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It’s hot up here but we definitely know how to keep cool. Our campers were well hydrated, sun screened to the gill, spent the day in water, ran in in sprinklers and all around had a day of play being wet. Sure it was a heat wave but that didn’t stop us. Chenny kids have things to do and heat or no heat, we are ready to play!

Kindness matters here and it is my absolute pleasure reading every single nomination. I get chills upon chills when I see a camper nominate a person they want to recognize for their kindness. One camper wrote about a friend she nominated, “You have to pick her for Kind Camper this week because she is the overall nicest person I have ever met. She puts a smile on everyones face, everyday. She makes me feel safe and is always inclusive. She would only say positive things about people and she inspires everyone to be better. Her heart is made of gold and she is the definition of a kind person.” Your kids are nominating people who make a difference and it is an honor to call them out and highlight their greatness. Congratulations to outstanding kind campers. They are the best example of what goodness is. If your child is listed below.. kudos to you because your children are amazing people. There is no bigger compliment than for your peers to see you as a kind person. It’s Cool To Be Kind!

Parker Margulis, Ava Lefkowitz, Abby Leeds, Sammie Keane, Sammie Seldon, Hayden Garland, Gabby Hoffman, Alexa Haber, Eve Lindenauer, Talia Kaplan, Bari Klein, Evan Marcus, Asher Slotkin, Jake Shiffman, Kobe Koren

Win, lose or draw, Chenny Kids give it their all!

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 1 @ Poyntelle 11

Senior/Super Girls LAX – CAW 5 @ Lohikan 8

GC/CIT Girls Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Wayne 4

Freshman/Junior Boys Baseball – CAW 0 @ Wayne 4

Middy Boys Soccer – CAW 0 @ Wayne 3

It was Round Robin tonight and the kids had the absolute best time ever. Our Freshman Girls were busy with decorating cakes and the Freshman Boys spent their night at the Chenny Shack making Pizza’s. The Juniors had an amazing time playing a camp fav, Quest. Middy Boys were loving their Biddy tourney at Biddy City and the Middy Girls  loved Cake Wars. All the Inters and Collegiates had a great time at their pool party. Senior boys enjoyed Ultimate Frisbee Challenge while the Senior Girls were in the Chen-A-Plex watching a fun summer flick. The Supers had an insane evening at their Slip N’Slide Foam Party while the GC’s Tailgated. Our CIT’s got off camp and spent their night at Arlos enjoying Milkshakes and ice cream sundaes.

When you think it can’t possibly get any better, it does!!!!

Life is great at Chenny 🙂

Chenny out.

With the temperatures raising, it was all about getting in the water. There wasn’t a camper on camp that wasn’t in the pool, lake or just getting drenched with water. Everyone was wet and happy. We were cool, wet and having a great day getting soaked.

Sports… Sports….Sports and more Sports….

Inter Girls Tennis – CAW 4 @ Tioga 1

Inter Girls Softball – CAW 6 @ Tioga 5

Collegiate Girls Tennis – CAW 1 @ Westmont 4

GC/CIT Softball – CAW 9 @ Tioga 2

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 9 vs. Island Lake 2

Middy Boys Hockey – CAW 7 @ Wayne 6

Collegiate Boys Tennis – CAW 2 vs, Island Lake 3

At evening line-up we announced our Camper’s of the Week. There is nothing quite like hearing your name being called knowing that you have done a great job this week. These campers earned it and deserve it. Congratulations to these outstanding campers!! We are so very proud of you.

Freshmen                     Lexi Liberman                 Nate Wellikof

Juniors                          Billie Margulis                 Jed Schissler

Middies                          Lola Housenbold            Jordan Klatsky

Inters                             Jillian Shohet                   Jacob Coffman

Collegiates                     Sammi Leon                  Logan Salzman

Seniors                           Cassidy Reese                  Alex Frank

Supers                            Morgan Klein                  Bradley Luts

GC’s                                Rachel Novick                  Aaron Platt

CIT’s                               Maya Cohen                     Benji Herzog

When you say Nancy Tucker to any camper anywhere, they start to smile, jump up and down and say, “I Love Nancy Tucker”. Nancy Tucker was in the house. Nancy is an old school folk music singer that entertains us with her FAMOUS songs like, One Meatball, Jellyfish, Buttons Buttons and her most popular Habitat.. Each one comes with its own hand movements that everyone knows and if they didn’t know it, they do now. I truly can’t explain what Shields Hall looked like tonight with every camper singing along with the very famous Nancy Tucker at Chenny! There is just no doubt that Nancy Tucker nights will never be forgotten and her songs will forever be part of your children’s Chenny experience.

