October Chanco Chatter

In This Issue:

2025 Summer Camp Registration Now Open—With New Tiered Pricing

2025 Winter Camp—Register Now

Conquest Graphics—Vote For Chanco

Fall Events

Fall Work Weekend

November Cursillo 4th Day

EYC Fall Weekend

2025 Summer Camp Open House Extravaganza

Deeper Well Retreat

Advent Retreat

Refer a Friend

2025 Summer Camp Registration Now Open

With New Tiered Pricing

We are pleased to announce that we are establishing tiered pricing at Chanco on the James! Traditionally, summer camp prices have included a subsidy that is provided by Chanco donors and the Diocese of Southern Virginia. This year, we plan to offer two prices:

Tier 1, representing the actual cost of summer camp

Tier 2, representing the subsidized cost

This Tier Program offers the opportunity for families to take an active role in choosing the cost of their child's camp experience. You may choose the tier that is most suitable for your family and your budget. No matter your choice in tier, your camper will receive the same camp experience.

We hope those that are able will select Tier 1, and as a result, we will be able to extend Chanco to more summer campers and grow our community. Additionally, we will continue to offer scholarships to all that might need one. Our intent is to continue to provide an amazing camp experience to all that come to Chanco on the James.

Secure your spot now and register for a 2025 Summer Camp Session!

2025 Winter Camp

Register Now



Winter Camp is almost here! For kids ages 7–12 who have always wanted to experience camp with us, this is the perfect opportunity to see for yourself what makes Chanco so special. Kids aged Zip through the trees, forge new friendships, get creative and share stories by a giant bonfire sipping hot cocoa, and so much more!

The weekend features ziplines, archery, bonfire gathering, skits, games, music, worship and more, providing your child the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Mark your calendars and get your bags ready!

Conquest Graphics

2024 Nonprofit Print Grant Program

Conquest Graphics offers up to $5,000 in free printing services to the non-profit with the most votes. You can help Chanco on the James win a portion of this print grant by submitting your vote online—it only takes a moment! Select the "Vote Here" button below, and choose Chanco on the James from the list of options on the right hand side.

This grant allows us to continue reaching out and connecting with our community in efforts to grow our beloved Chanco community. Grants like these are essential for a smaller, nonprofit organization such as ourselves.

Voting closes December 13, 2024. We thank you in advance for your support!

What's Happening at Chanco This Fall?

The leaves are changing, the air is getting crispy, and we're rolling out a season full of joy and community here at Chanco! We warmly invite you to join us for an array of events that celebrate fellowship and faith, all in a fun and supportive environment. From cozy campfires and engaging retreats to uplifting worship services and family gatherings, there’s something for everyone. View our upcoming events below, and come share in the fun, make new friends, and grow together in spirit. Let’s embrace this beautiful season as one big, happy Chanco family!

Fall Work Weekend

November 1–3

November Cursillo 4th Day

Saturday, November 2, 12PM–4PM

Remember what happens to Jesus and His closest disciples after they come down from the mountain after the transfiguration? They immediately have to go back to work! The same holds true for us. As much as we'd like to stay at Chanco forever, the real world beckons. Fortunately, we have spent three days learning how to live in a whole new way, and we have a community–a servant community–who is ready and waiting to help us to live our fourth day, which is the rest of our life.

4th Day Workshops generally happen twice a year. They give us a chance to meet our new Cursillistas and renew our commitment to the movement. At the heart of the 4th day is the Group Reunion. The Group Reunion is a small group, usually 4-6 people who meet weekly to share their piety, study and action with one another. They pray with and for one another. These people are the ones who often know you best, and who keep you closest to Christ in your fourth day.

We invite you to participate in Fall Cursillo 4th Day with us at Chanco on November 2 from 12–4pm.

EYC Fall Weekend

November 8–10

Youth Grades 6–12 are invited to embark on adventure with old and new friends across the Diocese during the annual Episcopal Youth Committee fall weekend. The EYC Board is excited to explore this year’s theme: Embracing our Spiritual Gifts (Psalm 146).

Partial scholarships available. Registration deadline: Monday, Oct. 28.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing in the joy of our shared faith!

