Category: Camp
Why I love Camp Runoia (and You Will Too!) by Chef
I am “Chef” and I am returning for my fourth year of employment with Camp Runoia and I have to say that the experiences I have had at camp are outstanding.
I am known to the campers and staff as “Chef”. You see, I work as a Chef for the Tri-Deltas at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois throughout the school year and wanted a summer chef job that worked with my summer vacation schedule. I researched and interviewed with several camps all on the East Coast and chose Camp Runoia because the camp had so much to offer and the people running it seemed like genuine people. I am extremely pleased with my choice.
The close relationships I have built with the wonderful staff and campers is unquestionably the main reason I choose to return year after year. I run the kitchen and ensure we have everything we need food, snacks and special occasions for our camp kitchen to run smoothly.
My first year it was a bit overwhelming finding my groove and adjusting to such a higher volume of prep for our amazing salad bar. Eventually I created a system and the prep is efficient. I also enjoy the challenge of preparing meals for our dietary-restricted campers and staff with food allergies and food preferences. I’ve even broadened my creativity learning how to prepare vegetarian options. I honestly get this warm and fuzzy feeling when our campers greet me throughout the day and during meals, “Hey Chef!” or as Pam says, “Good Morning, Chefy”
The traditions and songs that happen in the camp Dining Hall make for delightful times. I think about Camp Runoia often and every time it rains here I think about the Johnny Appleseed grace. I sometimes find myself singing the Birthday and Cake Cheer melody while I am driving.
Our traditional desserts at Camp Runoia have been incorporated into my life outside of camp including Dirty Pudding, Congo Bars– alumnae page, Strawberry-yogurt Pie and more. Peanut Butter Pie is a big hit with the sorority, my family and our beloved campers as well.
I look forward to the day it is time to pack and return to camp. It is an escape from technology giving us all a chance for more face-to-face time and enjoying the joy of living in the outdoors. And let me say the fishing in Belgrade Lakes Maine is awesome. That’s where you’ll find me in my free time.
Camp Runoia staff hiring
At this time of year a large focus of our office time shifts from camper recruitment to staff hiring.
We are literally scouring the globe to find the right people to join the Runoia summer team.
Our returning staff are usually quick to sign back up and then long time camp staffers find us if they are looking for a change from their previous camp. Campers from years gone by often reappear on our radar as they enter the college years and find themselves with a summer available to make a return to Great Pond. Positions quickly fill up as friends and alums also tell people about the opportunities available at Camp Runoia.
Our primary goal with hiring staff is to find the right people for our community. We want them to get to Runoia and feel like they have arrived at their summer home where they fit into the ‘family’. In our experience being happy and content produces peoples best work so having a philosophical alignment with Runoia is essential. Staff having a true passion for working and living with children is crucial; we can easily teach people the policies, procedures and systems. Finding caring young adults that are willing to share their skills with our girls is our focus.
Most of our staff are college age students both from the US and overseas. Many are on a focused career track and are seeking to gain more experience working with children. Camp also provides the opportunity for a new adventure and to see a different part of the world. The connections counselors make with their campers and peers are often long lasting and have great value.
For those that have never attended camp spending a summer in the woods of Maine without their technology can be a harder sell. It is often a challenge to convince students (and their college tuition paying parents!) that camp can provide them with the opportunity to continue developing and honing their 21st century skills. Often colleges are pushing career related internships and work experience that will be a resume builder. It may come as a surprise to find out that camps are often more than happy to accommodate internships and also provide an array of transferable skills that are attractive to employers. Along with hard skills there is a great deal of holistic development gained from a summer at camp. We are happy to help translate these skills developed at camp into tangible resume language Translating-Camp-Employment-To-Your-Resume.
If you think you have what it takes to be part of the Runoia team or know someone who does there is an online application via our website. We can’t wait to meet the summer staff of 2019 our ‘Runoia rock stars.’
The power of camp friendships
Throughout the school year we often get photos from camp families of our Runoia girls getting together outside of camp. The power of camp friendships is very strong and often travels great distances for a hug and to reconnect. Family vacations might be planned around the location of a camp friends home and as girls get older they may head off alone on an adventure to see their camp people.
I recently had a weekend, whirlwind trip to NYC with my 13 year old daughter. We had been planning it for over a year as a camp friend was celebrating her Bat Mitzvah. The girls have been full season campers together since they were small and have a strong bond. Even though they may not typically see each other through the school year their friendship reignites once camp rolls around. It was with much excitement that we planned the journey from Maine, fancy outfits and dress shoes packed as we travelled in snow boots and parkas!
