Author: camprunoia

Admiration for Our Young People of Today

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We live in complex and challenging times. But something happened in the last month that has given me hope for a saner, safer world: the Never Again movement that was born out of the Parkland, FL school shooting. What makes me hopeful is young people are leading this effort. They took it upon themselves to work together and take action on their convictions.

These teens took their grief, fear, and disillusionment and channeled it into action. They brought their courage, commitment, and resiliency to bear in speaking out with passion and conviction about the changes they want to see in the world. They are using their remarkable organizational skills to plan meetings with officials and media, holding rallies, and mobilizing walkouts. Most recently they spearheaded the “March For Our Lives” in more than 800 cities across the country. They have used their expertise with social media to communicate with peers around the world, inviting them to join this call to action. They have demonstrated their training in debate and public speaking, and the importance of having a clear and compelling message articulated with confidence and passion. They have shown gratitude to their teachers in their lives who have helped prepare them for this work. They are acting today and planning for tomorrow as they partner with adults, learn about the process of making change, and advocate for young people to register to vote and be a part of the democratic process. As Rebecca Schneid, a sixteen-year-old Parkland survivor said, “We understand that this is a marathon and that we’ll be fighting for years. We’re just getting started. Now we have to use our rights as voters to make things change.” It is amazing that these young people have done all of this in six weeks time and in a non-violent way.

There have been several articles comparing the Never Again movement to the Civil Rights movement in the ‘60s. Among the many similarities, this is a movement that has a groundswell of young people, committed to making the world a better place. I have not heard the words of Martin Luther King used, but I have to believe that the sentiment; “I have a dream…” rings true for this cause.

John F. Kennedy said, “We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through the darkness to a safe and sane future.” The young people of Parkland have lit the candle. I respect and admire them and I am hopeful that they will help us not only to have safer schools today, but to create a safer world for all of us and future generations. I wonder where this experience will lead them in their adult life.

Spring Has Sprung – Or So Says The Calendar!

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Spring has sprung – or so says the calendar with the Spring Equinox occurring on March 20th. Equinoxes occur twice a year, in March and September, to mark the onset of spring and autumn. During an equinox, which in Latin translates to “equal night,” both day and night are the same in length. Now the days will become longer in our part of the world with earlier sunrises and sunsets. But just because we are officially in spring doesn’t mean that it is spring-like yet. Those of us in the northeast will attest to that as we prepare for the 4th Nor’easter in three weeks! The ground is snow covered with huge piles, lakes have refrozen after earlier thaws, and the trees look as dormant as they do in January. However, changes are happening.

Typically, late winter/early spring sees the preparation for maple sugaring season when the landscape becomes dotted with iconic metal sap buckets hung on trees, as well as the more modern bright rubber tubing and large sap collection vats. This year the collection season in New England had an early start in many areas with a thaw at the end of January and into February. Then winter roared back in, and now maple syrup producers are hoping for a second stretch of classic sugaring weather with days in the low 40s and nights below freezing, and before trees start producing buds and the maple season ends. It’s not too late to check out maple sugar houses and treat yourself to some “sugar on snow”.

Mating and nesting season has already begun for some of our wonderful birds. Last night, as I looked out over our snow-covered forest, I heard a Barred Owl concert of the familiar “Whooo cooks for you” call. Then this morning I was greeted by the mournful, soft cooing of the Mourning Dove. The birds are not alone, many of our common mammals are coming out of their dormant or less active winter state, to start their spring mating as well. The squirrels and chipmunks have been wildly chasing around in the trees, across our roof, and even taking sledding runs on the snowbanks around our driveway. The current snow is a benefit to picking out animal signs like the tracks of porcupine, fox, and fishers as they become more active as the days grow longer. Even with the winter-like weather, the spring awakening of the natural world is happening.

Perhaps one of those signs that reminds me in such a simple way that warm days are coming is when I park my car in a sunny spot. Even if the outside temperature is cold, the stronger, higher angle of sunshine warms up the inside of the car, and now when I get in, instead of mid-winter frigid, it can be downright toasty. Yep, it may not look like it, but spring has arrived.

