Why Summer Camp? Being a Part of Something Greater than Self

Tradition plays a vital role in shaping the identity of young people as they foster a sense of unity, continuity, and shared identity. They also help children and adolescents feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves as they contribute to a shared identity and give each individual a sense of pride in being part of a community. Traditions also serve as a bridge between the past and the future, offering stability, shared experiences, and a foundation for emotional connections. They nurture a sense of belonging, help teach important life values, and create lasting memories that strengthen community ties over time.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Camp Arcadia community. For 108 years, Arcadians have gathered on the shores of Pleasant Lake continuing a legacy of shared traditions that bind generations together. At Camp Arcadia we understand the importance of traditions for young people and how they contribute to their growth and development. We work hard to honor past traditions and create new ones. These traditions, passed down year after year, not only celebrate the essence of Arcadia but also foster a deep sense of belonging and connection among its members.

One of the most cherished traditions is Opening Candlelight, where Arcadians come together to wake up the Arcadian Spirit at the beginning of each camp season. This symbolic act of lighting candles marks the start of the Camp’s annual journey and is a reminder of the continuity of Arcadian life. Similarly, the Campfire ceremony holds a special place in Arcadian tradition. Every week, campers gather around the fire to sing songs, play games, and celebrate their achievements. During this ceremony, campers are recognized for their progress in various activities, with levels earned and badges awarded. This public acknowledgment in front of the entire Camp family strengthens the bonds of the community and serves as a proud moment for all involved.

Arcadia’s Birthday is another highly anticipated tradition that brings the camp together in celebration. With special songs, a unique meal, and a focus on honoring the camp’s rich history, this event not only marks another year of Arcadian life but also reminds everyone of the legacy of which they are a part. Club Supper is yet another treasured tradition where the oldest campers plan and organize a theme dinner, such as a "Mama Mia" night in 2024 or a "Barbie" themed supper in 2023. This event offers campers the opportunity to express creativity and engage in a fun, communal experience, strengthening the feeling of family at Arcadia.

As the camp season comes to an end, the Banquet serves as a final gathering, where campers share a special meal together on the last day of camp. The season concludes with the poignant Closing Candlelight, a ceremony in which Arcadians gather on the swimming dock to put the Spirit of Arcadia to sleep until the following season. Candles in small, wooden boats float on the water as the Camp sings songs; there are often tears as the community reflects on the memories made over the summer.

The importance of food traditions also plays a central role in Arcadian life. Every Friday, campers enjoy Mud Pies, a delightful treat made of vanilla cupcakes topped with hot fudge sauce. Along with the dessert, a special song is sung, making it a much-loved tradition. Ice Cream Sundaes on Sunday is another historical tradition, dating back to a time when ice cream was made with fresh berries and milk from Arcadia’s own working farm. Though we no longer make the ice cream in-house, the tradition continues, honoring the camp’s past while bringing the community together over a shared treat.

Every summer, these traditions become more than just events—they are a time for the entire camp family to gather and celebrate the deep ties that unite them. They are also an important part of the growth and development for each Arcadian camper. Over the course of 108 years, the traditions of Arcadia have created a web of connections, spanning generations and strengthening the bonds between individuals. These shared experiences not only keep the history of Arcadia alive, but also ensure that each new generation of Arcadians feels the same sense of belonging and pride as those who came before them. In this way, tradition becomes a powerful force, carrying the Spirit of Arcadia forward into the future.

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The 2025 season will be the 109th summer our Camp family has gathered together for an unparalleled experience for girls aged 7-17. 

Click here for more information and here to register.

Why Summer Camp? Simple by Design

In today's world, life moves fast. We’re constantly connected, always on the go, and constantly competing with the latest trends. Social media has created a fear of missing out, with everyone trying to keep up with the "perfect" image. The pressure to be better, do more, and look flawless can feel overwhelming. Add in the noise of social media influencers, constant notifications, and endless distractions, and it’s easy to see why we crave a break from it all.

