As we near the end of early enrollment and move into open enrollment, it only naturally follows that camp hiring season is just around the corner, too! In a few short weeks, we’ll be welcoming back returning staff members and meeting new faces from near and far along the way. 

The camp counselor experience is a challenging and rewarding one from start to finish – it seems impossible to me that someone could make it through the summer without feeling challenged and changed for the better by summer’s end. 

At Runoia, we live in a child-centered environment – but also know that happy, health staff make for happy, healthy kids. We encourage growth, community, and self discovery in all members of our community and relish in their successes, their tenacity, and hearing all about their experience from day one to departure day. 

Our 2023 staff community was a special one – kind, caring, and connected – and here’s what they had to say about their first impressions of Runoia:

It’s beautiful.

Lovely, true, typical American summer camp which is exactly why I came here.

It’s smaller than I thought it would be, but the lake is much bigger.

Awesome people make Runoia awesome.

Back again, all is well.

It’s a happy environment, very welcoming.

Joyful

I’m going to enjoy the next few months.

A lot of nature, but still so beautiful with the shacks

Everyone is one big friend group and I’ve had a blast being a part of it.

I think it’s a lovely place with a good organization.

Very good first impression, excited to see and learn more.

The hemlocks are so healthy.

Clean, friendly, awesome

A comfortable and magical place

Home faraway from home.

All are very nice and polite

Amazing

It’s beautiful! It’s a lot smaller than other camps I’ve worked at which I enjoy.

A beautiful place I will make friends and memories at.

I’m excited for what’s to come.

Awesome.

Beautiful place with down to earth people.

It’s a good place to spend my summer.

It’s beautiful and big.

The people are nice.

This is my 3rd year so I really love being here, for me, staying here and spending my summer at Camp Runoia means having fun and an amazing summer.

Friendly and helpful staff.

Beautiful, good food, positive people.

It’s really pretty and all the staff are lovely. I love the lake.

Fantastic, I’m excited to be back.

A fun place.

My favorite place on earth.

Small, tight community, friendly people. Beautiful landscape.

Peaceful.

That everyone here is here to support one another and help make the kid’s experience wonderful.

From a counselor’s perspective, versus camper, I would say that it’s a much different, but still very welcoming vibe.

The lake is gorgeous. The environment is so cute.

High-spirited, playful

It’s really beautiful here and all the staff are so lovely.

I’m happy to be here, it’s very pretty and the people are kind.

Positive, welcoming, fun