Campers Archives - Page 15 of 28

Fall reflections about the summer at camp

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Alex

As we head into the crisp, clear days of fall it is a great time for reflection and contemplation about the past summer at camp. Life in Maine takes on a slower pace at this time of year and we are able to take a few minutes to look back on the great moments that happened over the summer season and to figure out if we need to make any improvements for the upcoming year.

As we connect with parents of returning campers and those potential families that may be joining us next summer, read surveys and talk to staff it is a great opportunity for us to get a variety of feedback. Summer camp is a fleeting season filled to the brim with experiences, relationship building and a myriad of tasks that fill up our ‘fine Maine days.’

Once the chaos of back to school has settled and we are into our more relaxed off season routines mid-October is a perfect time to chat. We love conversations with parents about the changes they have seen since their daughter came home from camp, growth she has made or just the stories she had to tell about her camp experiences. When reach outs about enrollment result in ‘she wouldn’t miss it for the world’ or ‘she would be so mad if I missed out on signing her up’ we are gratified that we produced another great Runoia summer for our girls.

In order to fill those few remaining spaces that are open the fall also allows us time to refine our marketing strategy for the upcoming season . In a world of photo shop and fake news we try to accurately sell the product that is a Runoia summer. We market what we can produce and hope that our happy customers will keep coming back for more. With attention paid to any feedback that helps us to continue striving for excellence, we feel like we can really create an evolving product that stays true to our traditions and camp culture. As we talk to new families not only about the generic benefits of a sleep away summer camp experience we also ask them to reflect on the type of place that would best suit their child. We want our campers to feel like Camp Runoia is truly their home away from home and to be able to meet the goals they may have set themselves for the summer.

While we continue to reach out to our community we also invite you to share your thoughts about Runoia and help our reflections gain substance. We are certain that the summer season of Runoia 2018 will be here before we know it and we are already excited for our 112^th season on Great Pond.

Camp Runoia – beautiful in the changing season

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Alex

We love the changing seasons in Maine and the fall is filled with ‘fine Maine days’ that may start out a little chilly but are typically warm and bright. While it is quiet around camp and the end of season clean-up is coming to an end there is still plenty of rustling in the leaves as the wildlife takes over. Runoia has an abundant supply of oak tress which keep the chipmunks and squirrels scurrying around gathering acorns for the long winter season. Leaves gently fall from the trees and shack porches that are no longer being swept on a regular basis catch the brilliant colors. It looks a little messy around the place as the paths and lawns become buried under the falling leaves and there are no feet treading routes through them. The bell is quiet.

We often lament about the fact that these gorgeous fall days would be perfect for camp. Can you imagine going apple picking and taking a hay ride for trip day and carving pumpkins with your shack? Glenn has certainly raked up plenty of leaves for jumping into which would be great fun. As it is now going dark long before E.P. is over, star gazing would make for a great activity. We would certainly have to bundle up to make it through the chilly evenings and the fire in the Lodge would surely be kept burning. As Halloween approaches there are a myriad of potential costume choices just waiting to be discovered in the drama clothes. The lake is a bit chilly for a swim but perfect for canoeing and kayaking with the foliage reflecting beautifully on the calm, clear water of Great Pond. Oh what fun we could have with our camp friends if summer camp lasted into October.

We hope that whatever your family fall traditions are and whatever the climate is where you live that you are getting outside and having a great time enjoying all the beauty of the season. If you are looking for ideas of fun things to do check out our Fall Favorites Pinterest board!

Simple Pleasures of Camp

Posted on September 27, 2017March 29, 2018 by camprunoia

Recently, I was visiting with a mom and her daughter who are thinking about Runoia for next summer. It was a great conversation with lots of questions, and afterward I replayed some of it in my mind. Something that stuck in my thoughts was one of the words I used to describe Runoia. That word was simple. So, while I have a picture of what that means to me, I realize that “simple” could be heard in many different ways. Our buildings are lovely but are also simple. We dress simply. We aren’t caught up in technology or the latest movie or music. Our days are full but not frantically busy. We’re more in tune to the rhythms of nature. These are all parts of camp being simple in a good way.

