Tonight was our banquet and we had a Mexican Fiesta in our Dining Hall. Our tables were decorated with sombreros and maracas. The campers loved our mini tacos and fresh guacamole that our talented kitchen staff made. The Latin music was pumping and we were salsa dancing as we munched on chips and dip. The mood was set for a great night. Everyone was in their finest duds and ready for a great party. After dinner, we all settled in the Rec Hall as we handed out awards. Congratulations to our outstanding campers:

Honor Camper of the Year:  Lower Camp- Brian Sussman & Taylor Younger – Upper Camp-Evan Nussbaum & Jessica Leason

Athlete Camper of the Year: Lower Camp- Jonathan Newman & Hannah Siegal – Upper Camp – Henry Tell & Bryn Weiner

All Around Camper of the Year:  Lower Camp- Zach Fischberg & Olivia Hornik – Upper Camp- Jack Siegel & Aliza Borker

After the awards, we had DJ Jeff Yahney in the Rec Hall putting on an amazing dance party. It was a night to remember and a great way to end our amazing summer.

Chenny out.

It was a perfect day for the rain to fall. We had a day in our bunks to play and relax. We are staring to gather up our things and are getting ready for camp to end. There is nothing quite like watching the rain fall as we are sitting on our bunk porches reflecting on the fun we’ve had these past seven weeks. As we strolled through camp, you would see our Junior boys outside there bunks together trying to catch raindrops in their mouths. The Junior girls were taking pictures of each other on their porches and having runway model shows. Our Senior girls were just loving hanging out with their camp sisters. This bonding was happening all over our camp today and this is what our summer is all about. Even on a rainy day, the joy was just being with our camp friends.

All the campers loaded the buses and together as a whole camp we went to the movies. It was a Chen-A-Wanda invasion at the Montage Mountain Cineplex. They had a great night and all campers are back home safe and sound. It was our last trip of summer 2010 and we can’t help but feel emotional that all great things do come to an end. This has been an incredible summer and we are so grateful to have shared it with your children. Tomorrow is banquet and we all cant wait to celebrate and dance to the night away. Looking forward to another amazing  day.

Chenny out.

After a fantastic week, we all enjoyed our brunch morning and extra sleep. It was a lazy morning and the campers had free play as we slowed it down from a week of intense play. Everyone was in a great mood and happy to have a relaxed day. We all know that camp is coming to an end and just getting to hang out with our friends and play is what we all loved doing today. The afternoon was spent back in activities.

The evening activity was out of this world. Our Host and Boys Head Counselor, Brian Leahy debuted his own Talk show, Late Night with Leahy. It was hilarious, it was smart and it thoroughly entertained us. There was a Top Ten List of reasons why Chen-A-Wanda is the greatest camp, there were interviews with special guests, there were fantastic prizes given out to the entire studio audience and a finale that blew our socks off. The Chen-A-Wokeez performed a dance that amazed us all. We already asked for a repeat performance of this talented dance group at banquet.

We all know that the end of camp is right around the corner and we are cherishing every last moment we have to spend with each other. This summer, we have made life long friends, memories we will cherish forever, and have loved every day spent here at Chen-A-Wanda. The highs, the lows and everything in between has been amazing and has effected every single one of us this summer. How lucky are we that we all still have three days to spend together and more memories to make. Life is good.

Chenny out.

Our last day of Color War started out with more games. All the campers played hard and were great competitors. It’s been a great 4 days of competition and today was no different. The weather was ideal and the mood was great. All the campers had great attitudes and fantastic sportsmanship. There were cheers for the winners and heart points for the teams that showed the most compassion. This five day competition brought out the best of us but it all came down to Sing. The score was so close that heading into to tonight’s Sing competition, it was any one’s game.

Both Gold Navy and Red Army had phenomenal costumes and they were ready to sing their hearts out. They performed their Cheer, their March and their Alma Mater. Both teams were outstanding and the judges had a difficult decision to make.  As the artists held up their teams banners and plaques, the campers went crazy with excitement. Both Army’s and Navy’s artwork were amazing and will be hanging in the Rec Hall for all to see.

