In this week’s blog, we’re tapping in our greatest resource – CR’s returning families and campers – to provide their ‘insider tips’ for our first-time campers this summer.

Coming to overnight camp for the first time is an amazing, exciting, and overwhelming experience. Everything is new, and our first-year campers and families go through a quick learning process from their first phone call, to reading through our family handbook and newsletters, to their pre-camp check-in call, and finally to drop-off day. We do everything we can to prepare our first-time families for this new experience, but nothing can compare to getting all of the insider and unspoken tips and tricks straight from those who have ‘been there, done that!’

So we took to Instagram to ask our families:

“What’s one thing you wish you packed your first year OR isn’t on the packing list, but you consider a must-have at camp?” – here’s what campers and parents had to share:

• Extras for the cabin and your space:
  • “Fairy light, fans, and photos” to decorate your bunk and make it your own
  • “A sleeping pad” to make bedtime a little more comfy and cozy
  • “A mirror, alarm clock, a light, a fan” for your bedside
  • “A camera” – our campers love digital cameras or polaroid cameras – so you can hang up your pictures right away!
  • A 4-summer parent shared that they pack “a surprise gift in her bag with a note from us”

• The ‘must-have’ clothes and accessories:
  • “Costumes/spirit gear!”, “Face paint and temporary tattoos”, and “Something special for July 4th” (for our first-session campers)
    • pro-tip: first-time campers will pick their team in 2024, and will be a Bee or an Ellie for the rest of their Runoia days! Ellies don silver spirit gear, while the Bees sport indigo
  • “A Crazy Creek for sure!”
  • “Don’t forget your rainboots!”

Then, we asked: “What would you say to a first-time camper or parent who is feeling nervous about camp?”

• Our campers shared their insights:
  • “It’s okay and normal to be nervous!”
  • “You forget you were even nervous at all by the time you wake up the first morning!”
  • “It’s the safest place ever!! And making friends is a breeze, they last a lifetime too”
  • “You will find people that feel like family and you can write so many letters!”
  • “Don’t worry! Everyone at camp is so, so nice”
  • “Even 20 years later, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life.”
  • “It’s so very amazing”
  • “You will forget about your family in no time so have fun!”
  • “You’re about to have the best years of your life”
• Our campers’ trusted adults shared their thoughts, too:
  • “Camp goes by so fast so don’t be afraid to be away from your kid/parent”
  • “It’s amazing and the kids adjust very quickly.”

Lastly, we asked folks to share their best tips for when they’re feeling homesick at camp:

• • Go to ‘your place’ at camp: “I go to the barn!”
  • “Find something to do or someone to talk to – don’t just sit in sadness”
  • “Talk to your friends and counselors”
  • “You’ll miss camp when you’re home so enjoy it while you’re there”
  • “It’s ok to cry! Write lots of letters home”
  • Distract yourself – “don’t think of home too much and go have fun with your friends!”
  • “I think – what would you be doing at home that’s more fun than what you’re doing here?!”
  • “Look at the photos you pinned up”

The best thing about Runoia is our community. It’s kind, tight-knit, and full of so many campers and staff who are ready and excited to help you. If you look for helpers at CR, you’ll find them around every corner – special thanks to the helpers who gave amazing tips for first-time campers this summer!

See you soon in Harmonyland,

Aionur