Another piece of the simplicity is wrapped up in simple pleasures. These are moments and experiences that are so much more present to us at camp then in the rest of our lives.

Some of these simple pleasures that come to mind are…

…Sunshine sparkling like diamonds on the lake… walking barefoot in the cool, green grass… lemonade… the sounds of raindrops pattering on the roof… the call of the loons… a perfect s’more… singing together… hearing counselors read stories to their campers… the smell of wood smoke… saying goodnight to the girls… a cool breeze from Great Pond… sitting in the shade under a tall tree… joyful laughter… the “thwack” of an arrow hitting the target… sitting cozily by the fire on a cold, wet day… horses grazing in the pasture… a ringing bell helping us keep track of time… morning and afternoon snacks… seeing new friends chatting happily… drifting off to sleep to the night sounds of the forest… playing school-yard games… milk and crackers before bed… picking blueberries… the smell of sawdust in the woodshop… random topics being discussed around the dining hall table… emerald green moss-covered rocks along the shoreline… the tangy scent of balsam on a foggy morning… the hush that falls over camp at rest hour… seeing everyone in uniform on Sundays… the lake turning purple, pink and orange as the sun sets… feeling contentedly tired at the end of a full day… hearing girls say, “I tried something new today”.

There are so many more but I think you get the picture. While each of us will have different simple pleasures on our lists, the pleasures all have something in common. To make the most of such moments takes our time and attention. And Camp Runoia gives you the time and space that is hard to come by the rest of the year, to do just that. Appreciating simple pleasures is a gift for the mind, heart and soul.

Closing Camp for the Season (What do you folks do the rest of the year??)

Posted on September 21, 2017March 29, 2018 by camprunoia

Throughout the 30 years that I’ve been a camp director I am frequently asked, “So what do camp directors do for the REST of the year?”. The short answer is, “This is actually a year round job. There’s actually a lot that needs to be done between seasons”. Well, like what? The list of tasks is long and people aren’t surprised once I point out that, well, just for starters, somebody has to… recruit new campers, check in with families about the summer, staff and plan the ever-better programs for next summer – oh, and close up the site for the winter. It starts as soon as the camp season ends and it continues until campers arrive next summer. (I wish we could say that we just hang out on a beach in the tropics but alas, that’s not to be).

One very important piece of seasonal work that is happening right now is the physical closing up of the camp for the season. So what does closing Camp Runoia involve? Well, typically it starts with a list, a very LONG list, and under each header lurk many detailed items that need careful attention. The main headers look something like this…

Clean all buildings and shutter the cabins
Inventory and pack supplies
Move boats into storage and take down docks
Shut off the water
HORSES

And… there are also three items that aren’t on the written list, but definitely happen throughout this whole process:

Smile at wonderful camp memories
Dream about next summer
Remember that it is only 9 months until campers arrive for 2018

Looking forward to seeing you next summer!!

Making Friendship Bracelets = Building Life Skills?

Posted on September 14, 2017March 29, 2018 by camprunoia

Our Runoia mission is all based in building life long skills and empowering girls to live in harmony with themselves, each other, and nature. We strive to create activities and experiences in all aspects of camp to fulfill this mission. But sometimes our mission just happens organically in really simple ways – for instance by making Friendship Bracelets.

