At Camp Jeanne d’Arc, we value character and leadership development for all of our campers, but we think it is super important to give our upper campers (ages 13+) the opportunity to delve deeper into personal growth. The value of summer camps for teens is something we take seriously and we have specific goals embedded in our programming for older campers.
While we reserve plenty of time for bracelet-making, playing kickball in tutus, hair-braiding, and choreographed dances to the latest pop songs, we also know that the personal skills and leadership development aspect of overnight camp is so valuable, especially for teens.
Here’s how we do it:
Senior Clubs. JDA has a century-long club program for Sailing, Canoeing, Horseback Riding, and Mountaineering. Our upper campers work to master skills in these activities to earn entrance into the senior club through rigorous practical training, written tests, and situational problem solving. Becoming a senior club member may take years, but once into a club, this camper has a high level of expertise and leadership skills!
Legacy Projects. The Camper Legacy Projects are a way for campers to give back to their Camp Jeanne d’Arc family and leave a lasting impact on Camp. Legacy Projects are thoughtfully and thoroughly planned. Campers must identify a problem, envision a solution, draft a budget, and establish a project plan. They are given time, supplies, and guidance to take their idea from a vision into reality. Examples include a new tabletop for the art room, and analysis and recommendations for enhancements to the CIT program.
Leadership Awards. Camp Jeanne d’Arc awards a weekly honor, the Fleur de Lis, to those who have shown leadership in their cabin groups. In addition, at the end of every summer, Camp gathers together for Banquet Night where we honor our leadership awards. Upper campers can be recognized as camp spirit leaders, quiet leaders, athletic leaders, and leaders who make a great impact. Leadership comes in many forms and Camp Jeanne d’Arc understands how important it is to notice and celebrate our young women in their personal development journeys!
Upper Camper Responsibilities. Camp Jeanne d’Arc purposefully integrates leadership opportunities in day-to-day activities for our upper campers. These campers are often called on to lead campfire songs and Les/Jolis team cheers. They are responsible for bringing milk and cookies to all the cabins after the evening campfire. Our teenaged campers also plan and carry out some of our time-honored traditions like Wishing Night and Smugglers. Teens may not have these opportunities to hone their development as leaders in any other space.
The Intangibles. Camp Jeanne d’Arc campers learn so much in one summer session. But it goes beyond canoeing and archery. They learn how to cope with conflict in the cabin, how to work together with people who are different (ages, backgrounds, languages), and how to build strong friendships (without technology!). These are the real opportunities for personal growth.
Why do we think this is so important?
We want our campers to have an impact. A student’s life at home is typically filled with tasks and duties and stress – homework, sports practice, chores, a social life! But in a tight-knit camp community, these teens can make a real impact. They can initiate a Legacy Project. They can be a comforting source of support for a young camper not used to being away from home. They can achieve levels of expertise in target sports, riding, and waterskiing. Our culture at camp rewards those campers who are making a positive impact.
Away from home, campers find new versions of themselves. Maybe your child is not a leader at home. She isn’t the star athlete so she can’t be a team captain. She doesn’t thrive in the limelight, so student council isn’t a good fit. But at camp, she can be a leader. Leaders at camp can be the ones who choose to include campers who are feeling left out. They can win the archery tournament. They can star in the camp play. Campers can be new versions of themselves at camp, and this breeds confident, more secure young women.
Confidence, confidence, confidence. Speaking of confidence, this is the biggest takeaway from character and leadership development at camp. When a camper successfully plans, budgets, develops, and executes a Legacy Project to make new tabletops for the art room, this translates directly into confidence. When she has worked for multiple summers to gain expertise in canoeing and finally earned entrance into the senior club, this breeds confidence. What will she accomplish next?
The Takeaway
As kids get older, it’s easy to assume that summer camp is no longer relevant. But the truth is that the overnight camp experience offers unique and valuable opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and impact that teens simply can’t find anywhere else. From fostering leadership skills to building confidence and independence, overnight camp can be a transformative experience that sets older kids up for success in college and beyond. So if you’re wondering whether to send your teen to camp, consider the lasting value it can offer and give them the gift of an unforgettable summer.