Just another beautiful day and after spending five weeks here it feels as if our summer is flying by. We can’t slow the hands of time but we can enjoy every second here. There is a feeling of gratitude that we all get to spend our days like this.

Chen-A-Wanda sports were on target today as we won 2 Wayne County Championships. Way to play!

Middy Girls Soccer – CAW 5 vs. Starlight 1 (We are headed to the Finals!!!)

Collegiate Girls Softball – CAW 13 vs. Starlight 10 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME…. CAW WINS!!!!

Senior/Super Boys Softball – CAW 7 vs. Poyntelle 3 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME… CAW WINS!!!!

GC/Waiter Boys Soccer – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 4

The night was all about Boys Lip Sync and they put on quite a show. The Freshmen were too cute as they danced to the ABC’s. The Juniors had a ball at the Junior Wedding. Middy Boys dazzled us with their interpretation of this summer’s hit song “Jessica Stern”. Inter Boys rapped the night away. Collegiates entertained us with their Toy Story Dance. Seniors got Lazy with their dance. Supers did the Chicken Dance and a little Hokie Pokie. GC’s paid homage to their fellow campers with a touching poem. The Waiters blew our minds with a video of highlights from their years here followed by a great dance and letter read by one but felt by all.

The performances were awesome, entertaining and heartfelt. The Rec Hall rocked but there could only be one winner from lower camp and one from upper. Tonight’s win went to the Middies and Waiters. What a great night and thank you boys for putting on one great show!!!!

Chenny out.

It was a fantastic day with ideal weather. Camp had an amazing feeling about it today. There was lots of rehearsing for the upcoming Boys Lip Sync Show. Each division is getting creative and working hard on coordinating their dance moves. We can’t wait to see the final product. The boys are having so much fun practicing and it is looking as if Boy’s Lip Sync 2011 will be a fantastic show!!!!!!

One game was played today and congratulations to our Inter Boys Softball as we defeated Tyler Hill with a score of 2 -1. They played hard and had a great time.

Today was all about our Chenny Idol Finale and the whole camp got into the spirit. Everyone was making signs for their favorite Idol. You could hear chants and cheers for Ally Heller, Julia Bromley and Jake Quadrino throughout camp today. An awesome show of support and all three finalists knew what they had to do today. They each were focused, excited and ready for the show.

They sang their hearts out and had the best time. The spotlight shined and they each had their moment as they rocked the stage. As you watch the entire camp sing along, sway their arms in unison and give a standing ovation at the end of each performance, you realize the amazing support we provide for one another. The three singers felt it & everyone in the Rec Hall felt it too. It was a magical night and one that we can’t forget. As the votes were being calculated, the suspense filled the room. Cody Seacrest was handed the envelope and the winner was revealed. The winner for this year’s Chenny Idol is………..Jake Quadrino!!!!

Congratulations to all three of our amazing vocalists. You did great and we are so proud of each one of you.  As this years Chenny Idol, Jake will have a star that will hang in the School of Rock and will also bring his entourage (bunk) in a stretch Limo to a swanky restaurant. They will receive star treatment, as an Idol should.

Way to go Jake! It’s your night to shine.

Chenny out.

Standing by the swings, I heard one camper say to another, “Why can’t this last forever?” As I was completely moved by what I had heard, I chimed in and said that it actually does. This experience does last forever. Regardless of how many days we have left up here, we bring it back home with us and it changes us all for the better.

Today was a brunch morning, and we all loved the extra sleep. We had free play in the morning and the campers had a great time roaming around playing with their friends. The afternoon was back to regular activities. Just a great easy morning to recharge for an active afternoon.

It was an exciting afternoon of sports as our Inter/Collegiate Girls Basketball defeated Wayne for Girls to be named Wayne County Champions. The final score was CAW 24, Wayne 14. We are so proud of how they worked as a unit and showed amazing sportsmanship. Our girls are Champions, not just for the win but how they played as a team.

