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2013 Summer Camp Brochure Now Available

Check It Out! The 2013 Summer Camp Brochure Is Online!

Complete with descriptions of every camp offered this summer, this digital version of the Camp Hanover 2013 Summer Camp brochure includes a camp calendar, answers to commonly asked questions, an explanation of our three-tier pricing, and a camp registration form. View it on your screen or print it out a copy -- it's formatted to fit on standard 8.5" x 11" paper.

Ready to Register for Summer Camp?

Register online now! You can also register by mail by printing out a registration form in the 2013 Summer Camp brochure and returning it to camp.

Transformations: Kirkwood IV Updated

A handful of talented volunteers and staff members have transformed Kirkwood IV, an aging screen pavilion, into a comfortable, indoor meeting space now available for year-round usage by guests visiting Camp Hanover. Spearheading the effort to revitalize Kirkwood IV gave Camp Hanover Maintenance Assistant, Jim Marston, an opportunity to showcase his talents for carpentry. Along the way, Jim was able to creatively repurpose discarded cabinetry and lumber scavenged from the recent renovations to the Executive Director’s residence for new use in the updated building.

The newly insulated building now features new LP gas heat to keep you warm and toasty on blustery winter days. New ceiling fans and removable windows keep the air moving when temperatures rise in the summer months. Thanks to the donation of materials, the costs to update the building were kept low, and allowed for the additional lighting to brighten up the space, and the construction of a small kitchen area with sink, microwave and refrigerator.

Erin Davidson to Serve as Traveling Day Camp Director

The newest member to the Camp Hanover team, Erin Davidson, will coordinate Camp Hanover’s Traveling Day Camp program for the 2013 camp season. Erin is a Virginia native, and a former Camp Hanover Day Camp counselor. Erin returns to Camp Hanover with a breadth of experience in Presbyterian Camping, having served as a counselor for several summers at Massanetta Springs near Harrisonburg Virginia, and assistant Summer Camp Director at Holmes Presbyterian Center in Holmes, New York.

Camp Hanover Celebrates 55 Years of Ministry

Labor Day Weekend 2012 at Camp Hanover was a time for celebration. To kick things off, sixty-plus children and adults laughed, played, sang together and worshipped in the woods in Camp Hanover style, during the fifth annual family camp. It was a time of reuniting with old friends and making new ones as we “Shared the Story” with each other. Hamburgers and hot dogs were on the cookout menu and Bob Pryor’s signature “dehydrated pancakes” were enjoyed by all at breakfast. “Songsmith” Scott Pryor brandished his 6-string, sharing songs at a mini-concert Saturday night and provided musical accompaniment to the group that gathered around the fireplace for an old-fashioned Camp Hanover sing-along that continued late into the evening.

On Sunday, over 200 folks from the “Camp Hanover family” travelled from across Virginia and beyond to mark the anniversary of 55 years of outdoor ministry at camp and to honor the passion and work of Bob Pryor, retiring after 22 years of service as the Camp’s director. Those in attendance were treated to stirring words and colorful stories about the history of Camp and the vision of ministry for this special place at its inception from founding Director John Ensign. We also had a chance to meet the new incoming Executive Director, Doug Walters and his family.

Camp Hanover now enters its 56 year as “a place apart” and Family Camp will once again take place over Labor Day Weekend in 2013. Ask yourself, will you be there? We hope so!

Lend a Hand: Fall Work Day – Saturday, December 1

Lend a Hand: Fall Work Day – Saturday, December 1

Did you know that Camp Hanover encompasses nearly 600 acres of wooded forest? Did you know that within that piece of property, there are miles and miles of trails, and over 40 buildings, facilities and permanent structures? Did you know, Camp Hanover employs just two people – part time! -- to tackle the gargantuan task of maintaining all of the buildings, equipment and vehicles you would find on the site? That’s a lot of “site” for two part-timers (retired part-timers at that!) to maintain!

Site Manager Larry Covington and Maintenance Assistant Jim Marston do a tremendous job keeping everything running smoothly and looking great. With a site as large as Camp Hanover, they are only able to do so thanks to the help of countless volunteers who give many hours of time mowing grass, painting buildings, and performing other maintenance tasks. Thanks to their efforts you are able to enjoy your camp, safely and comfortably, all year long.

You have an opportunity, Saturday, December 1, to don some work gloves, pick up a rake or paintbrush, or wield a hammer or saw, and lend a hand in taking care of your camp. Consider bringing your family or a small group of handy folks out to the Camp Hanover Work Day to assist Larry and Jim with the maintenance of the site. You can pitch-in for a couple of hours or volunteer the entire day starting at 8:00am. For more information and to get involved, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (804) 779-2811.

Summer 2012 comes to a close

Storms, no power, intense heat...some of the challenges of this summer.

