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Hello Camp Jeanne d'Arc Community,
We are very excited to update everyone on the official start of Camp Jeanne d’Arc summer of 2024! Campers arrived on Friday and already we feel like we are in full swing! And because we love our alumnae, friends, and family, we are eager to share the fun and memorable things happening so far!
Opening Week
Arrival day brought loads of sunshine and mild temps to welcome the campers. We experienced a couple thunderstorms over the weekend and are now looking at the week ahead as we’ll toggle between warm air and blue skies and showers with thunder claps.
We welcomed campers to their cabins, played the M&M icebreaker game, and had our first meals in the Hearth. We cheered the new Les Pucelles and Jolis Coeurs at feather-picking and enjoyed our first special Sunday together celebrating "Women in the Olympics!" We even had our first lost tooth of the summer--we are hoping the tooth fairy that normally visits this camper in Brooklyn, NY can find the camper here at Camp.
It is safe to say, summer has started!
Returning counselors
It's always nice to see a familiar face, right? We have welcomed counselors from a dozen countries this summer. Returning counselors included:
- Barbara Scappini, Head Counselor, Brazil
- Cameron Abbott, Programmer, California, USA
- Pheobe Sutton, Australia
- Frida Flores, Mexico
- Leah Flett, Scotland
- Lydia McGrath, UK
- Mary Joyce, Waterfront Director, Connecticut, USA
- Luke Abbott, UK
- Ivy Saunders, Connecticut USA
- Maggie Parker, New York USA
- Yadriana Vera, Puerto Rico
- Ella Chernauskas, New York, USA
- Andrea Ochoa, Florida USA
- Rebecca Collins, UK
The best part about seeing these returning counselors? Watching them interact with the new arrivals and embracing Colonel's mission of building community across cultures. When pre-camp came to a close, we were amazed at how tightly this group of counselors bonded in such a short time. It was really special seeing a group four of counselors from four different countries sitting on the Hearth steps singing pop songs together as they prepped for campers to arrive. I have a really good feeling about this crew!
Counselor “Graduation”
Do you know what happens at the end of pre-camp? We celebrate the counselors completion of training and preparation by hosting a “formal” evening of table-cloth style dinner in the Hearth and a relaxed evening with games and music. It feels both like a culmination of hard work and the beginning of a very special summer. Head counselor Bárbara Scappini addressed the staff in a beautiful “graduation” speech to celebrate this amazing group!
Blog Posts
Are you considering overnight camp for your daughter but still are not quite sure if JDA is a good fit for your family? Check out our latest blog post, “The Benefits of Overnight Camp vs. Day Camp.” It might give you the analysis you’ve been looking for.
Building Strong Girls Since 1922
Did you know that this is the Camp Jeanne d’Arc motto? Originating from Colonel’s legacy, Building Strong Girls is the thread that runs through all of JDAs programming, traditions, and culture. Here are a few ways we Build Strong Girls:
- Recognizing campers for both proficiency in outdoor skills as well as leadership and camp spirit
- Providing high quality mental health training to all counselors and staff to support campers
- Providing opportunities for personal responsibility
- Encouraging girls to step outside of their comfort zones
- Giving campers the chance to leave their mark through legacy projects
- Supporting our youngest campers to do “big kid” things like sailing, hiking, overnight camping, waterskiing, riding and more
- Providing programming that is both accessible and challenging
- Embracing traditions that value community and service to others
- And so much more!
Things to come!
We are thrilled to kick off the summer session of 2024! Stay tuned for updates on the Fourth of July celebration, our first weekly Fleur de Lis recipients (campers who show kindness and camp spirit), photos of activities and traditions in action, and updates on clubs, trips, events and more!
As always, be sure to follow us along on Instagram or Facebook. And if you are in the area, give us a shout and join us for lunch in the Hearth!
All the best,
Liz Bateman Rambo
Head of Alumnae
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