September 22 and 23rd were busy days at Chanco on the James! The first Annual Alumni “Smoke Signal Sleepover” Reunion was a huge success with every Chalet and Conference Room reserved. We had a wait list for this event and even had folks sleeping in the infirmary beds! Alumni came from as far as Connecticut and Florida to reunite at Chanco for this fun-filled event. The Alumni and their families enjoyed a slide show of photos from the 1970’s to the summer of 2007; heard from Talley Sale Banazek, Development Coordinator about the status of Chanco currently and the marketing, volunteer and financial needs of the Camp; witnessed an Indian Night led by Charlie Hughes with Eucharist officiated by the Rev. David Davenport; heard live music by a male/female acoustic duo; and experienced Eucharist on the Bluff Sunday morning led by the Rev. Stan Sawyer. The food was deliciously prepared and served by the new company overseeing the Chanco kitchen, FCG, LLC.

The first ever Alumni Association meeting was held and email correspondence has begun to develop the purpose and mission of this organization, the Board/officers, and the Bylaws. Over 40 Alumni thus far have signed up to participate in email communication regarding this effort. One Alumni (currently the Chief of the Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Division on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon) whose time at Chanco spanned 1971-1985 as a camper, a counselor and a Program Director recently emailed me with his support saying, “I got the foundation of my success as a military commander as a counselor and Program Director on the banks of the James. Believe it or not, the same skills you need to carry a team through a total rework of Big Day when a hurricane blows through apply to situations in Iraq when your plan falls apart; I’ve never stopped practicing what I learned at camp…together I’m sure we can turn the slow decline around.” His sentiments echo that of many Alumni who have come forward with much energy, enthusiasm, and ideas to support Chanco and give back to the place that many feel made us who we are. If you are interested in participating in the Camp Chanco Alumni Association (CCAA), visit the www.chancoonce.com website and click on “Alumni Association” for more information.

The first ever Alumni Reunion was the perfect opportunity to announce the initiation of the Chanco “Alumni Fund for the Future”, an endowed fund, from which the earnings contribute to the maintenance and improvement of Camp while at the same time, keeping tuition low for future generations. Thus, your contributions to this Fund will extend support for Chanco beyond our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. If you missed the opportunity to donate to this Fund, never fear! There is still time! The tax deductible contributions continue to come into the Chanco office. Don’t delay – mail yours in today to Camp Chanco PO Box 378 Surry, Virginia 23883 and help to ensure the Magic of Chanco for future generations. Donations are also being accepted for the Friends of Chanco Annual Fund, which is used to offset unexpected costs not accounted for in the annual budget. Please specify in the memo line of your check how you would like your donation directed (i.e. “Alumni Fund for the Future” or “Friends of Chanco Annual Fund”).

Maybe most importantly, the Fall Fest weekend provided an opportunity for friends to reunite and experience the magic of Chanco again – for some, it had been over three decades since they had been to Chanco. For others, they had never even seen the new Chanco site which originated in 1989. Equally importantly, a new generation of kids was introduced to Chanco and many little ones were overheard talking about plans to attend Camp next summer. One little girl, eight years old, who had never seen Camp before said, “I can’t wait ‘till next summer when I can come to Chanco! Can’t I just close my eyes and open them and it be time to come? I can’t wait the whole school year!”

The Second Annual Fall Fest Day Picnic and Open House began on Sunday afternoon at 2 pm and was well attended by families all over the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Families enjoyed live music, a barbeque picnic, tours of the Chanco grounds, the ropes course, sailing and swimming at the waterfront, the swimming pool, and zip line. Folks also enjoyed shopping at the Camp Store and Eastern Shore Chapel’s bookstore. This year’s event was enhanced by a Silent Auction, which earned over $3,000 in contributions to the Camp.

The Board of Directors fully planned and executed this event; however none of it would have been possible without many volunteers. Volunteers worked beginning on Friday to clear brush and landscape, clean Chalets, scrub pool furniture, set up the Camp store, set up tables, chairs and tents; and work registration.

On Friday afternoon while cleaning Chalets with my brother, we reminisced about our Chanco memories and said a silent prayer thanking God for the opportunity to be here again as adults 18 years after working there together as Counselors. As these emotions flooded me, I looked up to the writing on the inside of the Chalet (signing your Chalet is a Chanco tradition) and saw my brother’s name there in Sharpie pen from the summer of 1989. At next glance, I saw a camper’s inscription from this summer which said, “So just close your eyes and thank God for another chance to say ‘How I’ve loved these days.’” How true this inscription is for all of us Alumni who were grateful to re-experience Chanco’s magic.

The Board of Directors and volunteers outside the Board worked tirelessly to bring this event to the Diocese. The result was an event attended by many with new friends made, old friends reunited, a new generation introduced to the Camp, and over $11,000 raised in support of Chanco on the James. With this type of energy surrounding Chanco, the Fortieth Anniversary in 2008 is sure to be a huge celebration! Thanks to all who helped and all who attended for your support of our Diocese’s gem in the woods!