 

 

Growth Mindset and The Power of Yet

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This past week, a group of Runoia staff attended the American Camp Association New England Conference. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn and network with camp professionals who all share the core belief in the positive power of the camp experience. It can be interesting telling people you are going to a camp conference. I have been asked if the sessions are mostly things like firebuilding, songleading, and crafts. Indeed, they are not. While there are some workshops for counselors focused in hard skills that they use in their day-to-day work at camp, our young leaders can hear from many presenters about behavior management, learning styles, leadership, and communication skills. For directors, topics include risk management, systems thinking, best business practices, youth development, human resources, marketing, and more. So many interesting choices all geared to helping camp professionals do their best work.

I went to many great workshops and one I found particularly compelling and affirming, titled, “Motivating Campers with a growth mindset: What psychology research tells us about inspiration” presented by Andrew Watson. Andrew is a teacher, speaker, and “camp guy” who earned his undergraduate and graduate degree from Harvard. His specialty is connecting brain research to the work that is done in schools and camps and has published a well-regarded book, Learning Begins. In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for success. Andrew spoke about how camp is a perfect place to nurture a growth mindset as it’s an environment that is supportive of children moving out of their comfort zones, trying new things, making mistakes, and being excited about getting better at something. Camp is a place where “The Power of Yet” exists so instead of children taking a “I can’t do this” stance, they can develop the orientation of, “I can’t do this YET”.

Our girls have the opportunity every day to practice growth mindset and we see the power of YET happening whether it is in archery, swimming, riding or whatever experience a girl wants to learn and master. I encourage us all to actively add “yet” to our outlook on the world – just imagine all the things we can learn!

 

 

Grit – An Irritant or Highly Desirable?

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Grit is an interesting word. The first definition in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is: “small, loose particles of stone or sand”. In this context, grit is usually considered an irritant and is not something we welcome in our eyes or in our shoes. The second definition describes something very different. “a firmness of mind or spirit, unyielding courage in the face of hardship.” In recent years, the term grit has become the buzzword as a highly desirable characteristic for young people entering top educational institutions, sports teams, and employment. Grit is the popular way of describing determination, bravery, resolve, and tenacity, in short, the perseverance to keep working toward a goal even when it is hard. Recently, I heard another word associated with grit, passion. I can see how they are connected because to really WANT to keep going, you have to truly care about your goal.

Throughout history, camps have placed a high value on grit and the process of practicing and building the belief in young people of “I can do hard things”. It’s not easy work to be gritty. It takes desire; the ability to ask for support and the willingness to learn; and the understanding that it’s ok to not succeed the first time and the confidence to try again. It helps to have supportive adults and peers that can encourage, coach, and celebrate successes. It also helps to have lots of opportunities to practice grit and camp has more than you can count.

Obvious practice ground is in our program. The chance to try something and work toward mastery is a part of every Camp Runoia activity. Another time grit is present is when it is wrapped up in a emotional challenge – a bit less tangible than succeeding in archery or riding., but oh so powerful. Last summer there was a girl who was very homesick but she wanted to love camp. Instead of going home or staying in camp unhappily, she drew on her courage and resolve to make friends and enjoy the fun. She discovered the duality that she could both miss her family, but also love camp. This fall she was concerned about being homesick again if she came back for another summer, but in the end, she decided to take that chance. This young girl has learned that she can do hard things, so even if she is homesick at some point she knows she has what it takes to get through it. This is grit.

The Common Loon – Iconic Maine Wildlife

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The Common Loon with its striking silhouette, black and white spotted plumage, and red eyes is one of the most iconic wildlife images of Maine. Due to the size and clarity of Great Pond we are fortunate to be the home of nesting loons throughout the summer months. These majestic birds delight us daily with their swimming antics, diving and popping up some distance away, and their distinctive and haunting calls.

