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It was another incredible day spent at our summer home. The weather was perfect and campers were happy, active and engaged. You can’t ask for more than that for our kids. It is why we do what we do. Seeing the tremendous growth that happens with each and every camper daily is what drives us all.  It takes a village and boy do we have an awesome one. You don’t see counselors without a camper holding their hand, sitting on their lap or catching a piggy back ride. It is such a beautiful sight to see as these bonds that happen and happen so quickly. Regardless if it’s wiping tears away and providing comfort to your children or just having a catch on a beautiful sunny day. These connections are so special and as a parent who sees this relationship with my own kids, I know that their presence in our kids lives makes them better people. Here, a twenty-something counselor has the ability to provide something us parents can’t. It’s a bond that is set apart and will forever hold an important place in the lives of our children. They learn differently from these relationship and there is a level of trust that is developed and doesn’t go away. We all give our children roots and sending them to sleep away camp is giving them their wings. It’s hard to imagine someone other than you understanding their fears, being there when they cry, tucking them in at night, laughing at their jokes, eating every meal with them and guiding them through their journey and that is exactly what our staff is doing with your children right now.

It was a busy and great day for our Chenny athletes. Enjoy the scoreboard:

Freshman/Junior Girls Soccer – CAW 9 @ Tioga 6

Senior/Super Girls LAX – Won by Tioga Forfeit

GC/CIT Girls Soccer – CAW 2 @ Wayne for Girls 5

Middy Boys Basketball – CAW 27 @ Westmont 29

Inter Boys Hockey – CAW 3 @ Westmont 14

Senior/Super Tennis Tournament @Starlight – Sam Tell Got to the Quarter Finals (Singles) – Jared Shiffman & Noah Shiffman Got to the Quarter Finals (Doubles)

GC/CIT Boys Tennis Wayne County Tournament @ Starlight – Noah Simpson Got the Semi-Finals (Singles) – Matthew Hellerman & Matthew Sussman – Semi Finals (Doubles)

The night belonged to Boys side as the put on quite a show with Boys Lip Sync 2017.  We often hear from parents that they just can’t imagine their boys getting up on stage performing a dance in front of the entire camp. Every single boy on camp came together with their division and performed an absolutely incredible performance tonight.  From the cutest and most adorable Freshman through the hilariously talented CIT’s, these boys put on a show that blew our minds. The entire Shields Hall was mesmerized as they watched, clapped and sang along with the boys on stage. I looked out at the crowd who all had smiles from ear-to-ear as they supported each other. Girls side was loving it as they cheered on boys side. It is the absolute best part of camp watching the support we give each other. We call it Chenny Pride but call it whatever you want, it is how we become family to one another. To see boys let loose, dance in front a packed house with such confidence and joy is awe inspiring. They let go and felt free – this type of outlet for our boys is just plain beautiful and it is what camp is all about. As hard as it was to pick a winner tonight, the Inters won for lower camp and for upper camp it was a unanimous decision as the CIT’s brought down the house and earned the Win!!  What a night we all had.

Life is sooooo GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!!

Chenny Out

 

We all live pretty fast paced lives that seem to go by so quickly and at times our schedules seem to overtake us . Even our kids schedules have them on hyper speed as they go from school to activities to practices to games to tutors to hebrew school back home for homework then they do it all over again the next day. Rarely do they have time to slow it down and smell the roses, until they come here. Today Jon and I took their lead and we stopped what we were doing in our office and we just sat at the waterfront and watched your kids who encouraged us to slow it down, be in the moment and enjoy life. There were a group of freshman boys making sand castles next to a group of Inter girls searching for four leaf clovers in the grass while a group of Collegiate girls were gazing up to the sky staring at the clouds above us, all without a stress in the world. We sat back in beach chairs fully relaxed with the biggest smiles on our faces and we had an hour of smelling the roses.

