January at Camp Runoia is quiet in the most beautiful way. As a girls’ overnight summer camp in Maine, winter gives us the rare gift of stillness — time to reflect, plan, and imagine the friendships, confidence, and joy that will fill camp when summer arrives. While Great Pond rests under a blanket of snow and the cabins sit quietly, the heart of camp is already busy dreaming.
For us, winter isn’t a pause.
It’s when the foundation for summer is thoughtfully and intentionally built.
Why Winter Matters
The magic of summer begins long before opening day. Winter is when our team slows down enough to really look back — and dream forward.
These months are spent revisiting camper stories, reading parent notes, swapping staff reflections, and asking ourselves important questions: What worked? What mattered most? What moments made campers feel brave, proud, or truly at home?
Because of this process, we’re able to hold on to what campers love while making meaningful, thoughtful improvements. The result is a summer that feels both familiar and fresh — supportive, joyful, and deeply rooted in connection.
At the heart of it all is one simple goal: helping campers grow in confidence, independence, and belonging.
Listening First, Then Planning
Listening has always been central to how we do camp.
Camper voices, family feedback, and staff insight all help shape the summer ahead. Winter is when those voices come together and guide our planning in real, tangible ways.
This time allows us to:
- Strengthen activities that build confidence
- Create space for creativity, choice, and curiosity
- Support friendships across ages and sessions
- Balance structure with freedom, fun, and flexibility
Because we take the time to truly listen, families can trust that their campers are seen, heard, and known. It’s one of the reasons so many families return year after year to our girls’ summer camp in Maine.
Winter Is the Perfect Time to Dream About Summer
Even though summer can feel far away in January, winter is the perfect season to imagine what’s ahead.
Whether it’s reminiscing about favorite camp moments, talking through new goals, or daydreaming about trying something new, those conversations keep campers connected to camp long before they arrive.
For returning campers, winter brings anticipation and that familiar I can’t wait to be back feeling. For new families, it’s a chance to picture what a summer filled with friendship, outdoor adventure, and personal growth might look like. Either way, those early dreams help make the transition to camp feel natural and exciting.
From Snowy Paths to Summer Memories
Before long, the snow will melt, the lake will sparkle, and Camp Runoia will once again be filled with laughter, music, and movement.
Winter reminds us just how special that transformation is.
At Camp Runoia, every season has a purpose. Winter is when we reflect, prepare, and dream — so that summer can be everything it’s meant to be.
And as anyone who’s spent a summer on Great Pond knows… the magic is always worth the wait.