Counselors Archives - Page 14 of 20

Dreaming of Camp Runoia

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

Dreaming of Camp –

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

I am super excited to go to camp,

It sounds like a lot of fun.

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

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

Things I have never done before.

I can’t wait to meet new friends,

from all over the world we will explore.

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

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

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

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

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

Campfires, telling stories and singing,

This is how we connect.

And I can’t wait to see my cabin…

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

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

And dream of the tomorrows

Where more adventure and fun awaits…

At ole camp Runoia.

Risk taking

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overnight camp is a risk worth taking.

Camp Runoia vs Law School

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Traditional books

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

Reading aloud, a classic Runoia tradition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camp Runoia community partnerships in action

Posted on February 4, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Our Community Partnerships

We are very lucky to have in our local area some great organizations that fit well with Camp Runoia’s mission and philosophy. These local groups are always willing to support our camp program and share their expertise and knowledge with our staff and campers. There are many benefits to be gained by enhancing our regular camp program utilizing local expertise.

Through the Maine Lakes Resource Center in Belgrade Lakes we have had the benefit of nature experts on our local area hikes. They also provide educators to talk about Maine’s natural history and provide some great Chewonki animal presentations that our younger campers attend. It is a great place to stop by if you are in town.

The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance provides us with access to a great deal of local land in conservation easement. With a focus on water quality and watershed protection we are happy to learn from them about preserving the fantastic quality of our lake and are proud owners of the Lake Smart award.

Hardy Girls Healthy Women based in nearby Waterville is dedicated to the health and well being of girls and women. Pam has previously served on the board for HGHW helping to ensure that all girls, everywhere get the best empowerment opportunities. HGHW has designed a curriculum specifically to use with girls at camp.

The partnerships go both ways; our CIT’S volunteer at the kids table for Lake Day, we support lake protection initiatives and milfoil eradication work and do as much as we can to engage with securing the future of our local area.

Partnerships make our community stronger and help our girls to feel more connected to the place that is their summer home away from home.

The perfect Camp Runoia picture

Posted on January 21, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

I spend a lot of time looking through Camp Runoia photographs. Not just the thousands on the hard drive from this summer but many from previous years and even ‘real’ photos from our archives that are not digitally available.

We use camp photographs for many different reasons but mostly to share the message of Runoia.

So what makes the perfect photo? Is it a happy smiling face? a shot of two girls arm in arm walking down a path? a beautiful sunset over the lake? or a campfire close up?

Depending on the purpose there are 100’s of shots that could be deemed ‘perfect.’

On any given day for any given reason the perfect photograph speaks to the heart and captures the soul of Runoia.

Some of the time while searching I get distracted and just enjoy looking at the memories that each snap catches. reminders of the people the place and the fun that we get up to at camp.

More often it turns out that the perfect shot isn’t on film but is stored in our hearts and minds. The photograph is just a perfect reminder.

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.” Ansel Adams

Posted on December 30, 2015October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

This time of year is a typical time for reflections on the year behind and dreams and goals for the year ahead. At Camp Runoia we build lifelong skills through daily, weekly and session long goal setting. Although we fondly hash tag “magic happens” – ironically most of the magic that comes out of the camp experience is planned and intentional youth development. These building blocks for goal setting set the stage for growth and a lifelong skills of reaching for and working toward things beyond our grasp.

Many Runoia campers learn about goal setting and marking achievements along the way to meet that goal through camp life. Daily reflections by way of “circle up” at the end of the day with cabin-mates and counselors at Runoia might be a “pit and a peach”, a “rose and a thorn” or a “pickle and a candy”. Runoia campers take a moment each day to think about and share what was hard for them and what they feel proud about from the day. Sometimes sharing “a peach bud or a rose bud or a seed” helps campers to think about what they’d like to start working on through camp activities or their major activity for the week.