Camp friends made up a large chunk of the kids present at the party. It was amazing to see that our Runoia parents recognized the value of these summer relationships and the importance of sharing non camp special events together. They had made a huge effort to get their girls to NYC. For some it included traveling long distances some of it through a snow storm and also other camp families hosting sleepovers and helping with transportation. The love and joy in the room was palpable, the hugs and bright smiles just continued all afternoon. New memories were made in a radically different venue with heads bent close together in deep conversation, wild dancing on the dance floor and of course sad goodbyes at the end. I often tell prospective parents to make their choice wisely and try and help them to understand that their commitment is not just to the next 5- 8 summers but also to all of the in between times.
Personally it was such a treat to spend non camp, social time with our girls , an added bonus was seeing the younger and older sisters of those invited and of course our awesome camp parents. The Runoia community is truly a large family, we show up for each other and celebrate all that we individually are.
Our Camp Runoia alumnae also love getting together and have spring gatherings coming up. March 31st in Boston and April 7th in DC. It is a great opportunity to share camp stories and fellowship. It really doesn’t matter what years you were at camp or if you even know the other women attending. The spirit of Camp Runoia transcends the generations and the connections, traditions, songs and stories are common to all.
Camp is not only about having amazing summers together on Great Pond, we truly hope that our girls will remain friends long into adulthood and will share many other lifetime experiences and memory making opportunities together. As the Runoia song says ‘camp friends for long days old friends for always.’
Maine the way life should be
So you just dropped the kids off at overnight camp in Maine now what? Three or four weeks with no children to entertain can be liberating. If you are not jetting off to Europe or racing back to work, you may want to enjoy the local area at least for a few days. With the tag line ‘Vacationland’ Maine is the perfect place to be in the summer so why not extend your camp drop off or pick up trip and have a few days of relaxation and vacation time before heading back south.
With a myriad of things to do or not do Maine provides opportunity for everyone, from the outdoor enthusiast to those that love nothing more than a beautiful view and a good book. With places that are great to take the kids and places to just have some quality adult time, Maine really does have it all. Here is a brief snap shot of some of our favorite places to visit.
Local to Camp Runoia
The beautiful and peaceful Belgrade Lakes region has all of the quintessential charm of lake life. Renting a cottage on one of the large and quiet lakes is a perfectly relaxing choice. The village hosts a number of interesting curio type shops and some great food experiences. Days Stores has everything you never knew you needed including Lakeside Scoops Ice Cream. Our friend Shari is always cooking up a storm at Hello Good Pie – it’s not just pie! and the Village Inn is also an excellent dining option. Ranked best public course in Maine and with a world class view the Belgrade Lakes golf course is worth a round. Spend a few days hanging out in the local area and you’ll be feeling relaxed and rejuvenated in no time.
Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park
A little further afield but worth the drive up 95, the bustling coastal town of Bar Harbor is a great place to stay and check Maine’s National Park off your ‘must see’ list. From car camping to deluxe accommodations, hiking to scenic drives there is something for everyone. Acadia’s Mt Cadillac boasts the earliest sunrise in the US and we are pretty fond of biking on the carriage trails around the park.
Portland – Foodie City
If you don’t have time for a long stay and are heading back south as soon as drop off is done at least take time to stop for a bite to eat in Portland. The little city of the east coast has fast become a food haven with so many choices everyone will be happy. Got a little more time? Shop the Old Port, take a stroll at the most photographed lighthouse – the Portland Head Light, take the ferry out to Peaks Island or visit one of the many attractions in town the Victoria Mansion and Museum of Art are always popular.
This is obviously just a few of the spectacular Maine opportunities. Hopefully on the way too and from Camp Runoia you will have time to enjoy our great state. Still need inspiration? We have a Pinterest board for that!
We can’t wait to see you this summer.
Vacation boredom – the art of learning to entertain yourself
Our kids are generally kept very busy with school, sports, extracurricular lessons, homework, play dates and hopefully some family time squeezed in. Their schedules often need a PA and chauffeur to manage them and if there is any free time technology seems to be the quick and easy filler. Free time seems to evoke anxiety and cries of boredom or having absolutely nothing to do.
We just barely survived winter break with very few concrete plans and only some skiing on our ‘to do’ agenda. There was a lot of free, unscheduled time. It seems that life for kids is much easier and time flies by so much faster when every minute is planned for them. Even though the time away from school was much sought after, suddenly hours with nothing to do makes the days seem endless and ‘boring.’
Life doesn’t always have to be planned and goal driven, it is good for our brains and especially for our kids to have space and time to contemplate their next move or in fact to not do much at all. While boredom may generate some negative emotions and in my kids case a bunch of whining and complaining it can result in new motivation and a desire to change track and reengage with tasks that we then gain pleasure from. Boredom can build self-reliance, creativity and self-motivation. Giving kids an opportunity to plan their own day, make their own choices and figure out a strategy to provide for their own happiness is a great skill builder. Check out this NY Times article for more support of letting children experience boredom.
