyed.

The GC’s are truly having the trip of a lifetime as they enjoyed their last day in LA and headed to Las Vegas. What a trip these kids are having together. Making memories, deepening friendships and making new ones. Life is Incredible when you are a GC at Chenny.

A Middy girl camp up to me at breakfast and said, “Today is the day I am going to face my fears.” to which I replied “That is fantastic, tell me how.” She then began to tell me how today was the day she was ready to finally try the trapeze. This was her goal. This was her fear. This was her challenge and she was ready. Her two friends were by her side and they were all smiles and couldn’t wait for their friend to climb that giant ladder and take the leap. I told her when she was ready to have the circus staff get me because I wanted to watch her fly. The call came and I ran up to the trapeze. That middy girl climbed that ladder and halfway through you could see her fear. She just couldn’t do it. Her friends were the most encouraging, supportive kids that were doing everything in their power to tell her the she can do it. This camper was caught in between two worlds; wanting to do something so badly and having so much fear that it literally keeps you from doing what you want to do. Her friends put their arms around her and told her that its ok and they know she will do it soon. It was like a burst of courage over took her and she quickly asked to go up and try again. They put the belt on her and up she went. This time, she went up to the top and there was just no stopping her. She was close and we all knew this was it. She was about to take a leap of faith and her cheering squad below was giving her that boost she so desperately needed. She grabbed that bar, closed her eyes and stepped off and started to fly. There are moments at this place that I sit in awe of and this was one of those moments. I watched this camper doubt herself and then I watched this camper look fear in the face and tell it, not today.

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS

Inter Soccer – CAW 4 vs Poyntelle 5

BOYS SIDE SPORTS

Junior/Middy/Inter Hockey Lokanda Cup – CAW 0 vs Lokanda 8/ CAW 0 vs. Wayne 10

Super Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Starlight 5

It was a Round Robin night at CAW and each group had a fantastic evening activity. The weather was perfect and everyone was outside. An absolutely perfect summer night. Freshman, Juniors and Middies enjoyed an outdoor flick of the latest Diary of a Whimpy Kid. Under the stars, watching a great summer blockbuster was ideal for our youngest campers. Inter Boys and Girl spent their night running Quest which is an all camp scavenger hunt. They ran up, down and all around.  Senior Boys were on the major league field and it was Record Book for them. They were trying for the longest hit, farthest jump, fastest throw etc.. It was a record breaking night for our Seniors boys. Senior Girls enjoyed a movie in the Chen-A-Plex and loved it. Super Boys and Girls  were together at the tennis courts and played Water Games and Tailgated. It was a fun chilled out evening for our Supers. CIT Girls had a ball at  Knockerball while the CIT boys played an intense game of Manhunt.

Our GC’s are thriving in LA and so enjoyed their day in Santa Monica and time at the beach. It was a gorgeous day for our traveling GC’s and they consensus is, they ALL LOVE LA!

Another phenomenal day spent with great people, doing great things at the greatest place. This is why we say LIFE IS GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Tonights Blog had to be called Days Like This… Because the world would be a happier place if everyone had days like this.  Its hard not to be completely fulfilled when you start your day eating breakfast overlooking the most beautiful peaceful lake with all the glass doors wide open and you can feel that morning breeze. Then it’s off to play activities, maybe a baseball game or a biddy basketball tournament or just flying on the trapeze.. You find yourself making a friendship bracelet in Arts and Crafts or building the most awesome tower at Lego. Then you and your friends head out to a few more awesome fun activities like playing hard at the Ninja Warrior Course or sliding down the Chenny Zoom slip and slide. You have worked up quite a sweat so a nice jump in the lake and playing in the aqua park is exactly what you want. You enjoy an afternoon snack and then wrap up your day with one last fun activity to do as you make chicken fried rice at the Chenny Shack.  It’s time to shower and after that you head back into the Lodge for some incredibly delicious pizza. Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, it’s off to your evening activity for some serious laughs and great times. This is the day your children had. This is why we have happy campers – because they have days like this.

