empower girls
Mission, Vision, & Values
Our mission
Building Strong Girls through faith, endurance, courage, and confidence since 1922
At Camp Jeanne d'Arc we join hands with families worldwide to help every camper find her voice, discover her talents, and realize her value.
Faith
Faith takes many forms—belief in yourself, trust in family and friends, and, for some, a spiritual connection. At Camp Jeanne d’Arc, we create opportunities for campers to explore and grow in all these aspects of faith. Learn more >
Endurance
Our campers develop resilience and perseverance by setting challenging goals and working hard to achieve them—whether it’s joining the sailing club, getting along with cabin mates, or shooting for an archery pin.
Courage
Our campers embrace courage by stepping out of their comfort zone and into new experiences, like water skiing, horseback riding, or building a fire.
Confidence
Our campers build confidence through engaging activities that boost self-worth, such as community service projects, mindfulness practices, and performing in the summer play.
Values shape who we are.
empowering through leadership
We empower every camper to become a confident leader through mentorship, modeling, challenges, and opportunities
play and connection
We value wholesome play and a connection with nature and others
fostering international relationships
We are dedicated to fostering international relationships, connecting young hearts from diverse cultures, nurturing understanding, empathy, and lifelong friendships
Honoring a Historic Legacy in a Global Sisterhood
We celebrate the confidence, strength, and resilience that comes from belonging to a historical global organization of women
Our Outcome
Faith, endurance, courage, and confidence
The qualities of faith, endurance, courage, and confidence were exemplified by Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) in the 15th century. Our mission today is to empower our campers with these same strengthening characteristics.
Frequently asked questions
You have questions, we have answers. Go through your most frequently asked questions about empowering girls at summer camp.
Absolutely not! We are a camp of inclusion, acceptance, and respect. On Sundays, we provide an opportunity for campers to build their faith, but we also provide a non-religious option. Campers are asked to choose one of the following 1-hour activities: 1) Non-religious Inspirational Service, 2) Catholic Mass or 3) Bible Stories. At the end of the campfire each night, we recite the Lord’s Prayer together. Singing grace before and after each meal is also part of our camp tradition.
We talk a lot about Camp Spirit at JDA. This tradition dates all the way back to 1922 with our founder, Ruth “Colonel” McIntyre. Camp Spirit is that special quality within each one of us which is often overlooked; frequently overshadowed by more visible talents. Camp Spirit is kindness, selflessness, compassion, persistence, positivity, honesty, and goodness. Each week we recognize a camper in each cabin who has exemplified extraordinary “Camp Spirit.” She receives a “Weekly Fleur de Lis” necklace to keep and wear with honor.
Campers are given many opportunities to find their voices. This sense of self comes as campers have opportunities to make their own choices and to step up and participate. Campers may choose to speak up in a cabin chat, perform in a talent show, participate in giving a morning talk, go out for a club, do a reading at church, earn a pin in archery, drop a waterski,–and the list goes on and on and on.
Your daughter will have an opportunity to try many activities at camp. The morning activities will be pre-assigned, including a wide range and variety. All campers will try every activity. Campers are given a choice in their afternoon activities.
Many camp activities are selected in an effort to help our girls see their inherent value and worth. Service projects performed on Sundays are a good example. As campers help make a blanket for a local shelter or design a special recognition for their counselor, they are asked to look outward to make a difference in the life of another. In addition, our emphasis placed on inclusion and acceptance allows each and every camper to know that she is valuable and accepted into the CJDA family, just the way she is.