Here's Dave's letter to folks at the reunion (the one I read Sat night dinner):

September 25, 2008

Hello to My Old Chanco Friends,

I’m so sorry that Lee and I cannot be present for the grand 40th anniversary of Chanco. We are in Ecuador for a 20th anniversary marriage trip that has been long planned; however, I wish I had had my wits tuned in better when planning things so that I could have worked around Chanco. I am so sorry to miss some old friends whom I have heard will be back on-site. Chanco was a wonderful time in my life and I have many truly great memories. I am grateful to all of you who contributed so much to our collective experiences. I still have lots of slides tucked away and many old “Smoke Signals” and staff newsletters somewhere in my attic, so one day you may see more of them on the great web-site that Greg has managed to create and maintain. One day, continue reading »

The only time I remember Dave Davenport put glasses on was when he got behind the wheel of the old white hearse.  Yep – Order of Chanco initiation night, old camp 1981 or so:  continue reading »

I have several (fond?) memories from my staff year

I remember a ferry ride with several friends at dawn after one session, probably after staying up all night. I fell asleep standing and leaning against the front of the deck house. I woke up after about 10 minutes and felt better than I ever had before. I have fallen asleep and woken up in a great many more mundane and strange situations since then, but for some reason this one has always stuck with me. I felt very happy, satisfied, loved and content. Very much the way I feel in similar situations with my family now.

I remember a shocking event involving Brian (Counselor Brian)! NOT for the faint of heart... continue reading »

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 »

Camp Chanco certainly is amalgamation of people, moments and an unusual Spirit that penetrates the 5 senses even after we have left it.

Whether it has been years or even decades (yes decades - it is nearly 40 years old) I cannot recall how often but there are those moments in our corners of the world where we taste - Bug juice - we smell -OFF repellent - we see - the moon tucked up high as if it is guarding over the James.

Which leads me to think of the physical character of the land and those nooks that were carved out of the Woods over the years. I am certain that the current location has matured and aged and worn itself into a fine specimen but I cannot express how vivid the original site still is to me this day.

I am almost convinced that if I should return in my dreams to that site I could navigate through it - blindfolded. With the replaying of memories the footsteps are retraced like a pencil tracing on waxpaper.

The Midnight Trail continue reading »

I was only 17 and Dave Davenport was taking a big risk in hiring me as the archery instructor for the summer. My interview was horrible and the only reason I can think that Dave hired me was because he was desperate.

It all started back in 1976 when I was 8 years old. I was living in Virginia Beach and Charlie Hughes had come to our Church and showed a slide show for a summer camp on the James River. My parents sent me, kicking and screaming, that very summer. I can still remember sitting on my Father’s old camp trunk crying as my family drove away. Don’t feel too bad, I was hooked by the time dinner was served.  continue reading »

I am not sure what year this happened, but Anthony Cox and I were staff brats for many years at Senior High. We stayed in the old "Hilton" and pretty much did what ever we wanted.

One year we participated in the talent show and we did the skit acting like 4 year olds. We tried to joke Bill and all of the staff as much as we could. We got a lot of laughs and the next year we felt like we needed to do something again in the talent show. However, we were older and thought we would do a sit down type of talk with the confrees.

It was a disaster.

As we sat there bombing someone yelled show me some skin. I thought, that's my cue. So I proceeded to stand up, turn around and moon the entire camp. Next thing I know I was being carried out of the dinning hall with my dad putting his head in his hand.  continue reading »