Camp director's letter

Dear Jeanne d'Arcers, future Jeanne d'Arcers, Alumnae and Friends,

Founded in 1922 by my grandmother, Camp Jeanne d'Arc holds a special place in the hearts and minds of all who have spent time there. A traditional camp for girls from all over the world, Camp Jeanne d'Arc is unique in its emphasis on the individual and what she brings to our camp community. We offer each girl the opportunity to make friends, enjoy activities and have fun in an unsurpassed natural setting on beautiful Lake Chateaugay in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York. The side effect of this summer camp experience is often also a gain in independence and self confidence and the beginnings of development in leadership skills. Our unique environment also allows for each camper and counselor to experience that special something we call "camp spirit." Over the years I've come to characterize camp spirit, Jeanne d'Arc style, as a focus on "character, compassion and community." These words acknowledge the individual, other individuals and the camp group as a whole. Each summer becomes a reflection of those individuals who participated and contributed to that unique camp experience and is often fondly remembered as "the Summer of ..." in the collective memories of those who were there. For me, it was the Summer of '72! Conscious thought about positive choices and behavior is recognized as having value and is esteemed by the group. Plus, we try to stay away from small screens and "keep it real" every day. No cell phones, no electronic games, no tv's, just the traditional camp activities, the nightly campfires, magical camp traditions and lots of extemporaneous silliness thrown in.

I am honored to be writing you as Jeanne d'Arc's Director, having taken over responsibility for this wonderful place maintained by my family for 90 years. I  grew up at Camp, arriving the first time when I was just two weeks old. I was a camper for 11 years and a counselor and staff member for many more. It was not too long ago, when my daughters, Sandy and Olivia, now 19 and 16,  were very young that I had the opportunity to take some time off from my "real" job as a lawyer in Annapolis, Maryland to help out at Camp for a few summers.

During those years, I was struck by the wonderful sameness of Camp to when I was a camper in the 1960's and '70's. While the names had changed, the enthusiasm and happy glow on the campers' and counselors' faces while singing around a campfire on the beach or hiking up Lyon Mountain reminded me of when I was a camper. Our counselors and staff are also developing and modeling leadership skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. I know I wouldn't have been as confident in school, sports, practicing law or working for a large multi-national corporation without the traits learned at Camp so many summers ago.  Camp is full of opportunities for girls to take responsibility for themselves and others in a non-academic setting. Whether it is finally figuring out how to tie that knot, making that pin in archery, earning the weekly "Fleur de Lis" in her cabin, participating in the Camper Council, trying out for a play, leading a camping out or boating trip overnight or any one of a myriad of other activities, each camper has the ability to strive for and achieve success.

We value continuity while at the same time we welcome new ideas. This summer the girls will enjoy special events like Christmas in July and Smugglers as well as our traditions of feather picking, nightly campfire and team games. In recent years we have had great success reinstating the Camper Council where a group of elected campers meet with the Director once a week to talk about things like activities, cabin life and food. We also have incorporated the "Milestones" program for running and swimming. We now regularly enjoy "Friday Night at the Movies" under the stars, weather permitting, and more "lazy" Saturdays and Special Sundays so the weekends feel more like the weekend.

At this time of year, we are looking forward to another wonderful "JDA" summer. This will be our 90th season. The only thing I can think of that rhymes with 2011 is "heaven" so I'm saying, "Summer 2011 will be Heaven!"  Take a look at our Alumnae and Reunion pages to find out more about our special "Celebrating 90 Years of Camp Spirit" Alumnae Reunion August 19th through 21st. It should be fun! Please call or email me with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

Warmly, Jehanne

Edwards Family: Olivia, Jehanne, Sandy and Michael in Devonport, New Zealand over the 2005-2006 holidays.