They are fascinating birds with many unique characteristics:

  • Loons are amazing swimmers and divers – they look a bit like submarines. Their solid bones make them less buoyant, and they can quickly expel air from their lungs and flatten their feathers to achieve great distances and depth in the water. 10-60 seconds underwater is typical, but can extend to three minutes or more.
  • As graceful and efficient as Loons are on the water, they are awkward walkers on land. Their legs are very far back on their bodies which leads to stumbling and pushing themselves on their bellies. Their land time is limited to mating and incubating their eggs in the nests on the water’s edge.
  • Loons are like airplanes. They need a long runway, at least 30 yards of open water “running”, to take off. Once airborne, they can fly at speeds of up to 70 mph.
  • Fish are a favorite food and a hungry family of four can eat about a half a ton of fish over 4 months.
  • Loons usually mate for life and raise their chicks together. It’s not uncommon to see their babies riding on their backs for the first week after hatching to protect them from predators.
  • Open water is a must, so Loons migrate, often spending winters in the ocean. At that point their plumage changes from black and white to gray, and their eyes turn from red to gray.
  • Loons have four distinct calls: tremolo, wail, yodel and hoot. These are used in courtship and territorial disputes, communication between pairs and offspring, and among flock members, and to signal danger.

We are so lucky to share Great Pond with our Loons!

Building Lifelong Skills – CIT Program at Camp Runoia

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Being a CIT (Counselor-in-Training) is not just another year at camp – it’s the opportunity to develop and refine some of the life skills that universities and employers value most in their students and employees. Studies show that the most sought-after students and employees are those with strong 21st Century skills and experience in teamwork, problem solving and creativity, organization, decision making, leadership, communication, perseverance, and positions of responsibility.

Top Reasons To Be A CIT

  • Stepping into leadership roles in camp including planning and executing special events and learning and practicing teaching skills through hands-on experiences and feedback
  • Training in group dynamics, risk management, youth development, communication, behavior management
  • Immersion in the skills of problem solving, decision making, organization, goal setting, creativity, and flexibility.
  • Serving as a role model and leader of younger campers
  • Working collaboratively as a team to accomplish goals
  • Community service
  • Honing activity skills and participating in certification programs in Junior Maine Guide, Lifeguarding and Archery
  • Developing confidence and skill in public speaking

Even in these cold days of January we are busy preparing for, and dreaming about, the coming summer. We love having your girls at camp and seeing them graduate from their camper years. When they pass this milestone, we invite you to consider the next chapter of Runoia for your daughters. We know that there are many opportunities for them during the summers of their high school years… community service trips, immersion learning programs, sports camps, family experiences, jobs, and just plain fun. Our CIT program is another amazing opportunity for girls to grow, develop, add to their “resume”, and experience a fun, intensive leadership training program. We would love to have them join us as CITs.

Unplugged – Camp Can Help

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Happy New Year one and all! It’s the time for reflection on the past year and a looking ahead to the next. For many, it is a time to make resolutions… exercise more, lose weight, and the one I have most heard this year, is “unplug more”. I’ve been thinking about what it means to unplug, and found myself remembering when “unplugged” was not in our everyday vocabulary. Now I am not OLD but I am older, and I remember well how different life was 10, 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Perhaps you remember some of these things too…

Waiting your turn for the home phone to call your “besties” and hearing the dreaded busy signal (no call-waiting) or no answer and no voicemail. Now we connect to anyone or multiple people in any place and at any time.

Taking pen to little scraps of paper in school to write notes to my best buds and figuring out all sorts of tricky ways to pass them. No texting, snapchatting, Instagram, etc.

Waiting with great anticipation for next week’s episode of my favorite TV show instead of binge watching a whole season in one weekend.

Talking with friends face to face, playing games, listening to music together, goofing around, and just generally, “being”.

Being in nature, whether a walk on the beach, a hike in the woods, or a paddle on a lake, and the “music” was the waves, wind, and bird calls.

“Plugging in” is not bad – it’s wonderful to be able to connect with friends and family so easily and I do enjoy some binge watching, but it can dominate us unless we intentionally keep things in balance. Camp can be an enforced and welcome balancing force. As a director, I do need to be “plugged in” at times each day, but it’s just as important for me to leave the screen and go out and play and talk with girls and counselors in our beautiful natural environment. Unplugging is just one of the gifts of camp but it is one that girls benefit from so much and most of them end up loving the experience. Catherine Steiner Adair, a Maine camp alumna, a researcher, writer and leader in the field of girl’s development has written extensively about technology and the value of unplugging for girls and families in today’s world. It’s well worth a read.

