The Olympic Spirit has hit C-A-W!

Olympics just broke out and Red Japan, Gold Jamaica, and Blue France are already competing for the Camp CHEN-A-WANDA Summer Olympics 2011 Gold!

More about Olympics in tonight’s blog!

It was a brunch morning and the campers really loved having some extra sleep. The weather was beautiful and the afternoon was full of happy campers enjoying their activities.

Kudos to our athletes for their great effort today. Here are today’s scores:

Freshman/Junior Boys Baseball – CAW 2 vs. Equinunk 3

Senior Boys Tennis – CAW 3 vs. Weequahic 2

It was a perfect summer night to go to the ballpark and watch a baseball game. We all boarded the buses and headed to Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankee Stadium and watched them defeat the Mets. The game was great and the campers had the best night. We had our own section and all you could see was a sea of RED & GOLD chanting and cheering the entire night.

As we hit the middle of the 8^th inning, the announcer said, “Please take a look at our jumbotron for a very special announcement.” It read, CAMP CHEN-A-WANDA 2011 OLYMPICS BREAKOUT!!!! The campers started jumping, screaming and chanting with excitement. The screen went blank and then read, FAKEOUT!!!! It was so much fun as the campers realized that they have been faked out in front of a packed stadium.  The players even enjoyed the announcement as they waved over to our group. Our campers went crazy with excitement.

It’s nights like tonight that define what Chen-A-Wanda is all about. We are a true summer family who share these amazing experiences with one another. We will never forget our amazing night watching the Yankees, hanging out with our friends and getting faked out!!

Summer here just keeps getting better and better.

Chenny out.

It was a hot day at camp so our Waterfront, Pool and the Zone were the place to be. Everyone was enjoying being in the water and cooling off. There were so many campers getting blobbed off the water trampoline, swimming in the lake, and riding the banana boats today. Just another ideal day and it felt great to be part of it.

Our Chen-A-Wanda athletes had a busy day on the courts and fields. Here are today’s scores:

Middy Boys Baseball – CAW 4 vs. Wayne 8

Inter Boys Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Nesher 0

Inters & Below Girls Tennis tournament @ Tyler Hill – Congratulations to Jayden Beir who came in 1^st Place in today’s Wayne county singles tournament. Way to go Jayden!!

BIG Congratulations to Dani Mohr and Ashley Epstein who made it to the semi-final round in today’s doubles tournament. You Girls Rock!!

Collegiate Boys Basketball – CAW 44 vs. Wayne 48

GC/Waiter Boys Basketball – CAW 45 vs. Poyntelle 27

You could feel the excitement as the chatter was growing about who would be this year’s Chenny Idols Top Ten. The stakes were high, as all the hopefuls wanted one of those 10 seats on our Rec Hall stage. As Codi Seacrest announced the finalists, you heard screams and cheers. The spirit and support here is truly awe-inspiring.

The campers had a shot to shine and as they walked out of that audition room, they felt pride that was indescribable. As one Chenny Idol hopeful said, “I would never ever get a chance to do something this big, ever!!” They all had the courage to stand in front of our three celebrity judges and sing their hearts out. This is what it is all about. The desire to try, the will to face their nerves and the feeling of elation as they came out on the other side!!! All our 157 campers who auditioned should be so proud of giving it their all! We are so very proud of you…. This years Top Ten Chenny Idol Finalists are:

Carly Wills, Julia Bromley, Amanda Model, Justin Oresky, Jordan Leeds, Olivia Hornick, Ally Heller, Jake Quadrino, Daisy Chaskin and Daniel Gur

We will see these finalists perform live on stage next week. All trying to secure one of the top 3 spots in our finale show with just one being crowned this summers Chenny Idol.

Chenny out!

It was trip day today and all the campers had a great day.

Our Freshmen, Juniors and Middies spent the morning playing mini golf followed by an afternoon in the movies. Our littlest campers loved having a day out of camp, hanging with each other. It was great for them to have an afternoon relaxing in the movie theater, munching on popcorn and just being with one another.

Our Inters, Collegiates and Seniors spent the day at the State Park. They had so much fun hanging out with each other, soaking up the sun and just being together. They ended their great day having a BBQ just for them. A perfect summer day for this group.

The Supers & GC’s spent the morning touring the campus at West Point Academy followed by an afternoon of shopping at Woodbury Commons. Our oldest campers were intrigued with West Point and what life is like being a cadet and serving in our countries armed forces. Then it was time to shop!

All the campers are back at camp safe and sound. Most, if not all, tired from a great day out but all certainly loving the day they had and the memories they made. Summer 2011 just keeps getting better and better.

