Author: Colleen O'Malley

This season unsurprisingly has us reflecting a lot on gratitude and giving, and I’m particularly amazed by all of the gratitude-worthy camp happenings in the last month. In today’s blog, I want to keep it simple and share some thankful-worthy highlights from Runoia.

CRAO Campership Funds

Perhaps one of my very favorite parts of the year, and certainly of my role at camp, is the honor of sending acceptance letters for CRAO Campership funds to recipient campers’ families. This year, the CRAO has supported 17 campers with tuition and additional riders with lesson funding from the CRAO Pam Cobb Heuberger Campership Riding Fund. The generosity of our CRAO and alumnae directly impact campers and our community by opening our gates to more campers each year.

The CRAO’s generosity and support is annual, and if you are able, we invite you to make a donation to the CRAO to support the camp experience for future campers for years to come. The gratitude expressed in our families’ acceptances of their awards is unparalleled and attributable to gift-makers like you.

Giving Tuesday and Supporting our Community

Yesterday, November 29th, was Giving Tuesday and Runoia stepped out once again to donate directly back to the Maine community. A donation of 200 pairs of new underwear was made on behalf of our campers and community to Maine Needs – a grassroots organization located in Portland, Maine, which focuses its efforts on providing clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities to those ‘starting life over from scratch.’

Did you miss Giving Tuesday this year? It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing – we invite you to donate in your home community, explore Giving Tuesday’s suggestions, or make a charitable donation to the CRAO.

Our Staff 

There is never a time during which we are not grateful for our staff – their form of giving is in time, effort, and love for our community. We are especially grateful to have already hired 60+ staff before December for the 2023 season. We are taking advantage of an early hiring season by already connecting and getting to know one-another from a distance – in some cases, entire oceans away!

But what has me feeling an extra glimmer of gratitude for our staff are the responses I’ve received to our staff social media feature survey. In case you missed it, you can catch a new featured staff member every couple of weeks from now all the way to camp on our Instagram and Facebook pages. I can’t selfishly keep these wholesome responses to myself, so here are some highlights from this survey to leave you with a warmed heart:

“[I’m returning to Runoia because of] Amazing connections at my home away from home.”

“I love working with staff to help them be their best, shape the next possible staff members (CITs), and still get so many opportunities to just have fun with the campers!”

“Great pond and everyone at Runoia have a special place in my heart.”

“I love being able to introduce kids who have little to no experience with horses to an amazing sport and community. I also love seeing the more advanced kids skills grow alongside their confidence as the summer progresses.”

“I love teaching sailing because every summer I get to work with an amazing bunch of campers and staff who love to have fun and are just as passionate about sailing as I am!”

“It is not as scary as it seems, I was super overwhelmed last year and everything felt so new but just trust that it’s going to be epic.”

“I love riding, especially at camp, and I want to help other people learn to love it as much as I do!”

“It looks like such an amazing camp and the staff that I have talked to so far have been so kind and lovely to talk to.”

My hopes are that you have just as much to be grateful for as we do here at Runoia – the happiest and coziest of holiday seasons, full of gratitude and giving, from us to you!

Love,

Ainour

It’s no secret that at Runoia, we like to plan ahead and be prepared for the coming season so that we can be as spontaneous and in-the-moment as possible during summer. With so many of our camper spaces filled by returners and new friends already, we’ve now set our sights on putting together the best staff ever. In just a few weeks, with lots of effort made by Jen and the team, we have over 30 staff members committed to the 2023 season, with more pending! It’s definitely a puzzle each year, so here’s the low-down on staff at Camp Runoia:

Where do our staff come from?

Currently, with just over 30 staff hired and many more to come, we are representing 12 states from within the country, and 5 total countries already. While our international representation looks a little different each year, the flags hanging in the Lodge act as a historical reference of all of the countries every represented at Runoia, by campers or staff. While it’s increasingly rare each year, when a new country is represented by a camper or staff, the flag is added to the Lodge. So far this hiring season, we’re welcoming staff from Mexico, England, Scotland, and Australia! We can’t wait to hear them sing their national anthem to our community on the 4th of July this summer!