Chenny out.

 

 

Today was an incredible day. Waking up to the bluest sky, with the cleanest crisp freshest air, the warmth we feel from the sun shining down on us and the greenest rolling mountains that surround our summer home, gives each one of us a connection to nature and has this incredible positive effect on how we feel. You walk outside and you are just in an awesome mood. When an entire community starts their day with this much positivity, it is hard to have a bad day. That is one of the many reasons why life is great here. I try and observe our campers experiences so you at home can feel what is happening here inside our gates but today was that kind of day that deserved a description of the beautiful landscape we live in and how it effects each one of us in the most awesome way.

Fields and courts were packed with action today.

Middy Girls Softball – CAW 2 @ Starlight 12

Middy Girls Basketball – CAW 9 @ Westmont 15

Collegiate Girls Basketball – CAW 32 vs. Starlight 10

Super Girls Softball – CAW 17 @ Pearlman 2

Freshman/Junior Boys Hockey – CAW 11 vs. Wayne 1

Freshman/Junior/Middy/Inter Boys LAX – CAW 4 vs. Wayne 19

Senior Boys Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Tioga 0

GC/CIT Boys Tennis – CAW 1 @ Wayne 4

Sign & Song was the event of the day. This very long-standing camp tradition is celebrated by so may who came before and us and will continue for years to come. Everyone can count on this camp favorite and it doesn’t disappoint.  Each bunk decorates a plaque that will live on the bunk walls forever. It is a tradition that cements your summer here at Chenny. Your name will forever be up on our walls, that you can count on. When any Chen-A-Wanda alum come by for a visit, the first thing they do is search for their bunk plaque. Each bunk on girls side performs a dance they have worked on all week long. From the cutest Freshman through our beautifully talented CIT’s, the girls put on quite a show tonight. Boys side was cheering them on and nights like this makes us a camp family. There is a winner for lower and upper camp plaques as well as winners for dance in both camps. Tonight was incredible and we didn’t envy our judges as they had a tough time choosing the winners but a huge congratulations goes to the bunks that we’re crowned winners:

Lower Camp Best Plaque- Boys Bunk G and Girls Bunk G

Upper Camp Best Plaque – Boys Bunk W and Girls Bunk N

Winner of Sign & Song Dance: Lower Camp – Girls Bunk F

And the first time in Sign & Song history there was a tie – Congratulations to Upper Camp Winners – Girls Bunk L and Girls Bunk W – It was a Chenny first.

Tonight was amazing and Sign & Sing is in the books for 2018. All campers are sleeping peacefully and camp is quiet but only for a few hours until we rise again and do it all over again tomorrow.

Chenny out.

 

Up here at camp there is one thing we expect from our campers and staff and that is to lead with kindness. You can’t go wrong when you show kindness and every single day we see these actions all around us. Making others feel good is part of our ethos and everyone here is catching on, beautifully. You see it daily and it warms your heart. When you start your day and everyone on your left and right greet you with “Good Morning” or when you are walking up the hill to Circus and anyone who passes you gives you a high five. Tonight, I was visited by two boys who brought to my attention a counselor, who wasn’t even their counselor who made an impact on them. These two campers were sitting at the hockey rink and one was sharing how he was feeling a bit homesick. In ear shot, this counselor that they didn’t know walked over and sat with them. He asked if they wouldn’t mind if he joined them and then shared a story about how he too felt the same way when he went off to college. Whatever was said helped the camper who was feeling a bit challenged with missing home but the story didn’t end their. These two campers felt compelled to ask me if I would consider giving a Kind Camper T-shirt to this counselor. He had made such an incredible gesture by just sitting with the kids, sharing his story and providing support that they wanted to honor him. The boys even said how it inspired them to listen and look for people who may need their support to get through tough moments. Nothing made me smile bigger today than bearing witness to this incredible connection and amazing act of kindness.