At camp free time is intentionally built into our day so that girls have the space to think about what they would like to do and to fill their own time. There are organized opportunities provided like rec swim or a bracelet making party along with plenty of opportunities for spontaneous play be it in the gaga pit, on the courts or just around the cabin or in the woods. Girls may also choose to hang out in the Lodge and look at the logs, read a book or play a board game with friends. Often they can be found sitting on porches chatting or having fun with friends or visiting a sister or cousin in a different shack. Campers never seem to be bored at camp. They engage with each other, with adults and with their environment and take advantage of the opportunities provided to keep themselves engaged.
We are really doing our children a favor when we let them have the opportunity to get ‘bored,’ maybe we need to schedule boredom in more often during the school year!
Transferable Skills – Why Camp Matters
“It is at camp I found a purpose. It is at camp I felt I belonged. It is at camp I had a passion for learning.” – shared thoughts from an anonymous campers’ campfire talk
As we have learned from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in A Theory of Human Motivation once basic needs are met, people can develop a higher level of functioning. The self-actualization that is allowed at camp after basic needs are met can be astounding. Leadership opportunities abound, recognition for accomplishment, motivation to set higher goals in activities and leadership roles all continue to develop and grow as campers grow with our camp.
The skills gained at camp, ultimately are transferable to other aspects of life including school, work, career, family, exploration, continual learning and more. It’s the perseverance, the patience, the process, the people and the collaboration that adds to the 21stcentury skills. It’s the trying and failing and trying again until you get it or get better that correlates with Dweck’s Growth Mindset.
Campers who experience a spectrum of activities and start to gain skills in a few focused ones (sailing, riding, archery, tennis, art, swimming and also social skills, peer recognition) have the opportunity to continue growth, development, gain recognition, set goals, meet and exceed goals through the hands on experience at camp, the coaching and encouragement and the adults who will help you realize your potential. Campers help other campers gain skills and realize their potential motivates some campers as well – being the teacher to a younger camper can be inspirational. The process itself is inspirational.
Knowing not everything comes easily but try and try again with the support and encouragement of others will build skills campers will carry with them for a lifetime. And, camp is fun in
the process. Yes! Some campers miss home and experience homesick feelings. Discover how time away from home and from parents can help a child to grow to allay your worries with Michael Thompson’s book Homesick and Happy
What a better way to build your child’s growth experience. Check out summer at Camp Runoia and give your daughter the gift that keeps on giving – for a lifetime.
The Value of Unplugging
More and more the catalyst for unplugging from screens and technology comes from adults who see the tendency, or even the addiction, in their children to turn on screens during out of school time. Even children are realizing that their draw to screens is an unhealthy habit.
Camp is a great opportunity to unplug, let go of the technological ties and hone 21st century skills. Not only is the actual unplugging valuable but knowing that you can survive when you put down your phone, tablet or gaming device is valuable to children gaining confidence in unplugging. There is little conflict with detaching as everyone in the community is unplugged. Can you imagine going for weeks without even seeing a smart phone?
Face to Face contact and communication is a wonderful by-product of the unplugged experience, whether it’s working out differences on the gaga court or celebrating achievements on the tennis court or getting to know a new friend through friendly interaction around the cabin. At camp adults and children of all ages have meaningful interactions throughout the day.
There is a plethora of research and scientific studies showing the detriment of too much screen time. School movie screenings of Screenagers is touring the country to help parents help students to navigating the digital world. Additional information in the film about screen habits of escape, anonymous behavior, attention-seeking is also mind bending. Film director Dr. Ruston’s blog helps parents with ongoing education and support in their families including but not limited to addiction, pornography, self-control, ideas for after school activities, conversations on health and mental health, discussion about college and more.
What we know is that Camp Runoia is an organic screen-free zone. After a couple of days of adjustments to not having smart phones campers feel relieved to be unplugged, it is a relief to not have to keep up with social media or group texts and feel present and connected to other people at camp.
Join us today for a summer experience that allows your daughter to drop the phone and find a friend.
Why I work in Maine when I live in Oregon
“Why do you work in Maine when you live in Oregon?” is a question I get fairly often. Between coworkers asking if I’m from somewhere on the East Coast, or if I have family there, or if my mom thinks I’m going to end up moving there, Maine comes up a lot.
If you had asked me a few years ago where Maine was, or the capital, or even if it snows there, I probably would not have been able to tell you. (Yes, I do know these things now.)
I found Runoia when I was looking for a “traditional” camp. The year before I had spent my summer at a day camp with British military kiddos in Germany, and the year before that I had worked at another day camp with kids from the American military in South Korea. After spending a few years in unorthodox camps, I was looking to stay in the US in 2017 (granted Maine is the farthest away from Oregon I could have been).
