One of the oldest and most-revered traditions at Camp Jeanne d’Arc
Why do traditions even matter? How are traditions from a 100-year camp still relevant today? Traditions create a community of campers across decades and represent the values that have stood the test of time. Let me explain via one of the oldest and most-revered traditions at Camp Jeanne d’Arc – Wishing Night.
How Wishing Night Works
Camp Jeanne d’Arc’s first Wishing Night was held in the summer of 1936. Back then and now, the night plays out pretty much the same exact way. Jeanne d’Arc’s oldest campers, the Owls, prepare a floating candle for each camper. They take a small sliver of birch tree, write the campers names along the edge, and place a small white candle atop. The Owls line the path to the waterfront with paper bag lanterns and staff help prepare a large bonfire on the beach. After dinner the entire camp gathers outside of the Hearth (the mess hall) and proceeds across camp to the lake.
When they arrive, the huge bonfire reflects off of Chateaugay Lake as the sun dips behind the mountains. The campers sit around the fire and sing campfire songs. Each cabin is called to the lake where campers are handed their Wishing Night birch float. The candle is lit and the campers slowly and carefully approach the lake. When they reach the water, they gently set the candle on Chateaugay Lake, and make a wish.
Think of All Those Wishes
Think of all those wishes. World peace during times of war and conflict. Health in times of illness. A mother’s hug in times of homesickness. A friend in times of loneliness. I can only speak for myself, but I remember my wishes at camp to be a little more profound than the ones spouted off over my birthday candles (ex. a fresh new Starter jacket, a Nintendo set, a boyfriend!).
Camp had a way of stripping all of that superficial stuff to the background. The Wishing Night wishes were about making the world a better place. And ourselves better world citizens.
Traditions Matter
The cool thing about this tradition (and many others) is that girls almost a century ago did the same exact thing. They reflected on their lives, their place in the world, their hopes and dreams. And they wished.
If a camper is a second or third generation camper, their mothers or aunts or even grandmothers all participated in this revered act of being in community with other girls and casting wishes from their hearts. And first-time campers know they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Thank goodness for a place like camp, where girls can feel so free and empowered. There’s no better wish than that!