Our kids are off and running with their Wayne County games:

Super Girls Soccer – CAW 6 @ Westmont

Freshman/Junior Boys Basketball – CAW 35 vs. Westmont 42

Inter Boys Basketball – CAW 29 @ Tioga 4

Super Boys Tennis – CAW 2 @ Westmont 5

GC/CIT Boys Lacrosse – CAW 4 vs. Westmont 7

Tonight’s evening activity was INCREDIBLE!!! It was the staffs’s talent show and it was so good. WhenI say the campers loved it, that doesn’t truly represent what happened in Shields Hall tonight. There were dances, magic acts, singing, comedy and other incredibly talented people taking center stage and blowing our minds. The entire camp family was up on their feet, singing along and cheering at the top of their lungs. You had to see it to believe it and we experienced a night to remember. One of our new counselors was so beyond fearful to showcase her singing talents and before the show she was contemplating bailing out due to nerves. Her campers got behind her and motivated her to face those fears, get on the stage and sing and that she did. She had us all in the palm of her hands and sang her heart out. I have seen some pretty incredible ovations here at camp but this one took first place. She was incredible and after her performance all her girls ran to her with so much pride and adoration that she began to cry with joy. That counselor approached me and said that it wasn’t easy for her to sing in front of a crowd this size or any crowd for that matter but her girls gave her the courage. That is the magic of this place. We inspire one another to be better, to be brave, to step out of our comfort zones and to be magnificent.

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out.

Even rain can’t stop the fun up here at Chenny. Regardless if you are wearing sneakers with the sun shining or rain boots with grey clouds, we still seem to have the most incredible days here. There were a group of boys that were jumping in puddles and having a ball. The puddle was there and they had to jump in it. Had to! A few years back, I learned a lesson that has stayed with me to this very day. As a mom, I always tried to have my kids avoid puddles as it would soak their shoes and get their feet wet and muddy. Even here at camp, I found myself telling to kids to be careful of puddles and mud as it may ruin their shoes, soak their socks and their feet would get cold. But that was then until a group of amazing young kids turned my thoughts from wet soggy feet to having the time of their life playing in puddles. I realized that a puddle to a kid is like moth to a flame – It is unavoidable. So I learned that telling kids to avoid those puddles are futile. I would much rather wash their shoes and socks after puddle jumping fun than keep a child from jumping in. Why? Because it’s fun, it’s freeing and it’s letting go of inhibition. So today with that group young boys, I jumped in too. My shoes were soaked and yes my feet were cold but I laughed along with them and had the time of my life jumping in puddles with your kids.

Today began our Wayne County Tournaments and our kids played with heart and grit. Playing up here is so very different than playing at home. There is never any stress, never any disappointment and playing at camp is playing for the love of the game.

Collegiate Boys Soccer –  CAW 2 @ Camp Wayne 9

Senior Boys Basketball – CAW 53 @ Camp Wayne 14

Super Boys Basketball – CAW 22 @ Camp Wayne 41

It was Sense and Nonsense for our younger campers tonight. Boys side vs. girls side and with blindfolds on, they had to touch, taste and smell certain items and guess what they were. They LOVED the show tonight and many of our campers were on stage sniffing, touching and tasting. It was hilarious and the kids loved it. Our older kids spent their evening in a black light party in the Canteen. Faces were painted with glowing in the dark paint and the canteen was fully black lighted. Music was pumping, dancing was happening and the kids had a ball. Just another day with purpose, play and meaning up here in paradise.

Chenny out!

 

What an incredible day we had today. I mean really incredible. A day you want to duplicate and never forget. The sun was shining and the weather was absolutely perfect. Not too hot not too cold, just perfect. The campers were literally skipping to breakfast this morning. Actually skipping. You can’t help but have an amazing day when you start out skipping to breakfast. It sets the tone and makes you feel good from the inside out. Not a better way to be and live and fills up your soul with good feelings of positivity. Your children are surrounded by this vibe all day long. It has only been 4 days and this feeling is why we Wanda!

