We had a great day today full of regular activities and hobby. Teams were out playing in their Wayne County games. The sun was shinning and the mood was fantastic at camp.

The cast of the Wedding Singer was busy rehearsing for their big show. All the campers were practicing their lines, singing the songs, dancing their numbers and getting ready the big night. They have all been working so hard, we can’t wait to see them up on the stage.

Tonights evening activity began as we honored our campers and staff that have been with us for 5, 7 and 10 years. Those who are celebrating their 5th summer here at CAW, were given a 5 year sweatshirt. Those who are spending their 7th summer here, received a 7 year sweatshirt and those who have been here a decade received a very special 10 year Chen-A-Wanda blanket. It was pure pride on the faces of our campers and staff as they walked up through the sea of our camp family to receive their very special gifts and it was our pleasure to honor them. They have made CAW their summer home and we hope that every camper in the Rec Hall tonight,will at some point get their own gift for being with us and part of this wonderful camp family.

After the gift giving ceremony, the campers laughed, giggled and were in awe of the hilarious Brent McCoy and his crazy show. As he juggled,joked and made things disappear in front of our vey own eyes, we all were entertained and loved it.

One thing is approaching very quickly and that is of course Visiting Day. The campers are getting excited as we prepare for your arrival. You can feel the excitement build as we are getting ready for the big day.  We are enjoying every second of this summer and we can’t wait to have you all here this Saturday.

Chenny out.

It was late up wake today and we all needed the extra sleep. After our delicious brunch, it was free play but all the campers had their minds on the Carnival. Our lower softball field was filled with water slides, inflatable obstacle course, a gyroscope, over-sized inflatable chair and so much more. We all munched on cotton candy, popcorn and fresh fruit smoothies. The campers spent time playing carnival games and dunking our staff in the dunk tank. It was just an incredible day full fun, friends and fantastic memories.

Our evening was spent in the Rec Hall being dazzled by the Harlem Wizards. Our staff played against this fantastic team and the campers loved every minute of this fabulous show. Dunks, spins, twirling basketballs.. our heads were spinning …kids were cheering and chanting. A great  night that we all enjoyed.

Every day gets better and better here at CAW. We love it here!!

Chenny out.

All the campers had a great day out of camp. The weather had us make some last minute changes to our trip schedule and all the campers were pleased with the new game plan.

After Olympics, we all needed to slow the pace a bit and todays trips was perfect for that. Our Junior amd Middy divisons headed out for a movie matinee then it was off to the bowling alley for some fun. The Inters, Collegiates and Seniors started their day at the bowling alley then ended at the movies. Our Supers & GC’s headed up to Syracuse University for a college tour then off to the mall for some shopping.

It was another great day at CAW.  Oh how lucky we all are to get to do this everyday.

Chenny out.

It was another intense day of competition as the campers got into their games.  The race was so close that only 40 points separated the first and third teams as the morning began. Every camper was giving it their all.  It was all about the TEAM today. After a morning of games, it was off to song practice. The teams practiced their Cheer, March and Alma Mater. Getting everyone in unison was the goal for Song. Mid afternoon it was off to the track field for an afternoon of races.  The campers poured their heart and soul into every competition as the rest of their team cheered them on. After a rest, all three teams were down at the Lake Court and it was time for Bucket Brigade.  A camp favorite.

The Olympic games ended as all three teams presented their songs, banner and plaque. Now it was in the hands of judges as the decision of who would win Olympics 2010 was about to be announced. The Rec Hall was packed with our campers dressed head to toe in their team colors waiting on bated breath and all at the edge of their seats. The time had come and the judges had a scooter relay race to announce the winner. It was Red Canada who took the Gold!!! This was one of the closest races in Chen-A-Wanda history.

Final Scores:

• Red Canada – 1685
• Gold South Africa – 1674
• Green Italy – 1671

What we learned from these games were that we all played hard, respected the game, supported each other and believed that in the end it wasn’t just about getting the win but being there for one another. Two and half days ago, we began as Red Canada, Gold South Africa and Green Italy and tonight we are back to being One Camp Family!!!

Chenny out.

It was a gorgeous day at camp. Perfect weather for the battles that were played throughout camp. Our campers were dressed head to toe in Red, Gold and Green showing their team pride. Faces were painted and all were ready for the days events. You could hear the chants and cheers all through camp. The spirit here at CAW is contagious. By dinner time, only 15 points separated each team from 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. This is a very close race and all the campers know it.

As the sun was setting, it was time for Apache Relay. The pace is intense and the campers were so excited to be a part of the race. The whistle blew and off they went. The campers engaged in 70 events all around camp and no camper was left out of the fun. No matter how big or small their event was, all the parts made up the whole. Together we completed the Apache Relay.