Our GC’s/Waiters played a Championship game vs. Westmont and fell short. They played their hearts out and we are so proud of their valiant effort. Final score CAW 39 Westmont 42. Way to go boys. You made us proud with how much heart you put into this game.

Our campers were entertained Michael Dubois, The One Man Circus. He dazzled us with his juggling; he amazed us with his magic and wowed us with his spectacular feats. The campers laughed and loved it. A great night all around.

All campers are snug in their beds getting their sleep for another amazing day ahead of them.

This is the life!!!!!

Chenny out.

Today was your average amazing day at camp. Hopefully as you read these blogs you get a sense of what life is like here everyday.

It is so normal to stand on our chairs in the Dining Hall as we sing at the top of our lungs in unison. It is so normal to have 6 friends sit on you bed at rest hour talking about everything and anything. It is so normal to play the Diablo with all your buddies over and over and over again. It is so normal to walk up the hill holding hands with your friends. It is so normal to scream with encouragement as you cheer on your counselor to win the tetherball match he’s playing at lineup. It is so normal to feel completely accepted for who you are here.

We had two’s games today. One played, One forfeit!!

Collegiate Boys Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 3

Collegiate Girls Soccer – Wayne Forfeits Game

Chenny has so much talent that the campers who didn’t participate in Talent Show #1 got there turn today. It was a mid day talent extravaganza and they shined. They sang, they danced, they acted and cracked jokes to a crowd that loved it!!!

Tonight’s evening activity was spectacular as we had the Harlem Wizards here dazzling our campers with tricks, dunks and spins. They used our campers in the show with fast passes and tricky moves. The laughs were plentiful, the campers were entertained and the night was a success. Smiles were a plenty tonight. We have a camp full of happy campers!!!!

Chenny out.

Only word to say is “Outstanding”. We had the best day today. The weather was ideal and camp was hoppin’. Each day we are here seems to get better and better. We really are one big summer camp family. You see it in every interaction, at every meal, as we pass each other to activity or just when we are hanging out. The smiles, the high fives, and the hugs we give one another is constant. You can definitely get used to this support and encouragement. It just feels great.

It was an active day in our sports program with great games and terrific sportsmanship.

Freshman/Junior/Middy and Inter Girls Basketball – CAW 12 vs. Westmont 24

Inter Boys Baseball – CAW 3 vs. Westmont 4

Collegiates Boys Lacrosse – CAW 3 vs. Starlight 7

Seniors Girls Tennis – CAW 5 vs. Lohikan 0

Junior Boys Soccer – CAW 4 vs. Wayne 5

The ghosts and goblins were out tonight as we celebrated Halloween in July. Everyone dressed up and had the best time at our costume contest. The campers and staff all strutted their stuff down the runway as they heard cheers and applause for their creative costumes. Then it was off to trick or treat. They had bags full of candy and the Halloween spirit was in the air. Our Senior girls had transformed their bunk into a Haunted House and those campers who wanted the thrill entered at their own risk!! It was creepy, it was cool and was so much fun. We ended the night at the campfire with songs and scary stories. Another magical evening that will be with each of us forever.

Chenny Out

The campers had a very special day based around past and present video games & characters. Our brilliant & creative Athletic Director, Dave Zeller had one goal in mind and that was to give our Freshmen thru Collegiates a day that would be insanely fun and different.

The day started with the bugles playing the tunes of Tetrus, Mario Bros, Legend of Zelda and Sonic the Hedgehog. Campers were a bit confused and some thought it was Color War but it took only minutes to join in the fun.  They spent the day going activity to activity and had the greatest time. Check out what we played today:

Super Mario Brothers Relay Races on the Lower Field Asteroids Dodgeball in the Hockey Rink

Angry Birds at the Zone

Fifa 2011 at the Soccer Field.