Chenny out.

Today will stand out as one the best days of summer 2011. The spirit was at an all time high here as faces were painted, hair was sprayed with patriotic colors and everyone was sporting red, white and blue gear. It was all about being an American and having great pride in our country. The campers got into the spirit and the vibe on camp was contagious.

We had a full day of games and here are today’s scores:

Freshman, Junior & Middy Boys Roller Hockey – CAW 0 vs. Seneca Lake 16

Middy Girls Soccer – CAW 6 vs. Wayne 0

Senior & Super Girls Lacrosse – CAW 6 vs. Bryn Mawr 13

Super Boys Soccer – CAW 13 vs. Tioga 0

GC/Waiter Boys Baseball – CAW 0 vs. Wayne 8

The excitement continued with our Minute To Win It, tryouts. Our Rec Hall was packed with hopefuls as they all tried to move a cookie from their forehead into their mouths without using their hands. Campers were also challenged to stack 5 dice onto a tongue depressor sticking out of their mouth. The campers who completed the tasks move on to the next level of competition and are vying for a spot in the big show. I think we have camp craze on our hands.

As the sun faded away behind our beautiful Fiddle Lake, it was time for fireworks. As we walked up the hill to the amphitheater, glowing from the red, white and blue glow necklaces and bracelet’s, we knew this was going to be a very special night. We celebrated together as we had a giant dance party waiting for the night sky to sparkle with lights. They could hear us in the next town as we sang on the top of our voices and danced like nobody was watching.  After our dance party, the campers settled into their seats as they watched in awe as the sky lit up with our very own firework extravaganza.  There is something so special about watching fireworks with your camp friends. It defines what summer is all about. We all shared the beauty of tonight with each other and will never forget the time we had. A truly spectacular evening!

Chenny out.

Camped cooled down today with a nice rain after a full hot week. We’ve been running full steam since we have all arrived and having some rain activities was a fun change of pace. The sun peeked out throughout the day so we got a ton of games in between the showers.

Our teams played hard, fair and showed great sportsmanship. Today’s scores:

Junior/Freshman Boys Basketball – CAW 23 vs. Poyntelle 10

Junior/Middy Girls Softball – CAW 2 vs. Poyntelle 4

Inter Girls Soccer – CAW 10 vs. B’nai Brith 0

Super Girls Basketball – CAW 22 vs. Wayne 9

GC Girls Soccer – CAW 4 vs. Wayne 4 (Chen-A-Wanda wins in overtime with a 4 to 1 penalty kicks)

GC/ WAITER Boys Soccer – CAW 3 vs. B’nai Brith 2

Super Boys Tennis – CAW 0 vs. Starlight 5

It was our Camper Talent Show tonight and with so many acts, we had to make this program into a two-part series. One thing is for sure, our campers got talent!! Our campers entertained a packed house with their singing, their dancing, their joke telling and everything in between. The talent show is a camp favorite as we see the shy blossom and the outgoing shine. The courage it takes to step on that stage and put yourself out there is a huge feat but when you have the entire Rec Hall cheering you on, it changes who you are.

Something tremendously special happened tonight for everyone here at camp. The singers received a standing ovation and the dancers heard cheers and massive applause for their talent. We have the most supportive, encouraging summer family here and tonight spoke volumes to everyone in the Rec Hall.  You are free to be exactly who you are here without judgment. It’s magical to experience it first hand. These moments will stay with us forever.

Chenny out

Without a doubt, today was amazing. It was a regular schedule of activities for our campers and they enjoyed every minute of it. As the day went on, the temperature got hotter and everyone wanted to cool down. Our lake, pool and the Zone were full of campers beating the heat. It was picturesque watching it all happen.

Games, games and more games….

Inter Girls and below Basketball – CAW 28 – Island Lake 0

Collegiate Girls Lacrosse – CAW 9 – Starlight 17

Senior Boys Basketball – CAW 20 – Westmont 31

Super Boys Baseball – CAW 6 – Island Lake 3

GC’s Boys Roller Hockey – CAW 5 – Wayne 4

GC’s Boys Tennis – CAW 2 – Tioga 3

Everyone had busy dancing feet tonight in the Rec Hall, as it was a giant Dance Dance Revolution Party. Music was bumpin’, feet were dancin’ and all the campers got a great workout tonight. After a full day of activities and a full night of dancing feet, campers were ready to hit the hay.

Another fantastic day ends at Chenny with happy campers. As our first week comes to an end, we are all looking forward to Sunday sleep in to get a few extra zzzzzz’s .  We are having the time of our lives!!! Life is just simply amazing here.

