Calleva Community is Built on the Tradition of Belonging

Calleva is a community in itself. Over the years, Calleva has built a reputation for excellence. Our mission is to get all people outdoors, providing safe, educational and challenging experiences that promote personal growth, group cooperation, and leadership skills. Through these experiences, people are drawn together making memories and lifelong friends.

During the winter, Calleva throws a Holiday Party where ALL staff, near and far, old and new are brought back together to celebrate. This party is a tradition that brings the Calleva community together again each year.

Traditions like this party, provide a sense of belonging and stability. It’s a time for everyone to remember shared memories, acting as a bridge between past, present and future. Also, it creates a feeling of comfort and community among those of us at Calleva. These feelings of comfort and community provide a sense of belonging that contributes to the well-being of others, while offering a safe network where people can feel supported, valued and understood. For many people, being part of the Calleva community feels like coming home.

The Holiday Party may be an event that only happens once a year, but it is definitely a favorite for most. The holidays can be a cold time of year, but the Annual Holiday Party always brings the warmth of summer wrapped up in it to our community. This party welcomes all staff, alumni, campers, volunteers and their families to gather for a chance to socialize, be festive and reflect on the year they’ve had. It’s a time for everyone to come together and enjoy a fun atmosphere with old and new friends. 

In true Calleva fashion, the party is a little different each year so it keeps people interested. Some years we’ve played the classic party game of “white elephant”, while other years it became a “gift stealing competition”. Small changes like this keep the community wanting more.

This year, the Holiday Party included a collection for a local food bank, ridiculous outfits, white elephant gift exchange, cookie baking competition, gingerbread house making competition, and lots of prizes! There were stories to be told, special moments to look forward to and lots of staff recognitions. It was an evening of memories and highlights from the year. We encourage everyone that comes to bring a story to tell, a memory to share, and a dish or snack to enjoy. 

The Community of Calleva could also be described as the heart of Calleva. Events like this, are what keep the community and wild fire of Calleva burning. The Calleva community extends beyond summer months, volunteer programs, alumni meet-ups, and shared projects.

Calleva staff often meet up to take road trips, or go kayaking. Many staff go to Colorado to work for the winter season as well. To me, the Calleva community is family. I’ve been a part of this community since 2017 and I’ve had the opportunity to build close relationships with so many people. Calleva is such an inclusive place, that even if somebody comes to work for just one season, it is very likely that we have kept in touch. Because that is how special it is to be a part of the Calleva community.

There are so many ways to stay connected with Calleva happenings throughout the year. There are always opportunities for staff, alumni, and families to get together. Outside of our busy seasons, we often plan staff outings such as going on an Annapolis ghost tour, attending a Washington Capitals Hockey Game, and going caving.

These outings are just a few other ways that we have stayed connected with the community this season. The Calleva Holiday Party is just one piece of the puzzle that is the Calleva Community, offering all connection and belonging. 

Families can also stay in touch with our community through our social media and newsletters. We love the family holiday cards that pour in at the end of every year. Seeing the faces of our previous campers and staff helps keep us motivated and remembering why we are all here ⎯ for each other.