That’s where summer camp comes in. The simplicity of a camp experience, free from the distractions of modern life, offers something far more valuable than just a break—it offers a chance to thrive in a way that’s often impossible in the everyday hustle.

A Play Based, Tech-Free Zone for True Connection

One of the first things you’ll notice at Camp Arcadia is the absence of technology. No smartphones. No social media. Just kids living in the moment, talking, laughing, and connecting. In a world where interactions are often limited to text messages or emojis, the beauty of face-to-face communication becomes crystal clear.

At Camp Arcadia, we purposefully weave free-time throughout our day and give campers the independence to choose how they spend this time. Girls at Arcadia make friendship bracelets instead of posting selfies, and they spend hours talking—not texting—on the porch of their cabin. Eye contact, a simple gesture, becomes an essential part of building deep, meaningful relationships.

The tech-free space at Camp Arcadia allows girls to truly be present with each other. Without the constant pull of digital distractions, they learn the art of real conversation and the value of genuine human connection. And in the process, they discover that the best friendships are those forged through shared experiences, not just shared screens.

The Cozy Cabin Life

Imagine reading a book by flashlight, nestled under a cozy blanket in a cabin with your new friends. No TV shows, no video games—just a peaceful night filled with the soft glow of lanterns and the quiet hum of nature outside. Camp Arcadia is designed to be a simple, welcoming escape, where girls can experience the joy of just being.

The cabins themselves are far from the overwhelming, cluttered spaces many kids are used to at home. There’s no pressure to have the latest gadgets or the flashiest clothes. Instead, kids are reminded that their worth isn’t tied to material possessions. They’re at Camp Arcadia to make memories, create bonds, and enjoy each moment—without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

The Power of a Uniform

At Arcadia, there’s no competition over who’s wearing the trendiest outfit or the most expensive sneakers. The camp uniform levels the playing field, creating a space where girls can just be themselves, free from the pressures of fitting in. When everyone wears the same clothes, the focus shifts from appearances to actions, from “who’s got the coolest look” to “who’s the most fun to hang out with.” We learn to get to know each other from the inside out instead of the outside in.

This subtle yet powerful shift fosters a sense of belonging, where girls feel valued for who they are and what they bring to the table—not for the brand they’re wearing or the number of followers they have. It’s a refreshing break from the constant comparison that defines so much of today’s world.

Activities You Can’t Do at Home

Camp Arcadia offers experiences that most girls would never have access to in their everyday lives. Think archery, canoeing, climbing a mountain, printmaking, or even knitting. These aren’t just activities—they’re opportunities for kids to step out of their comfort zones, learn new skills, and engage in hands-on, creative fun.

At Arcadia, girls are encouraged to try things they may never have imagined doing at home. They’ll leave with stories of how they mastered a bow and arrow or created their first piece of print art. And in the process, they gain confidence that can’t be measured in likes or shares—only in the pride of personal achievement.

The Life Lesson: Simplicity Leads to Thriving

What Camp Arcadia teaches girls isn’t just about having fun (though that’s certainly part of it!). It’s about the life lesson that sometimes, less really is more. Life can be simpler, quieter, and more intentional. When you strip away the noise, the competition, and the distractions, you find that it’s not only possible to survive—you can thrive.

Camp Arcadia is a reminder that the most valuable things in life aren’t things at all. They’re the connections we make, the experiences we have, and the moments of joy that fill our days. And when girls return home from Arcadia, they carry those lessons with them. They’ve learned that they don’t need the constant stimulation of technology or the pressure of perfection to be happy and successful. They’ve learned that sometimes, the best way to grow is to step back and embrace the simplicity of being present.

Conclusion: The Summer Camp Effect

In a world that’s always on, Camp Arcadia offers a refreshing pause. It’s a place where simplicity isn’t just a luxury—it’s the design. It’s a place where kids can reconnect with themselves and each other, free from the constant buzz of the outside world. And it’s a place where they learn that life can be simpler, slower, and ultimately more fulfilling.

