Category: History

Maine magic – the wonder of spring

Posted on by Alex

Summer arrives quickly in Maine!

I have lived in Maine for around 20 years and still the spring transition from frozen tundra to vegetative jungle surprises me every year.  Spring is just incredible here! In just a matter of a few weeks the dramatic change in weather and landscape literally unfolds before your eyes.

The ‘Lupine Lady’ has been busy around the state of Maine

The ice melts off the lake and docks and boats are hauled out of storage and are back in use before the water gets much above 40 degrees.  Intrepid swimmers even brave the chilly water making the most of the days when it gets above 70 degrees.

The garden around the farmhouse at camp has started to spring up with lupines, irises and peonies.   It is always a time to wonder how long they have been established there and remember the days that Betty Cobb would tend to the weeds before camp opened.

The rhododendron outside my office window is blooming a glorious pink and regularly attracts bees and hummingbirds.  Anytime you step outside after 5am the air is filled with the noisy sounds of birds and the number of squirrels and chipmunks appears to have quadrupled overnight.  After so many months of dark, quiet and cold it is a time of great excitement and activity.

It will only be a couple of very short weeks until it is officially summer and Camp Runoia’s 112th season will be beginning on Great Pond.  Like the Maine spring things happen very quickly at the start of the season.  The camp docks and boats are in, the horses have already arrived, staff are trickling in and there is a flurry of activity both in person and in our inboxes.

We cannot wait for camp to be in full swing, for our campers to be here and to be enjoying the hazy, lazy days of summer.  The sounds of loons on the lake will soon be lulling us to sleep ad our days will be spent submerged in all that nature has to offer us.

Women who dared

Posted on by Alex

I have long been amazed at the tenacity of our Camp Runoia founders Lucy Wieser and Jessie Pond.   Their dedication to starting a camp for girls showed great bravery and confidence when heading off into the unknown wilds of Maine.  In our world of high speed transportation and at your finger tips technology it is sometimes very hard to imagine how different life was back in the early 1900’s.  Rural Maine was sparsely populated with few paved roads and limited access to many areas.  The Maine Central railroad had only established the Belgrade Depot in 1850 and the local community was mostly made up of farms with some vacation housing  in the village.  Arriving by train from the city into Belgrade must have been quite a culture shock.  While the actual story of their first adventure has become a little lost in the mists of time I imagine them in skirts or dresses, hiring a horse and cart to travel around the area.

Belgrade Depot station around the time Ms Weiser and Ms Pond founded Camp Runoia.

On our staycation this week we traveled to the Owls Head Transportation Museum which had some fascinating displays the most interesting of which for me was about the early female pioneers of travel.  Like our Runoia founders they were making history in the early 1900’s and boldly going places that women typically hadn’t ventured to.  Their names were new to me and their adventures and experiences seemed so radical for the time.  Can you imagine driving a car cross country with a couple of your girlfriends?  Now think about doing it when there were only 156 miles of paved roads and your car barely had a roof!

Can you imagine traveling cross country in this?!

I shall continue to be inspired by the brave bold women of the early 1900’s and to keep sharing their stories with our fearless young women at camp. Maybe they will become the pioneers of this new generation.

The writing on the wall – hand-prints on my heart

Posted on by Alex

Twenty years ago when we moved into this house there were a lot of DIY projects that needed accomplishing. Painting the downstairs bathroom was not high on the list of priorities.  In order to brighten the place up a little we started adding the hand-prints of our visitors.  The parameters were basic: pick your colors, pick your spot, paint your hand and print it on the wall then add your name and date your print.  The hand-prints themselves started out simple, often with just one color and expanded to more elaborate creations that reflected the personality of their owner.  There are now a couple of hundred of prints representing friends from all aspects of life,  a large percentage of whom I know through camp.

The hand-prints tell their own stories. Jayen was an international counselor who just spent one summer with us. Angela is still a feature on our CRAO board.