Straight from our Sports Center, Todays scores:

Freshman/Junior Girls Basketball – CAW 8 @ Wayne for Girls 10

Middy Girls Basketball – CAW 28 @ Wayne for Girls 4

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 5 @ Poyntelle 6

Freshman/Junior Boys Hockey – CAW 4 @ Starlight 5 (overtime)

Collegiate Boys Softball – CAW 0 @ Westmont 5

Senior Boys Tennis – CAW 2 @ Weequahic 3

Senior/Super Boys Softball – CAW 9 vs. Nesher 1

Are you ready some football? We are. Tonight’s Powder Puff game was epic. It was a fierce battle between our GC’s and CIT’s girls. GC’s were dressed head-to-toe in white and the CIT’s sported all black. They were playing for bragging rights and the stakes were high. Our girls were serious with faces painted and a determination to bring it tonight and of course the guys provided the spirit. They cheered on the girls and the watching crowd. This was our Super Bowl and the kids loved it. There were t-shirts, hats, tons of Chenny swag tossed out throughout the game. After each quarter, there was an impromptu dance party and of course everyone was getting in the groove. The entertainment was not just on the field, it was in the stands and every camper was part of the fun. Nights like these makes you smile from the inside out. You know it was an insane night as the entire camp was dancing down the hill back to their bunks after the game. Our CIT’s pulled out the “W” with a  14-0 victory but we were all the winners with an epic summer night!

Chenny out.

Our first week of Summer ’17 is in the books and it was incredible start. Campers are in their groove and have acclimated to their sumer home and what better way to end the week than with honoring our Campers of the Week. We love highlighting these outstanding campers who have gone above and beyond and achieved this incredible honor. We wish you could see the look on their faces as their Group Leader stands up and shares with everyone why this camper is so deserving of this recognition. It is pure joy and a pride that you can actaully feel. Congratulations to our first Campers of the Week for Summer ’17. You earned it!!

Freshman – Livia Sherman & Max Coffman

Juniors – Emma Erlich & Ian Cotler

Middies – Audrey Winter & Jacob Coffman

Inters – Dylan Yonover,Brooke Bortnick & Ben Selter

Collegiates – Emily Weprin & Jake Gold, Ethan Schwartz

Seniors – Rachel Farhi & Alex Levine

Supers -Natalie Blee & Andrew Grisack

GC’s – Ava Kreshover & Benji Herzog

CIT’s – Sara Kay & Matt Rosen

Our kids are having a ball playing ball. Here are the sports scores from the day:

                   Inter Girls Basketball – CAW 40 vs. Poyntelle 19

Collegiate Girls Tennis – CAW 3 @ Lohikan 2

Senior Girls Tennis – CAW 3 @ Wayne for Girls 2

GC/GIT Basketball – CAW 12 @ Tioga 23

Freshman/Junior Boys Soccer – CAW 10 @ Lohikan 2

Freshman/Junior Boys Basketball – CAW 33 vs. Poyntelle 8

GC/CIT Boys Soccer – CAW 10 @ Poyntelle 0

The night ended with a bit of rain and at the very last minute we had to reschedule our GC/CIT Powder Puff Game. Kids were dressed head-to-toe, psyched up, faces painted and ready to go but with very little warning, the rain moved in. Rather than being upset with this last minute change in plans, your kids rolled with it. The campers who know me, know my motto and it is ingrained in every camper here at Chenny. I ask them to be the River, not the Rock. As choosing to be the River allows us to go with the flow no matter what we face and how disappointed we may be. The River is always moving forward allowing us to see things we may not ever see if we lived life as the Rock. Living as the River is a choice and tonight no matter how disappointed the kids were that were so excited for Powder Puff, they chose to be the River. The lessons they learn here, the things they face here make them better, more tolerant and more patient human beings.

Chenny out.

 

What an incredible day we had today. We have been here for only one week but it feels like home to everyone inside these gates. Year after year, I still get that feeling of total joy being completely surrounded by a community that breathes positivity day in and day out. You just can’t walk 5 feet without seeing kids and staff arm in arm or holding hands. We all crave closeness and human connection and it thrives here. That feeling of being completely safe and trusting people who just entered our lives transforms who we are. It changes us for the better. We have become more open, more trusting, happier and it happens this quickly. It’s so hard to describe and my words can hardly give justice to what is happening here. I only hope that you at home can feel what we feel. Your children, many who are experiencing this for the very first time, have entered a world where they can just be themselves and are celebrated for it. Only a week in and this summer has a feeling that is truly indescribable.