Double Dribble on the Biddy courts

Cooking Mama in the Cookhouse

Tiger Woods 2011 on the Mini Golf Course

Shawn White’s Extreme Slip and Slide

Pirates of the Caribbean Deep Sea Treasure Hunt at the Pool

It was Movie Night for evening activity. The Freshmen, Junior, Middies and Inters were in the Rec Hall enjoying Monsters Inc. You could hear a pin drop as they sat, relaxed and enjoyed a great old flick. As the big kids on campus, the Collegiates gathered in the Chen-A-Plex and watched the blockbuster AVATAR.  What a great end to a great day!!

Our Seniors returned from their Hershey overnight and were in a chocolate coma. They had a great time at the park and as they rolled off the bus with all there newly won stuffed animals and arcade prizes, one camper said “We had the best time but it’s great to be back home.”

The Supers, GC’s and CIT’s/Waits arrived in Boston and spent the day at Harvard Square. They loved seeing the sights on their first day in Boston.  Then it was off to Blue Man Group and the show blew everyone’s mind. They are having a blast. More is in store for them tomorrow!!

A truly incredible day all around.

Chenny out!

We got a much-needed break today from the heat and it felt great. It was breezy and crisp up here. The rain came for a bit and cooled us off even more. The fog rolled in off the mountains and it was breathtaking. It was a fabulous day outside and we took advantage of every second. Breathing in the crisp mountain air, there is nothing like it.

Our campers were all looking forward to their trips this afternoon. Excitement was in the air with each division anticipating great times ahead.

The Freshmen, Juniors and Middies had a ball at their bowling party. They had the place to themselves and loved it. They ate, played arcade games, hung out with their friends and bowled. What could be better than that? An absolutely awesome night!

The Inters and Collegiates enjoyed a night out at the movies. There were so many great summer blockbusters to choose from, it was hard to make a choice. They snacked on popcorn and watched a flick of their choice surrounded by friends. A great summer night at the movie theater.

It was off to Hershey for the Senior overnight trip. They were all so excited as they boarded the bus, looking forward to a great night at the hotel and a full day at the park tomorrow. They know that when they wake up to the sweet smell of chocolate, they’ve arrived at Hershey Park. What an absolutely fabulous day they have ahead of them!!

The Supers, GC’s, CIT’ and Waits stayed back at camp as they prepare for their Big 3 Day Trip. They head to Boston first thing in the morning and cannot wait to get there. They have an exciting schedule full of great Boston highlights to see and some fun and places to go.

As tradition at CAW strikes again, the CIT’s and Waits spent the evening doing their Road Rally. Teams were made and the giant camp wide scavenger hunt began. This event officially kicks off the Big Trip!!! After the Rally, it was into the Dining Hall for an ice cream party. A sweet end to a great night for our oldest campers.

Everyone is back at camp safely and sleeping soundly. Just another successful day in this place we call our summer home!! How can this end in just 3 weeks?

Chenny out

What a great day we all had here today. Campers and staff were in a great mood and there was fun energy around camp. We live in our own little world up here and as we are four weeks in, it feels like there is nothing beyond our gates. It’s strange to think that just a month ago many of us just met each other for the first time and now we are connected forever.

These friendships we develop are powerful beyond imagination. They provide support in times of need. They inspire us to do things we may have never thought possible and they fill our hearts with a connection that lasts forever. The friends we make here are the reasons why we keep coming back.

There were great games being played today and our athletes were playing hard. Here are today’s scores:

Middy Boys Basketball Going to the FINALS!! – CAW 35 vs. Chestnut Lake 14

Inter Girls Softball – CAW 16 vs. Westmont 12

Collegiate Girls Basketball – CAW 22 vs. Nesher 5

Senior Boys Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Towanda 5

Senior/Super Boys Softball – CAW 7 vs. Westmont 5

GC/CIT& Wait Girls Basketball – CAW 28 vs. Nesher 17

GC/Waiter Boys Hockey – CAW 1 vs. Tyler Hill 7

The buzz around camp today was all about Girls Sing. This is a long-standing Chen-A-Wanda tradition and girl’s camp was busy today making sure they were ready. Each division performed a dance and a song. They made fantastic costumes and rehearsed and rehearsed all in hopes to get the votes from the judges who would hold their fate to get the win tonight. There is one winner from lower camp and one from upper. The show was amazingly entertaining and this could have been the best Girls Sing in CAW history. The costumes, the songs, the spirit and the pride were insane tonight.