Girls Side Sports:

Collegiate Soccer – CAW 9 vs. Wayne 5

Collegiate Tennis – CAW 2 @ Starlight 3

Boys Side Sports:

Freshman Soccer Tournament at Starlight – CAW 6 vs. Wayne 2 / CAW 9 vs. Startlight 1

Middy Hockey – CAW 15 vs. Westmont 0

Collegiate Basketball – CAW 55 vs. Starlight 51

Do You Know Your Counselors? This was tonights evening activity and it was so much fun. Girls bunk O was the winner tonight as they most definitely knew their counselor and answered every question correctly. It was a blast to see the campers know their counselors favorite food, pets name, where they grew up etc… Our campers always bring the fun to whatever we do and tonight was just a blast. Shields Hall was packed tonight with campers screaming out answers about their counselors who they adore and love. It’s how we get so close to everyone here. We all now know that Abby from Perth, Scotland has a dog named Mini. Just a great night here at Chenny that everyone enjoyed.

Our CITs came back from their Hershey Park overnight trip happy and exhausted. The GC’s loved their day in Cali spent at Universal Studios and shopping at the Grove and Farmers Market. The campers ran into a few Tik Tokers along the way, which felt very LA and even got some selfies. They are loving their trip of a lifetime and we couldn’t be happier for the experience they are having.

Talk about a GREAT DAY – If you are a Chenny camper, your day was fantastic!! Our trips are not your average field trips. Our trips are packed with fun and created to bring your camper joy and amazing moments. Everyone put on their camp gold T-shirt and headed out for an amazing day.

Freshman, Juniors and Middies  started their day jumping around SkyZone.  They jumped and flipped and flopped all morning long.  After the campers wrapped up Skyzone, it was off to the movies to catch some summer block busters and chill out in the theater. Movies was a perfect second act to todays trip as our campers were ready to sit, relax and watch a movie while munching on popcorn. Our youngest campers  had an incredible day and as one camper who got off the bus and said it so perfectly when she said, “I loved going on the trip today but I loved coming back to camp even more.”

Inters & Collegiate enjoyed their day at Camel Beach. It was a perfect day to be at a water park. It was a hot one so getting soaking wet at the park was a perfect combination. These moments and memories they are creating are just priceless. Another ideal day spent in an ideal way. Its good to be an Inter & Collegiate,

Seniors & Supers had their fun at Kalahari. This extreme waterpark didn’t disappoint and our Seniors & Supers took advantage of everything Kalahari offered. It was all smiles for these kids as they got off the bus tonight. Actually it was a combination of exhaustion and elation from a day spent well.

GC’s landed in Los Angles and didn’t waste a minute. It was right to UCLA and the kids loved it. They explored Pauley Pavillion and even got to take a look at the UCLA practice football field up close and personal. They explored the bookstore and walked around this gorgeous campus. I know I am biased but as a Bruin (class of ’91) I truly think it is the most beautiful campus and I love the fact that our campers get to experience a day at my awesome alma mater.

CIT’s enjoyed an overnight at Hershey Park. They enjoyed the park today and get to do again tomorrow. What’s better than one day at Hershey Park?? Two days at Hershey.  There is just something so special getting to experience an amusement park with your camp besties. It defines summer and today was spectacular.

All our campers are all back in their bunks or hotel rooms (Cali and Hershey kids), sleeping peacefully from a day spent so well. It’s great to be a Chenny kid!!!

There are certain camp traditions you can always count on at Chenny and Boys Lip Sync is definitely one of them. For decades, this camp favorite has successfully allowed boys side to just let it all out there and embrace the performer inside of them. There is something quite unique about this day that brings boys side closer together and bonds become stronger. In between activities and utilizing any down time, boy divisions were practicing their act and working hard to learn lyrics and dances. All throughout camp today you could see boys side work together, coordinate their dance steps, laugh a lot and ultimately have the absolute best time continuing this crazy fun camp tradition. From the cutest Freshman to to the coolest CIT’s, Boys side was rockin’ today and everyone was ready to watch the big show.

