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Urgent need for kids at Camp this summer!

Submitted by Boomer Somers on March 17, 2007 - 10:53am.
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Hi all, this is Robert (Boomer) Somers. As the incoming Executive Director of Chanco on the James, I have discovered that our beloved camp has steadily lost campers over the years. This is an urgent situation for the financial health of Chanco and for the very existence of Chanco’s summer camp programs at all. With approximately 800 camper slots with our residential sessions and our out-trips, last year there were only about 300 campers. People have differing opinions of why there has been a decline in participation. Regardless of the reasons for decline, we need to rebuild our camper base and get families and kids back to Chanco.

I need your help. The ones of you who have enjoyed success in their careers may make a monetary gift or donation. However, the best way to support Chanco is to get a kid interested in going to camp this summer! How easy is that! Think about what you got from camp, the friends, the memories, the peace, and let that fuel you to reach out and talk to your friends and neighbors about sending their children to Chanco. This is the true way to save our camp. Even if someone gave a gift of millions of dollars (which would be nice…) if no children go there, it is all in vain. In a business sense, and in a spiritual sense, kids will save what we all value and love. Please stay current with camp information and get others involved.

I will be hosting a 'Chanco Open House' at Norfolk Academy on Wednesday March 21st, and Thursday March 29th, at 7:00 pm to show our summer programs DVD and proudly represent our camp and conference center to the general public. Keep an eye open for our half page ad in the Virginia Pilot this Sunday. Everyone of you are cordially invited to attend these Open Houses. Please show your support for our Diocese and Chanco and refer all your friends and neighbors.

Thank you for moving to action and circulating the 2007 material at your very earliest. This is the most crucial time for families to choose camps for their children. I look forward to seeing you and your families in the woods and on the beach of our beloved Chanco on the James!

Warm Regards,

Robert Somers

  • Executive Director
  • Chanco on the James
  • www.chanco.org
  • Cell: 757.705.2555
  • Home: 757.966.7741
  • Work: 757.294.3126

 


 

More Campers Needed

Submitted by Maggie Ulrich on April 3, 2007 - 2:37pm.

Just as an FYI, the Richmond Times-Dispatch does an entire section on available summer camps for kids. They publish it in May, I think. You may want to branch out of the Hampton Roads area a bit and try and recruit some campers in the Richmond area.

~Maggie

Richmond-area Campers

Submitted by Carter Alligood on April 3, 2007 - 3:23pm.

Indeed. My parent's church (Church of the Redeemer in Midlothian) has hundreds of people, most with Chanco-aged children. Talley (Sale) is a member of the church. You should plan a tour of the larger (and younger) churches in Virginia and ask to speak with the congregations. Present the camp to five large churches and I bet and you'll increase enrollment by 50%. Send a flyer to ALL of the churches and ask them to post / distribute.

Has there been a general decline in the number of people in EYC as well? I believe my parents told me that Redeemer doesn't participate with EYC any more.

- Carter