Jen Dahnert speaks about the value of camp and camperships.

Camp Runoia Alumnae Organization: In A Nutshell

In 1987, a small group of Runoia alums formed the Camp Runoia Alumnae Organization and successfully applied to the I.R.S. for tax-exempt status. Since then, CRAO has operated as a separate charitable organization (501(c)(3)) whose primary purpose is “to provide former campers and camp supporters with the opportunity to donate money for scholarships for potential campers unable to pay full tuition.”

During its first ten years, through annual donations, CRAO helped provide “camperships,” as they became known, for a modest number of girls and their families. In the Spring of 1999, CRAO got a huge boost when the Cobb family donated the proceeds from the sale of a small waterfront lot near Echo Cove on Great Pond to the organization. This generous contribution seeded an endowment fund, and greatly increased the CRAO’s capacity to support camperships. Managing and growing the fund, which was later named the Betty Cobb Memorial Campership Fund to honor Betty Cobb, who with her husband Phil, directed Camp Runoia from 1959 to 1985, has been the focus of the CRAO’s efforts ever since.

Through continuous fund raising, careful stewardship, and prudent management, the fund has realized significant growth over the past twenty years. Since it was established, hundreds of campers have benefitted from over $600,000 in tuition assistance given by CRAO to Runoia to help offset families’ tuition obligations.

The CRAO’s annual donations to Runoia make a profound difference in the lives of girls who benefit from them — girls who dream of summer camp all winter long and whose formative Runoia experiences remain with them for a lifetime. Please consider becoming one of CRAO’s regular supporters with a tax-deductible gift, and help us provide young girls with a life-changing summer at Runoia.