Chenny out

All the campers got dressed in their camp T’s today and headed over to the new courts to take their bunk pictures. Everyone looked great, cheerful and excited to capture the moment of their 2011 summer. It’s crazy that we have just ended our first week of camp. So much has happened in the past seven days. Friends who just met are now forever connected. The magic has happened and we are all experiencing it together.

Great effort to our teams who played today. We are always proud of your effort and sportsmanship. Here are today’s scores:

Senior to Waiter Boys Roller Hockey / CAW 5 – Wayne 4 (triple overtime) GO CAW!!!

Middy Boys Soccer / CAW 3 – Wayne 7

Senior Girls Basketball / CAW 19 – Blue Ridge 21

We had 100’s of campers from our Freshman to our CIT’s, audition today for Chenny Idol. All our hopeful vocalists brought on the talent as they sang a Capella in front of our judges.  As each one entered the studio, they all had one goal and that is to be named Chenny Idol 2011.  Can’t wait till the Top 10 is announced!!! Stayed tuned.

We have some very talented staff members as they performed for us tonight in The Staff Talent Extravaganza. Our staff entertained us with their jokes, their dancing and their singing. Most importantly, their courage to get up on that stage and give it their all. Our School of Rock House Band, had the entire Rec Hall on their feet as they jammed and we all sang and danced along with them. The spirit and pride is contagious here at Chen-A-Wanda!! We are all experiencing something quite special this summer and boy does it feel good.

Chenny Out.

Days like today make us all sit back and say, this is why we are here at this place. The weather was ideal, the mood was great and camp was full of happy campers.

Tons of games were played today and here are the scores:

Collegiate Boys Tennis /CAW 0 – Starlight 5

Collegiate Girls Tennis / CAW 0 – Starlight 5

Senior Boys Baseball/ CAW 7 – Equinunk 9

Super Boys Basketball / CAW 37 – Weequahic 20

Waiter Boys Softball/ CAW 18 – Nesher 6

The evening activity was “Round Robin” and the campers loved it. Each division had their own activity to play and what a great night it was.

Freshman Girls baked with Grandma and made her famous chocolate cake. Junior Girls loved creating giant art sculptures in Arts & Crafts from every random thing they could find around camp.  It was boys vs. girls in the Rec Hall as the Middy’s battled against each other in a giant dodge ball game. Our Freshman & Junior Boys were having the best time tonight under the lights in the Wiffle Ball stadium. Our Inter Boys and Girls went to the Chen-A-Plex for a movie. It was a nighttime pool party for all of our Collegiates. All the Seniors got into an intense kickball game and had a ball.  While the entire Super division played Ultimate Frisbee under the lights. Our GC’s had a cookie cake cook off in the Cookhouse and we couldn’t tell what was more fun, baking it or eating it!!!!

Days like today fill our hearts with pure camp joy. How lucky we all are to have moments like this in our lives. As we remind ourselves that for ten months our kids work hard, study harder and experience life’s daily stresses. But here at camp, we just play!

Chenny Out.

It’s amazing how much happens within our days here at camp. It’s only our 5^th day and the friendships we have made look as if we’ve been together forever. That’s what happens here. We rely on each other as we all share this magical experience together. You will see groups of campers together in activities but it’s the conversations they have, the funny stories they share, the support they give one another that make this journey so worth it.

Our fields and courts were busy with games and Chen-A-Wanda swept every game we had today. Following are todays scores:

Senior Girls Soccer – CAW 5  Tyler Hill 3

Inter Girls and Under Tennis – CAW 3  Tyler Hill 2

Middy Boys Basketball – CAW 24  Tyler Hill 22

We are so proud of the great sportsmanship they all showed today.

Sign and Song was OUT OF THIS WORLD tonight. The best show we have had yet. The Rec Hall was packed, booming with cheers, chants, songs and dance.  Even our counselors who had the night off, stayed and in to watch the show. Standing room only and it was so worth it.  The plaques were fantastically creative and the girls dances were unbelievably great. Wait until you see the video.  The judges (our Group Leaders) had the hard decision to pick the winners but here they are.

Best Plaque

Lower Boys  – Bunk B

Upper Boys – Bunk P

Lower Girls – Bunk B

Upper Girls – Bunk W

Best Dance

Lower Girls – Bunk D

Upper Girls – Bunk W

It was a great camp night that we will all remember.  The lights are out and all are asleep. Summer 2011 has started off to be one amazing ride!!!

Chenny Out.