I had a few ideas of what I was looking for. I wanted a sleepaway camp, I wanted something that worked with my summer break dates since I was still in college, and I wanted a camp that had been open more than 50 years.
Not a very extensive list. I wanted traditions, things that people maybe couldn’t even remember why they started (Pigtail Friday or Hawaiian shirt Monday anybody?)
but were still very present at camp. This was the most important factor to me, since other camps I’ve worked at were relatively new or were still figuring out their own identities. I essentially became a first-time camper myself as I combed through the internet, squirreling out all the information about a camp that I could find.
After the longest weekend ever, I was down from 280 camps across the eastern United States to three that all seemed like good fits. I applied to all three, Runoia being the first one to respond back. I was on the phone with Alex in under 12 hours of applying, and that is not an exaggeration. The second camp and I had a Skype interview, but when I told them I didn’t have a driver’s license they told me I didn’t have a job with them. The third camp and I played phone tag for three days until I gave up on them. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, Runoia sounded great from the phone interview and everything I found online, so the fates had made the decision for me.
And Runoia was great! Driving up to the camp for the first time was just wonderful, and the amount of information and history that I got on day one was more than enough to make sure that I chose the right camp. There were similar elements from other camps that I’ve loved in the past, too, like family style dining, field trips offsite, singing songs, and Runoia seemed like a place I could really invest in. I can’t tell you what specifically got me “hooked” on Runoia. If it was the towering trees or the time by Great Pond, or the expectation that if this is what I could do in my first year, what could I do next year? I was sad, to say the least, when we started to pack camp up. How could it be over already?
After camp I got to spend time back in Oregon with my mom, experiencing what many campers probably feel after camp: being camp-sick. I was trying to decide
if I was going back to Runoia in 2018 and my mom basically laughed at me and said, in my sad state, that I had already made my decision.
In addition to building my own life long skills in basket weaving at Runoia, I continue to work with girls who, I think, really just need their own space and time to find themselves! I know I needed that when I was younger, and I’m glad that I can be someone that kiddos can look up to.
Oh no, now I’m campsick again.
Ruby
The inside scoop on Camp Runoia
As we continue delving into how you find the perfect sleep away camp for your child it is definitely advantageous to get the ‘inside scoop.’ Once you have narrowed down your camp list to your top two choices talking with parents and campers is a great way to figure out which one is the perfect fit for your child. Word of mouth referrals give a real perspective of a camps culture and value. Candid conversations with current parents can help you to get a real feel for the place and the people.
Here’s what some of our 2018 parents had to say about Camp Runoia and why they and their daughter’s love it:
- S’s highlight was water sports, particularly the “dot,” sailing, and tubing. She also loved tennis, archery and riding. She also loved meeting new people, being mixed up at mealtime at different tables. She loved making connections with older campers who had written to her as pen pals a great tradition.
- Being white team captain (and all the other amazing camp experiences!!). As always, she is still talking nonstop about all the fun she had.
- Both our girls seemed to have fully inhabited the physical space of camp. The freedom to do so much good healthy stuff all day long was fantastic. Ropes course and waterfront were much talked about.
She loved all her counselors.
- Her cabin mates, she had a blast and has made incredible lifelong friends. It’s really special we are so grateful.
- She was so excited about sailing. She drew us diagrams and explained all the terminology. She enjoyed all the activities and the girls with whom she shared the experiences.
- For me, it was great fun to see her participating in a sailing major this session. She loved getting to know the girls in her shack.
She came home with more independence with personal care.
- She loved trying all the new activities she wished she would of stayed longer to try all the activities. Definitely was very happy with all the activities she managed to do this summer
- Greatly appreciated the quality of the counselors and their simultaneous focus on girls and readiness to reassure if I was worried.
- Definitely improved her swimming in the 12 days of camp, which we appreciated. She benefited from tennis and riding instruction as well.
The awards and being able to experience different and new activities was very positive. She was very proud of all her awards 🙂
- I am SO impressed with the academic caliber of the counselors. They are obviously intelligent in academics and also have a generous spirit to share with their girls.
- She had a wonderful experience gained independence and increased confidence. As she enters 3rd grade she is really showing a sign of maturity that she hadn’t last year. I do believe it is part from her experience at camp.
- Communication is EXCELLENT in all areas. I am always confident that T is safe, happy and in good hands. Any and all communications have been clear and prompt, whenever we have needed extra help with our girls in particular it has been handled incredibly well.
If you want a copy of our current family reference list so that you can get the inside scoop give us a call 207 495 2228 our parents are happy to chat about why they continue choosing Camp Runoia for their daughter.
