Ahh memories of Ferryboat Night!  This was back in the day of Old Chanco, we counselors were clever back then finding ways to further wear out the campers for evening program!  The Chanco musicians would lead the campers walking down to Scotsman's Wharf ('single file, people!')  It was there campers would see the old dilapidated warehouse and bar of 'Bluegums' fame as they walked onto the wooden dock to the ferry. Creepy. One could see the dark merky water lapping below through the spaces...was 'Bluegums' waiting underneath? continue reading »

Does Chanco still do Ferry Boat Night? How with the new location and smaller Ferryboats?

I remember Ferryboat Night from the Old Camp...Marching the kids down to the Ferry (The "Ferry people are our friends")..."Single file, people!!!"...Scotland Wharf was kinda creepy to walk past..."Everbody up top!..."Guard the stairways!"...Lots of singing...Bug juice and Cake...as the Ferry would start to dock we would gather the kids on the top deck in the front and tell them "Blow!!! So we will not crash,Blow!!!...The captain would blow the horn...over and back...then march back to camp that took care of evening program for one night!!! And all the while Charlie Hughes was everywhere!!!  continue reading »

Ferry Boat Night "The Wedding of Scott and Hunter"

 Aboard the Jamestown

Bride-Hunter, Groom-Scott, Bride's maids-Charlotte , Sue Luck, MC, groomsmen-Keith,Ken,Tom, "Give'r way-Ron, Officiant John Emmert

Reception-Bug Juice and "Wedding Cake"

Wedding performed at the front of the boat - what a wind!! 

Kids and Tourists believed it, Congratulations abound, The Ferry boat captain blew the horn! Fun event on the boat, cann't remember how or why the idea rolled, but it was fun just the same and perhaps that is the only excuse we needed!!!

What Anything Goes Days do you remember??

As Staff I remember...."Okay people, lets have some ideas, no everybody cannot go to Bush Gardens, staff cannot take Anything Goes Day off, no all the staff cannot sign up for Lazy Day - it must be more than an all day rest day in your tents!!!..."

I remember leading...

Swim The James River (1976)

As if I did not get enough water time as it was! Garland, Mary Ann, Cindy et others and I lead the group over in row boats, kids swimming with life jackets on. Picnic on the Jamestown side of the river. Then some of the staff were dared to swim back with the kids in the boats! They left us!! I remember the tide going out and grabbing hold of one of the poles in the river near Chanco. Garland came back to rescue us. Man were we nuts. As a parent now I would cringe to think of my kid swimming the James...but I think of the things we did as kids and our kids miss out on now... continue reading »