The hand-prints are a regular reminder of the people that have touched my life.  Some of the folk are still regular visitors, or perhaps sadly now deceased, still others were only around for a short time and we have now lost touch.  They all generate memories of a time and place when we were connected, a shared history and an impression left in my life.  There are many old Camp Runoia friends, campers and staff that passed through for a summer or two or who it feels like I have known for a lifetime.  They hold a space in time that is a reminder not just of them but also of a particular summer on Great Pond.  The dates are helpful in remembering just how long ago it was that they were at camp and how quickly time flies.

Betty-Jo Howard a Runoia legend

 

At Runoia the names in the boathouse are a similar memorial to those that have passed through at some previous point in time.  They remind us of people we know and also trigger thoughts about those whose story is now  a mystery lost in time.  The faces may be long forgotten but their names are painted in bright colors to remind us that they were here and are part of the rich fabric of our camp community.

The hand-prints on my wall definitely reflect the hand-prints left on my heart.  This will be my 23rd summer at Camp Runoia in Belgrade Lakes, Maine  and I hope to add a few more hand-prints to my bathroom wall and a lot more to my heart.

Spring Has Sprung – Or So Says The Calendar!

Posted on by camprunoia

Spring has sprung – or so says the calendar with the Spring Equinox occurring on March 20th. Equinoxes occur twice a year, in March and September, to mark the onset of spring and autumn. During an equinox, which in Latin translates to “equal night,” both day and night are the same in length. Now the days will become longer in our part of the world with earlier sunrises and sunsets. But just because we are officially in spring doesn’t mean that it is spring-like yet. Those of us in the northeast will attest to that as we prepare for the 4th Nor’easter in three weeks! The ground is snow covered with huge piles, lakes have refrozen after earlier thaws, and the trees look as dormant as they do in January. However, changes are happening.

Typically, late winter/early spring sees the preparation for maple sugaring season when the landscape becomes dotted with iconic metal sap buckets hung on trees, as well as the more modern bright rubber tubing and large sap collection vats. This year the collection season in New England had an early start in many areas with a thaw at the end of January and into February. Then winter roared back in, and now maple syrup producers are hoping for a second stretch of classic sugaring weather with days in the low 40s and nights below freezing, and before trees start producing buds and the maple season ends. It’s not too late to check out maple sugar houses and treat yourself to some “sugar on snow”.

Mating and nesting season has already begun for some of our wonderful birds. Last night, as I looked out over our snow-covered forest, I heard a Barred Owl concert of the familiar “Whooo cooks for you” call. Then this morning I was greeted by the mournful, soft cooing of the Mourning Dove. The birds are not alone, many of our common mammals are coming out of their dormant or less active winter state, to start their spring mating as well. The squirrels and chipmunks have been wildly chasing around in the trees, across our roof, and even taking sledding runs on the snowbanks around our driveway. The current snow is a benefit to picking out animal signs like the tracks of porcupine, fox, and fishers as they become more active as the days grow longer. Even with the winter-like weather, the spring awakening of the natural world is happening.

Perhaps one of those signs that reminds me in such a simple way that warm days are coming is when I park my car in a sunny spot. Even if the outside temperature is cold, the stronger, higher angle of sunshine warms up the inside of the car, and now when I get in, instead of mid-winter frigid, it can be downright toasty. Yep, it may not look like it, but spring has arrived.

 

 

Fine Maine Days at Camp Runoia

Posted on 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!

To the Runoia Gals: An Open from Your Teary-Eyed Counselor

Posted on by Pam Cobb

You Wonderful and Spectacular Ladies,

I never imagined how beautiful a shooting star could be when you’re sitting next to someone who has never seen one. I never knew how wonderfully exhausting a game of Gaga with a group of 8-year-olds could be (or how often they would beat me!). I never realized that it was possible to sing so much and so loudly that it would take eight weeks for my voice to return to normal, or laugh so hard that my stomach would ache for hours. When I packed my bags for my first summer at camp, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

When I came to you for that first summer, I considered myself pretty well cooked. I had it in mind that I, as the adult, was there to provide a life-altering, fun, and unforgettable experience for you. While that was and has always remained my primary goal, I now see that you amazing young ladies, with whom I was lucky enough to spend three unforgettable summers, have had a far greater impact on me than I could ever have imagined.