So, why summer camp? Because in its simplicity, we rediscover what truly matters. And we realize that sometimes, the best way to thrive is to unplug, slow down, and let the experience speak for itself.

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The 2025 season will be the 109th summer our Camp family has gathered together for an unparalleled experience for girls aged 7-17. 

Click here for more information and here to register.

Why Summer Camp?: Character Development

No one would argue that attending a sleep-away summer camp develops character in a child. The simple fact that a child is courageous enough to be dropped off in a new place for weeks at a time without their parents is character developing enough in that first year. Each camp also has organizational values that are reinforced, modeled and encouraged by camp staff. Counselors lead by example and in turn teach those organizational values to the campers. Character development is one of the greatest gifts summer camp gives to campers and counselors.

At Camp Arcadia, our Mission and The Spirit of Arcadia are our guideposts in our character development curriculum that is deliberately woven throughout our program. Campers participate in community service that provides leadership opportunities across all age groups and the Spirit becomes part of each camper as it is infused into cabin life through Cabin Commitments and Community Circle. The outcomes of this deliberate approach to character development are girls who are empowered to be confident, to contribute to their communities, to take healthy risks, to respect and care for the environment, and to develop interpersonal skills that result in lasting friendships.

"Make the world a better and more beautiful because you have been in it" is the mission at Camp Arcadia. Arcadians learn that, through acts of service, we are able to make our community better and more beautiful each summer because we have been in it. This mission is internalized over time with many Arcadians citing it as a reason for chosen career paths later in life.

Campers are provided opportunities to live out our mission regularly through acts of community service. Each age group supports our Camp community - Juniors (1st-3rd graders) serve as the greeters to Sunday Meeting, our weekly all Camp family meeting, Plebes (4th-5th graders) pass out and collect the songbooks at our daily Morning Assembly, Seniors (6th-7th graders) facilitate lost and found, Point (8th graders) and Club (9th graders) set the tables daily and participate as Helping Hands in the kitchen once a week. The Club also serves as leaders raising and lowering the flag each day. Through these acts of service, we learn that we can make a positive impact on our community. Arcadians go into their larger communities with this understanding and purpose in mind.

We are also guided by the Spirit of Arcadia, a poem recited at Campfire each week. The tenets of the Spirit - loyal, wise, busy, honest, thrilling, strong, brave, contented, dreaming, happy and reverent - are the cornerstones of our character development goals at Arcadia. At the beginning of the summer, our Opening Candlelight ceremony (picture right) introduces the concept of the Spirit to the campers.

The Club, campers in their last year as a camper, are the guardians of the Spirit. They are charged with being leaders at Camp who embody the Spirit in their day to day actions. Campers of all ages are encouraged by The Club to memorize The Spirit and recite it to a member of the Club. Once learned, campers receive a pin at Campfire in front of the whole Camp. This pin proudly is affixed to a camper's banner as it is a cherished honor to earn.

The mission and Spirit guide our daily life in each cabin as well. At the outset of each session campers create Cabin Commitments with their cabin mates. After reading the Spirit together as a group, they are asked "What do we want this space to be like? How can we each contribute to make this cabin better and more beautiful because we have been in it? What commitments can we make to one another to create that feeling?"

Each evening closes with a Community Circle during which campers reflect on their day and look forward to what is to come tomorrow. The goals of this time are to foster a sense of unity and trust with the cabin community and to practice daily gratitude and reflection. Individually campers share something positive that happened to them today. They also share about someone or something they are grateful for from the day. This becomes a cherished part of each day and serves to close the day as a cabin family with a positive mindset.

With our Mission and The Spirit of Arcadia as our guideposts, Camp Arcadia girls gain confidence and are ready to make a difference in the world.

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The 2025 season will be the 109th summer our Camp family has gathered together for an unparalleled experience for girls aged 7-17. 

Click here for more information and here to register.