Hung from the walls of the great mess hall, lovingly referred to as The Hearth, The Hearth Boards at Camp Jeanne d’Arc are a living history of the strong girls who have, in some way, shape or form, left their indelible mark on Camp!
What is a Hearth Board?
The Hearth Boards are large wooden plaques that record the names of all campers who have earned entrance to a senior club or have received a spirit award honor. Each entry on the Boards are hand-painted in Old English calligraphy and mark the year, the names of the campers, and the honor.
On the Hearth Boards, you might see: Campcraft Club, Senior Mountaineer Club, Senior Canoe Club, Senior Sail Club, Senior Ride Club, Fencing Club, Pioneer Club. Spirit Awards displayed on the Hearth Boards include Eclaireuses, Lorraine, Camper’s Cup, Fleur de Lis Cup, and Medalist.
The Hearth Boards draw on the tradition first started in the early days of Camp when the club members’ names were painted on the former dining hall in the Whippoorwill building. Currently the Tanager Cabin, the names are slightly faded but still reflect the dedication of the campers who worked hard to get into the senior clubs!
Our Personal Camp Jeanne d’Arc History
Campers eat all meals surrounded by the names of campers who came before them – some campers love to spot the names of older sisters, mother, aunts, cousins and friends. But most of the time, campers do not recognize any of the names on the Hearth Boards. It doesn’t really matter because there is just something special about seeing names from 1950, written in the same font as the names from 2025, that show the Charter Members of the Campcraft Club, a club that is still building outdoor skills to our youngest campers!
There is pride in knowing that the traditions of Camp Jeanne d’Arc span over a century filled with hard-working, strong girls who set out to achieve goals, just like the girls today.
Raising Each Other Up
While many campers strive to get into a senior club or earn a spirit award, the beautiful thing about this tradition is that the Hearth Boards are not competitive. The focus at Camp is not all about “getting my name on a board.” Instead, campers are encouraged to make an impact. The CJDA values of faith, endurance, courage, and confidence emphasize that the journey to achieve your goals and the community you work alongside is where the real success lies. And during Banquet Night, when the honors are announced, you see an entire community feel pride and gratitude for the experience!
Enduring Spirit of the Girls Who Define Camp Jeanne d’Arc
The Hearth Boards at Camp Jeanne d’Arc are far more than a simple record of achievements; they are a profound symbol of continuity, community, and the enduring spirit of the girls who define CJDA. Ultimately, this tradition successfully shifts the focus from individual competition to collective aspiration. The names on the wall serve as a reminder that the true triumph of Camp Jeanne d’Arc lies in the shared journey—a journey marked by faith, endurance, courage, and confidence—that raises up every girl within the community.