Who do we hire?

We focus on hiring people with a child-centered mindset and the flexibility to join us for the summer. Oftentimes, this means college-students, our former CITs and JCs, folks in grad school, teachers or other professionals in education, traveling nurses, and people in-between steps in life. I myself joined the team for what I thought would be just one summer in between undergrad and grad, and well … you know the rest.

What is it like to work a summer at Runoia?

If you really want an inside look at the Runoia staff experience, your best option is to follow our TikTok. We regard our counselors as the hardest workers we know – the job is often challenging and exhausting, but always worth it for the amazing moments and memories made every day. We live “10 for 2” here at Runoia, and we put all of our energy in those 2 months! While the experience could never be captured in just words, here are just a few glimpses of the camp counselor life at Runoia:

• four periods a day of sharing your skills in an activity area you’re passionate about
• guaranteed giggles every day
• finding new best friends amongst fellow staff members
• feeling proud of yourself for rising to challenges, solving problems, and supporting your campers
• applicable skills gained for college, your resume, interviews, and your career
• a summer full of #FMDs – Fine Maine Days – in the New England summer sun
• a chance to let go and be your silliest, most authentic self – and feel good doing it

Where do our staff go?

Our hope every summer is that our staff will have the ability to return for summers on end – and while some do, like our teachers, not everyone has the flexibility. So many of our staff eventually graduate college and succeed in getting an amazing full-time job. Luckily, camp skills are life skills! You might be surprised to know that there’s a camp situation for just about every interview question there is, so whether our counselors become a teacher or an accountant, it doesn’t matter – those skills and experiences are in their back pocket, ready to go.

Do you know someone who would love to join our team?

Tap your favorite college student or teacher on the shoulder and send them our application!

One of the greatest benefits of an unplugged camp experience is the disconnect from social media and the pressures of the ‘outside’ or ‘real’ world. While putting away the tech can be daunting for a new camper, our long-time campers know very well just how freeing putting their phone away can be – that it’s a more-than-fair trade for the friends and experience of camp. Caitlin Jacob, who just finished her 7th summer with her CIT year, wrote the following piece, titled “Summer camps help escape everyday social circles” for her high school paper:

When I’m at home on the weekends, a large amount of my time is spent scrolling through social media. But I’m not on Instagram or TikTok looking at the latest trends or where people spent their summer vacation; instead, I’m looking at Snap Map. In fact, I’d say about an hour of my day is spent seeing where people are, not even necessarily those I’d consider to be my close friends.

I suppose this action stems from my fear of being left out of social gatherings and my resentment towards the feeling of doing nothing. Sometimes, though, I question this routine. After all, why has spying on people’s locations developed into such a large personal pastime ? It’s the times when I don’t have access to my phone, such as at my camp, when I’m truly able to enjoy life and live in the moment.

All too often, people tend to overlook the simple aspects of life experienced when in a remote program, and end up revolving their lives around where others appear to be on social media.

For about seven years, I had been a camper at a small, intimate all girls’ camp in Central Maine. This past summer, I returned once again to be a counselor in training. Whenever I’m there, I feel confident in who I am as a human being. I don’t feel deprived of my phone in the slightest, and am instead able to live in the moment and fully embrace a life that doesn’t involve the actions of others.

I’ll be honest, when the new Staples phone policy first came out I had been extremely frustrated, as my days in a way revolved around the actions of others. Having to put my phone in a small sleeve continuously made me believe I’d be excluded from multiple gatherings, not even knowing.

The more I reflected on this policy, the more I realized that every day when I was at camp I never felt excluded from whatever had happened at home. It was the pure action of not having access to my phone that made my life less “defined” by the actions of others. Maybe if I took a moment to fully embrace a phone and social media free life at home many of my worries regarding my own social life would disappear.