Laughter, beautiful singing, Olympics, green grass (even in August!), great canoe and hiking trips, trail lunches, Cindy's rolls, talented and caring staff, new friends, a deeper relationship with Jesus, trumpet playing in the morning, goats and sheep and chickens, watermelons from the garden, cool craft projects...these were a few of the highlights of Camp Hanover's 56th summer.

Our staff closed out their summer of service with a delicious buffet brunch prepared by the leadership staff (Marly, Matt, Will, Incy, Morgan). After worship they began to scatter to homes, schools, jobs. Part of that worship time was spent Looking Back, then Looking forward, then Living Each Moment as songs of praise were sung, prayers of thanks were voiced, and words from the heart were shared. Whether you are a former camper or staff member or a current one, the poem printed below (written by Chris Brannan, a staff member on and off over the past 5-6 summer) seems to sum up the joy and challenge of living in Christian community where each person is valued as a unique child of God. As you read the poem, please reflect on your camp experience and commit now to taking those things that you learned at camp and sharing them with a world that needs to know how to work together, to listen to each other, to find and affirm the Christ in each person, and to learn to live in harmony with God's creation.

Thanks to each of you for your part in making this summer one to celebrate. Thanks to Chris for putting many of our thoughts into words. Enjoy. And start now to make plans to attend Winter Camp (Dec. 28-30) and summer camp 2013. Live Each Moment for Christ.

Jink and Diddle by Christopher Brannan

The butterflies start when state maintenance ends,
And the buzz of the summer is soon to begin.
May sure seems like a lifetime ago,
Good grief where did all that time go?
From the Focus Fox to the Question Box,
We made lifetime friends and played rocks in a box.
Box was just used twice, but give me a break,
I’m at camp and it’s August and I need to hydrate.
When I look back on this summer and all that it’s been,
I’ll be frank, I’m in awe, and my head starts to spin.
From hazel eyes to golden skies, I’ve seen and done a lot,
There’ve been highs and lows, good days and bad, but not just all for naught.
Here at camp, in this place apart,
God’s in control, He consumes your heart.
We’re the hands and the feet, I tell you the truth,
We’re a stop in kids’ lives, just like a tollbooth.
They’re here in an instant and gone in a flash,
But the memories, experiences, and love – they will last.
We’ve all made a difference, if only to one,
Been used, stretched, exhausted by Jesus the Son.
But keep your chin up and know you’ve done good,
It’ll start to sink in when you’re back in your hood.
For the real world is calling and beckoning us back,
To papers, computers, and all of that jack.
When you’re back to the grind and all of your chores,
You’ll long for the days of the old sign-up board.
Cookouts, overnights, and mosquito bites,
Even homesick campers will seem alright.
For when you look back and reflect on this summer,
You should smile, say a prayer, maybe feel like a mother.
For you’ve nurtured and cared for the most precious ones,
Guided, directed, provided some fun.
So as we wrap up this sweet summertime,
I hope you think back and remember this rhyme.
Or at least hold tight to this one little bit,
You’ve served your Lord well, and that is legit.
As we leave this place today, don’t stand by and cry,
Though it may take a lot, a heave and a sigh.
Think of this time as an extended hour break,
Enjoy it my friend, you’ve had a lot on your plate.
Don’t you get sad at the end of this summer,
Don’t be discouraged or say it’s a bummer.
For trust in the Lord, it’s written in pen,
He’ll bless and return us, to this fellowship again.

Camp Hanover Announces New Executive Director

MECHANICSVILLE, VA - July 8, 2012 - The Camp Hanover Ministries Board of the Presbytery of the James is pleased to announce the hiring of Doug Walters as the camp's new Executive Director. After many months of prayerful work, the search committee invited Walters to lead Camp Hanover, confident that his efforts will continue to strengthen its ministry and honor its rich tradition of small group Christian camping and retreat ministry.

Walters is passionate about Presbyterian camp ministry and brings with him a wealth of experience and creativity, having served for over a decade in a variety of leadership roles at various Presbyterian Church (USA) summer camps and retreat centers. These sites include Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center in northern New Jersey, Chesapeake Center in northeast Maryland, Dogwood Acres in the Florida panhandle, and most recently Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has also served multiple terms on the Board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association.

Originally from New Jersey, Walters grew up in the Presbyterian Church. He is a communications graduate of Ithaca College, whose career path tended toward broadcast journalism and video production before following a call into full-time camp ministry within the Presbyterian Church in 1998.

Walters is currently finishing up his second stint as the Interim Director of Youth Ministry at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, where he, his wife Lynn, and their three children -- eight year-old David, 6 year-old Joshua, and 2 year-old Kate -- are active members. The family plans to move to Virginia in time for the children to begin the school year at their new home, and Walters will officially assume his position at Camp Hanover on October 1, 2012. Walters will be only the third Executive Director in the Camp's 55-year history, succeeding Robert H. "Bob" Pryor who is retiring this summer after more than 22 years of service.

