The South Jersey bus departed Camp CHEN-A-WANDA at 11:10am.

The 3 North Jersey buses departed Camp CHEN-A-WANDA at 11:00am.

The 4 New York buses departed Camp CHEN-A-WANDA at 10:50am.

The Newark bound bus providing transportation for our Florida children departed at 10:13am.

Today was an emotional day for all of us. We packed our bags and were constantly reminded that the end has come. We spent our time in disbelief that our summer is ending. This world up here is ideal. It is full of love, support, play, friends, adventure and more. As the sun set over our beautiful Fiddle Lake, we all headed up to our last evening activity…..together.

Tonight, as we all sat in the Rec Hall watching our memory video, we couldn’t stop the tears. As the video began all you could see were hands around each other and the entire camp was swaying in unison. As the images of our summer passed onto the screen, each frame brought us back to the why we love this place so much.  We laughed out loud as we were brought back to funny moments throughout the summer and we cried even harder as we knew that these moments, for now, have come to an end.

An end to our perfect evening was spent around the campfire, with an impromptu sing along. It was a tear-jerker and nobody wanted it to end. Many of us started out the summer as strangers, many of us were friends already but it is undeniable that we are forever connected and that summer 2010 was  AMAZING!!!!

It’s not goodbye, it’s just see you later.

Chenny out.

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.