No matter if it was a Junior girl battle of steal the bacon or a Senior boy game of basketball, you see great competition and fantastic sportsmanship. We cheer each team on as they get a victory and applaud those who fell short,   for their valiant effort.  Our campers are giving it everything they have.  One more day of Olympic games. Who will get the gold?  We shall see.

Chenny Out.

The weather was perfect today. The forecast said rain but not a drop fell from the sky. Campers enjoyed their normal activities but all the camp chatter was about Olympics 2010. Anticipation was in the air as campers hung around center camp waiting for a breakout. After dinner the campers were at their respective line ups and over the loud speaker the Olympic theme song went blaring through camp. Screams and cheers erupted as our campers knew what was coming next. Olympics was breaking out and the excitement grew stronger. Our head counselors ran an Olympic torch processional all through camp, culminating at a ceremony at the lake court. The ceremony highlight our seven virtues that define Chen-A-Wandas Olympic games. The virtues are:

• Sportsmanship
• Dedication
• Camaraderie
• Spirit
• Competition
• Teamwork
• Have Fun

The ceremony concluded with our head counselors lighting the Olympic rings and honoring our team captains. Then it was off to tugs-of-war where our spirited campers gave it their all and pulled that rope. The night ended but our campers know that tomorrow will be a full day of Olympic games as Red Canada, Gold South Africa and Green Italy compete for the Camp Chen-A-Wanda Olympic Gold.

This spirit is alive at CAW!!!

Chenny out.

We had another great day full activities and happy campers. The weather finally cooled down and camp had a great buzz.

Our camper talent show was tonight so all the campers in the show were rehearsing their talents throughout the day. We had singers, comedians, dancers, drummers, impressionists, trumpet players and more. There is one thing we learned about our camp family, we have very talented campers here at CAW. The big show was fantastic and the performers got big applause after each act. It is amazing to see that when our campers take the stage, they are cheered on and supported by the entire camp. No matter if one sings out of tune or misses a step, there are cheers, claps and applause. We are a true camp family that lift each other up. Tonight was awesome!!

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Chenny out.

We had a perfect camp day, full of regular activities.  The day was fun and full of camp spirit. Campers were excited about the new giant slide and watermat that made their debut in our lake today. The 10″ slide is amazing and the campers could not wait to get on it and take a slide down into the cool lake. It was a day that the campers played on the beach and made huge & elaborate sand castles. What a fun day we had!

With the sun going down, all the camp chatter was about Chenny Idol. The campers loaded into the Rec Hall and watched the Chenny Idol auditions. But the big news was who would be named the Top 10 finalists and here are our finalists: Julia Blee, Julia Bromley, Jake Quadrino, Carly Wills, Julie Mendleson, Alyssa Innamorato, Daniel Gur, Jessica Leason, Sofie Wolf and Alissa Abramson. All ten finalists will perform live in front of the whole camp, trying to get in the top 3 spots for our big finale show.  The winner will get a limo for his/her bunk and get to go out on the town for dinner. They also get a star inside the School of Rock that will hang on the walls for years to come. Congratulations to all our finalists and all the campers who auditioned.

I asked a new camper today if camp was everything she thought it would be and she responded with, “I have never had so much fun. I have never missed my parents so much. I never thought I would actually do the trapeze, but I did. And I never want to leave this place.”

Another great day at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out.

Today was a terrific day at camp. After yesterdays trip, we had a late wake up to give our campers some extra zzzz’s. It was regular activity day and with the heat still blazing, our pool, lake and the zone was the cool place to be. Our Hydration Team, aka Camp Mom’s, set up their table full of ice cold water so that all our campers stayed hydrated. We had a fantastic day and the mood was great. Center camp had rockin’ music playing and the campers were in the groove.

It was Round Robin Night again at camp. The Collegiates , Seniors, Supers, GC’s and CIT’s watched Heavyweights in our outdoor movie theater. Our Junior, Middy and Inter Girls enjoyed a night swim party. They all had a ball. Our Junior Middy and Inter Boys got into The Zone for some fun night water balloon fun!!

It was just a GREAT day at Camp Chen-A-Wanda and we are all in the swing of one fantastic summer!

Chenny out.

Days like today showed us how lucky we all are to be here, alive and well.

Our Inters, Collegiates, Seniors and Supers headed out to Mountain Creek Water Park. Our GC’s had a blast at Camel Beach and then enjoyed a little shopping. The CIT’s and Waits loved their day out as well. As our earlier email stated, we kept the Juniors and Middies at camp and they all had a great day here at camp. They had the whole place to themselves and ended the day with a movie in our Chen-A-Plex.

All campers are back home, safe and sound. Sometimes life presents those moments where we count our blessings. Today was one of those days.

Chenny out.