A special update from your Chanco family

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Special Chanco Chatter

Update as of March 26, 2020

From the Woods -

A message from our Executive Director

Dear friends,

Chanco’s mission is to promote the spiritual and physical wellness of God’s people. I care about each of you and hope you are staying well. I hope you are finding moments of lightness in the midst of this unfamiliar reality we are all living. Therefore, in alignment with our diocese and public health officials, we are extending our suspension of group activities until April 30. We are committed to continuing Chanco's mission through creative and virtual ways.

The big question campers and families may be asking is; “Will we have camp this summer? The answer today is a hopeful YES. The summer season is far enough away that we are still preparing and planning for a strong and wonderful camp program. However, we know that we are living through an unprecedented and emerging situation. We want our camper families and our retreat guests to be ready when programming resumes. Therefore, we have amended our refund policy to ensure families can feel confident in signing up today!

Our amended policy is as follows:

If a group reservation (i.e. retreat event) or individual registration (i.e. 1980s reunion or camp attendee) needs to cancel because of the COVID-19 virus based on health department recommendations, government regulations, or the decision of camp leadership, or if an individual is unable to attend because of the COVID-19 virus, any registration payments, including the full, non-refundable/non-transferrable deposit will be refunded, credited toward a future program, or may be donated to Chanco as a gift in support of our mission, based on the individual’s preference.

Through this policy change, we hope to build on our strong relationships and reputation from more than 50 years in camping to reassure you that you have nothing to lose when you register with Chanco again this year!

Read on for just a few of the ways we are working to remain connected during this time of physical distance.

Thank you for being a part of the Chanco family. When you do return to Chanco, we will be ready, as always, to share God’s love as revealed in the beauty of His creation. In the meantime, know that our prayers are with each of you and all those around the world that are affected in many ways by the COVID-19 virus. We look forward to warm sunny days together on the banks of the James.

In the Chanco spirit,

Gareth Kalfas, Executive Director

Virtual Easter Vigil on the Bluff

The Rev. Eileen Walsh will be officiating a special virtual Easter Vigil on the bluff on April 11th. The Easter Vigil is one of the oldest liturgies in the church. Historically it would last throughout the night and new converts to the faith would be baptized during the vigil. In the contemporary church the vigil begins with the new fire followed by entering the darkened church. The Pascal candle is lit from the new fire. Readings that tell the history of salvation are read and then all of the candles are lit, bells are rung, and the joyous celebration of the resurrection begins! Join the Rev. Eileen Walsh for a special virtual Easter Vigil on the bluff at Chanco on Saturday, April 11th at 8 pm via our Facebook page here .

Prayers for Our Community

These are trying times. We are committed to holding our community, our parishes, our Chanco family, and our world in daily prayer. The Chanco board and staff will keep an ongoing prayer list and will be praying for you and your loved ones by name. If you have specific prayer requests you would like lifted, please email them to us at camp@chanco.org . Our list will be updated weekly via our Facebook page . These prayers will be lifted in our staff meetings, board meetings and during our personal prayer time.

Happening Prayer Service

Hello Happening family,

As we process all that has been going on in the world today, we want to remember the importance of remaining in prayer and remaining in community. The Happening community has always been a place of comfort and peace for so many. This upcoming weekend we were going to celebrate Happening #72. While we won’t be able to gather together at Chanco as planned, we still want to still celebrate the community.

This Saturday, we are going to hold a short prayer service for our Happening family and friends. This will be an opportunity for youth who have been Happened or were planning to be Happened, to still come together in love and have an opportunity to worship as a group. Please feel free to invite friends and family to join us this Saturday, March 28 on Zoom at 7pm. Just follow the link below. The only thing you will need is a candle and something to light it with. It doesn’t matter what type of candle you have, just whatever you already have around the house. Bonus points if you have a candle from Happening. If you have any questions, please let me know. Hope to see you all on Sunday!!

Topic: Happening Prayer Service

Time: Mar 28, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/404706416

Meeting ID: 404 706 416

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,404706416# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,404706416# US (New York)

Grace and Peace,

Megan Dern

Youth Missioner

Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

( 757) 213-3393

Keeping Chanco Healthy

The health and safety of everyone in our Chanco community is of the highest priority. The Chanco board of directors and staff take seriously the trust that you place in us both to provide high quality programs and to meet and exceed the highest industry standards set forth by the Department of Health and the American Camp Association.

At this critical time and through the summer, we will continue the following measures to maintain these standards:

Conducting health history reviews and health screenings on the first day of camp for all campers and staff
Regular and thorough disinfection of public areas including restrooms, gathering spaces, the dining hall, door handles, etc. using commercial-grade disinfectants, listed on the EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19
A daily check for campsite cleanliness
Staff-monitored camper personal hygiene including teeth brushing and showering
Cautioning our staff to stay home when sick in order to prioritize the health and safety of others

Some Camp Chanco Staff

Still Needed

Join our 2020 Camp Chanco staff and see why many feel that working at summer camp is the best job of their lives! Chanco has hired the majority of our staff but is still in need of some walk around counselors - particularly females. Are you interested in a career in marketing and also love kids and the outdoors? Then we have the job for you! Chanco is hiring a media specialist who will take photos, post on our website galleries and social media and will work closely with our Marketing Director to communicate the highlights of summer camp. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Director of Programs Nathan Hoyt at programs@chanco.org today!

Prayer, Worship, & Formation Resources

for congregations and families

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia has compiled many resources for prayer, worship and formation at home, as well as resources for talking to children and youth about coronavirus/COVID-19. Click here for more information and links to numerous resources to support our parishes and families.

Upcoming Events

Chanco 1980's Alumni Reunion : May 1-3, 2020. Were you a camper, EYC'er, or Happener in the 1980's?! If so mark your calendars and save the date! This May, the 1980's alumni are reuniting for giant fun back together again at Chanco. Whether you have been at Chanco in the last month or not since 1980, we know you will immediately feel back home at Chanco with friends who outlast the decades. More information and registration can be found here. Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).

Spirit Center Consecration: May 2, 2020. Consecration of our new Spirit Center with Bishop Susan Haynes presiding. Consecration begins at 11 am followed by a lunch reception. Free and open to the public . More information and registration can be found at www.chanco.org . Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).

May Weekend: May 15-17, 2020. Grades 6-12. Enjoy new friendships, fantastic food, and creative music and worship experiences. More information and registration coming soon! Questions? Contact Youth Missioner Megan Dern at mdern@diosova.org or 757-423-8287.

Food for the Soul Retreat: September 26-27, 2020. Will feature incredible food, a cooking lesson with Chef Rafael, & learning about and tasting Virginia wine as well as discussions about the importance of nourishing your spirit. Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).

Cursillo #168: Co-Ed Weekend : October 1-4, 2020. 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 to serve the team, please visit t he Cursillo website at www.cursillodiosova.org or contact Lay Director Lydia Dyson at lydia.dyson.ld@gmail.com .

“Black Tie Dye” Campaign Donor Celebration: October 24-25, 2020. Campaign celebration dinner in appreciation of our donors and campaign success. Join us for dinner and optional overnight. Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).

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