The Maintenance Staff at Camp Hanover includes the Site Manager, Larry Covington, and Maintenance Assistant, Jim Marston. Both of these positions are part-time and these employees work with a number of volunteers to accomplish the formidable task of maintaining the buildings and grounds at our Camp.
One of the current projects that our staff and volunteers are working on is upgrades to existing bathrooms. The upgrades to the Sr. Pool bathrooms include ceramic floor tile, painting, light fixtures, mirrors, and doors. Our thanks go to volunteers from Fairfield Presbyterian Church who contributed both time and money to make this upgrade possible. Below are photos of this recent upgrade.
Additional bathroom upgrades planned to be completed before the next camping season includes both the Boy’s and Girl’s Winger Bathhouse. Although the staff is planning to provide much of the labor required, we are currently looking for donations of volunteer time and money to complete this project. Upgrades to the Knoxwood and Adventure Camp bathrooms are also planned and we would welcome assistance on these projects as well.
We are also pleased to announce the completion of upgrades to both porches of Knoxwood Lodge. Through donations of volunteer time and funds from Three Chopt Presbyterian Church and Susan Cady (a longtime friend of Camp Hanover) the Knoxwood porches now are equipped with ceiling fans, rebuilt light fixtures, new receptacles and fresh stain. With the recent addition of heaters to these porches, these fans will help to more evenly distribute the heat and also provide a cooling breeze in the summer. The rebuild of the light fixtures included replacing the aging wiring & sockets, painting the fixtures and installing compact fluorescent bulbs. This lighting upgrade not only increases the available lighting on these porches but it reduces the cost of electricity for lighting!
Our maintenance staff has just completed window upgrades to both 2A & 2B Longhouses. The old Plexiglas & wood window inserts used in the winter have been replaced with energy efficient permanent sliding windows. This not only reduces heating costs, but enables us to quickly convert from winter/summer operations in these Longhouses. This brings the number of Longhouses with windows to 7; there are still 12 Longhouses that need this window upgrade. You may see this recent Longhouse upgrade in the attached photos.
In addition to the maintenance work required for buildings, there is considerable work required to maintain the grounds at the Camp. Recently Crestwood Presbyterian Church has agreed to “adopt” woodcutting operations at the Camp. This includes cutting firewood and helping to clear trees that have been blown over by recent storms. The wood cut from these trees is used for campfires, fireplaces and to heat some of the buildings at camp.
Another volunteer effort to assist in maintaining the grounds of the camp involves cutting grass during the summer. Since 2010 River Road Presbyterian Church has donated not only the volunteers to cut grass, but also two zero turn mowers to the Camp. This volunteer effort frees our maintenance staff to work on both immediate maintenance issues and upgrades and enhancements to our buildings & grounds.
Another area where volunteer help is needed concerns our garden. We have a number of raised beds that can be used for garden work that are available for “adoption”. A church, family or other group might consider entering into a cooperative agreement to provide both the camp and the group with produce. Contact the camp office for information on how this arrangement might work to the advantage of both groups.
The major upgrade project planned for the spring of 2012 will be the construction of a second Longhouse in campsite 5. The other campsite 5 Longhouse was completed in late spring 2011. We would welcome volunteers and/or funds to help with this important project.
One of our camper parents is helping us upgrade our camp signage by routing new directional and informational signs on "recycled wood" (longer lasting). These signs will make it easier for visitors and first timers to find their way around camp. Several of our Winter Service Day participants painted all the lettering on the signs. Next time you come to camp, take a look at these attractive and eye-catching signs.
If your talents do not involve painting, carpentry or other maintenance skills, don’t worry: there are volunteers needed to work in the office and in other areas as well.
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Camp Hanover is pleased to announce the hiring of its 2012 Summer Camp Director, Marly Spence! Marly is a long-time camper, pathfinder, counselor, and staff of Camp Hanover. For the past 3 years she has served as its Traveling Day Camp Director and Hospitality Coordinator. Marly brings a wealth of experience, passion, creativity, good humor, and faith to this position. She shares, “God has used this place in a big way to form my faith over the years. I look forward to supporting this summer’s staff as they continue to carry out God’s mission in this place.” Keep her in your prayers as she works, dreams, prays, and prepares for Camp Hanover’s 56th summer of building Christian community.
The Fall 2011 Newsletter is now available for download: 
Fall 11 Newsletter (
Any week of camp starts off with a few doubts and fears: Who will be in my group? What will we do? What if…? “Footsteps in Service” adds another layer: What if I can’t do what they ask me to do? What if I don’t like doing this? What if we have to spend the whole week digging ditches for drain tile?
Recognize this picture? It was taken by Harding Coughter this past summer and donated to camp!