What we have found to be true is talking about what you experience makes it memorable, etches what you’ve learned and builds on the experience making it more profound or magical. Announcing to others what you found challenging and what you feel proud about and what you want to work on, allows you to feel as sense of gain, a positive experience even if it was hard along the way.

As all of us take time to reflect and set goals for the year, thinking about how we set daily, weekly and session goals in the summer helps get better about setting goals for the year. Leave it to camp to help build skills that last a lifetime. And it never hurts to dream a little about how #magichappens, too!

Finding Perfection

Posted on December 10, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

The Perfect Tree – Finding Perfection

There is a lot of anticipation in our house this week. The upcoming weekend is our annual sortie into the woods to find the perfect tree to decorate for the Holidays. We don’t have a particular place or tradition for getting the tree sometimes we swing by one of the local Maine tree farms close to our house but we have also been known to go out in the back acreage and find a wild tree. Once we have decided if we will go and cut one or grab one at the market stand the hunt is on.

The challenge is always how do we find the ‘perfect’ tree? How big should it be? Round and full? or a little thinner so the ornaments hang down? At the farm there are even choices of what variety of spruce to bring home! It is hard for it not to become overwhelming especially when everyone has a different opinion about just what constitutes ‘perfect.’

Depending on how cold it is the search may be long or due to frozen fingers and toes it may be a short trek to the nearest good looking spot. ‘Perfect’ becomes relative when the promise of hot chocolate is involved.

The funny thing is that no matter which tree we end up getting everyone always declares it ‘perfect’ even when it requires a 6” decapitation to fit in the house or takes up half the room. It is the time with family and the tradition of actually doing this together every year that truly makes it ‘perfect.’

However you celebrate the Holidays I hope that it will be your own version of perfect.

Camp Runoia video blog

Posted on October 27, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

Staff member Erica Carthy ‘Dream Team 2015’ captured the spirit of camp in this excellent video blog.

Take 3 1/2 minutes to relax and become absorbed in Runoia life #magichappens at Camp Runoia.

We are certain that it will leave you longing for camp days.

Thanks Erica!

We’re gonna make this place your home!

Mountain Biking at Runoia and beyond

Posted on October 14, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

As the crisp autumn air flows in, I am reassured as to why I live in New England. For the seasons. Now is a perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy all that New England has to offer. Perhaps a swift hike in the woods or a leisurely walk along the water suits you. For me, I want to go mountain biking.

I was so inspired last summer spending time mountain biking with the girls of Camp Runoia. It is truly a gift to be able to pass on my passion for a great sport onto these young ladies. To watch their eagerness to learn and explore is a tough feeling to beat. I started mountain biking back in the early nineties when the sport first started to take off. Historically, this has been a sport dominated by men, but the question remains, how do we get more girls and women involved in this great sport? When I came to Runoia, I was thrilled to see that we had a mountain bike program. What a great way to expose our girls to a sport they may not be exposed to otherwise. As the bike technology advances and trails and parks become more accessible, my hope is that more young women will try mountain biking. I wanted to share something that a local mountain bike park that I ride at in New Hampshire hosted last weekend. Click here to see a short video with some highlights from the “Women’s Freeride Festival” hosted by Highland Mountain Bike Park.

Highland Mountain Bike Park is a very progressive place which is really on the cutting edge of the sport. Constantly creating new terrain and technical elements, they draw amateur and professional riders from all over the world. I feel lucky to have this resource not far from home. They obviously recognize that in order to sustain a sport like this and a facility like this, they need more riders. I’m sure that this workshop inspired so many women to get into this sport or if already in it, it empowered them to take it to the next level. This is a sport all about personal growth. You can go as slow or as fast as you want…as big or as small as you want. What a feeling when you accomplish the next big challenge for the first time. It truly gives you a great sense of power and accomplishment.

If you have never mountain biked, I encourage you to give it a try! This is an amazing sport which is here to stay. I look forward to many more “Fine Maine Days” next summer spent mountain biking with the fabulous girls of a little sleep away camp which we call Runoia!

By Chris Mercier