Chanco Chatter
News from our diocesan camp and conference center, February 2017
From the woods of Chanco...
A message from our Executive Director

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace

Greetings my friends,

There is a song that we sing at Chanco. This song is frequently used in worship at summer camp and during EYC, Happening, and Cursillo weekends. I am certain many of you are familiar with this song. Here is an excerpt from the lyrics:
 
And we'll guard each man's dignity  
and save each man's pride 
And they'll know we are Christians by our love,
by our love 
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. * 
 
Today more than ever, we need this message. At a time when our country seems so divided and full of animosity, God's love is a more powerful message than ever before. In his address to Annual Council this past weekend, our bishop spoke to the conflict and turmoil our world has endured these past twelve months. Bishop Hollerith shared, "I sense us entering a period when more and more people will be turning to the church for answers and for meaning and for community." He emphasized the importance of our mission to bear the news of Jesus Christ to the world.
 
In this world of animosity, partisanship, racial unrest, and conflict, Chanco offers an alternative. Through our many retreat programs for young people and adults as well as our one and two-week summer camp sessions for youth, we provide a sanctuary apart from negativity. This hallowed ground provides a place for God's love and community in His creation. By both example and teachings our counselors and chaplain lovingly bring children into a Christian community. At Chanco we honor each person's dignity through a culture of unconditional acceptance, trust, and caring. They will know we are Christians by our friendship, our spirit, and our love.

In the spirit of Chanco,
Gareth

* "We are one in the Spirit" by Peter Scholtes, � 1966, F.E.L. Publications, assigned to The Lorenz Corp., 1991

Camp Chanco - Don't delay, register today!

Check it out! A new 2017 Chanco video was created for our Annual Council presentation by our very own camp staff member Casey Cole. Click here to check out this short teaser video and see a glimpse of all the camp and retreat fun Chanco offers. Be on the look out for the full 2017 video coming soon! Summer camp registration is live and with registrations pouring in since fall, you won't want to wait to register for the summer camp session of your choice! With five camp sessions full last summer and many with a wait list, register today for the session of your choice! With one-week, two-week, and specialty sessions available, there is a program perfect for your camper! Click here for a flier with more information on Camp Chanco. Click here for a flier with more information about our specialty camp sessions.
Easy online registration is available on our website at www.chanco.org. You may also stay tuned to our Facebook page for the latest news and photos of all Chanco programs. We can't wait to see you this summer for the first time or for your ninth+ visit in Chanco's magical forests where "friends are friends forever"!
 
Visit us at a Camp Chanco Open House

Have you been hearing about Camp Chanco from your friends and wondered what all the buzz is about? Come see for yourself! Chanco has two open house dates upcoming and the events are free and open to the public.  Visit us on March 4 or May 7 from 1 - 5 pm and meet camp staff, take a tour, enjoy games and activities and fly along a zip line if you dare. Bring a friend and remember that for every new friend you refer who registers, you can receive $50 off your own camp tuition.  We look forward to seeing you and your friends on the banks of the James this spring! Questions? Contact Camp Director Nathan Hoyt at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or [email protected].
 
Camp Chanco hiring summer staff

A summer working at Chanco is often the best summer of a young adult's life. Working in Christian community, making lifetime friends, and making the difference in the life of a child cannot be understated! Skills of organization, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork are just a few of the invaluable experiences a Chanco staff member will receive. And you get these experiences while having FUN, which is a bonus over sitting at a boring desk all day long! Chanco is now accepting applications for all summer staff counselor positions (ages 18 and up) and counselors in training, now called "Eagles" (16-17 years old). Don't wait - many interviews are happening now and preference is given to those applications received by March 15th! Click here for an employment application. Visit
www.chanco.org for more information. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 888-7CHANCO. The best summer of your life might just be right ahead of you.
 
Thank you for visiting us at Annual Council

The Rev. Willis Foster and Gareth Kalfas
at Annual Council.
 
The 125th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia was held February 10 & 11, 2017 at Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia and was an enormous success. Thank you to our friends who stopped by our Chanco booth at Council to visit with our Executive Director and Marketing Director. We had many friends stop at the booth to say "hello", share their Chanco stories, pick up fliers and our 2017 Annual Report. We always enjoy seeing all our friends from throughout the diocese at Annual Council and appreciate your outstanding support. Click here for Bishop Hollerith's address to Council. Click here for the Chanco 2016 Annual Report.