Fields were full, studios were rocking, fitness was spinning, cooking was delicious and our camp was full of happy kids. Sports try outs are happening and our campers are giving it their all. I watched as a Middy boy was up at bat getting instruction from our coaches and getting praised for his effort. He stood taller after each pitch and you could see his confidence rise with the encouragement of our staff. That child worked on his swing and hit a double and he rounded each base with a smile that would melt your heart. Once he reached second base, I heard him say that he never knew he could hit like that. He didn’t like to play at home because he felt that he wasn’t good enough but here at Chenny, he felt like a star. It was pure joy and I was sure glad to see it. This is why we Wanda!

The Dating Game is a camp tradition that everyone loves at Chenny. Our kids were up on stage, as bachelors and bachelorettes. Asking crazy questions about love that made everyone laugh. One camper sang to prove his adoration for the mystery girl sitting behind the partition. The other showed his love with a poem he made up on the spot. He brought the house down and our kids made this night one to remember. Love was in the air tonight and this is why we Wanda!

Chenny out

 

 

 

Today was an awesome camp day as campers spent the day outside playing. There is truly no better sight to see than watching kids run around and play and that is exactly what your children did all day long. They had catches at center camp,  flag football games and gaga tournaments. They jumped into the lake, created works of art in Arts and Crafts and just had the greatest day. This is what our children crave and deserve and we are so happy to provide a place that playing outside all day with your friends exists.

The highlight of the day for all our new campers was hanging with their first friends. We got the kids together and the Big’s & Little’s absolutely loved it. There were special handshakes and dances they made together and this is what makes Chenny a family. Everyone is connected to one another and for our newest Chenny kids and returning older campers, this afternoon was just so special. You could see the smiles on their faces and joy in their heart as their world got a bit bigger today.

It was a day of tryouts as our fields and courts were busy with kids playing their favorites sports. As I watched the junior girls tryout for the softball team, it lifts my spirit to see kids get encouragement for trying and giving it their all. Some kids picked up the bat for the very first time but the try was all we required. Coaches get behind each one of them and from their heart praise your children. That amount of sportsmanship and support is not always associated with youth sports but that is what we do here. To see the smiles on the campers faces as they learn new skills and try their best and are celebrated for it is priceless. To be a part of our sports program here is to play for the love of the game without pressure or stress. It’s magical and so necessary for our kids. You see them thrive when they are coached without criticism and praised for what they can do. Stay tuned as we post Wayne County Tournament scores on this blog as soon as games begin.

The evening was all about BINGO and no matter how simple of a game it is, it just never gets old. That thrill when your letter/number is called and you yell out BINGO and the crowd goes wild. Kids were on the edge of their seat waiting for the next number to be called and it was intense. The room went nuts as a brand new Middy boy yelled out BINGO and his bunkmates went crazy because the prize he won was extra canteen for the entire bunk and a Beast ride from Jon. If you don’t know what the Beast is, your kids sure do and getting a ride on it is legit!!!

Another amazing day at this spectacular place we all call home!

Chenny out

It was our first full day and we are all getting into our groove. It didn’t take long for our campers to feel right at home. There were happy campers playing baseball, flying on the trapeze, working out in the fitness center, singing in the School of Rock. Camp was rocking today and kids had a pep in their step. It was just a giant good mood here at Chenny and it was contagious. I watched as group of kids sat around the apple tree and one camper pulled out a deck of cards and started a game of War. These kids didn’t need Netflix to fully occupy themselves. Instead it was 52 cards, good friends, lots of laughs and an afternoon that filled their souls. I found myself watching this incredible group of campers all period long and it was mesmerizing. There were jokes and lots of conversation and the most fun game of War I have witnessed.  They had a ball just being together. It was magical and it is exactly what camp life is all about. It’s the reason that friendships are on a different level here. It’s because your children are authentically themselves here and sitting under an apple tree playing card games is so much better than Fortnite. Screens are replaced by faces. Conversations rule. Holding hands beats  holding a device. It was just an incredible day at Chen-A-Wanda.

