Holding History: The Magic of Receiving Your First Shield!
Holding History: The Magic of Receiving Your First Shield!If you watch closely, almost every Camp Jeanne d’Arc camper receives their shield the same way — they hold it with two hands first, absorbing the weight of it. Then they run their fingers across the painted emblems. A smile. They’ll flip it to the back to read the activities and ratings. Then back to the front, more smiles, and then show it to a friend.
Because it is more than an 8-inch painted piece of wood carved into a three-pointed shield. It is tangible evidence of camp spirit, growth, skills and belonging.
What is a Shield?
Campers receive their shield at Awards Night or Banquet Night. And in the days and weeks beforehand, counselors hunker down in the chalet basement meticulously painting small emblems that represent activities like mountaineering, drama, archery, and canoe. They paint emblems that represent traditions like smugglers, polar bear club, and wishing night. They paint the fleur-de-lis that represent camp spirit or special marks that represent spirit awards.
Shield Tell A Story
Each shield tells a story of a camper’s Camp Jeanne d’Arc journey. And, like a fingerprint, each shield is unique to the camper. A new camper’s shield will be fairly sparse with emblems of a few activities or camp spirit. Veteran campers’ shields will be filled to the edges with camp activities, traditions, and events and will feature pins from archery or riflery or artifacts from senior clubs.
But the shields are more than just a scrapbook of a summer. Every emblem, every pin, every mark is a testament to growth and belonging in a sisterhood that works hard to build strong girls. As campers first hold their shield, they know that they are a part of a supportive family that spans generations and helps every camper feel capable, confident, and ready for whatever comes next. It’s what we do!
