Introducing Jim Sitzler, new Camp Director for Chanco on the James

If you haven’t already, it is time to start thinking about summer plans and Camp Chanco is ready.  Camp Director Jim Sitzler knows what Chanco kids enjoy – he should - Jim has attended at least one session of camp at Chanco for 18 of the last 19 years.  Chanco’s new Camp Director brings a wealth of experience and energy to Chanco and 2008 will be one of the best years ever for campers. 

Jim was a camper himself at Chanco from 1989 to 1998.  He was the proud Rector of Happening #37 and an active member of the EYC while growing up in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.  Jim began working for Chanco as a counselor in 1999.  After attending Old Dominion University, he served as a volunteer youth minister at Christ and St. Luke’s in Norfolk and then staff youth director at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk.  Since 2004, Jim served as the YMCA of Greater Richmond in adventure programs, youth and family program development, and more recently in After-School Child Care (using his vacation time to work at Chanco!). 

 “My life and its direction have been shaped by attending camp and the people I have met…,” said Jim in a recent letter to the Camp Chanco Alumni Association.  “This was all due to the adults before us who had the forethought to secure a place where we were allowed to grow, a place where we felt safe to succeed and fail and to realize who we are.  But more importantly, they gave us a place where we could find and develop our relationship with God.  It is God who is the ‘Spirit of Chanco’.  It is God’s voice we hear in the calling to support our youth,” Jim continues. “This summer will be one of the best for our staff and for our campers. It is our 40^th anniversary and we have some huge plans for this season. If we support this year’s staff and campers and provide the opportunities they need, then all we have to do is watch as God’s presence is made clear once again.” 

Chanco campers will see many familiar faces at camp this year, but a couple of new ones as well.  Chanco will have a full time Chaplain to compliment the important spirituality aspect of the Chanco experience.  This addition was strongly supported by the Board of Directors and Chanco is pleased to provide this for our youth.  New programs such as movie production, dance, golf and music (just to name a few) will be offered this summer as choices that the campers can experience during their second week of camp.

A number of new discount programs are available to make camp more affordable for families.  The multi-age session will be repeated this year due to its popularity, as well as the additional day that began in 2007 (because kids didn’t want to leave and it was difficult for working parents to pick their children up on Thursday morning).  Also, the out-trips which feature rock climbing, white-water rafting, caving, hiking, sailing, and canoeing are all an option for campers in 2008.  For the first time at Chanco, there will be a surfing out-trip to the Outer Banks which is already popular given the registration numbers!