This Month at Common Chords Cafe:
Camp Hanover's Very Own Summer Staff

A few of our very talented summer camp staff will pick up their banjos and guitars and kick things off on Thursday evening, July 17 at 7:00pm followed by an open jam. All are welcome to join in and sing, play along or simply sit back and enjoy the music, so bring your voice, bring your fiddle and bring your friends!

Common Chords Cafe happens the 3rd Thursday of every month at Camp Hanover in Wise Lodge. Enjoy the acoustic sounds of bluegrass, gospel, and who knows what else from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Camp Hanover's Common Chords Cafe a free event open to the community. We'll have hot beverages and tasty treats available. As always, donations are welcome and very much appreciated!

Join us for Family Camp this Labor Day Weekend
Friday, August 29 - Monday, September 1

Family. In today's world that word can mean many things, but another word that expresses family the best is love. Love is what life is all about.  Imagine sharing and knowing God's love as a family out in the beauty of God's creation at Camp Hanover.  That is Family Camp.  Join us Labor Day weekend and be a part of the camp family as we rejoice in what is good and right about being part of the family of God together.

For some who come to Family Camp, the experience is that last getaway you need before everything kicks up again in September.  For some, it is a time of catching up with friends and meeting new ones.  For some, this is your opportunity to experience some of those great activities that the kids enjoyed while at summer camp.  For some, Family Camp is reconnecting with God in a place apart that invites renewal and growth.

All kinds of housing options are available. You can stay in a cabin, a longhouse, a tree house, or even tent camp in the meadow, it’s up to you! Please note that reservations are made on a first come basis. Most folks plan to arrive on Friday in time for dinner and depart after breakfast on Monday. Shorter stays are okay too. Whenever you decide to come, we have room for you in our family and look forward to sharing in God's love with you at Family Camp.

For more information and to register for Family Camp, call (804) 779-2811.

You can also view the the Family Camp Brochure.

Open House will go on rain or shine. Activities continue throughout the afternoon for all ages at this free event. Hot Dogs, chips and other refreshments will be available.

This year we'll mark a special occasion -- the groundbreaking of the Sam Newell Cabin! Join us at 4:30pm for the Groundbreaking Ceremony, followed by a Hot Dog and Hamburger picnic-style reception afterwards. No RSVP necessary.

If you would like to help out with the Open House Family Fun Day, let us know you'd like to be a volunteer. We'd appreciate help with setting up, leading a tour, or helping with refreshments, arts and crafts or other activities.

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.

Join us on Saturday April 5 and Saturday April 26 for Camp Hanover's Spring Work Days. Put on some work gloves, pick up a rake or paintbrush, 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 9am. Please RSVP to info@camphanover.org so we know to expect you.

Our half-week, 1-week and 2-week camp sessions begin June 22 and continue through August 16. Space is currently available. 

Register online today!

Learn More About Summer Camp

Camps at a Glance - The 2014 Camp Calendar

Find Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Download a Summer Camp Brochure

Need a paper copy of the camp brochure?

Summer Brochures have been mailed to all campers who attended Camp Hanover in 2011, 2012 & 2013.

If you're new to Camp Hanover or haven't been in a while and would like to a request a brochure, send us an email or give us a call at (804) 779-2811 and we'll be to get one out to you and answer any questions you may have.

This Month at Common Chords Cafe:
Old Dogs New Tricks

2013 East Coast Bluegrass Band Competition Winners "Old Dogs New Tricks" kick things off on Thursday evening, February 20 at 7:00pm followed by an open jam. All are welcome to join in and sing, play along or simply sit back and enjoy the music, so bring your voice, bring your fiddle and bring your friends!

You can get a taste of Old Dogs New Tricks and listen to some tracks on their website or their facebook page.

Common Chords Cafe happens the 3rd Thursday of every month at Camp Hanover in Wise Lodge. Enjoy the sounds of bluegrass, gospel, and who knows what else from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Camp Hanover's Common Chords Cafe a free event open to the community. We'll have hot beverages and tasty treats available. As always, donations are welcome and very much appreciated!

