Alex, Author at Camp Runoia

Tomorrow

Posted on June 23, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Tomorrow….

The girls are coming

We will shift to being a child focused community

It will be a fine Maine day

There will be squeals of pure joy

Tomorrow…

We will move around 500 pieces of luggage

The gaga pit will be full

We get milk and crackers

There will be a few tears

Tomorrow…

Is sure to start early and end late

Will be here soon

Is the best day of the year

Is just the beginning

We can’t wait for tomorrow the Magic Makers of 2016 are ready for the magic to arrive!

Our Spanish campers are on the way!

Take a Minute: Camp and the Introverted Child

Posted on June 8, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

This weeks blog is by long time camper and staff member Julia Shenkar.

I’m an introvert.

It means I need a minute. I need a minute to myself. I need a minute to observe what’s going on around me. I need a minute to think through what I’m about to say or do. I need a minute to listen to others. I need a minute to absorb information. I need a minute to identify my needs. I need a minute to get comfortable.

In my adult life, this works out great. I live by myself and I have an office with a door on it, so, whenever I need a minute, I can take one. But what happens at a place like Runoia where there are no doors or solo living situations? What happens when an introverted child needs a minute?

At home, a child may have her own room to retreat to at the end of the day. She can sit and read her book or draw without interruption, and her parents recognize times when she may need to take a step back. At camp, however, this is a little challenging. Living in a cabin with nine or more other girls and no doors between you can come as a culture shock. Camp presents a child with constant stimulation—there is always someone to talk to or somewhere to be or something to do. This is an engaging, special, and unique experience, but it can be completely overwhelming. Especially for first-time campers, a flood of emotions may come pouring out in those first few days of camp as a result of over-stimulation.

Is she homesick? Is she actually sick? Is she mad? Is she not having fun?

Chances are, probably not. The child may just be super overwhelmed and wondering when she’s going to have time to herself – when she’ll be able to take a minute.

In a camp community, there’s going to be a mixture of introverts, extraverts, and ambiverts, and it’ll be a challenge managing everyone. Here are a few ways to help an introverted camper ease in to camp life, straight from a textbook introvert’s mouth:

Recognize her need for space. It’s a counselor’s job to make sure that her campers are getting the most out of the Runoia experience. However, downtime in-between activities and meal times can be a great opportunity to let your introvert do her thing—to take a minute. Shack bonding can be a lot of fun, but make sure that there’s a balance of structured and unstructured free time.
Check-in. Your introverted camper may not want to sit and have an idle conversation with you, but she will value your attention. Simply saying “hello” in passing or asking how her day was can really leave an impression and opens up the door for conversation, if the child is interested. Let her know of activities the cabin may be doing before dinner. “Hey, Anna! A few of us are taking a walk down the nature trail. Do you want to come?” This gives your introvert an option while letting her know that she’s being thought of. Some campers may see an introvert as standoffish, but really she’s just not sure how to involve herself. Letting her know that she is welcome to join in on group activities during downtime is a great way to start building relationships.
Find her strength. It’s redundant, but introverts are really good at what they’re good at. Introverts like to latch on to topics of interest and really dig into the details. They want to learn everything there is to know about the subject of interest and avoid things that aren’t really their speed – an expert vs. a jack of all trades. For me, my strength was sailing. In most other activities, I stood more to the side and let others take the lead because, as an introvert, I am uncomfortable jumping into an activity without making sure I really understand what’s going on. Sailing came naturally to me and, even as an eight year old, I was confident enough to get on a boat and flex my nautical muscles. If you help your introvert identify an activity that they truly excel at, their light can truly shine as they help fellow campers learn new skills and assist counselors in lessons.
Realize that “introversion” and “shyness” are not synonymous. I’ll use myself as a prime example for this. Once I found my niche at camp, you couldn’t tell I was an introvert. As a young girl, it was really difficult for me to hear “oh, she’s just being shy” when I was at large gatherings – especially that first day of camp or at meal times. I wasn’t shy (and I’m still not!); I just didn’t know what to say! I hadn’t established the feel of the group. Once I am able to take the time to step back, take a minute, and observe each and every element of a situation, my personality can start to emerge.

Camp is tricky for an introvert. They usually like smaller groups, but in small groups of people they don’t know, it’s easier to be singled out. At camp, it’s hard to be anonymous—which is what I think a lot of introverts try to do in school. At camp, a child is kind of put on the spot.

