Summer Camp… What We Do Best.
Since 1957, Camp Hanover has offered Christian summer camps — both day and overnight programs — for elementary, middle and high school youth. That’s 65 years of experience in providing dynamic, safe, and meaningful youth programming. When it comes to summer camp, we got this. It’s what we do best.
Specifically, the Camp Hanover experience is designed so campers:
- Explore, grow in and act on their Christian faith
- Build Christ-centered communities
- Live in, live with, learn about and care for God’s Creation
- Develop skills in outdoor living
- Understand and practice servant leadership
- Safely experience fun, fellowship, adventure and challenge
“AWARDED – Best Summer Camp“
Virginia Living Magazine – Best of Virginia Awards, June 2021, 2022, and 2023
“WINNER – Best Overnight Camp for Kids”
Richmond Magazine – Best Of Richmond Awards, August 2014
“VOTED – Favorite Sleep-Away Camp“
Style Weekly – Family Favorite Awards, October 2015
“NAMED – Camps That Change The World“
McCormick Theological Seminary – Center for Faith & Service, June 2016
Our mission is to create inclusive community, inspire each other to live in God’s love, and equip all people to live out God’s call.
We believe in welcome and inclusion, that EVERYONE is created by God for LOVE. Campers in our summer programs will find an atmosphere of caring and acceptance at every turn. Read our Statement of Welcome and Inclusion.
We believe in formation by experience. Camp is a place where acceptance of and caring for others is the key aspect of the community we build. A community where campers learn to appreciate and value one another. Where you get the opportunity to practice living alongside one another.
We believe in connection to creation. As we grow in our relationships with God and with others, our connection to creation is revealed. Through simple, community living in the out-of-doors, camp reveals to campers and counselors an awareness of God as Creator and Redeemer.
As a Christian camp, we do ask that all campers participate in Bible study and worship. Jesus Christ, as the Word becomes flesh, is central to our program. We strive to create an environment where campers and staff feel comfortable, loved, and can have fun talking about, exploring and practicing their faith. Camp provides campers and counselors opportunities to respond in a living way to God’s love through Christ.
Camp Hanover is a ministry partner of the Presbytery of the James, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). You can learn more about our Presbyterian affiliation and the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at www.pcusa.org.
Our programs are designed to build community and foster small group experiences.
At summer camp, opportunities abound for making new friends, meeting people from the the world and around the corner, learning, and practicing outdoor living skills, developing individual talents and leadership abilities, taking responsibility for and care of God’s world, and having barrels of fun!
Two counselors and 10 to 12 coed campers live in “Family Groups” where they plan, play, laugh, worship and grow together, working to build a Christ-centered community of trust, openness, sharing and forgiveness. Campers are challenged to know Jesus Christ as their friend and guide as they grow spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially.
It is in these small, family groups where each person has the opportunity to contribute to the well being of others. Where he or she can find meaning and purpose for his or her life, through the discovery of God-given gifts and talents. Where each person can be recognized as, and recognize each of the others in the group as, a uniquely created, loved, and valued child of God.
At The Top of Our Game…
We pride our selves on meeting and exceeding the camping industry’s accepted standards and best practices for safety and program quality for both summer programs and year-round operation. Signalling our commitment to excellence in camping, Camp Hanover is accredited by the American Camp Association. Nationally, only 1 camp in 5 can say that. And get this… we have maintained our accreditation consistently for over 50 years. To learn more about why accreditation is an important consideration when choosing a summer camp and how accreditation standards exceed state licensing regulations visit the American Camp Association website.