Winter Camp is an opportunity to explore the beauty of Camp Hanover during a different season. Current 5th - 12th graders are invited to join us for this winter getaway. Like summer camp, this event involves primarily outside activities, including cookouts, hayrides, and games. Winter Camp is open to camp veterans and first timers alike.

The Rev. Michelle Owens will serve as our keynote speaker as we explore the theme "Not Finished Yet!" Many of Camp Hanover's summer staff will be back at Winter Camp to lead, laugh, play and worship with campers in a way that only happens at Camp Hanover!

Winter Camp begins on Saturday, December 28 with check-in between 10am and 11am. Winter Camp ends on Monday, December 30 with pickup at 2pm.

The cost for Winter Camp includes all meals, lodging and activities lead by Camp Hanover staff. There are three rates: $185 / $195 / $225. We ask you to choose whichever rate is most comfortable for your family. If you are curious, you can learn more about why we offer three different prices. The experience is the same for all campers, regardless of which rate you choose to pay. And thanks to the mission funding provided by churches of the Presbytery of the James, we are able to offer $30 of additional support to families who are members of a Presbytery of the James church to further reduce the cost of Winter Camp.

Join us for "A Hanover Christmas" on December 13th and 14th from 6pm to 9pm as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Take a stroll down a candlelit trail and journey back in time. Along the way, meet shepherds, kings, angels and other travelers seeking the Christ child. After your journey, relax in front of the fireplace and fellowship with others, sample homemade treats and enjoy performances by local musicians and choral groups.

More than "just another live nativity," this immersive experience is free, open to the public and suitable for all ages and physical abilities. As a "come and go as you please" style event, you are welcome to stay as long as you like, and overnight accommodations are available. For more information or to get involved "behind the scenes" with this program, call (804) 779-2811 or email info@CampHanover.org.

HELP PUBLICIZE THIS EVENT: Download a bulletin insert or a one page flyer.

Camp Hanover is accepting applications from local congregations who are interested in hosting a session of Day Camp next summer. Camp Hanover's Traveling Day Camp offers a unique opportunity to nurture the children of the congregation in their faith as well as reaching out to children in the local community. Day camp is a cooperative program between Camp Hanover and the congregations of the Presbytery of the James. By bringing the complete program along with fully trained staff to your congregation's doorstep, those in your community can have the Camp Hanover experience of "a place apart for renewal and growth" within a local setting.

Interested in bringing the Camp Hanover experience to your congregation? Learn more and complete an application today!

After much prayerful consideration and a thorough search process involving a tremendous number of qualified candidates, the Search Committee invited Zweckbronner to serve as Program Director, a role vital to Camp’s continued growth in outdoor ministry and small-group Christian camping. In his new position, Zweckbronner will be responsible for leading the day to day operations of Camp Hanover’s vibrant Summer Camping program and for developing retreat programs and special events throughout the year that amplify the Camp Hanover experience.

Harry believes strongly in all aspects of Christian camping, and is most passionate about team building and giving kids the opportunity to grow in their faith.  A lifelong Presbyterian, Harry's experiences attending summer camp as both camper and staff member played a large role in shaping the person he is today.  Because of the impact camp has had on his life, Harry is passionate about helping others have similarly significant experiences.

Harry received degrees in history and social science education from Florida State University, spending 7 years as a high school history and peer leadership teacher in Florida and New Jersey before answering the call to camp ministry.  Zweckbronner has served for the past ten years as Program Director at the Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center, where he oversaw the summer camp and year-round retreat programs.  Harry has also served on the board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA) and is a Standards Visitor for the American Camp Association.

Family life is a priority for Harry. He loves spending time with his wife, Ann, and their children Molly (11), Kathryn (8), and Will (6).  He also likes to cook, coach youth sports, and is an avid sports fan.  The whole family is looking forward to this next adventure as part of the Camp Hanover team.

The Camp Hanover Ministries Board and staff appreciate your continued prayers and support for the ministry of the Camp and for Harry Zweckbronner 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.

Camp Hanover is the outdoor ministry of the Presbytery of the James, Presbyterian Church (USA).  Founded in 1957, the mission of Camp Hanover is to provide a place apart for renewal and growth in an environment of Christian hospitality.