But this is what makes camp so special—this blending of different personalities and backgrounds. It’s challenging for everyone the first time around … or the second, and maybe the third! As an extroverted camper, it’s important to recognize that your fellow shack-mate might not want to play “Spit” all the time. As an introvert, you’ve got to understand that there are going to be times where you’ll need to engage. Balance is difficult, but a major key.

Whether you’re an introverted or extroverted member of the Runoia community, we all need to remember that sometimes everyone needs a minute.

Marking time

Posted on May 25, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

There are less than three weeks to go until we move up to camp. I figure I have about 500 items that need labeling with names! Even with my poor math I am pretty sure I am going to have to pull an all-nighter to get it done in time and there is still bound to be a pair of socks that escapes. Thank goodness for the ‘sharpie’ it is a life saver at this time of year. Fortunately with a fairly unusual hyphenated last name just the initials written on a label will suffice.

Marking clothing, shoes, toiletries and pretty much every item that we are taking to camp is always a sign of the passage of time for me. While it is sometimes a little frantic because I have left it until the last minute I know that our summer is just around the corner and the past years’ worth of work will be coming to fruition.

New summer clothes yet to be worn being labelled and packed for camp are a precursor to the fine weather, long summer days and fun we will all be having at Runoia. There is no point packing anything too fancy so those clothes stay home, the old winter stuff that won’t fit in the fall can be handed down and it is a time for reorganizing closets and dressers. The anticipation of knowing the next time you wear those packed clothes will be at camp fills us with anticipation.

So thank you Sanford Ink company “Sharpie” was originally a name designating a permanent marker launched in 1964 by the Sanford Ink Company. The Sharpie also became the first pen-style permanent marker.” I am eternally grateful to not have to be sewing or ironing on labels because really who has time for that?

Happy packing it is almost time to be on Great Pond!

Camp Runoia leadership team

Posted on May 11, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Meet the leaders of the 2016 ‘Magic Makers’ staff team .

Jennifer Dresdow

Hello Camp Runoia 2016! I live in Fort Wayne, IN with my husband, Wes, and my daughter, Natalie, along with our dog, Ein, our cat, The Dude, a cast of hermit crabs, and one of our camp horses, Ditto. August to May, I work at an elementary school organizing all things related to Title I. I also coach an Interscholastic Equestrian Team and teach riding lessons. Natalie has grown into a competent rider and we stay busy all winter competing all over the Midwest.

Natalie and I will be returning to Runoia for our seventh summer this year. The community created each summer by the staff and campers, as well as the beautiful setting, keep us coming back each year. At Runoia, my primary role is Equestrian Director, maintaining our quality of our riding program. I am grateful to be able to share my passion for horses with our campers each summer. I also work with Alex in the program office with scheduling, tag up, transportation, and all the other fun bits and pieces that happen behind the scenes. Looking forward to seeing everyone at camp next month! On opening days, I hope you’ll come visit the horses at the barn and meet the riding team at the Runoia stables!

Jeannie Fleming-Gifford,

Hello Runoia! I am traveling from Cleveland, OH to be part of the Runoia Magic Makers team this summer. I wrote a blog for Runoia about how this all came about! You can see read it here:

I am the Director of Education and Lead Director of a non-profit, arts education organization that engages 1400 students weekly in music, dance, theatre and visual arts. I have a BA in Music (French Horn) and MA in Child Development. I have a love of animals and have been involved in raising guide dog pups for over 10 years. Other passions of mine include running, yoga, creative writing and any other adventures that can be found outside. This summer I look forward to supporting the counselors in the Senior End of camp (cabins 5, 6,7) to be the best they can be at Runoia and to have a good time with your daughter. Additionally, I am the Director of Arts at Runoia supporting the team in all ten art activities including: pottery, crafts, basket weaving, wood burning, stained glass, batik, wood working, photography and theatre! Fortunately there are a lot of returning, seasoned staff who can help me learn the ropes and get up to speed on all things Runoia! I look forward to meeting you on opening days in Senior End!

