From the classic geranium-filled hanging baskets along the Inn’s front porch to the butterfly-dotted perennial garden by the Wigwam, Camp’s lovingly maintained grounds heighten the beauty of this special place. Rivaling even Arcadia’s stunning sunsets, the vibrant flowers and lush greenery across the property provide a peaceful sanctuary for guests to slow down, take a deep breath, and delight in God’s wondrous creation.
As any gardener knows, keeping green spaces thriving requires tremendous effort—from thoughtful planning and plant selection to the hands-on energy of planting, watering, and weeding. Add in unpredictable weather and persistent deer, and it truly becomes a labor of love.
That labor of love is guided by Landscaping Supervisor Callie Marano, whose leadership and dedication have kept Camp looking its best for the past three years. We are incredibly thankful for her faithful service and the care that she puts into everything she does to ensure the beauty of Camp’s property.
Callie first came to Camp Arcadia as a teenager, attending all four years of Teen Retreats. Her unforgettable experience as a camper inspired her to serve on summer staff from 2013 to 2016, spending two years on Housekeeping followed by two years as the landscaping assistant.
During those years, she fell in love with fellow staffer Franco Marano, who is now Camp’s caretaker. The couple married at the Chapel on the Beach late in the 2016 season and live in the Caretaker’s house with their two sons, Niko and Fiero.
She credits former caretaker John Jass with laying the foundation for her work today. “He taught me everything I know about Camp’s landscaping,” Callie shares. “I learned plant names, how to select deer-resistant varieties, and how to maintain the distinct look and feel we love at Camp.”
Since 2015, Callie has led the Opening Weekend flower planting, working alongside dedicated volunteers each spring to bring Camp’s grounds to life. She is grateful for everyone who helps each year—especially the Dan Kah family, who faithfully led the flower crew for many years before she stepped into the role.
Another standout volunteer who works closely with Callie is Marian Zupin, an experienced gardener and year-round Arcadia resident. As the only other person entrusted to tend the Wigwam’s perennial garden, Marian brings a deep love of gardening and an incredible work ethic to Camp, helping transform this space.
That dedication truly paid off this summer as the butterfly bushes flourished, drawing countless monarch butterflies and even hummingbirds to Camp during the later weeks of the summer.
These efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Executive Director Chip May remarks, “I’ve received so many positive comments from guests about the landscaping this summer. Callie did an outstanding job selecting flowers that truly stood out. I so appreciate all the hard work that she and her staff have done to make the grounds look amazing!”
Behind the beauty of Camp’s landscaping lies weeks of careful planning. Each spring, Callie meets with Terri Schmidt, the owner of Pleasanton Valley Greenhouses, to select plants for the upcoming season. Terri shares her expert guidance on plant care and positioning, setting up every flower for success.
This summer, Callie introduced more color to the grounds by planting pink Knock Out Roses and electric-blue Pop Star Hydrangeas by the Wigwam—both of which thrived and quickly became guest favorites. Since hydrangea colors react to soil acidity, Callie experimented with soil conditions to shift their blooms into rich blues or soft pinks.
The cottages also received a refreshed look this season, featuring fuller window boxes and new hydrangeas to bring extra color to the shaded and sunny spots alike. On the Patio, Callie rotated the large flower pots weekly to ensure balanced sun exposure, keeping them healthy all summer long.
Another change you may have noticed from a few years ago was the beach-inspired white and turquoise rocks around the turnaround. The turquoise rocks form the shape of a cross which welcomes guests as they arrive.
Keeping Camp beautiful is a team effort. Callie supervises a dedicated summer staffer each week to manage the constant weeding, trimming, and watering that is necessary for upkeep. On an average summer day, simply watering all of Camp—including the cottages—can take up to six hours!
In addition to teaching the summer staffers how to care for the grounds, Callie had the opportunity this summer to lead the 3rd-8th graders in a service project related to the Parable of the Sower and growing roots in Jesus.
For the service project, the Morning Program kids weeded at the ballfield and the pump track. While not all the kids were super enthusiastic about this project at first, they all took pride in seeing how much progress they made and even turned it into a competition to see who could pull the weed with the biggest root. Thank you all for your work in keeping Camp beautiful!
For Callie, even a task like weeding brings its own reward in seeing the immediate progress made. “I love seeing things bloom and ensuring Camp is a beautiful, inviting space where guests can truly rest,” Callie says. “Plus, having my boys help out and share in this experience with me makes it even more meaningful and special.”
We are extremely grateful for Callie’s leadership in caring for Camp’s landscaping, as her work continues to create spaces of beauty and peace for us all to enjoy.
