Blue Sparks Newsletter Winter 2025

Hello Camp Jeanne d’Arc Community,

February feels very far from summertime flag raising, family-style meals in the Hearth, and Chateaugay Lake swimming. But JDA staff are hard-at-work introducing the charm and value of Camp Jeanne d’Arc at camp parties, camp fair booths, and through “get to know you” Zoom sessions. Interacting with potential new camp families is so energizing!

We are also planning the alum work weekend, new enhancements to the Owl camper experience, and different ways parent ambassadors can engage with Camp. Check out a highlight from our new blog post and read all the way through to catch a wonderful alumni spotlight!

All the Best,

Liz Bateman Rambo

Head of Alumnae

PS.  We are considering hosting Family Camp this summer after the camp sessions, August 15th-17th.  Would your family be interested?  Fill out this quick poll to help us gauge interest in this event.

 

Newest Blog Post: Camp and Colleges

Check out our latest blog post series about College and Camp:

The Value of Summer Camp for Older Kids and

Can Overnight Summer Camp Get You Into College?

We had a great conversation with JDA alum parent Meg Joyce, who is an educational consultant in this space. The blog post addresses how Camp Jeanne d’Arc values leadership and character development and how that translates into the college application process for our upper campers.

At JDA, 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 aspects of overnight camp are so valuable.

The blog posts cover topics such as:

• What you do at summer camp that colleges value – think senior clubs, legacy projects and leadership awards.
• How to talk about your camp experience in college entrance essays. Camp gardening > emerging interest in food systems or Senior Mount > problem solving in the wilderness.
• Are you better off doing an academic prep program? Depends. Are you sure you want to major in physics? Or are you developing skills to have an impact in your community?

Many of our upper campers and CITs are going to be facing the college admissions process soon. These blogs might help you figure out how to showcase the skills you’ve learned at camp!

 

Owl Adventure Program

Our oldest campers, the Owls, have traditionally enjoyed a few perks to honor their maturity and leadership. They are responsible for bringing milk and cookies to all the cabins after the evening campfire. The Owls plan and carry out some of our time-honored traditions like Wishing Night and Smugglers. They are also allowed to cross Gadway road (all other campers must use the tunnel).

This year, Camp Jeanne d’Arc is enhancing the Owl experience by building out programming that includes service projects, a mindfulness workshop, and something we are calling the Owl Adventure.

The Owl Adventure is an overnight campout on the majestic Mt. Marcy in the heart of the Adirondacks. This trip has a special place in Camp Jeanne d’Arc history and we’re excited to bring it back! The Owl Adventure is the ultimate way to celebrate their growth and help them create lasting memories.

What’s In Store For This Adventure?

• Exploring Nature. The Owls will enjoy a night under the stars surrounded by nature’s beauty. They will hike to the top of Mt. Marcy, New York state’s highest peak where they will take in the best views in the Adirondacks.
• Skill-building. While they will be supervised by staff, the Owls will be responsible for the planning and execution of this trip. They will plan the route, procure supplies, coordinate food prep, pitch the tents, secure safety equipment, build the fire, and more.
• Connect and Conquer. Some of these campers have been together for 5 or 6 summers. This event will bring these friends together in an adventure that will create lifelong memories. Nothing does this better than a tough hike that will stretch their comfort zones and build a sense of accomplishment.

We are excited for the Owls to enjoy this experience. Stay tuned this summer when we share snippets of this amazing adventure.

 

Alumni Spotlight: Alicia Dorey Blackwood

For this issue’s Alumni Spotlight, I had the pleasure of chatting with a former cabinmate and friend Alicia Dorey Blackwood. Alicia hails from Toronto, Canada and was a Camp Jeanne d’Arc camper from 1990-1996. When I asked how she came to know about Camp Jeanne d’Arc, she told me her dad saw an advertisement in the New York Times and made a phone call! And just like that, her JDA journey began.

Like conversations with old friends usually do, our talk meandered through reminiscing about Camp, what we are up to now, our husbands and siblings, and our hometowns. I was even able to meet Alicia’s husband, Michael, over FaceTime and chat about Philly-born musicians!

When it came to Camp, we talked about our favorite traditions – Christmas in July’s waterslide down Archery Hill, Ship-to-Shore, and Wishing Night. We laughed about trying to get out of writing letters home, and how we dreaded the White Glove Inspection. While we chatted, it became increasingly clear that Alicia’s time at Camp Jeanne d’Arc had a significant impact on her life.

Alicia revealed that she was a reserved kid – not one to step into the limelight or try new things. But, during her time at Camp, Alicia encountered a few encouraging forces, who supported her in making friends with people from all over the world, trying waterskiing for the first time, steering a sailboat independently, and developing into a strong and confident woman. So, who were these “encouraging forces” and what exactly did they do?

“I had mentors at camp,” Alicia told me. “Mentors who made me feel comfortable and encouraged me to try new things.” Alicia specifically mentioned Chris Schibli, our waterskiing instructor, who stuck with Alicia when she was hesitant to try waterskiing. Chris helped Alicia face her fears and gain the courage to get up on skis. Waterskiing (and spending time with Chris on the boat!) soon became one of Alicia’s favorite activities. Alicia also recalled her time with Michelle Cormier, who connected with Alicia and challenged her. Michelle convinced Alicia to play a main role in the camp play. Previously this was completely out of her comfort zone, but afterwards, acting became a passion for Alicia, something she continued at school.