 

Camp Begins its Long Winter’s Rest

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Camp is settling in for its long winter’s rest. It’s quite beautiful though different, to walk the land now. The dried grass sparkles with frost in the sunlight. Most of the trees are bare, with the exception of the Oaks who hold their dead leaves until into the winter. All the trees have settled into their resting time. To survive the cold, they have become “dormant”, a significant slowing of their growth and energy consumption. The gift of the leafless trees is seeing so many birds’ nests that were hidden in the canopy all summer. Our beautiful ferns, which are so prolific during the warmer months, have died back showing just their short brown stalks topped by seedpods. There are places on the paths where you can see ice crystals pushing their way above the surface as the annual ground freeze begins. The lake is still open water but it has undergone its “turnover”, when the warmer oxygen-filled surface layer, cools and sinks to the bottom. This begins the vital process of re-oxygenating and bringing nutrients to the deep cold water. Soon the lake will freeze, and everything underneath will rest.

 

Animals are also preparing for the winter. The porcupine that was seen in the Apple Tree field is active in the winter but has fattened up and grown a thicker under-layer of fur. Even the porcupines’ quills help to insulate them from the cold and wind, so you might just see a porcupine at this time of year. You won’t see our woodchucks – they are true hibernators, and you won’t hear our Loons as they have migrated to the open water of the ocean. However, one animal you will see scurrying about through winter, are the squirrels. They’ve had a banner year storing up caches of one their favorite foods – acorns from all of our Oak trees.

 

Soon the snow will cover the land, and then the long winter’s rest will truly begin.

 

 

 

Heart of Camp ~ Counselors and Staff

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I have been so fortunate to do my life’s work as a camp director for over 30 years. I have had the deep satisfaction and joy of sharing the lives of thousands of children as they have grown into such fine adults. I have been honored to be welcomed by families as a partner in their parenting. I have worked with so many fine counselors. I have lived, worked and played in the beautiful out-of-doors while learning so much about myself. And I have had so much fun!

All of these experiences have been connected completely to the heart of camp – the counselors and staff. Each summer we bring together a group of young, and not-so-young women and men to work with our girls. They come from different parts of the world with diverse life experiences. The reasons they come to camp are many. Some have grown up in camp and often cite that they want to give back to the community that has given them so much. New staff members are excited about teaching skills, working with children, being outdoors, making friends, etc. etc.

For whatever reason they come, they soon realize that it is a job working 24-hour days, 7-days a week that requires being a friend, coach, mentor, big sister, role model, and parent all rolled into one. Counselors need to employ skills in decision making, problem solving, motivational speaking, organization, refereeing, group management, interpersonal dynamics, safety awareness, creativity, time management, teaching, care taking, sensitivity, empathy, and flexibility. They set aside much of their own lives – friends, family, hobbies, social life, work, school – to take on this responsibility. They demonstrate amazing commitment every day as they give so much of themselves to create a magical experience for girls.

We know that are counselors and staff could choose to do so many other things with their summers, and we are so grateful they choose to be with us at camp. These fine people truly are the heart of camp.

 

 

 

With Gratitude for our Girls and Families

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Greetings from Camp Runoia!

The month of November is often associated with gratitude. Like so many, we find ourselves thinking about people, places and things we are grateful for, and we are grateful for you ~ our parents, families and girls that make Runoia the special place it is for all of us.  A “summer camp” is really just some land and buildings until you add the special ingredient… people. We know there are so many ways a girl can spend her summer, and we feel fortunate that you value the camp experience enough to choose Runoia for your daughter. We also appreciate that it can be a bit “nervous-making” to entrust your child to others. We are honored that you have chosen us and trust us to care for your daughter while she is with us in the summer.

We take this trust very seriously and strive to hire the type of counselors that will serve as positive adult role models as they teach, mentor, care for, and have fun with your daughter. We will do our best to create an environment where girls can discover themselves, make positive choices, develop life skills, create deep friendships, have joyous fun, and create memories that will last throughout their lives. We are very lucky to do this special work of camp.

We are so excited that so many girls have already re-enrolled for 2018. Perhaps you know a girl that would be a perfect addition to our community? We do still have a few spots available in all of our sessions, so please share your stories of the Runoia experience with your friends. Camp is a wonderful gift to share.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and many thanks again for being a part of our Runoia family!

Best wishes,

T