On any given day, you can stroll around Runoia during free time and you will see girls sitting in groups on shack porches, picnic tables or grass. They are focused on several strands of brightly colored embroidery string. This string might be attached to the plastic loop on their water bottle or anchored to their leg with a piece of duct tape. These girls are making Friendship Bracelets. With a quick glance you’ll see their “work” – simple patterns, complex patterns, those that are evenly woven, and those that have a few loose spots here and there. But if you look closely to what is going on beyond the simple act of weaving embroidery string together to create a bracelet, you’ll see life skills being practiced and built. Strange idea but consider this…

Each time a girl makes a Friendship Bracelet she is making decisions – what colors should I use, what pattern am I going to tackle? How about when she makes a mistake – is this a hands-on experience of problem solving and trying again until it comes out right? Or when a girl asks for help or gives coaching to another girl – is this an opportunity for collaborative learning? You bet!

While weaving a bracelet is an individual activity, a very special part of this process at camp is that girls are often talking as they work on their bracelets. Their conversations are far-reaching – sometimes random, sometimes deep – but they are all adding to that special kind of relationship building that happens when you share time together. And of course a Friendship Bracelet is often made for someone else – it is a generous act of giving of your time and effort to say to someone else, “I value you”.

So yes, a whole lot of good is happening when a girl makes a Friendship Bracelet. And of course, it’s really fun to make, give, receive, and wear them!

Fine Maine Days at Camp Runoia

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Alex

An unusual Runoia tradition is the ‘Name Story.’ It has been included in the Log for as many years as we can remember. Although we are not sure of it’s origins and it perhaps comes from a time when campers stayed all summer long it is a fun and sometimes entertaining wrap up of the season. Written to include all of the last names (italics and underlined) of everyone; staff and campers who stayed all season it is a reflection on the summer often with a touch of humor. You have to read it creatively as it makes much more sense when read aloud tonight at Log Night.

The Name Story 2017 – Fine Maine days

It Surrette been a fine summer of warm weather and fun on Great Pond. There had been no need to wear a Parker or Hobbsnail boots and campers had Reavilly had a great time.

Even before Flagg raising Blake and Kirk from the kitchen and some Moremen were out fishing in the cove. Jackson and Giles were too busy with Daza Cocking to be out on the lake. The Dishners were piling up, the Cobb salad needed making and the Bolduc-Jackson caught needed roasting. Leonard couldn’t wait until he was a Friedman so that he too could get out on the lake. He had been Mullen over plans for the day and once the Hamby sliced he was Kiehn to get outdoors.

Owings to the fabulous weather on Saturley the mountain bike class Dresdowed in their helmets was out riding the trails with Frank and Giles when they heard a Krakoff in the woods. While they Cranneled their necks to see what made the noise they Nealy hit a moose! It’s Brown color was hard to see through the trees. It’s Long legs were not so Graceful as it Hren away from them. The campers hurried back to camp and when the Kells Yang they couldn’t wait to Shea the story of their adventure.

Amazingly the health shack had been McNeilly empty all summer with just the occasional Hacking cough, Devciching her spots and a few mysterious Germaine’s. The nurse had some strong Mintz which along with some Clorox wipes were sure to keep everyone healthy. Schmaltzing Matilda had been a great incentive to keep the cabins clean!

Thomson Davis had been working hard all summer helping Glenn with maintenance. The old Radford had been giving them some trouble, could have been the old Cooper pipes in the engine that maybe needed a good McClearning out. They found some cleaning supplies that had been used for the old Smith and Wesson guns and Carthyly used the Reaville- O’Toole to get it running again.

The CIT’s were off doing community service at St Peter’s church in the village clearing out the old church yard. They had Brzozowskied the Marone Cushman and had Parkinsoned it on a Shortlidge so that they could Parry the old broken statue of saint Santos–Pearcy off to be repaired. They Ingramed a few photos showing the Heubergers and Clancy desert that they were served for lunch.

Summer was Nagley over and the the martial arts class were practicing for a Kouyate in the Den for a final presentation. They know Quinnones how to throw some great moves. Dembowski yelled the instructor and the campers all Adritaly moved into the next sequence.

It had been another amazing summer of sleepaway camp at Camp Runoia, we can’t wait for next year!

Camp Runoia session session is rolling!