We just finished our calls to the new campers families to go over their first week and I had a conversation with a mom and shared how her daughters favorite activity was climbing the rock tower to which she said that there is just no way her daughter climbed that tower. She couldn’t believe what I was saying. Her daughter was a bit timid and fearful of heights and would never in a million years try something that challenging. She asked me to make sure I had the right camper. I was second guessing the information I had so I went to that camper and asked her myself about her climbing adventure to which she replied, “I did it. I climbed the tower.” She told me how her heart was beating so hard but she did it and the look on her face was filled with so much pride. She did something that she thought she couldn’t and that is how change happens. One step up that rock tower became two steps which then became overcoming a fear and finding a strength you just didn’t know you had. Needless to say, the mom was in tears and her daughter looked fear in the face and climbed that tower.

It was a busy day for our Chenny athletes with games at home and away. We  couldn’t be more proud of their effort and sportsmanship. Win or loose they brought their  “A” game and had a ball.

Middy/Inter Girls LAX – CAW 6 @ Starlight 11

Super Girls Soccer – CAW 6 @ Camp Wayne 4

Collegiate Boys Basketball – CAW 48 @ Tioga 9

Super Boys Basketball – CAW 78 vs. Nesher 54

We discovered that our kids aren’t the only ones with some incredible talent as our staff shined bright at tonights’s Staff Talent Show. Our kids were blown away as they saw their counselors on stage showing off their talent. They sang and danced, they told jokes, they jammed on the guitar, the performed on the lyra and silks and they dazzled us all. Kids were screaming and cheering on their counselors with so much pride it so sweet to see. The kids loved it, the staff loved it and it’s nights like these that brings this family closer. After the show ended and it was dismissal, I overheard a Middy camper say to her counselor who performed tonight, “I know how nervous you were to sing on stage tonight, but you were just so brave and I’m so proud of you.” The counselor wrapped her arms around her camper as they walked back to the bunk and I stared in awe. These two people met just 6 days ago but the bond they created is so strong and is so real. Clearly her counselor shared how she was nervous to sing on stage tonight and her camper was right there to tell her how proud she was of her. This is the magic of this place. You don’t have to look to far. You just have to open your eyes and its right there in front of you.

Chenny out.

 

It was another picture perfect day at camp. Hard to fully fathom that we get to live in this place for the entire summer, surrounded by such beautiful nature alongside the kindest and most caring people. There is just no place like it and there is no wonder why once you are here you just don’t want it to end. Even our newest campers who just arrived only 5 days ago have made themselves right at home. Chenny has that effect on anyone and everyone who comes through our gates.

Now that all the tryouts are completed, its time to play.We had a few Wayne County games and our athletes were busy playing. Congratulations for games played hard and more importantly, played with integrity.

Collegiate Boys Hockey – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 16

GC/CIT Boys Basketball – CAW 75 @ Morasha  25

There are camp events that truly define what Chenny is all about and Sign and Sing is one of those traditions that has lasted through time. It is a camp staple that you look forward to and tonight didn’t disappoint. Since we all rolled into camp, the first big event is Sign & Song and girls have been practicing their dance for days. Each bunk on both girls and boys side creates a bunk plaque with a creative twist to their bunk letter. Every camper and counselor’s name is on it and that plaque will forever stay inside their bunk. It is a reminder for years to come that they were here in summer 2017 and left their mark. We have alumni that come and visit and the first thing they ask to see, is to try and locate their plaques. You can’t imagine the joy when you are a 35 year old father, touring camp with your soon-to-be camper and have come back to Chen-A-Wanda and the first thing you need to do is find your plaque. It is a reminder that you were here and you were part of the fabric of this amazing place. Well tonight was our night and it was incredible. The energy inside Shields Hall tonight was absolutely insane. It was a packed house and with every dance girls side performed, they were cheered on and encouraged. It is an incredible sight to see an entire community come together in support of one another. This event does name winners for best plaques and best dance and tonight’s winners deserved every accolade they received.  Best Plaques went to: Girls Bunk F (lower camp) and Girls Bunk T (upper camp) and on Boys side – Boys Bunk E (lower camp) and Boys W (upper camp) won the big awards.  But tonight is all about the dances and boy do we have incredibly talented girls. They danced their hearts out and loved every minute of it. Tonight’s winners were Girls Bunk J (lower camp) and Girls Bunk W (upper camp). Over the last decade, we have seen so many incredible performances but tonights dance by our CIT’s (Bunk W) took our breath away. These girls put on show unlike any we have ever seen. The crowd went crazy and stood on their benches screaming “W” after their performance. There was no doubt that this group of CIT’s left their mark forever as the all time greatest Sign and Sing dance we have ever seen.