Alex Jackson

It’s my 21^st summer season at Camp Runoia. There is no place else I would rather be working and raising my family. I work year round hiring staff, developing program and managing many aspects of Camp Runoia. With a dedicated eye to safety I love American Camp Association standards (keeping camp physically and emotionally safe for campers, staff and animals) and developing protocols and operating procedures. Pam and I work year round together running camp and although I work at my home office I get to camp as often as I can. 04918 is my happy place! In my spare time I can be found out and about in Maine, skiing, hiking and enjoying time with my kids. I sing with a local women’s chorus and I am often found volunteering my time for local organizations. At camp I am in charge of the schedules and day to day program operations. When the opportunity arises you will find me teaching at the lake or on the ropes course or wrangling some chickens!

Jai Kells

I am one of the assistant directors at camp. This will be my 5th year working at camp, and my 16th summer at Runoia! During the off-season I am at home with my kids, Molly (7), Sawyer (4.5) and Frannie (4months). I can’t wait to get the whole gang up there in just about 5 weeks! During the summer I help support the oldest camper area called Senior Village. I also oversee the kitchen at Runoia. I’m looking forward to working with our new chef, Leighann Davis, who plans to keep the same menu (don’t worry Runoia foodies!) and only make it better! please email me Jai@runoia.com with any food allergies or concerns. My husband, Jesse, comes up on weekends and integrates himself into camp usually on the basket ball courts, at the waterfront and playing guitar around camp. Last summer Jesse and I received our Lifeguard Training certification so we can be more helpful on the waterfront. In my “free time” I enjoy trying new recipes, exploring vegetarian cooking and cooking for family and friends and doing cross-fit work outs and running, and reading about 4 pages before I fall asleep into my book at night. 😉 I can’t wait to see you soon!

Kelly Sandman

I moved to Maine from Ohio last spring. This will be my third summer at Runoia. This year I have the privilege of teaching stained glass and filling in wherever else I’m needed, as adaptability and facilitation are two of my super powers. I identify as a builder in many forms: woodworking, building construction, sewing, stained glass, etc. I enjoy adventures, sports, and activities of all kinds, including acting in local theater, yoga, cycling, volunteering at a woodworking school where I’m enrolled for a class this fall, and playing badminton (especially with Ted, he’s a ringer). I am ever in search of new adventures and experiences, and I look forward to being a part of everyone’s summer adventure and to you being a part of mine!

Barb St Peter

My name is Barb and this will be my seventh summer at Runioa. The past few summers I have directed the Counselor in Training program and this summer I will be the Head of Junior End where the youngest campers live. My role is to help support counselors to do their job with confidence and enthusiasm! When I am not at camp I work full time in a grade 3-5 special education classroom at an elementary school in Old Town, Maine. I am also taking classes at Husson University to get my teaching certification. In the winter I work at Sugarloaf ski resort both in the fitness center and at The Bag and Kettle restaurant. When I have free time I like to downhill ski and spend time with my two nieces, one is almost four and one just 15 months.

Pam Cobb Heuberger

I am delighted to be working with this amazing Runoia team of administrative staff at Runoia. Their dedication to camp is contagious throughout the staff. Alex and I direct camp year round and many of the administrative team volunteer their time in the off-season to meet, attend conferences and collaborate with us. Runoia couldn’t be the camp it is with all these people PLUS others who aren’t even listed in this intro. Over my 30 years at Runoia, I’ve found people to be at the center of success. Sure, we have great program, quality equipment, safe facilities and more, but the individuals that make up the team are who pushes us from good to great!

My role in the off-season is to connect with new and returning families, support our alumnae group, facilitate long range planning, work with Alex on managing camp business and I oversee all the off season departments of camp. In the summer, I am involved in the daily running of camp and see your daughters every day – many times a day. I love being there when they are smiling and achieving as well as when they need a hug or a chance to problem solve with someone.

I am thrilled to have my daughter, Jai, return for her fifth summer and especially thrilled that she brings my three granddaughters to camp! My husband, Mark, is instrumental in consulting about Camp Runoia’s site and facilities, waterfront programming, tending the fruit trees and gardens. He works as a consultant in the Enviromental and Safety industry and attempts to free up his summer for camp whenever possible. During camp Mark loves to see the girls grow over the time they are at camp. The past two summers he has supervised the waterfront at Runoia and prior to that the sailing and waterski programs. Mark has trained his replacements and will be checking with them periodically this summer to uphold his standards of quality and excellence! Together, we are thrilled to greet you on opening days and welcome you and your daughters to our 110^th continuous summer of Camp Runoia!