After all, studies have continuously proved that being in a remote location such as a camp does have a positive impact on one’s social skills and confidence. A study conducted by the American Camp Association showed that out of 167 campers, 140 had reported an increase in their social abilities.

Perhaps living a lifestyle not revolving around others’ social lives has overall made me a happier and more confident person, even if only for a couple of months each year. I will be eternally grateful for camp for providing me with an atmosphere free of much of the chaos and drama associated with friendships and friend groups at home.

Thanks, Caitlin, for the testament to the unplugged camp experience, and quelling some of the anxieties of putting our phones away to connect to one another. We hope to see you for another unplugged summer in 2023!

As we opened applications this week for our 2023 CIT program and prepare to open hiring to returning staff, I think our culture of leadership development has been on my mind all week.

During a Zoom call with a new family yesterday, I was asked a question that I loved answering: “what is your favorite thing about Runoia?” I took a moment to think, and realized I could answer in two ways. In a more literal, physical, and tangible way, of course the waterfront and Great Pond are my favorite part of Runoia! But I had another answer – the people, our campers and staff, and the community we’ve built across generations and (literally) more than a century of time. I thought about the irreplaceable people I’ve met and bonds I’ve formed, the weddings of best friends I will attend, and the indelible memories that are a result of time spent at camp.

When I reflect on how this continuity of culture and community has developed and sustained at Runoia, I think of all of the intentional decisions made each summer by our leadership staff. In a meeting with Jen yesterday, she and I pondered how to better help our new staff integrate and feel welcomed immediately upon arrival. Striving for betterment for our camp population every summer is at the core of who we are.

One of the strongest intentions of Runoia which contributes heavily to our community and culture is our commitment to leadership development within our own population. We aspire to help our campers take on more responsibility, leadership, and create moments of mentorship with younger campers in each passing year. By their Senior Village year, our oldest campers are often seen sitting with our HLC campers on their lap at campfire, helping them make decisions in the food line, and passing on their hard-earned skills in classes.

Each year, several of our graduating campers move on to take part in our CIT (Counselor-in-Training) leadership development program the next summer. This program is designed as both a stepping stone to becoming a JC (Junior Counselor) and eventual full-fledged counselor, AND simply to help our long-beloved family members develop as people. In our CIT program, participants:

• Complete workshops on focused topics of leadership
• Assist counselors in program areas and in the cabin and explore areas they’d like to teach in the future
• Gain experience running EPs (evening programs) and campfires
• Plan and orchestrate camp-wide events like the 4th of July
• Choose to train and attempt certifications in JMG (Junior Maine Guide) or Red Cross Lifeguarding
• Experience a bonding trip together and learn about the perspective of a trip leader out of camp
• Earn an archery instruction certification
• Experience a college tour together

All of the above create a summer-long learning experience to develop our CITs as both future counselors and great human beings. This past summer, three of our four 2020 CITs were on staff as counselors, and four of our five 2021 CITs were on staff as JCs. What results is a staff sprinkled with love for camp and certified Runoia experts.

Applications for our hopeful 2023 CITs are open now by request! We can’t wait to see how another wonderful group of CITs shapes up for 2023, and are already thinking about how our youngest campers will one day be there, too.

While our camper attrition is low, we are lucky enough to be able to welcome new families each year in limited spaces. With each sad goodbye to a graduating camper comes a space that opens in our youngest age groups – a subconscious gift from one Runoia gal to another. And those graduating campers are so often welcomed back as CITs, then JCs, and eventually fully-fledged counselors as we watch them grow up in front of our eyes. Just this summer, four of five CITs of summer 2021 joined us as JCs – and we certainly hope to see them return as counselors, just as three of our four 2020 CITs did this year, too.