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Alex

Second session came in with a barrage of giggles, a few dreary rain clouds and an enthusiasm for camp life that we love to see at this point in the summer. Our campers were so ready to get here that the opening day line by the gate was long even before lunch was finished. We love the energy that these girls bring and have quickly helped everyone get settled and engaged with the Runoia routines.

Our new girls already seem like they have been here forever and old and new friendships are strong. The full season girls have bridged the break nicely and had a fun trip out bowling and to the movies to celebrate their first session accomplishments and to skip orientation!

Full season campers had a blast at bowling!

Horses are being ridden, the ski boat is running nonstop, the first overnight wilderness trips head out today, craft and shop projects have been started and everyone is so busy all day long they fall into bed at night for a great sleep. The first couple of days of tag up were a little overwhelming for some girls while others knew exactly what they wanted to choose first. With over 15 choices of classes decision making skills are exercised at every opportunity.

For those of you following our nature updates there has not been a moose sighting in the area for a couple of days now and it seems that the fledgling barred owls finally got their flying feathers. The great blue heron is typically on the beach at dusk when it is quiet around camp. The loons continue their nightly greetings to us as we slip into dreams of the fun we can have tomorrow. We are truly living in harmony with nature at every opportunity.

We are so glad to be here in Harmony Land and know that the next few weeks will fly by; we will ‘maximize our opportunities’ and take advantage of these ‘fine Maine days.’

Attack of the velociraptors at Camp Runoia

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Alex

Saturday night was an interesting one at camp, as dusk fell and Runoia campers headed back to their cabins after milk and crackers the usual evening sounds were disrupted by an unearthly cacophony. Typically the evening is quite and is only punctuated by the calls of loons on the lake or the high pitched call of the osprey on their way to roost.

We felt like we were in a scene from Jurassic Park and were certain a flock of velociraptors were about to descend on the kickball field. We couldn’t imagine what was making the screeching sounds that were echoing around us. Certainly not just one night creature but a whole collection out there in the dark talking to each other in a language we could not understand.

Heading up to the PS, in the now very dusky light I was amazed to see three owls on the big oak tree. It became apparent that they were the producers of the bizarre noises. Bobbing heads and hopping along the branch they were calling to other owls across the field. While it is not unusual to hear one or two owls in the early morning or evening these sounds were new to me.

After some research and discussion it was determined that the owls were fledgling barred owls out for their flying lessons. They were still at it at 4 am but must have eventually figured it out as by the time the sun came up they were all gone and there hasn’t been a repeat performance since. We have been lucky enough to see a mature owl swooping low over senior end and keep our eyes alert in the dusky light on our way down to bed.

Fledgling barred owls make their home at Camp Runoia

At Runoia I am constantly reminded of the Navajo prayer “Now I walk in beauty, beauty is before me, beauty is behind me, above and below me.” We are so lucky to spend our summer in such a beautiful location, embracing all of the natural world that surrounds us.

Minutes and Moments at Camp Runoia

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Pam Cobb

Today is a landmark day at camp. Harmony Land Camp – mini session for our 7 & 8 year olds ended. We all wished them a fond farewell and “See ya next year”. We are 10 days into our summer season and girls have fully arrived at camp. They know their routines and have made connections. There is laughter and song that floats around. We are sharing minutes together and lots of moments, too.

I’m in the Runoia Lodge. It’s free time in camp. Someone is playing the theme song to Dr. Zhivago on the piano. A few girls are discovering blueberries in the bushes. Others are playing gaga-ball together. I see a stream of campers walking up together from the beach from optional recreational “rec” swim. I can hear the bounce of the basketball as campers take shots on the court outside the Lodge.

Part of camp are the activities and part is the community, the connection to a place bigger than yourself. This week, trips went out to the Maine coast, to Saddleback and Umbagog Lake, one camper has passed her American Archer level – the highest rank. Pots are being thrown, baskets made, horses ridden – and some girls went to a horseshow. Swimming lessons are helping girls build skills… YES!

