The Jeanne d’Arc Medal, known today as Medalist, was awarded the very first summer at camp in 1922. The award honors a camper who has made a real difference at camp, without whom the summer would not have been the same. It is an award that harkens the spirit of Jeanne d’Arc and the qualities of faith, endurance, courage and confidence. This is camp’s highest honor, given only to those girls who have truly impacted camp.
How is Medalist Decided?
The camp community votes on this award during a very special night towards the end of the camp season called Spirit Voting Night. Camp gathers in the Hearth for a special campfire led by the Owl Cabin where extra care is taken to decorate the mantle and piano with ferns and candles. During campfire, Camp leaders share the values of each spirit award, including Medalist with all campers, counselors, and staff. Campers are dismissed one cabin at a time, maintaining reverence for the tradition. They then make their way to tablecloth-covered tables where lit candles illuminate the spirit voting papers. Every member of the Camp community is encouraged to be very thoughtful about their recommendations. The Medalist Award is not given every year, and campers are encouraged to leave the line blank if they do not feel it has been earned.
What does the Crowning of Medalist Look Like?
All of the spirit awards, including the Medalist Award, are given at Banquet Night at the end of the summer. Medalist is Camp Jeanne d’Arc’s highest honor, and therefore has a special ceremony. This year, the camp directors shared their thoughts on the impact of the camper who received the award. She was called to the front of the Hearth, honored with a crown of sunflowers fresh from the CJDA garden and awarded with a bronze statue of Jeanne d’Arc.
And then … the camp community erupted! Campers rushed to hug the newly-minted Medalist as tears of joy streamed down faces and claps and cheers flooded the building. Not a soul in the room could hide their smile, their feeling of pride for their fellow camper radiated.
Medalist is a Time-Honored and Revered Award
The Medalist Award is the oldest award at Camp Jeanne d’Arc. This is part of why it is so respected. While community-voted awards can sometimes feel like a popularity contest, the Medalist does not. Because it is not awarded every year, and sometimes over a decade will pass without a winner, the award is held in very high regard.
All of our campers have value and worth in their own right. But sometimes a camper comes along who raises us all up. Who shows us that compassion and courage are more important than being the best at an activity or the loudest leader. Who is able to connect with all campers regardless of age, background, skills, or interests. Who has an open heart and an open mind for all experiences camp has to offer.
An Example for All
Watching the crown of sunflowers adorn the head of the newly-honored Medalist was an exciting and emotional moment for the entire Camp community. But equally impactful was watching the dozens of younger campers watching it happen.
Camp Jeanne d’Arc offers girls opportunities to be a leader. Girls can work to earn entrance to senior clubs, they can become captains for their Les Pucelles or Jolis Coeurs team, and they can lead service projects, fitness groups, and drama or choir events.
In our society, leadership roles are often set aside for the most proficient athletes or most outgoing orators. But at camp, there are other ways to lead. Leaders can be the ones who listened when a camper had a rough day. The ones who patted their back when the Les/Jolis games was lost. They can be girls who started a conversation with a shy camper at the lunch table. True leaders are those who saw setback as opportunities, missed goals as chances to grow, and who saw worth of every fellow camper.
Some leaders are the kids who aren’t great at sports, whose voices quiver in large groups, but who are compassionate and kind and work hard to make people feel included and valued.
Not every kid at camp will be a Medalist. But they might lead an overnight trip, or be a cabin lieutenant. They might earn a weekly Fleur de Lis or the Campers Cup.
And, if they are lucky, they will see a Medalist be crowned and know for real what leadership looks like.