Send this camper to camp

A Camper's mail is important. So important that he or she must sing for it. At least that's the way it was when I was a camper back in the stone age. Sometimes a card or a letter sent to a camper will prove to be much more important than you might ever imagine. I want to tell the true story of a more recent camper's Chanco mail. So get comfortable and read on...

In July of 2008, "Tom" was 15 years old, and enjoying the time of his life during 2nd session at Chanco. His Mom, bless her soul, kind of missed his shoes in the hallway, skateboard by the front door and gargantuan appetite while he was away. She sent him a funny, simple card to remind him that she loved him and hoped he was having a fine time at camp. Just as many kids would have, "Tom" enjoyed the card for the few minutes it took him to read it. And perhaps there were another 10 or 15 seconds of reflection on his mother's love; before he stashed it under the mattress of his bunk, moving on to the next distraction to come his way; perhaps archery or ropes course or spying on the girls walking by.

Fast forward to May 2009. On the weekend of the 15th - 17th, Camp Chanco Alumni Association held it's work weekend at camp. Those who attended stayed in campsites Elizabeth and Mary. In one of the chalets in Elizabeth, under a bunk mattress, a greeting card and it's envelope were found by Issac, the son of Mary Peyton Swann who came along to help out. All who were there and saw the card were reminded, as I was, of how nice it was to receive mail while at camp. We also all wondered at the fact that the card and it's envelope had survived the rest of the 2008 camp season and the winter in the same place that "Tom" had left it.

I have a 15 year old son myself. and he's pretty sentimental. And maybe that's what got me to thinking; "Wouldn't it be cool to send "Tom" this card? Maybe he'd get a kick out of seeing it again and be reminded of the good time he had at Chanco last summer". So I hung on to this card and it's envelope that had the return address on it, and when I got home, I mailed it to him. I included a note to his parents explaining how it had fallen into my hands and who I was. The next paragraph is the response I received from his mother.

"Hi Sarah, Thank you for sending the card to "Tom" that you found under his bunk mattress. It's just like him to put it there, and then forget it! You say you started at Chanco in the mid 70's. I did also! I think I was there in '74, '75, and '76. It was definitely the best experience I had during those years! "Tom" has gone for the last three years. He absolutely loves it! Unfortunately, he wanted to be a Counselor-in-Training this year, but wasn't chosen. His Dad is one of millions unemployed, so we can't afford to send him this year as a camper. I hate it for him, since I never made the Order of Chanco, either. I am hoping that maybe Camp Chanco will consider him next year. Anyway, thanks so much for sending the card. I hope that you all have a great summer season! Thanks again, Mrs. D."

I am unwilling to accept the notion that "Tom" can't attend Chanco this year because his family is stuggling financially. I have personally committed, and now publicly as well, to covering a camp store tab and a t-shirt for Tom this summer. When I asked other members of the CCAA Bd of Directors if this was a project that we as an organization could get behind, I received a unanimously positive response. We've contacted Camp and "Tom" is signed up to attend. The tuition bill is $699.00.

I am asking you, the reader and a past Chanco camper, if you are also willing to get behind this project. (?) Will you share a little to ensure that "Tom" can attend Chanco this year? I believe there is not a more worthy way for us to share our blessings. You can either donate online Send this camper to camp or please send a check made payable to "CCAA" to our Treasurer; Sean "Tater" Roberson at 5124 Lobaugh Drive VA Beach, VA 23454. In the memo line on your check please write "Blog Campership Fund" so that your kind gift will be applied for this purpose.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at scargill.ccaa@gmail.com or Tater at tater911@gmail.com. I have changed the name of the camper to protect his family's privacy. Thank you for your time and in advance for your generous gifts. Remember also that because your gift is sent for a campership through CCAA it is 100% tax deductible and a receipt will be sent to you if you desire.

Caritas,
Sarah C. Etheridge-Cargill

"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time,
and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa