Current News Archives - Page 26 of 32

Camp is….adventure and trips

Posted on February 10, 2015October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

From our Director of Trips:

Hello everyone!

I hope this post finds you all well and enjoying 2015 thus far. Let me introduce myself quickly: My name is Anna and I am returning to Runoia for my fourth summer on the shores of Great Pond, taking on my first summer as director of the wilderness trip program.

My family has a long history at Runoia (some of you may remember my mom, Connie Burton, from her time at camp) and I am excited to continue that tradition. I grew up listening to my mom’s Runoia stories. One of my favorites is one when she convinced a camper to jump into the cold lake water by telling her that the heater had been turned on just for her and that the water was actually warm! I also loved hearing about the week long canoe trips that she lead while working at camp, and it means a lot to have the opportunity to plan and lead trips in some of the same lakes that she paddled in so many years ago.

CHEERS! Great food, Great fun, great friends on trail

In between my time in California and moving to Wyoming I’ve been busy working with Pam, Alex, and Abby to get ready for this summer’s overnight trips. We’ve been chatting about program changes, working out the schedule, and researching gear. I’ll make reservations in the next few weeks and the pieces of the puzzle will continue to fall into place.

Since I will have more time in camp this upcoming season I’ve been designing some new activities for camp craft to teach skills that the girls can then transfer to their time on trail. My ideas range from bumping up the Leave No Trace lessons, to introducing various backcountry-baking techniques, Frisbee orienteering, and figuring out a way to teach astronomy during the day.

While there are lots of adventures coming up for me in the next couple weeks, I’ll continue prepping for next summer. I’m already looking forward to paddling around Great Pond and spending another summer full of fine Maine days.

Got snow?

Posted on January 28, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

If you live in Maine or really anywhere in the north east you have to develop your relationship with the weather, particularly with snow. The cold is manageable; you can wrap up in layers, crank up the heat and stay indoors pretending you are living in the Caribbean. Snow is a whole other ball game (speaking of which there is a big game this weekend that we assume 90% of our camp community will be watching!). You think that you are ready for it get your snow tires on, pack a blanket and shovel in the car and clear your decks of anything likely to get buried but then it still catches you by surprise.

As we dig out from this 2 foot monster blizzard I am reminded of a couple of things:

The terrifying sound of plows waking you from your slumbers in the middle of the night actually means there is some hope you can get out of your driveway in the morning! Awful driving conditions result in bonus days off school and work to have fun family time. Shoveling is an endless task, children may appear to be good shovelers but are easily distracted by large piles of snow to be jumped in. Chickens hate snow!

Once the shoveling is done and multiple hot cocoa’s drunk there is time to enjoy the quiet beauty, a ski or snowshoe across the field checking out animal prints or time to reflect by the fire with a good book.

Life in Maine – it’s a good one!

Snow limerick

A blizzard in Maine is so fun!

It piles up fast by the ton.

With drifts up the door,

Your back will be sore

By the time all the shoveling is done!

The bus!

Posted on January 22, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

Reflections on the not so magic school bus

My kids stopped riding the school bus this year. We live in a small, rural community only about 4 minutes on the same road from their school. It dawned on me that while riding the bus is the norm and was certainly convenient it did not have any benefits and perhaps was actually having a detrimental impact on all of us. A change in routine with me driving them has significantly reduced stress in our lives and has strengthened not only our relationships as a family but also our connections within our community.

The bonuses are many: I get to build social relations with the other parents picking up ‘walkers’ at school, I see some of the teachers in the halls and can stop to catch up for a minute or two, if it’s good weather we hang out playing outside school with friends, my kids talk to me and each other on the ride there and back so I find out way more than I did when they were on the bus, we also have more time for fun and stress free homework before heading off to activities.

While driving I have paused to noticed the number of parents on our route that sit in their cars for sometimes 20 minutes or more waiting for the bus when they could drive up to school and get their kids. It is interesting that we become so conditioned to do something a particular way that we never look at it from a different perspective or question the ‘why’.

I know there are many reasons why riding the bus is a good thing for kids and I am not arguing the for or against but more the concept that sometimes taking a step back, questioning or doing simple everyday things differently can have unexpected results.

There are many things that we do in life with little thought or intentionality. Mix it up, try doing something differently or at least pausing for a moment of thought about why you are doing it the way that you are!

Nervous about camp?

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

Normal Nervousness About Going Away to Camp

This time of year we hear from families – mostly new families but some returning families as well – about their daughter being nervous about going away to camp this summer.

We have some ideas to help you out and so do the experts. This article gives you some ideas on supporting your nervous camper: How to handle summer camp anxiety

While validating her concerns is a good idea, it’s also okay to acknowledge her concerns and redirect her from focusing too much on summer camp right now. It is a long ways till summer and your daughter will have a lot of life experiences in the next 6 months. She will mature and grow helping her with the idea of being away. In the spring some of the tips suggested in the above article will help.

Here’s one of our favorite camp psychologist, Dr. Christopher Thurber’s ideas of how to help your child adjust to the idea of camp: Click Here

Or, for a quick look right now, here are some of our ideas:

Get your daughter involved in the packing process and buying a few new things for camp will engage her
Share that it is okay to be nervous and it is a normal feeling, tell her about times you’ve been nervous to do something and how you coped
Let her know you want to help her and together you will come up with a plan
Practice with sleepovers and weekends at grandparents’ home helps
Address specific questions she has will help reduce her uncertainty,
Look at our video and interacting with the camp map will get her involved
View our YouTube videos and if you use Facebook, checking out our posts and pictures are good ways to see the fun parts of camp.

Are you feeling a little anxious too? Check out Dr. Michael Thompson’s book, Homesick and Happy – How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow.

We look forward to a super 2015 season with your daughter. Let us know if you need a little extra support, we would be happy to help!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Posted on January 8, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

Recycling with Betty

This new year, as I am trying to reduce excess material goods in my life, I fondly remember my first couple of summers at Runoia. It was the mid 90’s and the environmental movement hadn’t really hit yet. Well it hadn’t hit the rest of the country but it was alive and well with its roots in the Runoia trash house. Reduce, reuse, recycle was already the mantra and Betty Cobb its biggest proponent.

There was no dumpster at camp back in those days and all the trash had to be hauled to the Belgrade transfer station. As you can imagine at Runoia there were awesome systems in place even for trash management. There was a compacter in the back of the kitchen. I had never seen one before and to be honest the noises it made terrified me a little but it magically turned a large bag of garbage into a small square foot of squashed matter. Paper products were burned after the Saturday night cookouts (not really best practice these days). Cups and plates were always stacked (and still are) to take up less room in the trash. Everything that could be reused or recycled was.

Betty was often found ensuring that the actual trash did not contain any recyclable items. Her goal was not to terrify people into carrying their entire trash pile home with them but to educate us about the need to protect the earth’s resources. She would often say that she was not doing it for herself but for the children as they would be the ones that would inherit the problems.

I am grateful for the lessons I learned even if I was called out in assembly because Betty had found an envelope with my name on it in the trash not the recycle! Sadly Betty’s concerns are now ringing true as we see the impact a lack of attention to resource management is having on our earth’s future. I hope that the Runoia community will long continue to promote environmentally good practices and that it will become a life skill that our girls take home with them.

Make a difference in your home and community, just recycling is no longer enough what else can you do?

“If every household in the U.S. used just one less 70-sheet roll of paper towels, which would save 544,000 trees each year. If every household in the U.S. used three less rolls per year, it would save 120,000 tons of waste and $4.1 million in landfill dumping fees.” (From the Paperless Project).

Resources:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/green-living/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321#slide-1

http://www2.epa.gov/recycle

Read or watch the The Lorax with your kids it’s a great visual reminder!

Happy what?

Posted on January 4, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

Merry Birthday

Kids Birthdays and the Holidays are a challenge for any parent. Believe me not only have I lived through my own childhood experience of always having an Easter Birthday (which for the record is a 2 week school break in the UK!) I now have to navigate my sons New Year’s Day Birthday celebrations.

Things that stink:

There is no mail!! How can you get a pile of cards or parcels when the mail isn’t delivered?

There is some kind of party other than yours going on that everyone gets to go to.

People forget as they are so busy with the Holidays.

People are away on vacation therefore you are challenged to get party attendees – “oh we can come if we are not at the mountain”!

You get doubled up gifts ‘this is for Christmas and your Birthday.’

With a Birthday near Christmas the house is already saturated with new stuff so getting more a week later lacks the magic it would do on some random date in June.

As I parent I try to make it as special as possible, I make sure all of the Christmas decorations are down and we make an effort to do Birthday decorations and balloons. We get a different surprise not just a leftover off the Santa list gift. There is a party of some kind with whoever can make it and we really try to make it a special day.

Camp birthday’s fall into the not quite your average Birthday celebration category.

Awesome things that happen on camp Birthdays:

170+ people sing to you!

People take time to make you stuff like cards and friendship bracelets.

Everyone has to come to the party and dress up in crazy costumes.

There is a Birthday song known only to Runoia people.

You get to parade around an entire dining hall showing off your cake

You likely get to celebrate again when you get home.

However you celebrate your Birthday we hope it’s always got ‘cake with candles on top’ I dare someone to try putting them on the bottom!

Big G! Interview with Runoia’s own Gines on Fitness and Nutrition “Holiday Style”

Posted on December 22, 2014October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

Runoia News Reporter: How did you get started in fitness and decide to pursue your Personal Trainer certification?

Gines: Playing varsity field hockey for high school and competing internationally in martial arts made me realize how fitness would be a benefit in my strength and endurance. Plus giving back through outdoor education. I like sharing with others.

RNR: When you were a full time Personal Trainer what was your biggest challenge? Do you have any funny stories?

G: Helping people stay committed when they miss sessions. One client, told me he would be fully honest with his food journal and do extra “burpies” to pay back his overeating. After a few weeks he had accumulated 1200 burpies (he stuck to it and we worked it out over a number of sessions together!).
Integrate Burpees into your Routine for Extra Credit!

RNR: Recently you’ve gotten into snow shoeing, how did that come about?

G: Moving to Maine and wanting to run. I saw snowshoeing races and recognized that as a running opportunity. Last winter I entered a race and performed well and now I’m really into it. In February, I’m running a snowshoe race in the Waterville, Maine area!
Winter Activity is Family Fun!

RNR: Your passion for staying active outdoors in NE is backed up by your dedication to Winter Kids and serving on the Winter Kids Board of Directors, what is that about?

G: Having a family plays a big part of being inspired to help others get out and enjoy the outdoors no matter what the winter weather is like. And my basic passion for spreading information to others… helping kids get away from the TV and be healthy and fit.

RNR: Nutrition – what part does nutrition play into your fitness regime?

G: You really can’t out-exercise a really bad diet. Nutrition is so important as part of an overall regime. Think about what you are eating to nourish your body.

RNR: What food or drink do you like to start your day with?

G: I drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. I’m a big coffee drinker (since my early 20s) so, I enjoy a good morning brew J Granola and yogurt is my go-to breakfast food. After I work out, I like to make a green drink. Look for recipes in our next blogs.
Banana Green Drink!

RNR: Do you have any tips for people about nutritious foods/drinks?

G: Change things slowly, introduce new foods a little at a time.

RNR: How ‘bout the holidays? Any hints for people keeping a balance in fitness and nutrition over the holidays and school break?

G: If you reach for second cookie or treat, make yourself have a glass of water first. Often you don’t have the urge for the treat afterwards.
G: Schedule a group activity. For instance, go for a family walk, meet your cousin to go for a run – committing to other people make you accountable and you’re spreading the cheer!

RNR: The past two summers you have brought two special events to Camp Runoia in the form of 5 Million Step Race and Runoia’s first Triathlon? What’s in store for Runoia this summer?!

G: The afternoon “running club” during free time is popular and girls can plan to get fit for school sports when they are at camp. I’d love for girls to discover the joy of trail running – so we’ll be doing quite a bit of that this summer.

RNR: Any final thoughts?

G: Don’t be too hard on yourself – enjoy the holidays!
G: Regarding a New Year’s Resolution here’s three tips: be sure to write down your goal, set a deadline and make it public!

Elf time!

Posted on December 18, 2014October 18, 2016 by Alex

Elf on the Shelf – not for the under 10 readers!

There have been lots of commentaries in the mass media about the Elf on the Shelf love it or hate it the under 10 crowd all know what it’s about and it is a very present part of many people’s Holiday build up.

Here’s how it works at our house:

The Elves – yup we have 2 my kids are not the best sharers and we had an old one from Grammy so the retro version showed up too! For the record 2 Elves can get into way more trouble than one.

Timing – they show up whenever Santa remembers to send them! They have been found once or twice hiding out in the tote boxes that we store decorations in, imagine that silly elves.

Names – um yeah about that place in the back of the book where you are supposed to write the names that your oh so adorable toddlers made up – epic fail!

Busted – Luckily their much older sister must have gotten in so late that the elves were scared off from their flight to the North Pole and waited until Mum was at the Post Office!

Pintrest and other parent shaming social sharing sites – I avoid them like the plague and look for links like ‘25 easy things to do with your elf’

Lying – Many parents constantly lie to their kids its part of the deal to enhance and preserve the innocence of childhood and create a little grown up magic in a world that is sometimes pretty tough!

Behavior – a lot of the diatribe on the internet revolves around the moral implications of threatening small children that the elves are going to report to Santa about bad behavior and they will ultimately get coal in their stocking. Luckily my kids are always angels and behave perfectly at all times so we never have to use this threat.

Fun – I think it is totally fun and I love my kids waking up and hunting down the elves laughing at their antics and discussing if they really can see hot glue holding their heads on.

If you’re going to do the Easter Bunny, Santa or the Tooth Fairy then a little Elf magic certainly can’t hurt can it?

It would be kind of fun if they showed up at Camp Runoia.

More reading about those loveable elves is available for endless hours on the www
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/12/16/the-elf-on-the-shelf-is-preparing-your-child-to-live-in-a-future-police-state-professor-says/

http://www.elfontheshelf.com/

https://www.facebook.com/elfontheshelf

Camp is a gift

Posted on December 10, 2014October 18, 2016 by Alex

All my kids really wanted for the holidays this year was to see their grandparents and get to play with their cousins. A sweet and apparently simple request unless of course all of those family members that you love happen to live 3000 miles away in another country!

The week before Thanksgiving I surprised them with the news that we would be leaving to spend ten days across the pond. While the thought of a red eye to England alone with 2 small children was a little daunting and the cost of plane tickets blew our holiday budget it seemed like the perfect gift for everyone. With just a few tears as we waited for our late night connection in Philly we made it to an overjoyed Gran and Granddad. The smiles on everyone’s face walking out of customs into the arms of the people you have been longing to see every day for the past 8 months was definitely worth the night of the no sleep and could never have a monetary value.

Making memories that will last a life time, forging connections and building relationships has far more value than the store bought toys that soon lie forgotten or are looked over when the next fad comes along.

Camp provides children with a chance to build life skills and develop relationships away from home in a place where they are truly cherished and that they come to love. To those parents that gift camp to their kids for the Holidays while they may wish they had more wrapped gifts thank you! you are truly giving them the gift of new opportunities and lifetime memories that they can treasure forever.

Runoia Alumnae Shares her PJA Blog

Posted on December 4, 2014October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

Annie Carney, Digital Producer. Annie enjoys skiing, boogie boarding, and attempting to knit the perfect headband.

One of the biggest influences in my life has to be my summers spent on Great Pond at Camp Runoia. As a young professional, I can tie back many life lessons learned from those years and how they have made me a better worker, professional, and peer. Working in advertising can be very unpredictable, with deadlines, change requests, crazy clients, etc., but nothing can prepare you for canoeing down a river trying to make it to your campsite with ten 12 year olds during a severe lightning storm.

Lesson 1 – “Fake it till you make it”

This lesson really came from the summers I spent as a counselor – two years teaching sailing and one as a wilderness trip leader. Being fresh out of high school and enlisted with the responsibility of overseeing kids all day, you quickly learn how to fake it. Not in the sense of inexperience, (if you are going to be teaching sailing, you must have the credentials) but in the sense that when the unexpected happens — you are the adult that makes the decisions.

The first time I really faced this, and had the “Oh sh**, I’m in charge moment” was on a backpacking trip when half way up the mountain, one of the girls with asthma turned to me and said she needed her inhaler. When I checked to see if it was in our medical kit, I found it was not. In that moment, you can either panic or, look at the scenario and figure out how to fix it. This is when you learn the skills of ownership and the ability to make decisions, because there is not always time to think about things, but to find the best solution and keep moving.

Lesson 2 – You can’t choose your coworkers, but you can choose how to work with them

Working on a camp staff, you get the spectrum of personalities from all different walks of life, and essentially have to spend 24/7 with them for 10 weeks. Early on you learn there are many approaches to teaching kids sailing lessons, managing mealtime table manners, motivating cabin cleanup, and leading evening activities. You begin to understand that you may not always agree on how the other person works, but to be part of a team, you must respect them. The same goes for working in a professional environment. In order to successfully be a part of a team, you must respect and understand that everyone is working towards the same goal of doing the best work possible, and finding how to align with everyone to be successful.

Lesson 3 – How to Herd Cats – or Kittens

As a project manager, you must the have the ability to “herd cats” aka, lead an unpredictable, diverse team along in order to meet all your deliverables and deadlines. The same can be said as a camp counselor. Motivating girls who are completely out of their element as they hike the tallest mountain or go in a sailboat for the first time is challenging. People can always be resistant, but finding the right ways to communicate and motivate will get you far. I’ve successfully lead 13 year olds up Mount Katadin, and I’ve successfully lead a creative team to produce a 50 website page creative in 10 days.

Lesson 4 – There is always time for fun

No matter where you work or what you are doing, it is always great to remember to have fun. There is always time for silliness and dancing (as I am the queen of that) and to remember it is only a job.