There was such joy inside Shields Hall tonight. Tradition ran strong and there wasn’t a camper who didn’t have the time of their life being a part of true Chenny history. No matter if this is your 1st or 8th summer, you become part of this experience that forever bonds us together. Camp traditions like this define why there is just no place like Chenny.

Chenny out.

 

 

 

 

 

It was an incredibly gorgeous day with the sun shining bright and very slight chill in the air. Campers spent the entire day in regular activities and the weather could not have been more perfect. There is so much activity during the day but I must highlight the night we all had. Evening activity was insanely fun for every single camper and tonight was just an epic evening. It was Round Robin night and that means that each division had their own activity that was over-the-top fun.

Freshman Boys spent their night making the coolest Lego Race cars and racing them against each other. It was nascar lego style and it was so much fun. They collaborated on design and built some pretty cool cars. Our Freshman girls had a cupcake decorating party in The Cookhouse. They created delicious masterpieces and of course had the most fun when they ate what they made. It was a night-time pool party for the entire Junior division. What could be more fun that a swim party at night?  The Middy boys were at the baseball field and had their own home run derby. They loved it! The Middy girls were in the Chen-A-Plex, all in their jammies watching a movie. The Inter and Collegiate divisions were in Shields hall playing The Quest. It’s hard to describe but ask your camper about the Quest and they will just say one word, AWESOME!!! Our Seniors enjoyed a trie tailgate party with snacks, s’mores and a fun coed social party. The Supers had their own bonfire under the stars. It was Trivia night for our GC’s who had an amazing time playing for some incredible fun camp prizes. They were all in the Canteen, putting their heads together in this fun trivia competition. The CIT’s enjoyed their evening of MTV Music awards. Each group had the BEST time. It was one of those nights that just felt great. There wasn’t a group that didn’t love their night. It was an ideal summer night.

Then it was off too bed for our kids. Jon and I walked around boys and girls side saying goodnight to the kids and what happens inside those bunks at bedtime is even more engaging than the activities they just finished. We went bunk to bunk saying goodnight to the kids and we walked into a girls bunk who happened to be doing Rose and Thorn which is a activity during flashlight time when each camper is quiet in their bed and then one-by-one, share their Rose(favorite part) of the day and their torn(least favorite) thing they did that day. It was incredible to listen to each one of them share what brought them joy and things they liked the least today. It was peaceful and quiet and each camper had a chance to share with a captive audience. What each one shared mattered and the incredible piece was that each camper listened. Within minutes of the last camper sharing, they all fell peacefully asleep. It was so sweet and the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Chenny out.

There is something I’ve learned after running this camp for the last ten years and it’s that our CIT’s set the tone for how spirited and connected our camp feels. We’ve watched our oldest kids grow from their junior year till now. Seeing them develop into who they are right now has been a privilege that I can’t quite put into words. They start the chants, the spread the cheers and they can electrify a room with their love for Chenny. Our younger kids look up to them and even the kids just a few years younger want to be them. There is an aura in being a CIT here at Chenny and that feeling blankets every single division. Some years have stood out more than others but these kids have started this summer with such incredible and contagious camp spirit it is just awesome. Being a CIT is the first step into truly owning a sense of responsibility and giving unselfishly to the campers they CIT for. They are learning to care for others and give of themselves. They assist for 3 periods a day with a bunk of campers and the other periods throughout their day, they can do whatever activities they choose. I knew this group was bound for greatness as their Group Leaders pulled me aside and asked me if it was ok for the CIT’s s to work with their kids for more than the assigned 3 periods. They loved working with their kids so much and just wanted to do more. So when our CIT’s have the opportunity to be off or go to activities themselves, they are choosing to spend time with their kids. They are litterally passing on their love for Chenny to the kids just starting out. That relationship makes this summer family a giant circle with no beginning or no end. It is a continuous feeling of love and camp spirit and this group of incredible CIT’s are defining how incredible summer 2017 will be.