Jehanne McIntyre was also an encouraging force for Alicia. Jehanne noticed how well Alicia connected with the younger campers and after her time at camp, hired Alicia as a nanny for her children. This experience sparked a passion for working with kids which eventually led her to a career in the childcare industry.

What’s cool about Alicia’s JDA story is that now, Alicia is the mentor. Through her work in the childcare industry, as well as her work supporting adults with disabilities at a community program, Alicia is now an encouraging force for others. She provides personal care and attention to those who need it. At Camp, her mentors saw a bright light and a confident young woman when she felt shy and cautious. Now Alicia works to see the light in others!

It was amazing to reconnect with Alicia!

Interested in being featured for Blue Sparks? Let me know!

 

Youth Ambassador Leadership Club

Summer camp is just for the summertime, right? Wrong! At Camp Jeanne d’Arc we have started an initiative to engage with campers year round through the Youth Ambassador Leadership Club.

The mission of this club is threefold:

• To contribute to the spirit and mission of Camp Jeanne d’Arc year-round, in communities around the world.
• To create confident youth leaders–and future adult leaders both in camp and in the world.
• Contribute more fully to Colonel’s mission to build strong girls through the values of faith, endurance, courage, and confidence.

So how does this work?

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Participate in monthly virtual meetings to brainstorm, plan, and execute impactful programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Present ideas, contribute to discussions, and advocate for initiatives while being open to listening and learning from peers.
• Build partnerships by reaching out to local organizations and individuals in your community to collaborate to solve problems in your community.
• Be a proud representative of Camp Jeanne d’Arc in the camp community as well as your local community.

By joining the Youth Ambassador Leadership Club, members will not only enhance their leadership skills and gain hands-on experience but also leave a legacy of service, collaboration, and dedication that will inspire future generations of campers. Become a CJDA Youth Ambassador and shape the future while honoring the past!

To find out more, attend an informational session on Feb. 25, 7:30 pm ET.

Email sandy@campjeannedarc.com for access to the meeting. Applications are due March 15

 

Alum: Work Weekend and Workshops

Calling all alum…. We want YOU! This summer, we have two opportunities for Camp Jeanne d’Arc alumni to give back to camp: work weekend and summer workshops.

• Work Weekend. During the weekend of June 20-22, we will be welcoming JDA alum, their children, spouses and/or friends to join us for the work weekend. The work weekend is a fun way to see camp, hang with old camp friends, and help prep JDA for another awesome summer for the campers. Work includes gardening projects, arranging cabin furniture, trail clearing, costume closet organizing, and various other tasks … that is if you don’t mind a couple of spider webs! Let me know if you are interested.

• Alum Workshops. Last summer we had a handful of very successful alum workshops: mindfulness, field hockey, and astronomy. The campers loved being around alum and learning about their expertise. We are looking to continue this tradition! If you have a skill in the arts, athletics or special knowledge in sciences or a specialized trade, we would love to have you come up to camp. Interested? Liz is coordinating all alum visits and workshops, so reach out here.

 

Month of Sharing

The January Month of Sharing campaign was a wonderful success! Thank you to all of our community who shared their experiences, posted a review, or invited a friend to an event. We are incredibly grateful for your generous support! Here’s what we saw:

• A significant increase in website traffic and inquiries from potential new campers. In fact, we have seen a 95% increase of leads this month compared to last year’s January leads!!!

• Social media shares and testimonials have been heartwarming and inspiring.

• Many of you have attended and shared invitations to our in-person events and virtual events.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all those who have shared in January. In all the years we’ve operated Camp Jeanne d’Arc, we’ve never seen this level of interest from new families in a single month! The sharing efforts this month have even resulted in a number of new enrollments. This goes to show that the positive word-of-mouth sharing from our camp families is a huge reason why Camp Jeanne d’Arc has thrived for over a century.

 

JDA Parent Ambassador Club

JDA Parent Ambassador Club? What’s that? Good question! The JDA Parent Ambassador Club is formed by current Camp families (those who currently have kids at Camp). The Club meets quarterly to get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at all things Camp JDA, share thoughts on current camp topics, connect with other engaged camp parents, and help spread the word about the magic of Camp Jeanne d’Arc.

During the first meeting, the Ambassadors problem-solved how to help younger campers stay connected in the off-season without access to cell phones or social media. We brainstormed the new enhanced Owl camper experience, and the opportunity to build on leadership and adventure skills as campers grow in the program. And we planned strategies for spreading invitations to camp parties, posting reviews in local community forums, and making introductions with potential new families.

All participants were hooked up with a Starbucks gift card (a nice perk, even if it was swiped by lurking teenagers!) and enjoyed the company of other camp parents!

Want in on this action? Contact Sandy to learn more.

 

Alpengirl: An Outdoor Adventure that Shares Our Values

Did you know that Camp Jeanne d’Arc is affiliated with the adventure camp called Alpengirl? Instead of half- or full-season sessions at a specific campus, Alpengril provides camping trip experiences in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rocky Mountains, Maine, West Virginia, Slovenia and Iceland. The trips include a variety of adventure activities such as backpacking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and more.

Cool, right? What’s even cooler is that they just announced new programming for adult women! While Alpengirl started out serving girls ages 11-17, they decided to expand their programming to include adult women. “Inspring Girls, Empowering Women” is a mission we can support! Check out their adult trips, including some awesome mother/daughter experiences.

We love connecting with other camps who share our values!