Welcome to the 2026 Season of the Gold Arrow Camp Podcast! In this episode, Sunshine talks about the GAC Philosophy (Vision, Mission, & Goals) and how we focus on building specific character traits and skills that lead to well-being. This summer, our theme is Crank up the Thanks. Our focus is building our gratitude, a character trait consistently linked to happiness and well-being.
Our vision at GAC is to create a happier world, one camper at a time. Each summer, we focus on building positive habits and character traits for a thriving life while having fun, making friends, and growing. We also choose a specific character trait or skill that leads to a happier life. This summer, with our summer theme of “Crank Up the Thanks,” we’re focusing on building our gratitude!
“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” -Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier, Harvard Health
Over the past 14 years, we’ve covered a variety of character traits and social skills that lead to better well-being. We’ve focused on kindness, friendship, giving, resilience, positivity, and encouraging others. Choosing Kindness, Count on Me, Building Empathy, and Try Something New have been our most recent Summer Themes. Adults who are thankful for what they have are happier than those who are constantly in the entitled state of reaching for the ever-elusive “more.” According to Christine Carter, PhD, “Studies of adults and college students ... Read more