Every summer during the Follow the Gleam pageant, the Merrie-Woode community is galvanized by King Arthur’s reflections upon his knights’ return home. He explains that righteous character means to work against oppressive forces, to give the best of oneself to all people, and treat everyone as brothers and sisters. He says: “I wish that future generations might learn … the willingness to give all,” so that no one will “be oppressed, and that men might learn to live as brothers, following the gleam of the best that is in their hearts.” From these musings, we took inspiration for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee’s Statement of Intent. The statement reads:
Today’s Quest for Tomorrow’s Future
At Merrie-Woode, we are called upon to follow the gleam and carry our light into the world. We all shine brighter in a community where everyone belongs. Together, we commit to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive round table for all.
These values have been held by members of the Merrie-Woode community throughout its history, beginning with our founder, Dammie Day, who created Camp Merrie-Woode in order to empower women at a time when women were not valued as leaders in their communities. Dammie Day envisioned Merrie-Woode as a place where all women would feel fully valued and included.
We acknowledge that Camp should always strive to honor Dammie’s original vision, and that this work is of the utmost importance. In an effort to work toward increasing diversity at Camp and making all campers feel included at Camp, Camp Merrie-Woode created a DEI Ad Hoc Committee in the fall of 2020. The Committee is comprised of members representing a broad range of constituencies and generations. The committee meets to develop thoughtful recommendations to share with the Executive Directors and Board of Trustees for consideration.
DEI Committee Board Liaison, Mallory Dimmitt, explains the committee’s intention, saying, “We believe in a Camp community where all voices are heard, appreciated, and welcomed. We realize how diversity, equity, and inclusion fit directly into our Camp mission to value each individual for who she is and who she will become. The more each person feels she can bring her authentic self to Camp, the more Merrie-Woode will grow as a refuge of heartfelt inspiration and belonging.”
The committee did a review of Camp to assess diversity, equity, and inclusion in four areas: 1) traditions and programming at Camp including a review of songs, evening programs, cabin names, and programming curriculum, 2) the inclusion and experience of marginalized and historically underrepresented members of the Camp population, 3) staff recruitment, hiring, and training, and 4) camper recruiting, admissions, and camperships.
Some identified recommendations will be implemented in the near term, like the renaming of two cabins. Other recommendations will certainly take time. We at Merrie-Woode are committing to the worthy quest of creating a more inclusive round table at which everyone has a seat and new members are always invited with warm, authentic welcome. We strive to be a community where anyone who feels different or marginalized can find a place at Camp where she can be her best self. As Dammie stated from the beginning, “Each one is a vital part of a whole. We all matter to each other and to the whole world.”
Today’s quest IS for tomorrow’s future. We will continue to work so that Merrie-Woode sets our round table to include a chair for everyone.
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