They all were so creative and entertained the entire camp tonight. We loved the show! Our Girls Rocked the Rec Hall!!!

Fresh Princesses of Bellaire

Junior Mints

Midnight in Paris

Inters Get a Clue

Collegiates in Camelot

Seniors Stone Age

Supersized

GC’s go to Pandora

CIT/Waits Enter the Wild

The decision was hard but tonight’s lower camp winner went to our Middies with their awesome dance and song, as it was Midnight in Paris. Way to go girls!! They could take this show on the road. Simply Magnifique!!!

Upper camp went to our Collegiates who took us on a journey to Camelot. There were Jesters, Ladies in Waiting, Queens, Kings and Knights. Their song stole the show. With so much meaning behind every verse, the judges gave them the well- deserved win tonight!!

Girls Sing is all about the bonds we make here and the way we open our hearts to each other. The words they sing reflect the importance each one of them has on one other. It is a night to celebrate the bonds we make and the genuineness of our friendships. A night to remember as Girls Sing 2011 was Outstanding!!!

Chenny out

The heat lifted a bit and we were back in action, loving our activities. Girls Sing is just around the corner so all of girls camp has been rehearsing for the big night. Each division is bringing it in a big way. The pride of winning Girls Sing runs deep and each division has what it takes. You can feel the spirit and excitement as you see pockets of girls practicing their routines all throughout camp. We can’t wait to see the show tomorrow night. Girls camp is rockin’ right now.

It was a busy day for our athletes. Here are today’s scores:

Freshman/Junior Boys Basketball – CAW 25 vs. Wayne 23 (CAW advances to finals!!! Way to go boys!!)

Freshman/Junior Girls Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 7

Inter Boys Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 5

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 0 vs. Blue Ridge 7

Super Boys Soccer – CAW 1 vs. Starlight 0

GC/CIT Girls Volleyball Tourney @ Wayne – We lost is 2^nd round.

Aaarrrggghhh….It was a swash buckling night tonight at our Pirate Social. The campers put their eye patches and pirate hats on and danced the night away. The Rec Hall was rockin’ and the campers had a blast tonight. Another fantastic night here at camp, we’re living a summer dream and lovin’ every minute of it!!!

Chenny out.

It was back to regular activities today. No matter the temperature, we were ready to play. Water bottles were full and everyone was well hydrated. As we are approaching the end of week four, it seems like we’ve been here forever and we just want time to slow down. The days are packed with amazing adventures and memorable experiences that will stay with us forever.

The fields and courts were full of athletic action. We won some…we lost some… but we had great time playing our games today.

Freshmen/Junior Boys Soccer – CAW 1 vs. Lavi 0

Middie Boys Basketball – CAW 19 vs. Tioga 20

Inter Boys Basketball – CAW 22 vs. Tioga 24

Collegiate Boys Soccer – CAW Wins – Marasha forfeit

Senior Boys Soccer – CAW 4 vs. Wayne 3

Super Boys  Baseball – CAW 4 vs. Starlight 9

GC/Waiter Boys Basketball – CAW 60 vs. Island Lake 35

GC/CIT Girls Tennis – CAW 2 vs. Westmont 4

As the sun went down and a cool breeze ran through our camp, we all gathered in the Rec Hall for some crazy funny comedy by John Piza. You could hear roars of laughter, as campers loved tonight’s show. It was the perfect way to end the night. There is nothing quite like watching a Rec Hall full of campers and counselors belly laugh so hard it hurts. Pure joy.

Where in this crazy world can you play a soccer game, learn some new cords on the guitar, then take a banana boat ride with your friends, fly on the trapeze, climb a rock wall, practice your dance for Girls Sing then watch a comedy show? All in just one day. That happens here … Everyday!!!

How grateful we all are to have days like these.

Chenny out.