2025 Summer Camp Open House Extravaganza

Sunday, November 10 from 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

YOU'RE INVITED to our 2025 Summer Camp Open House at Chanco on the James where faith, community, and fun all come together! All families, regardless of age, race, and denomination, are warmly invited to explore what our Episcopal summer camp has to offer. We’ll tour the campus, enjoy delicious food, zipline through the trees, get creative with arts and crafts, and so much more, giving you the chance to see if Chanco is the right fit for you.

This year, the EYC Fall Weekend Retreat coincides with the 2025 Summer Camp Open House, so when you come to pick up your child from their retreat, please stay and join us for the open house extravaganza! Explore our campus for a firsthand experience of how Chanco on the James' Summer Camp can help your child enrich their spiritual journey, forge new friendships, and create memorable lifelong memories.

The cost for the summer camp open house is completely free! Contact programs@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) for more details.

Deeper Well

Wellness Retreat with the Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner

November 15–16

Join us with the Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner of Living Compass Ministries for a unique faith and wellness retreat and resourcing gathering.

Dr. Stoner and others will lead break-out experiences during a weekend of rest

and renewal. You will also be inspired by and resourced with what others in our

Diocese are practicing in the area of offering wellness ministries to their

congregations and the wider community.

You can view the Diocesan calendar for upcoming events here: diosova.org/upcoming-events

Advent Retreat

Friday, December 13, 6:00 p.m. – Saturday, December 14, 3:00 p.m.

Registration is now open for this year's Advent Retreat: Transformation through Contemplation: Using Advent Contemplative Practices to Grow Into Our Vocations as God Intended!

Our lives are busy. As we approach the Christmas season, they get busier. However, Advent is a time to slow down. To turn inward. To focus our attentions and intentions on who God is calling us to be. This retreat will review contemplative practices (specifically Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Prayer Beads and Labyrinth Walking) as ways to center ourselves in God so we can clearly hear and discern his call. This retreat is for those who seriously want to slow down and transform.

Refer a Friend and Win Big!

With 2025 camp registration now open, it's the perfect time to introduce your friends to the magic of Camp Chanco!

Refer a friend to sign up for one of Chanco's 2025 Summer Camp Sessions, and both of you will win big! Your referral wins you $100 of Chanco Bucks to redeem on anything Chanco — discounts on registration costs or bring it to camp for use in the camp store!

How it works:

Spread the Word: Tell your friends about the incredible summer experiences awaiting them at Camp Chanco.

They Sign Up: Your friend registers for one of our 2025 Summer Camp Sessions.

Your Friend Mentions You: During the registration process, your friend mentions your name as the referrer.

You Both Win: You receive $100 of Chanco Bucks, and your friend gets ready for an unforgettable Chanco summer!

Call (888) 724-2626, or email us at hospitality@chanco.org

to learn more and start referring your friends today!

2025 Camp Dates and New Tiered Pricing

2024

October 26 Indigenous Convocation

November 1–3 Fall Work Weekend

November 1–3 Diocesan College Retreat

November 2 Cursillo Fall 4th Day

November 8–10 EYC Fall Weekend

November 10 2025 Summer Camp Open House Extravaganza

November 15–16 Deeper Well Retreat

December 13–14 Advent Retreat

2025

Jan 17–19 Winter Camp

Learn More & Register at:

chanco.org/events

New Policies at Chanco

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Chanco Board has made a decision to introduce a small convenience fee on all credit card payments for both camps and retreats. This 3% fee is a modest adjustment that will help us continue to provide you with exceptional service and maintain the high standards that make Chanco a cherished destination.

We understand that change can sometimes be met with questions, and we want to assure you that this decision was made after careful consideration and with your best interests at heart. The convenience fee will directly offset the fees that Chanco incurs when accepting credit card transactions. You may avoid this fee by making your payment by check or cash.

We want to express our gratitude for your continued support, trust, and dedication to the Chanco community. Your participation in our camps and retreats has played a crucial role in shaping the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that defines Chanco. Thank you for being an integral part of the Chanco family, and we can't wait to create wonderful new memories together!

Chanco on the James

The Camp & Retreat Center of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA 23881

Phone: 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626)

Fax: 757-294-0727

Email: director@chanco.org