The fields were full of athletes trying out for teams, the studios and stage were packed with campers auditioning, the trapeze was in full swing with circus auditions and Arts & Crafts was hopping with kids creating works of art. It was a perfect camp day and you could see it on the faces of our kids. Happy and content would be the best description. Your kids have let go, gotten into their groove and embraced living happy and content for the next 48 days. It was Bingo night at Chenny and the prizes were flying. Kids were screaming with excitement as they won pizza parties, milk shakes for their bunk and Chenny fidget spinners for their entire division. If you can imagine your kids having the time of their lives screaming out “BINGO”. Evenings here are unlike anywhere else. You can have the most incredible time as you and your buddies laugh and scream out loud that you only need 1 more until you have BINGO. No fancy video games, no sitting in front of the TV, no staring at screens – just good old fashion fun with a bingo board and a room full of excited happy kids playing a game that they may never play at home – This is CAMP!

Chenny out.

Summer for us represents total peace and when I say that I am referring to watching your children navigate to a place of total and complete peacefulness. I walked around camp today and saw groups of campers and counselors playing card games together, throwing the ball to one another, getting into a basketball biddy game, dancing around together, sitting and just talking to one another. Yes of course they were completely engaged in their activities but it’s the other times that they form these moments that literally fill up their souls with what they haven’t had in a  long while. It’s why we send our kids to camp, to connect and you just cant walk 10 feet without seeing their connections. It is my most favorite part of this experience and I think its theirs too. A group of boys were sitting around the apple tree playing cards, getting along, laughing and could only be describe as total and complete peace. It happens organically and it is the magic of this place.

There was a camper who shared with me she felt anxious reconnecting with her group of friends and worried about not fitting in. The worry was all over her face when she arrived at camp and she shared how her school year was pretty difficult so she came here desperately wanting to be at peace. She shared how navigating her world on line was so hard and she was so eager to have real friends rather than virtual ones. It took only 1 day for this amazing young woman to get into her groove. She was able to be herself and that worried anxious face she arrived with was replaced with a relaxed ease that drew her friends towards her. I watched her throughout the day and it was as if that coat of armor she wore all school year long was way to heavy to wear here at camp. By days end, she was holding hands with her camp friends and this young amazing girl found her peace. I literally saw her transform in a matter of 24 hours. After tonights evening activity, I approached her and gave her a wink as she ran off with a group of friends who accept and love her. She didn’t seek me out for advice or support. She didn’t need me and I couldn’t be happier. That world outside our gates is sometimes cruel and hard to navigate for some kids but here they can find comfort in being themselves. It was magical and my heart is full knowing for the next 49 days, that camper is at peace here at Chen-A-Wanda.

The day was full of team tryouts and kids were actively playing all over camp. Dance team, baseball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, circus etc.. There was so many happy active kids – nothing better than seeing our kids outside playing and doing what kids are intended to do, Just to Play. After a full day of play, the evening was all about being entertained and Chenny didn’t disappoint. There was love in the air with our camp tradition of The Dating Game. From the Freshman to our CIT’s there were bachelors and bachelorettes asking hilarious and sweet questions and the answers were even better. We laughed from our bellies and had a night that was incredible. It’s days like this that make camp the most incredible experience and why we fall in love with this place. Best news is we get to it all over again tomorrow.

Chenny out.