The Camp Hanover Ministries Board and staff appreciate your continued prayers and support for the ministry of the Camp and for Doug Walters and his family as they follow God's call to serve in this sacred place. With a deep history of life-changing ministry to build upon, Camp Hanover's future is full of hope and excitement for all that God will continue to accomplish here.

Katherine Todd taught me how to sing

Camp Hanover celebrates the ministry of Katherine Todd, who has served as our Assistant Director for the past five years. Katherine is hearing God's call to minister in other places and in other ways. June 30th was Katherine's last day here. We are thankful for Katherine's gift to us of her friendship, her passion for serving the Lord, and her infectious laughter! She will be missed. Katherine was instrumental in coordinating all of camp's advertising and publications. Her creativity, artistic eye, attention to detail, and love for God all came together in the brochures, advertisements, posters, and internet advertisements which she produced. It was her idea to develop the Community Worship experiences offered once a month during the year, weather permitting in the beauty of God's creation. She worked tirelessly to plan meaningful times of worship for summer campers and staff, often offering her beautiful voice as part of the service. Katherine was ordained as a Presbyterian Church USA minister of word and sacrament in a beautiful service in camp's outdoor chapel several years ago.

Allison Unroe, a pastor and colleague of Katherine's wrote this wonderful tribute to her. May God find a place where all your considerable gifts can be used in service to the Lord.

Katherine Todd taught me how to sing. I hadn’t sung with any confidence, with any passion, or with any fervor ever, simply because I didn’t sing well. I also can’t read music, and joining choirs full of people with much more experience was intimidating. So for 23 years I didn’t sing. But one summer Katherine said, “You’ve got a good voice. Want to sing with us?” Did I want to? Yes, I wanted to. Deeply. Profoundly, I wanted too. But I couldn’t. With significant reassurance and coaxing, Katherine lured me into her tiny. Five of us sat in a tight circle and sang. Katherine would point up or down to indicate what she needed me to do with my voice. When I became discouraged and felt insecure, she reassured me. And I sang. I sang on trails and in the office. I sang to myself and to others and to God. I sang in worship. I sang, and a new side of me was awakened.

 

The singing happened as I spent time planning worship and writing curriculum with Katherine. Between snacks she showed what it means to serve with “energy, intelligence, imagination and love.” Occasionally I got frustrated with her painstaking attention to detail, but through years of her patient graceful leadership, God enabled me to see the way she does, which is to notice beauty. Prettiness never had any value to me. But through Katherine God opened my eyes to the visible blessings in creation. I started noticing sunsets, the deep green of leaves in summer, the way light sifts through trees, the captivating flicker of flames, the distinct shadowy reflection of forest in the lake. And once again I came to know God in a whole new way.

 

Katherine taught me to plan worship that spoke to every sense. How foolish it is to filter ouor big, awesome God through just sight or just sound, and yet that is how I experienced the divine before God worked in my life through her. Katherine taught me to be authentically me. It’s ok to not like the mornings (and neither of us do). It’s ok to need Sabbath (Jesus did). It’s ok to insist on excellence, even when it isn’t convenient for others. It’s ok to live your faith so radically that others might be uncomfortable (again, Jesus did). Katherine leads by example, living authentically and with integrity, speaking the truth in love (for real), seeking Christian community, praying without ceasing (I learned that from her, too!), and loving God with all that she is.

 

Camp has been bathed in the blessings of Katherine’s servant leadership for 5 years. We’ve seen her brand and market camp in a way that has distinctly expanded camp’s ministry. In her service to God at camp Katherine has nurtured souls, loved friends, served tirelessly in ministry, created beauty, encouraged growth, and glorified God. Through Katherine’s open heart God has taught, loved, nurtured, led, and blessed the whole camp community. We thank God for her service, for who she is and for what she has done. And we pray God’s blessing on Katherine as she moves forward.

AED machine at Camp

Thanks to a very generous financial gift from a former Camp Hanover staff member who wishes to remain anonymous, an AED machine has been purchased for use at Camp Hanover.

This potentially life-saving machine is one more step in our mission to create as safe and healthy "a place apart for renewal and growth" as possible for all those who camp and retreat with us. The machine will be conveniently located in the library where it can easily be accessed by anyone in the central part of camp. Though we hope that we never have to use it, the AED machine will add another layer of emergency readiness to all of our programs.

We thank our donors for their understanding of the importance of having this "first responder" always at our fingertips. They have made a huge contribution to the overall safety of the camp.

In the picture, the Camp Hanover staff has just received an orientation to how the machine works...that's L to R: Bob, Cindy, Incy (with AED), Katherine, Lisa, Marly, Jody, and Larry.