Our evening activity entertained the entire house. We had 2 insanely talented guys that took drumming to a whole new level. Our stage was covered with trash cans, pots and pans and buckets that were turned into the most fun drum show we have ever had here at Chenny. The kids were jamming along and loved every minute of the show. It was high intensity, it was comedy, it was crazy fun and your kids LOVED it! Just a great way to end a fabulous first full day. The best news is that we get to do this all over again tomorrow. To say were the lucky ones is an understatement. So here is to more card games sitting under apple trees, more laughs with great people by our side and more days and nights filled with good vibes. To say we are lucky to have this experience is an understatement. We cannot wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Chenny Out

 

After 10 long months of waiting for this day, it is finally here. Our house is full and we are happy up here in our little world of paradise. Our campers stepped of the bus and were welcomed with open arms, giant smiles, huge hugs and an excitement that makes you feel good from head to toe. There is just nothing quite like watching this scene as each bus rolls through our gate and campers enter a world of happiness, joy and so much love. Campers were flying into their counselors arms and these reunions could just melt your heart. Our new campers were wide eyed and so excited to meet their new friends and counselors. Within seconds, the magic happened and connections were made. Our campers got right into activities and ice breakers. We were outside, breathing in the beauty of where we will live for the next seven weeks. There was conversation, piggy back rides and human connection without a phone in sight. Your children played outside all afternoon and couldn’t get enough of it. The joy that swept over this place is truly awe-inspiring.

Our Staff has worked diligently these past few weeks getting ready for today but something special happens when the kids arrive – CAMP CHEN A WANDA LITERALLY FINDS ITS HEARTBEAT. They bring an energy and peacefulness that makes our house a home. I was sitting with a new camper in his bunk that was nervous and a bit teary. His bunkmates were outside having a catch but noticed their new buddy wasn’t dealing with his transition as easily as they were. Each camper came over to this boy and offered words of encouragement but most importantly they offered their friendship. There was no agenda with these amazing young boys, just an offer of kindness and support. I witnessed the best part of humanity at that moment as these kids embodied kindness to a level that took my breath away. They saw a new friend who was feeling unsure and scared and they put their hands out and brought him in. In a world that could feel overwhelmingly isolated and unfair – these boys were inclusive and kind. And we’re only on day 1.. This is looking to be an incredible summer.

It was off to our first dinner with a full house and it was INCREDIBLE!!! The music was pumping, the kids were singing at the top of their lungs, dancing on the tables and smiling from a place that looked as if it came right from their heart. This freedom to fully let go and embrace this experience allows our kids to feel comfortable in their skin knowing they are not judged but encouraged to be and feel free. Our kids need this and they get it here. It was an absolutely incredible day at Chenny and there wasn’t a moment today that I wasn’t overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to spend our summer with your kids.

Day 1 was a success and we are just getting started.

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out

Hi, I’m Sam “Skinny” Smith and this is my Camp Chen-A-Wanda story…

It was the almost the Summer of 2014. The summer was quickly approaching and me being a 19-year-old student, I had no plans for the summer. Luckily, a good friend of mine, Michael Evans, got in contact with me and started explaining how he had applied to work at a summer camp in Pennsylvania. Next thing, I am all set to work as a counselor at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

I still remember the mad panic of getting the job, then rushing the visa, and finally, after all the flights and travel, getting to camp (three days after Staff Orientation had begun). I had made it and I will never forget my first night walking into the Counselors Lounge, jet-lagged, and desperate for my bed. The instant I walked in, Michael jumped at me and drags me to a group of four people playing a game. I remember first being terrified and then quickly getting to know them, and I still see a few of them every year at camp.

Even though my friend who introduced me to the idea of working at a summer camp was not up for a second summer, I did. The homely, friendly, and active style of camp had me instantly thinking I will be coming back here for more! Four summers so far in fact (and counting).

I don’t know whether it was “my boys” or the general camp vibe and excitement from all the campers and staff alike, but camp soon felt like home. Now as my next summer approaches, I am known by all my friends for constantly talking about camp and trying to recruit them to the next summer. It seems to be the first thing I ask people about if they mention looking for outdoor work.

I can honestly say that I have made some of my strongest connections through camp and still have members of the “Cheny Family” that I haven’t seen in multiple years, but can still speak to on a day to day basis! The summer at CAW are always different and seem to be getting better and better each year. Although “my boys” were CIT’s last year and some of the will not be returning this summer, I am still confident I will have a great summer back at camp. Now if I can only speed up time and get there now…