The campers were waiting to hear the announcement of who won this years Color War. They watched the judges dance around as they played musical chairs and one by one, they were eliminated. It came down to one red and one gold left in the game. The music stopped and the gold judge grabbed the seat. The Rec Hall erupted with excitement from the Gold Navy team. Gold Navy wins… Gold Navy wins!!!! The race was so close with the final scores being Gold Navy 3,423 and Red Army 3,391. Only 32 points separated the winning team.

What you saw during the elation of victory is how everyone in Gold reached out to their Red opponents and congratulated them for a great battle and a job well done. There were hugs and high fives. We are a summer camp family here at Chen-A-Wanda and though we just ended an intense battle, the priority from our campers and staff was to make sure we are all ok and feel good no matter if we won or lost.

For five days our camp was divided and tonight we are again one. Back together for the end of a great summer.  We made memories that we will never forget. What we learned during Color War is profound and we will carry these lessons throughout our lives. Camp is coming to an end and we are cherishing every moment we have with each other.

We are excited for late wake up tomorrow and are grateful for the extra sleep. We still have four more days full of fun, friends and Banquet. It’s not over yet!!!

Chenny out

We started out the day with a the Apache Relay. It is a giant relay race with everything from elephant walks to piggyback races to the “unknown”. Every camper has a part and a purpose. It’s working together to the ultimate goal of advancing their team for the win. The entire campus is used and following this unique and crazy race is fun beyond imagination. You can feel the energy as the starting whistle blew. Who was going cross that finish line first? There were a total of 4 teams competing today. Red Army 1 & 2 and Gold Navy 1 & 2. It was a photo finish and the race ended with Gold Team #1, crossing the finish line first but right behind was Red Team #2. Then Gold Team #2 finished followed by Red Team #1. As we approached the evening, Red Army was up by 27 points.

With only 27 points separating the teams, we all knew that skit night was important and crucial to gain the lead. Both teams practiced and rehearsed. It was fantastic show and both teams displayed creativity, spirit, drama and overall entertained us with their skits. The judges deliberated and the win tonight went to Gold Navy. As we ended the evening, the scores were announced: Red Army has 2,538 and Gold Navy has 2,539.  This is the closest Color War in Chen-A-Wanda history. We have ourselves a real WAR!!!!

It all comes down to tomorrow ‘s games and Song.  Who wants it more, Red Army or Gold Navy?

Chenny out.

We had a great day today. The campers were prepared and ready for another fantastic day of Color War competition. The morning was full of games and we were outside all day playing. The boys had their track and field meet today and they ran relays and sprints. They had a ball up at the soccer field and everyone was giving it their all.  Both Red Army and Gold Navy were working hard trying to get that finish line. The girls were swimming for a win at their swim meet. There were relays, kick board relays at the pool and boat races in the lake. It was a fantastic day and both teams ran and swam their hearts our. With an even split down the middle,  both teams brought home the wins and points for their teams.

You all will be receiving mail as it was mandatory letters home to get in the dining hall tonight for dinner. Tonight’s evening activity was quiz night. Each division had their own quiz and received points for every correct answer. Then it was off to the Rec Hall where we all watched our counselors either answer tough questions or pass. It was a close race but only 2 points separated the teams. Tonight’s win went to Red Army as they proved to know more useless knowledge than that Gold Navy.

Congratulations Chen-A-Wanda for another amazing day of Color War.

Chenny out.

The weather was perfect, clear and crisp. It was an ideal day for games and competition. The campers were all geared up in their Red and Gold garb, faces were painted and we all were ready to start day #2.  Our campers had  a day of games, psych speeches, team meetings and song practice. The games were fierce yet friendly, fun and spirited. This is what we do at Color War. We play fair, we play hard and we always support one another. You see the desire to win in our campers faces but you always see respect for the game and for each other.

