2026 Theme: Crank Up the Thanks (Turn Up the Gratitude)
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!
Grateful People are Happier
“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
Ken “Coach” Baker, Jeanie Vezie and Sunshine in 1989[/caption]
To select each year’s recipient, we ask the entire staff to complete a nomination form, where they put the name of one person whom ... 
Thank you for being part of the Gold Arrow Camp community this year! In this week's episode, Sunshine wraps up the 2025 GAC Podcast season and gives an overview of what we covered in this season's interviews.