New camp experience

Posted on April 27, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

CISV – Maine mini camp

This past weekend I took my daughter and her friend on a new adventure. We joined a mini camp weekend in the beautiful Acadia National Park with an organization called CISV. Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of them but found out about their programs while interviewing a prospective counselor.

“CISV is a charitable, independent, non-political, volunteer organization promoting peace education and cross-cultural friendship.” Their mission of promoting peace through international friendship really spoke to me so off we went to their Maine mini camp.

It is always interesting to join a group of people many of whom already have established relationships and I really didn’t have much sense of what I was getting us into. I had also volunteered to act as a chaperone without reading the fine print!

The topics were lofty but presented in a camp kind of way through fun activities. It was amazing to have engaging conversations with children and young people who were passionate about making a difference in the world. They spoke eloquently about global warming, resource misuse by developed countries and destruction of the earth the only planet that we can currently live on. Many of the kids were heading overseas this summer or to camps in the US that will welcome international campers. They were eager to explore the world and make friends with people who are not like them at all.

It was a great reminder to me of how children see the world much differently than adults. Their simplistic view was that if you take action as an individual it will create change. The small steps that we take to make change in our own communities can truly make a difference. At Camp Runoia we welcome campers and staff from many different places and celebrate the differences that we have. We also aim to promote resource management and treading lightly on the earth. Spending time with like-minded people who recognize and appreciate that we are all a part of the global community was inspiring and energizing.

Dreaming of Camp Runoia

Posted on April 14, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Dreaming of Camp –

By new camper Ella G, age 9 & Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

I am super excited to go to camp,

It sounds like a lot of fun.

There is a lake for swimming and plenty of time to just play in the sun.

I can’t wait to try so many new activities.

Things I have never done before.

I can’t wait to meet new friends,

from all over the world we will explore.

Bunking with those my age, we’ll make friendships that will last for years.

At the end of the summer I may cry, but I’ll smile through my tears.

Water skiing, swimming, ceramics, archery, sailing…so many new things to try.

I will reach inside for confidence instead of feeling like I would hide.

With support around me, there is no telling what I may do, or who I will become as I explore someplace new.

Campfires, telling stories and singing,

This is how we connect.

And I can’t wait to see my cabin…

I wonder if the top or bottom bunk will be mine?

Whatever it is, I’ll snuggle at night as we share stories and songs.

And dream of the tomorrows

Where more adventure and fun awaits…

At ole camp Runoia.

Risk taking

Posted on March 30, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

This week I took a giant risk for my family. It was a spur of the moment decision forced by a series of events that led me to take the leap. I briefly weighed the pros and cons and decided that there was nothing to lose so I forged ahead. If it works out there will be a few major obstacles to overcome but the rewards will be worth it, if nothing comes of it then life will continue as it currently does and truly other than about $40 nothing will have been lost.

Risk taking is part of human nature, as a species we enjoy learning from our own experiences and living in the moments when we are challenging ourselves. Taking risks is something we all do every day, some risks are measured and undertaken with great clarity and hope of a positive end result others are more reckless and can lead to potentially negative consequences. Being able to judge the difference is a critical life skill.

As an adult my previous risk taking history helped me to gauge whether or not this current risk is worth talking. Fortunately children have adults to guide them in their choices and steer them from choices that would result in disaster. It is advantageous to their development if we are able to provide our children with the opportunity to take measured risks. Children benefit from challenging themselves and their own decision making. Much is learned by trying and succeeding but we also learn from trying and failing.

Camp provides endless opportunity for safe risk taking in both emotional and physical forums. You can reach out to a new friend, literally take the ‘Leap of Absolute Faith’ on the ropes course intentionally capsize your boat to practice your own self rescue skills, try new food, act in a play, try to reach the top of a mountain and so the list goes on.

Our campers at Runoia are encouraged to take on new challenges and are of course fully supported by caring adults, safety procedures and a community that is looking out for them. Through their adventures at overnight camp girls can gain life skills. The decision making processes that they develop will help them to weigh the pros and cons of future risks that will inevitably challenge them.

Overnight camp is a risk worth taking.

Camp ready or not?

