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.  continue reading »

WOW! What a weekend! Thanks so much to everyone that helped make it happen. The food was delicious, the music was great, the weather was perfect, and the friendships rekindled made the weekend one that I will always remember. And yes, time did fly.

My husband Stefan, my daughters Reilly (6), and Alina (4), and I made the drive down from Fredericksburg on Saturday afternoon. It had been more than 15 years since I had been down that way, and it was … uh … rural. Much more so than I had remembered! We had a few minutes to spare so I took the family on a short detour past the old camp. ("Just a few more minutes!" I kept promising my kids as they protested from the back seat.) How strange to see it now occupied by homes!

Once we arrived at the new camp, it took me a few minutes to get my bearings. So much has changed...  continue reading »