Lots is happening here at camp and yet the essence could be summed up in free time and goodnights. Here are some notes from directors this week as they took a moment to take in the end of the day:

Opening night: “Goodnights” went well tonight. Everyone was happily tucked in their beds.

Day two: All was well in harmony land! 6^th and 7^th were bouncing off walls it was all good and they settled down. Senior Village was respectfully in bed. Yay!

Day 3: Junior End was good. No tears. Special shout out to their counselor who was leading circle up in 3rd shack. She was asking campers about their favorite words and why. They had wonderful words (unique, different, unicorn, imagination, etc.) and their thoughtfulness was sweet. 6th shack was deep in conversation about respect. Counselors did a good job of facilitating the conversation and getting all voices heard. Relationships are building there – between all. Another counselor arrived just as lights were going to go out. She was greeted with much love from these girls. Sweetness.

Day 4: 7th shack was once again loud on my way down to Sr. end. I went to them first to ask them to bring the volume down. They did, but then it went up again, but settled finally. Ocho was smooth and quiet and content. SV was still all circled up and a bit rowdy tonight:) All went to their beds, lights off, good nights, but I could hear giggles and more talking as I headed up the path.

Day 6: Someone in one shack having hard time settling as she misplaced flashlight. We found a solution and all seemed well. Tears have diminished around camp as campers are settlin

g into a nice camp routine.

Day 8: Lots of tired girls last night 🙂 everyone seemed great.

7th shack were having a circle to address some issues. One new girl gave another a big hug before bed which was super cute. SV had some bonding time watching the sunset at the waterfront and were in bed when I left. The moon was lovely 🙂

Day 9: From cabins 5, 6 and 7: Wonderful sharing in Shack 5 from their trip adventures. Anna was sooooo excited for her 13th birthday tomorrow and friends in shack were busy working on poster after lights went out. 6 was just happy and a bit silly. 7 had one party corner, but mostly all settled in. Ocho was quiet, quiet, quiet with many girls already asleep. SV was good. Energetic, chatty and happy, but good. Rae and Emma also in good spirits. In one of the shacks they have devised a memo transport service that is quite amusing. Played “taps” for them and they all cheered – made my heart smile and wonderful way to finish off good nights.

As we journey on into the summer, we look forward to the traditions and the moments. As our friend Niambi says, “Minutes disappear after they happen; Moments last a lifetime.”

Camp Runoia summer 2017 is here!

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Alex

Planes, trains and automobiles – getting to Camp Runoia

It’s almost time for our girls to arrive and we seriously can’t wait to open the gates and start our 111^th season of overnight camping on Great Pond. Our week has been filled with wrapping up staff training, putting the finishing touches to the campus, ordering food and supplies and talking about what makes Runoia special. We have learned songs, practiced schedules and routines and helped each other learn the intricacies of how our community works. A new generation of staff has been amazed at our history, are in awe of the amazing women who came before us and are ready to fill those big shoes.

We know that for our girls it has been a week of packing and repacking, finding lost song books, cramming an extra stuffie into trunks and generally preparing to be away from home for a couple of weeks. Some families have pre camp rituals, a special dinner out or a vacation with everyone before the separation of camp. For others just wrapping up school, camp is an oasis of calm growing ever closer.

Getting everyone here on time and safely is quite the task. Girls will drive up with their family, fly in from faraway places or enjoy fun with friends on the camp bus. They will be met by new friendly faces wearing Runoia shirts and will quickly settle in to their home away from home in Harmony Land.

We cannot wait until we have everyone safely tucked into their camp beds on the first night. When the names on a cabin list become real children the work of the entire year becomes reality.

We are ready to welcome in the 2017 summer season at Runoia may it be filled with adventure, guided challenges, new friendships, great food, long summer days and most of all harmony.