Posted on March 16, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Can you believe my son will be 9 this summer and to the shock of many of my camp colleagues he will not be heading off to overnight camp. There are no shortage of options and many boys camp directors ready to welcome him through their gate but he just isn’t ready. I am honestly not even sure that camp is ever going to be his thing only time will tell. He feels like his summer is already perfect why would he want anything different? We spend the school year challenging the routine and structure of school so ‘camp’ to him is his time to chill out and free range.

I committed a long time ago to not forcing my children to be campers just because it was my job. My oldest daughter did a variety of programs most in NYC and she ended up on staff at a dance camp located on a ritzy college campus about as far from the Maine woods as you can get! My youngest daughter can’t wait to be full summer in a cabin at Runoia. She is definitely ready and excited for this next step. As for Ri you’ll find him digging in mud puddles, picking blue berries, building sandcastles and living life to the max at ‘his’ camp.

This year at Runoia we are excited to introduce Harmony Land Camp. It is a shorter, self-contained program to give some girls the opportunity to try camp life and being away from home. As we know kids grow and develop at all different speeds and they are camp ‘ready’ at their own time. Helping parents figure out if it is their daughter’s camp time is something that we love to do.

We still have a few openings for the 2016 season so if you are pondering camp for your daughter give us a call.

Camp Runoia vs Law School

Posted on March 2, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

When I submitted my law school applications, I was 19 years old. I say that as if it were a long time ago, but it was really only two months ago. Since then I have been accepted to all of the schools that I applied to and life seems to have calmed down a little bit.

As a senior in college right now I am preparing to walk across a stage in May and receive a very expensive and important piece of paper. I look at my life and this is what I see: a national competition mock trial team that I built and helped grow, a job as an RA in one of the residence halls on my campus, a position in the admissions office that allows me to interact with prospective students, three law school acceptances, and so much more!

I am often asked by prospective students and underclassmen how I got to where I am today. I find that my answer is always the same. It is my adventurous spirit, my dedication to others, and my fearlessness that have led to my success.

These three things have proven to be my most valuable assets in achieving both academically and in life. But I didn’t just stumble upon these one day, they did not just appear,… they were developed at Camp Runoia, of all places. When I was younger, I didn’t go to a sleep away camp much, but I am approaching my third summer at Runoia and I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today were it not for my time in Harmony Land. It is at Runoia that my spirit is its most adventurous. It is at Runoia that I am reminded every minute of every day about the importance of selflessness, friendship and service. It is at Runoia that I stopped being self-conscious and afraid of being judged and became a person that I am proud of.

Thanks to third year staffer Allee Von Stackelberg for this weeks blog.

We love guest bloggers send us your submission to blog@runoia.com

Traditional books

Posted on February 18, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Reading aloud, a classic Runoia tradition

At camp we love the tradition of reading a book out loud to campers at night in the shacks before lights out. I am sure that like it is at Runoia, story time is a revered part of the day in many homes. As my children have aged the density of the books and length of reading time has significantly increased. What was once a pile of picture books that took maybe 5-10 minutes to read through is now at least a 30 minute sojourn into a hefty novel.

Even with kids of different ages and interests we often hit on a book that everyone wants to listen to. After finding a pile of old Nancy Drew books in the Runoia library we have recently traveled down a path of reading older children’s literature. This not not only stimulates our imaginations as we read about places far beyond out imaginations but these books also generate many interesting conversations about life for children in ‘the olden days.’

Here are some of our recent favorites with our ‘what were they thinking observations and questions?!’

Enid Blyton was a favorite author of my childhood. We had these books shipped over from England so that my kids could enjoy them too.

“I mean really Mum, like you would let us go traipsing all over the countryside with just a basket of sandwiches.” “You probably shouldn’t climb giant trees without telling your parents what you are up to”

“Mum if we were gone for a whole day and had just vanished you’d call the police right?”

“Wow there is no chance I’d be traveling on a boat by myself from India to New York if I were only 12 years old!”

“I think if I went adventuring I certainly wouldn’t be wearing a pretty dress. She really should wear jeans.”

We would love to know what you are reading. We will be looking for suggestions for the Runoia summer book club in the Spring.

Enjoy curling up with a good book and don’t forget to make it more fun by reading aloud with your family or friends. You never know how it will stimulate conversations and your own imaginations.