Diversity Statement
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
From the very beginnings of Camp Jeanne d’Arc, Ruth “Colonel” McIntyre wanted to bring girls together from all over the world. She felt that if children could get to know each other and realize that all human beings are the same regardless of their differences, more global understanding and greater world peace would result. We strive to continue that commitment to our mission and community by our efforts to assemble a diverse population of campers, counselors, and staff – knowing, as Colonel did, that diversity enhances the camp experience for all.
We embrace and discuss our differences
From Camp’s first summer, Jeanne d’Arc has been a place where we embrace and discuss our differences in order to find a greater understanding of the world and how we can serve it. With faith, endurance, courage, and confidence, campers learn to engage different viewpoints, cultural practices, and even languages in order to work cooperatively in the cabin, at activities, and during meals. These efforts to make all voices heard is central to the Jeanne d’Arc experience.
We want to ensure that camp is available to all.
Camp Jeanne d’Arc takes deliberate steps to create a camp family that represents the diversity of our global community, especially those from groups who have not historically been able to access the summer camp tradition. Through scholarships and partnerships with non-profit organizations and schools, we want to ensure that the benefits of summer camp – and Jeanne d’Arc specifically – are available to all.
A safe and inclusive space
We work hard to ensure that Jeanne d’Arc is a welcoming and inclusive space that feels safe to every member of our community – regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We achieve this with ongoing staff training, programming that encourages the celebration of cultural differences, and a 100-year tradition of accepting and loving those with different experiences from our own. Camp Jeanne d’Arc is committed to finding ways in the future to practice inclusion for all.
Tribal lands
We acknowledge that the land where we play, learn, live, and from which we draw joy here at camp is on the original homelands of members of the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois, Confederacy, including the St. Laurence Iroquoians and the Mohawk tribal nations – land from which they were forcibly removed. We acknowledge, honor, and respect the Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather.
Zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment
Camp Jeanne d’Arc has zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic background, or sexual identity, whether spoken, written, or otherwise communicated, by campers, counselors, and staff.