It’s crazy to think that for many such campers, their Runoia experience began years prior as they settled into a junior end cabin for the first time. Research, camp tours, and plenty of conversations often precede the life-changing decision to walk through the Runoia gates for the first summer of many, and it can be weird to not know what to expect! So, for our new parents, guardians, campers, and family members, let’s get a lay of the land so we know what to expect when you’re expecting a Runoia experience.

The months leading to camp

It can be a long haul between signing up and the big day – especially for families who have built excitement by touring, Zooming with us, and signing up early. If you’ve signed up by early or mid fall, it can be a quiet few months through the holidays, but we are always here as questions come up along the way. In the spring, you can expect communications from us to become more frequent as we fill you in on everything we can think of: food details, options for trips, tricks for packing, information on shipping, help with transportation, any special protocols for the summer, and more!

Preparing for camp

Preparing for camp really comes down to the big three: forms, packing, and transportation. All of your forms and helpful information regarding prep for camp, packing luggage, and transportation will be easily accessible on your Camp in Touch dashboard. Here’s a quick rundown of some key take-aways about preparation for camp:

• Forms are mandatory for attendance at Runoia! Forms include a signed medical form, activity release, health history, and more. It’s not unlike forms for sports and school, and you will get plenty of help and reminders from us.
• We will give you a detailed rundown of packing, but we prefer two big pieces of luggage over many smaller items. Popular choices are hard-sided trunks and large duffels!
• Campers are welcome to have luggage shipped to camp, especially if they are flying! Bedding is available for rent to cut down on the packing volume.
• Campers can come by car, plane, or our camp bus – which stops in NYC and Massachusetts.

During camp

Suddenly the big day is here, you’ve completed the right forms, packed the right things, and set off with the address in your GPS! The rest is cake, right? Well, it can certainly be hard for parents, guardians, and other family members to say their goodbyes for over three weeks. We keep it old-school and truly ‘campy’ for our communication – letters are our love language. From home, families can utilize our Bunk Notes systems to get digital letters to their camper(s) quickly, and campers write letters in return. Another great option is to send a letter ahead of time so that it’s ready for your camper on the first full day. Phone calls aren’t a typical Runoia thing – they are reserved for international campers and birthdays calls! While the communication change can be a big adjustment, we work hard to have qualified and well-trained staff members to support your camper(s), and a great system of communication with families. As a new family, you can expect:

• Trained live-in counselors in the cabin to ensure the physical, mental, and emotional safety of your camper(s).
• Connection with your camper(s)’ HOC (Head of Cabin) – a senior staff member who knows kids and Runoia well – who will update you on your camper(s)’ activities, friends made, and growth at camp!
• Detailed communication with Colleen, who acts as our liaison for new families. New families will have a phone call to talk about their camper(s)’ adjustment to camp and their experience.
• A little bit of homesickness from you camper – which is totally normal and usually short-lived. You’ll soon be receiving letters all about the greatest parts of camp!

After camp

Post-camp can look and feel different for every camper – the experience is unique. Some campers may hop in the car talking a mile a minute, seemingly unable to get all of their amazing stories out fast enough! Others may be experiencing feelings of sadness due to camp ending. Others may be quiet and not quite ready to share. There is no “normal” when it comes to post-camp emotions. Look out in 2023 for a detailed blog on what to expect post-camp and how to help your camper(s) process their feelings!

No matter where you are in your Runoia journey or camp decision process, we hope to see you in 2023!

Oh, here enrollment comes – with fife and drum! Can you believe it?

We are rounding the corner into the last week of September, and today marks the very first day of fall. Though Runoia closed its gates more than a month ago now, today marks a more official goodbye to summer. In Colorado, we are planning ‘leaf peeping’ trips in accordance with peak foliage around the state. This is one of my favorite parts of the year, and yet I can’t help but feel a little ache for the summer days anyway.