Tonight was a camp favorite. It was time for Rope Burning. We all bundled up as we headed up the hill to see the fantastic event. As all the campers sat with their respective teams, they cheered on the “burners” who built the fire that had to burn the rope and boil the water. The Gold team shot out of the gates quickly and both of their fires started immediately. It was no contest. Gold Navy’s water boiled first and the crowd went wild. Then they burned their rope and left Red Army in the dust tonight. Gold Navy desperately needed tonight’s win as they were behind by 200 points before the evenings competition. It’s any one’s game after the Gold Navy win tonight.

Congratulations Gold Navy and Red Army for a fantastic day of great competition, superb sportsmanship and camp spirit that is off the charts. We can’t wait to see what day three will bring.

Chenny out.

After the breakout, the campers were split into teams and were given their Color War shirts. It was off to team meetings and then right into Tugs of War. The battle began and all you could feel here is our camp spirit. Faces are painted, hair is sprayed red or gold and our kids are feelin’ that color war pride from head to toe. This is the best part of camp. Color War encompasses every important part of this incredible journey. Teamwork, sportsmanship, competition, camaraderie are just a few of the values that play a part of Color War. All throughout camp, you can hear the counselors chant and cheer in support of their teams. No matter if they win or loose, the campers are congratulated for their valiant effort. Fellow campers are cheering on the efforts of their teammates, win or loose. It’s contagious.

Tonight was Mass Games and Contest Night and it was so much fun. We played BBG and softball at twilight.  You couldn’t have asked for better weather. A picture perfect evening. Then our Juniors, Middies and Inters were in the Rec Hall having their own wacky races. They got into intense potato sack races, sitting on and popping the balloons and crawling through the tunnel. Music was bumpin’ and all the kids were dancing along as they got into the races. Collegiates, Seniors, Supers, GC’s and CIT’s had their own races on the Rec Hall Court. Upper camp competed on Hippidy Hops, Pogo Balls, Flying Turtles and Volleyball Hops. It was great night.

First day of Color War 2010 was a huge success. Our first time campers embraced color war with excitement and energy and our our veteran campers brought experience and enthusiasm to the games. Our counselors injected spirit into the games and lead the way for what is looking to be one the most memorable Color Wars in Chen-A-Wanda history. A fantastic start to a great week of games. I am proud to call Chen-A-Wanda my summer home.

Chenny out.

The campers were all in their bunks waiting for first activity call and over the the loud speaker you heard dramatic military music. All campers knew what was happening and we had them head to the lake court. Up from our lake on the speed boat came the Navy and driving in on a Jeep from Arts and Crafts was the Army. We marched all the campers up to our major league baseball field and there they sat watching a plane fly by. With lots of cheers from the crowd, out jumped the sky divers displaying our 2010 Color War Banner.

RED ARMY vs. GOLD NAVY………….We have ourselves a WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chenny out.

We had a great day with traditional inter camp games that we hosted. Our Middie Boys and GC’s/CIT Girls played soccer and basketball against Camp Echo. We had great games with loads of team spirit and sportsmanship. The weather help up after a few showers in the late morning and then it was back outside to play.

Tonight was our Movie Musical Revue and it was fantastic. With a total of 100 campers in the show, we were entertained by the musical talent our campers displayed.  The campers sang their hearts out and dazzled us with their dances. They sang songs from Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Footloose, Dream Girls and some other unreal musical medleys. We were captivated. The Rec Hall was singing along and cheering on the performers. It’s an atmosphere that is infectious, supportive and full camp spirit. Our stage is where you can let yourself go, be creative and see your fullest potential. Congratulations to the cast who we are so proud of. Thank you for entertaining us.

We had another fake out tonight as our head counselors crept onto the stage as Gary was dismissing camp back to their bunks. All of the sudden you hear the Mission Impossible theme and the crowd goes wild, chanting.. One,Two, Three, Four…. We Want Color War!!!!!  Dressed as Robbers, they held big laundry bags on their backs looking like it was filled with loot. As they crept around the stage, they placed the bags front and center and out came Matthew & Sarah Gershman. As the crowd went wild, Matthew and Sarah in unison said “Sorry, it’s not Color War…. yet!!!!!”

Will it be tomorrow?

Chenny out.