Where Everybody Know Your Name!
“Blanca Penagaricano”
“Martine Luther-Hoppenheim”
“Lensi La Croix”
“Siobhan McNamara”
“Mei Nakamura”
I could keep going. It’s been over 30 years since I’ve seen these girls, but I will forever remember their names. Why? Because as a 13-year old, I was challenged to name every camper and every counselor, first and last names, in the revered “Name Game” at Camp Jeanne d’Arc. Names of campers from France, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Japan. Names of counselors from Canada, Mexico, Ireland, and Russia. Multi-syllabic names. Hyphenated names. Non-phonetic names. Identical twin names!
Why is this tradition important at Camp Jeanne d’Arc? Because at CJDA, each camper is valued no matter how old they are, how many years they’ve been at camp, where they are from, or even how difficult it is to pronounce their name!
Small By Design
Camp Jeanne d’Arc is small by design. We nurture a family-like atmosphere where the whole camp eats together at the same time sharing family-style meals among mixed age groups. Table assignments change weekly so campers continually form new buddies. We create opportunities for campers to bond with each other through structured cabin time (think whacky Wednesday and cabin songs). We encourage older campers to care for younger campers through traditions like “milk and cookies” where the Owls deliver treats at night to the younger cabins.
Oh, and when the first camper successfully completes the “Name Game?” Camp goes nuts! Hugs, cheers, and a camp-wide rendition of “For she’s a jolly good fellow…” And it’s not only the winner of the “Name Game” that feels honored, it’s also the 8-year old girl who is spending her first time away from home while a fifteen-year-old she just met perfectly pronounced her name (that her soccer coach fumbled all season!).
More Than a Tradition
This is who we are – a family where we care about each and every member. The “Name Game” is more than a tradition, it is an invitation for every camper to feel seen, known, and deeply valued. And it is an opportunity for Camp Jeanne d’Arc campers to step up and show that capable girls can empower each other. This is who we are.
It’s the kind of place where, quite literally, everybody knows your name!