Day 1 was everything we thought it would be, just PERFECT! Our campers jumped right into activities and boy were there happy campers all over camp. There is nothing like watching everyone begin their summer adventure and it started today. The day began with all our campers getting swim tested. The weather was warm so jumping into the pool was awesome. Smiling happy faces were EVERYWHERE.. If you can imagine a place where everyone you see is so happy and content, that is where we live for the next 50 days. Just pure bliss. We start our day walking to breakfast where everyone greets each other with “good morning” and “have a great day today” is our norm. It’s just what we do here and it’s contagious. The feeling of being here makes you smile at people you just met and it happens that quickly. The activities are awesome but the feeling inside our gates is better. There is just nothing that matches this feeling. It is no surprise why this is true happy place.

Activities were hoppin’ and kids were playing all day long. Watching them outside in nature, breathing this gorgeous fresh air, excercising their bodies, and relating to one another other in person vs. texting friends  in front of the computer is why there is no better place for our kids. There was a Junior girl who is new to Chenny this summer and as I watched her contemplate if she would try the trapeze, her new group of friends she just met encouraged her to climb that ladder and try it. She was tentative but looked at her new friends and said “ok…Im gonna do it, even if I am a little scared”. She took a deep breath, climbed that ladder and never looked back. She grabbed the bar, closed her eyes and all you heard and she went flying was a giant..”WEEEEEEE”. As she flew back and forth her eyes finally opened and that smile was priceless. When she was back on solid ground, her new friends all hugged her. It was magical and I felt so privileged to watch this happen right in front of my eyes. This is why Chenny is all of our happy place. Going from strangers to family on day 1.

As the sun set over Fiddle Lake, it was time for dinner and this night set our dance parties into high gear. It began with a flash mob our staff had practiced all throughout orientation. The kids went nuts, stood on the tables and watched our mob get down and it wasn’t long before the kids got into the rhythm and jammed right along with us. We became ONE tonight at dinner and the party just started. After a full day of insane fun, followed by a crazy dance party in the Lodge who thought this day could better and it did…. Our campers were entertained with some incredible magic by Eric Wilzig who blew our minds. The kids LOVED it. There were so many, “how’d he do that?” We all left Shields Hall scratching our heads not believing what we just saw.

So Day 1 Summer 2017 is in the books and if today is a sign of what is to come this summer, we are one lucky summer family because it was a perfect day. We are in the Chenny bubble and there is just no other place we want to be. Feeling pretty lucky we get this all summer long.

Chenny out.

 

Wow.. What a day. We have all been counting the days, waiting for this moment to come and it is finally here. There has been so many emotions waiting for Summer 2017 to begin and in a blink, here we are. There is nothing in the world like the feeling when we roll pass our camp sign and head to our summer home. Regardless if this is your 8th summer or your first, that feeling of excitement and anticipation is palpable. You can actually feel it- It’s pure electricity. As each bus rolled in, they were greeted by their friends and counselors who were chanting and cheering for their arrival. There was so much love at camp today, when the campers arrived it felt like our camp became a home.

So we begin with a full house of incredibly happy kids, insanely spirited staff, activities that will inspire and a summer full of plans that will make this experience unforgettable.

We know that the start of this day wasn’t ideal for our Long Island families who dealt with delays we were faced with and we want you to know that your kids are truly remarkable. They handled this mishap with such an awesome perspective and though the bus stop may have presented some challenges, they rose to the occasion and didn’t let it effect the start of their summer for one minute. We are in awe of how they chose to put this in perspective. They had giant smiles when they got off the bus and were ready to go. It was awesome to watch them deal with challenges with such grace and ease. You have incredible kids who just rolled with it and we couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.

In true Chenny tradition, we all enjoyed spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and of course a giant dance party was happening in The Lodge. After dinner, it was off the Shields Hall for our opening night and it was incredible. A packed house, full of spirit and excitement was where you kids spent their evening. The smiles on their faces said it all. It was an absolutely perfect evening that kicked off our summer. So off we go to have the summer of our lives and as I told them tonight, they all deserve what is in front of them – A summer that will leave a mark on their hearts forever and it is our absolute pleasure and honor to provide that for your children.

Enjoy your summer and we will take it from here. Thank you for your support and belief in us and we hope to send your kids back in 51 days a bit more independent, more self confident, capable to navigate through things that challenge them, with a ton more friends and memories that last throughout their lifetime.

Chenny out.