 Women's Retreat Day: A Lenten Passage in the Celtic Spirit

Announcing a new retreat opportunity at Chanco! Join us in March for a women's retreat open to all women ages 18 and older who would seek to enhance their experience of Lent this year. The retreat will be held Saturday, March 25th from 9:00 am-4:00 pm and participants may choose to attend for the day only or add an optional contemplative overnight retreat on Friday, March 24th. This retreat will be a time of prayer, fellowship and reflection informed by the Celtic tradition. This program is sponsored by the program team of Chanco on the James and will feature fantastic music leadership by Karey Sitzler of "All in His Name". Click here for a flyer with more information to post in your parish or share with a friend. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Youth Missioner Ashley Scruggs at [email protected]
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Join us for service and fellowship during our volunteer work week   
 
Join friends from throughout the diocese March 20-24, 2017 for a time of fellowship and service as we work together to complete painting and other property projects. We need volunteers of all skill levels during this week. Come for a day or the entire week - every hour of service helps! Contact Chanco Board Property Chair Jim Marquette at 757-620-3959 or
[email protected] for more information or to register.
 
Chanco is not just for kids - spring Cursillo weekend    
 
Maybe your child came home from camp talking about the "magic" of Chanco. Maybe you are feeling a little bit "zapped" spiritually and are looking for new ways to pray in your ever-busy life. Maybe you are searching for new tools to deepen your relationship with God and actively live your Christian faith more intentionally. Or maybe you are interested in making new friends from throughout our diocese. If any of these sound familiar, Cursillo may be for you! As Cursillista, Laura Frank Sale of Eastern Shore Chapel Virginia Beach, shared about her experience, "I gained new friends who share a deep love of Christ, strive to be leaders in their own parishes, and whose friendship feels much larger than having only known them for three days. It also strengthened and deepened the relationships of those that I already knew. I learned new ways to talk to God and took away with me new tools to make my relationship with God more intentional on a daily basis. These are just a few of the things I gained from the weekend. It was a joyous and fun experience that I would love for you to share also." Click here to read more.
 
You will not want to miss the upcoming retreat for adults coming this spring to Chanco. Cursillo #162, a co-ed weekend is being held April 27-30, 2017 and the rector is Gerry Lopez of Grace, Yorktown. For more information on Cursillo or to apply to be a candidate or a team member, please visit the Cursillo website at www.cursillodiosova.org .  We hope you won't miss this transformative weekend experience!  
 
Upcoming Events

 
Pre-Happening Staff Weekend: February 25-26, 2017. Open to all Happening Alumni who are interested in serving as staff members for Happening #66. Click here for staff application. Questions? Contact Youth Missioner Ashley Scruggs at [email protected].
 
Open House: March 4, 2017. Calling friends of Chanco of all ages! Join us from 1-5 pm to visit Chanco. Enjoy tours, refreshments, games, and meet some of our Chanco staff and board members as you learn more about the place many call their "second home". This event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).
 
Happening #66: March 10-12, 2017. (Open to grades 10-12 and adult advisors who have never attended Happening). The focal point of this weekend is learning and experiencing the love of Christ. The weekend format includes a series of talks, movies, small group activities and worship, as well as opportunities for fellowship, fun, and making new friends. Click here for more information and registration. Questions? Contact Youth Missioner Ashley Scruggs at [email protected].
 
Volunteer Work Week: March 20-24, 2017. Join friends from throughout the diocese for a time of fellowship and service as we work together to complete some painting and other property projects. Contact Jim Marquette at 757-620-3959 or [email protected] for more information or to register.

Women's Retreat Day: March 24-25, 2017. A Lenten Passage in the Celtic Spirit open to women 18 years old and older. Come for the day Saturday 9 am - 4 pm or add an optional overnight Friday. Visit www.chanco.org  for more information and registration. Questions? Contact Ashley Scruggs at [email protected] for more information.

Cursillo #162: Co-Ed Weekend. April 27-30, 2017. Rector: Deb Hazzard. Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal Church. It is an adult retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. It's also a community where we're encouraged to live joyfully and serve faithfully in grace. For more information on Cursillo or to apply to be a candidate or a team member, please visit the Cursillo website at www.cursillodiosova.org.
 
Men, the Wilderness and God: May 5-7, 2017. A Men's retreat sponsored by Grace Church, Yorktown and open to all men ages 16 and up. Questions? Contact Bob Frady at 757-639-3637 or [email protected].

Open House: May 7, 2017. Calling friends of Chanco of all ages! Join us from 1-5 pm to visit Chanco. Enjoy tours, refreshments, games, and meet some of our Chanco staff and board members as you learn more about the place many call their "second home". This event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact us at  [email protected] or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).
 
May Weekend: May 19-21, 2017 (Grades 8-12). Join with teens from all over our diocese for a weekend of great music, small groups, socials and games, meaningful discussions, a dance and incredible worship experiences. Come experience the presence of God in community. Click here for more information and registration. Questions? Contact Youth Missioner Ashley Scruggs at  [email protected].

Camp Prep Work Weekend: June 9-11, 2017. This is a work weekend to prepare our grounds for the busy camp season. Contact Camp Director Nathan Hoyt at [email protected] or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) for more information or to register.
 

Chanco on the James Camp & Conference Center
in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA 23881
Phone: 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626)     Fax: 757-294-0727
Email: [email protected]
 

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