Colonel’s Dream
The origin of Camp Jeanne d’Arc, a traditional all girls overnight summer camp, included the desire to bring together girls from all over the world. This desire, in part, came from worldwide political unrest as Camp Jeanne d’Arc was founded on the heels of World War I. CJDA founder, Ruth Israel McIntrye (or “Colonel,” to JDAers), felt passionately about the beauty of our common humanity and wanted to create a place where true friendships across borders could form and thrive. She believed these bonds could be agents for worldwide change!
According to Colonel’s daughter-in-law and longtime CJDA owner, Fran McIntyre, “Colonel’s dream was to bring together girls from different countries so they would get to know one another… Her first ‘foreign’ campers were Cubans. It was easy for them to get to Miami and board the train to New York.”
While Cubans were the first international campers, the culture of international inclusion was growing at Camp. Fran noted, “From there, campers began to learn about CJDA in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela etc. Colonel got her wish! (With lots of help from alum!).”
Alumnae Connections
Our international campers thrived at Camp Jeanne d’Arc! Campers made friends with folks from all over the world, they practiced their English language skills, they learned how to be confident and independent… and the word about Camp Jeanne d’Arc spread!
Camp began seeing enrollments from Puerto Rican families who were current campers’ cousins, nieces, granddaughters, neighbors, friends, co-workers, you name it! Each new family that enrolled at Camp brought new campers the following summer!
Camp Jeanne d’Arc alumni and current camp mom Marisa Pujals recounts her JDA origin story as a camper from Puerto Rico: “I remember listening to amazing JDA stories from my mom, Maribel, who was a camper in the 60s and her aunt who went to camp during the 40s. I couldn’t wait for it to be my turn to experience this magical place in nature. I was lucky to spend my summer of ‘93 and ‘96 at camp, meeting lifelong friends from all over the world.” Marisa currently sends her daughter to camp – the tradition continues!
The Puerto Rico Camp Reunion
To celebrate the vibrant Camp Jeanne d’Arc community in Puerto Rico, we have been coordinating Camp Reunions almost every year! These parties bring together past, current, and future campers in a fun and memorable event!
This year, CJDA alum and current camp mom, Caroline McConnie, hosted the reunion. And it was a great success! Over 75 people were welcomed by Caroline and her family including fifteen returning campers, six new campers about to begin their JDA journey, five prospective families, and three alums!
Colonel’s Vision of International Sisterhood Lives On!
From Colonel’s vision of international sisterhood to the annual, vibrant reunions, the story of Puerto Rican campers at Camp Jeanne d’Arc is a beautiful testament to the enduring power of community. The connections fostered at JDA—through shared adventures in the Adirondacks and the deep bonds of alumnae—have created a thriving, multi-generational family. This legacy, first sparked by Colonel’s dream, continues to grow, ensuring that Camp Jeanne d’Arc remains a magical place for girls from Puerto Rico and around the world for many years to come.