GIRLS SIDE SPORTS:

Inter Tenis – CAW 4 vs. Poyntelle 1

Super Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 5

Super Basketball – CAW 19 vs. Poyntelle 39

SUPER/GC/CIT Basketball Tournament at Tyler Hill : CAW made it to the finals – CAW 28 vs. Westmont 32. Way to go Girls!!!

BOYS SIDE SPORTS:

Inters Tennis – CAW 2. vs. Poyntelle 3

Collegiate Softball – CAW 1 @Westmont 6

Senior/Super Hockey – CAW 5 vs. Westmont 7

Tonights evening activity is the most perfect example of why the bonds are so tight here and the vibes are so good. Where can you just let go and not worry about wearing a tutu as you dance across the stage jamming out with your air guitar. You do that right here and you will have an entire hall of people, cheering you on and singing with you. For boys side, these remarkable moments will forever stay in your campers memory. It was a standout show and boys brought the entertainment tonight. Girls side, was up on their feet, cheering them along, singing with them. When you are in Shields Hall experiencing Boys Lip sync, these words come to mind: Unity, Connection, Having Fun, Spirit, Freedom, Fearless, Bonding, Support, Entertaining, Funny and Tradition. We thank boys side for putting on a great show and a huge congrats to Lower Camp winners, Middies Michael Jackson and Upper Camp, CITaylor Swift!!

As everyone went to their bunks for the night, our GC’s were just getting started as they boarded the bus heading to the airport for their West Coast adventure. They have been waiting a longtime for this incredible trip and it happens tonight!! GC’s are on their way.

Oh, how life is so great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

We are all still floating from the most spectacular visiting day I think we’ve ever had. But it was back to business today and we didn’t waste a minute.  Our campers were loving a fun day of full activities, it was time to play.   We also welcomed our sibling rookies for their official rookie day today and these younger siblings definitely have the Chenny spirit. We cannot wait for them to join us next summer. There is a whole new Chenny class coming through and they are adorable and fun!!!!!

GIRLS SPORTS

Middy Tennis – CAW 3 @ Starlight 2

Inter LAX – CAW 3 @ Starlight 4

Collegiate Basketball – CAW 18@ Westmont 22

BOYS SPORTS

Freshman Basketball Tournament at Camp Wayne: 1) CAW 25 vs. Starlight 15 2) CAW 20 vs. Wayne 23

Inters Softball – CAW 1 vs. Westmont 5

GC/CIT Hockey Tournament at Lokanda – The Lions Cup: CAW made it to the finals!! CAW 1 vs. Tyler Hill 4

The talk throughout camp today as all about tonight’s evening activity, Chenny Jam. It was Girls side vs. Boys side and the competition was fierce. There was a lot on the line, as this intense staff basketball game would bring pride to either Boys side or Girls side. Girls side was dressed in pink and boys side wore all black. Team spirit was contagious and the energy was just insanity. This game was more fun that any NBA game we’ve ever been at. The last two summers Boys side brought home the W so Girls side was determined and focused . The game was close the whole way through with both sides bringing it tonight. There were several score changes but with an intense second half, GIRLS SIDE claimed victory tonight.   Actually, everyone won because the fun was off the charts to make this night, a camp favorite. The fun we have at Chenny has to be illegal. When a staff basketball game makes your kids feel like they are part of the action and integral to what is happening on the court, WE ARE WINING!!

Thank you again to the all our families that made this entire weekend so incredibly special. It takes a village and we love the village we have all created together!!

Feeling grateful.