The good news: the camp flow never really stops, and we’ve been gearing up for summer 2023 for longer than you can imagine already! September has been a busy month of early registration for our returning families and Alex and I have been watching excitedly as our next summer cabin lists quickly take shape with familiar names.

So, let’s talk enrollment: how it works, when it happens each year, how new families can claim a space, and why HLC (Harmony Land Camp) is the BEST time to get your child’s Camp Runoia experience started.

Enrollment comes around quickly after summer’s end, with early enrollment for new families opening at the end of August. This may seem crazy – with camp ending mere weeks prior, but knowing what our camp community will look like each summer far in advance helps us plan the best for each unique year! Early enrollment means:

• Families with camper(s) who attended the previous summer have the right to first refusal of that space for the full month of September. Returning families will claim that space by applying on our Camp in Touch system and sending their deposit.
• Provided there is space available, siblings of returning campers may also be enrolled during early enrollment.
• Spaces are reserved only within the same session(s) your camper(s) attended the previous summer.

New families are always excitedly welcomed – there is so much joy in adding a new name to our cabin lists knowing that someone is about to have their very first Runoia summer! Here’s what to know about enrollment as a new family:

• The earlier the better – families who get connected early, meet us over Zoom or phone, or come for a tour are more likely to be first in line for available spaces that open on October 1st.
• Interested families should reach out to Colleen or Alex to set up a meet-and-greet Zoom or phone call to get to know camp, ask questions, and be penciled in for space or be placed on our waitlist.
• Taking a look at our dates and rates to get a good sense of what session works best for your family helps you be prepared to enroll!

Now – a not-so-secret insider piece of information: starting with our Harmony Land Camp program is the best way to enroll, introduce your child to Runoia and the camp experience, and secure your space for future summers. Here’s why:

• Since our HLC sessions are our ‘starter camp’ groups, they are the youngest group in camp. Most campers move up the following summer into a junior end cabin, leaving spaces available in all of our HLC options! Since our cabin attrition is so low, this is the easiest group to snag a spot.
• Once you’ve secured your spot, your family will have access to early enrollment each following year for as long as they attend. The hard part is over, and enrollment is a breeze!
• HLC can help your child transition into a new experience and feel more prepared for and positive about enrollment and camp in the future!

Enrollment can be daunting, but we’re here to help! See you October 1st for OPEN ENROLLMENT!

It hasn’t yet been a month since Runoia waved “see you later” to its last camper of the summer, and we already are dreaming of ” take me back to canoes and paddles.” I know this because I myself am drifting toward daydreams of Great Pond, and because we’ve had dozens of campers already sign up for camp 2023!

But rather than back to canoes and paddles, our campers and so many of our staff are back to their books. With Labor Day now past, the last of our campers will be making their way back to school in the next few days while others are already in the groove.

Luckily, so many of our campers and staff also read their way through countless books this summer, and kept their brains active by problem-solving, building social and hard skills, and working up a strong work ethic that will carry them through the next ten months. You might be surprised to realize just how often school skills show up at camp – memorizing lines, measuring for cuts, learning songs. Camp skills are life skills are school skills!

With so many of our campers and staff college-bound, their camp skills will be handy from first search to graduation day. From college essays, choosing a school, or preparing for your first year, camp prepares us for it all. Olivia said it perfectly in 2018: “My experiences at Runoia have come to life so often during my past three years at Colby. I make every effort to engage in outdoor activities, to form deep friendships, and to have confidence in my classes the same way I grew confidence solo skippering for the first time.”

Even for our friends who are not returning to school but may be going back to work or job hunting, camp skills translate uniquely on a resume and in interviews. Campers who move up through our leadership structure to complete our CIT program, a junior-counselor year, and eventually become a counselor will emerge with resume-worthy skills, connections, and countless examples of experiences of hard-work, communication, and collaboration.

Wherever post-camp life takes you this year and beyond, we are confident that your camp skills will help you make it where you want to go!