Thank you to all of our incredible Chenny families who came to camp and made today spectacular. It has been four long years since we have had our amazing families here and today was just perfect. The vibes on camp felt great and we hope you loved your day at Chenny.  There is just nothing sweeter than watching you run to your children and hold them tight. That moment when you get your kids back in your arms is when everything is right in the world. No matter what precedes that moment – the heat, trying to balance the giant baskets you are shlepping as you run to the bunks or the pace in which you fly by whoever is in your way – nothing can stop you from getting that first embrace and it is sweet to see. The anticipation on your kids faces as they so desperately want to see you grab them off their porches is a sight that will never get old. Family is everything and when the band is back together, all is right in the world. We loved watching your family reunite and spend the day enjoying each other.  There was a basketball game between a group of Dad’s, campers and staff on Shields court and the Dad’s, by far were having the most fun. Everywhere you looked, families were having an absolute ball together. You trust this process and believe in camp and for that we thank you. We thank you for sharing your precious children with us as we do our very best to provide them with experiences that will enhance their lives and hopefully make them better people.  We see the profound effect this place has on everyone that came to camp today and we are so very grateful for being a part of your story.

There were so many amazing moments that unfolded in front of our eyes today and we are so incredibly grateful to be able to see how important camp is for your kids. It is why we do what we do – all to enhance and impact the lives of your children. To let them feel safe and secure in a world that may not always feel safe and secure. We hope today gave you confidence that your kids are in the most perfect place, surrounded by the most supportive and caring people.  Thank you for supporting us and trusting us with your beautiful children. Many of you came to me today and shared how you love reading my blogs. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me as I truly never know if anyone out there reads them. I try my hardest to give you all a birds eye view of the magic we experience here everyday and the fact that so many of you found me today and told me how much you love my words, means the absolute world to me.

We hope your Visiting Day was outstanding and was exactly what you needed. We have four more weeks of this amazing place and we plan to make each day better than the next. Thank you for your love, support and appreciation for how we take care of your babies. Your kids make us better people and we are so grateful for each and every single one of them. Visiting day 2023, it’s a wrap!

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

We are getting ready for our first Visiting Day in four years and we are so excited to have our families back at Chenny. Today was dedicated to getting camp ready and we are soooooo ready for you!!!

Some wins.. some defeats but Visiting Day is tomorrow so we are all GREAT!!!!

FR/JR Girls Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Starlight 6

Middy Girls Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Westmont 1

Senior Girls Tennis – CAW 1 vs. Westmont 4

GC/CIT Girls Basketball – CAW 39 vs. Starlight 16

Fr/JR Boys Basketball – CAW 30 @ Wayne 34

Senior/Super Boys Softball – CAW 3 vs. IHC 4

GC/CIT Boys Hockey – CAW 12 vs. Wayne 3

CG/CIT Boys Soccer -CAw 1 vs. Westmont 2

Congratulations to this weeks Campers of the Week. You are outstanding in every way!!!!

Girls Side: 

Freshman – Ava Wahler

Junior – Lily Ockner

Middies – Livi Paul & Dani Portanova

Inters – Gabby Hasenbein

Collegiaties – Carly Holztman

Seniors – Jordana Kohen

Supers – Zoe Lederman

GC – Sammy Witz

CIT – Sofia Levy

Boys Side:

Freshman – Jacob Feldman

Junior – Chase Harz

Middies – Brandon Carrasquillo & Matthew Zemble

Inters –  Bennet Schwartz

Collegiates – Trevor Wenstein

Seniors -Nate Wellikoff

Supers – Cade McClure

GC’s – Evan Benisch

CIT’s – Austin Bernstein

Kindness is everywhere on camp and we love it. Our Week 3 Kind Campers are incredibly kind, amazing campers and so deserve this recognition!!!! – Girls Side: Emily Udler, Liv Hirsch, Olivia Penson, Avery Leahy, Emerson Bodner, Mia Goldberg, Lela Schlanger, Meri Jacobs, Cami Cohen, Dylan Tacktill, Layla Bruno. Boys Side: Ryan. Blumenthal, Aiden Thaler, Gabe Barasch, Justin Cowan, Drew Kastin, Cole Pruss, Luke Holod, Ethan Marin, Cooper Offerman, Max Coffman

There isn’t a person on camp that isn’t going out of their mind with excitement for tomorrow. The weather forecast is beautiful and we are ready for you!! It’s been too long and we can’t wait to get our families back on camp. Just a few more hours to go until you hug your babies!!

See you in the morning 🙂