When you become a camp counselor you hear all about how much your campers will learn from you, for better or for worse. But what you don’t hear as often is how much you will learn from you.

You’ve taught me many things in my three summers at Runoia, more than I could count and definitely more than I could ever share with you. But I would like to try to share some. You taught me about the curative nature of a hug from four children at once. You showed me how important it is to laugh and have fun every time the opportunity presents itself. You taught me how to “whip and nay nay,” wobble, dougie, and do all sorts of things that would make me hip and with it! You helped me realize how rewarding it can be to share my love of the water, which I discovered as a child, with others. You showed me every day that we are all at our most beautiful when we are being ourselves and when we are happy. I saw, first hand, the transformative power of a summer with friends in an environment that encourages growth and fosters an undeniable feeling of complete and utter happiness.

The past three summers have been the most indescribably amazing part of my life. I cannot thank you girls enough for all that you have shared with me, or your parents for helping you become the unbelievable and inspiring young women that you are. Runoia gals, I will carry the lessons you have taught me throughout my entire life, and will remember you always.

Thank you for helping me become who I am today and I hope that somewhere along the way, I may have helped you.

With love,

Your Teary-Eyed Counselor

 

 

Sleep away Camp in Maine – ‘the way life should be’.

Posted on by Alex

This past summer a photo journalist from Maine Magazine spent some time with our alumnae at Runoia’s 110th reunion.  It was a bit of a wild and windy day for August but the Camp Runoia warmth shone through.  The reporter was amazed that women of all ages had traveled from near and in some cases very far to join together to celebrate their Maine sleep away camp experiences.  For many the time they had spent as a child at camp had been a very long time ago yet the memories and friendships made had truly lasted a lifetime.

Camp Friends for always!

It is very exciting for us to be featured in the camp issue of the magazine and to get the front cover cameo! How perfect to see alums flicking through the log books that record a hundred years of our sleep away camp history.  Runoia in 2017 still maintains the spirit and some of the activities that girls participated in back in 1907.  We are proud of our heritage, history and traditions.

 

The passion that these women have for Runoia was apparent, they dove into the chilly waters of Great Pond to swim to Oak Island in order to raise money for the scholarship program, sang songs with gusto and shared memories and stories from their childhoods.  Many brought along their family members to share the experience and enjoyed playing and laughing together and sharing meals in the dining hall.

Maine is the perfect place to spend time in the summer, the clear cool lake, usually bright sunny days and nights filled with the cries of the loons make it a relaxing getaway.  Camp still provides girls from many different places the chance to grow and learn together.  They build long lasting relationships, have a chance to embrace the natural world and be a part of something bigger than themselves.

 

Camp Runoia Creating Harmony

Posted on by Alex

Wow what a week!

Starting with the celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr, including the inauguration of a new US President and ending with thousands of women marching to protect their rights in cities around the nation we are definitely holding on for the ride!

It certainly seems like a time of great uncertainty when we are all waiting with baited breath to see what will happen next.  One thing is certain,  Camp Runoia will spend the summer of 2017 like it has for the past 110 years helping girls and young women to grow and learn in a safe place.  We will be separated from the frenetic pace of the outside world, the mass media and the constant stream of communication.

Our companions will be a diverse group of people who may or may not be like us yet we will find commonality through shared space.  We will share time and experiences, solve problems, experience sheer joy and enjoy being surrounded by nature in a beautiful place in Maine where we can just be ourselves.

At Camp Runoia girls will continue to be surrounded by strong role models, have the opportunity to speak out if they feel something is unjust, gain resiliency by taking risks in a safe environment and be free from judgement.

If you are looking for some other inspiring organizations that promote girls to be the best that they can be then check out:

Lit World empowering girls through reading and stories.

(Founded by Former Camp Runoia Mom Pam Allyn)

Hardy Girls Healthy Women (Pam Cobb was on the board)

Girls on the Run

Camp Runoia pledges to continue making a positive difference in the lives of all of the girls and young women that we encounter.  We hope that you will spread the message about camp and be a voice for harmony in your local community.

Camp Runoia’s Pioneering Women

Posted on by Alex

How grateful we are that our Camp Runoia founders were brave women who dared to venture out of their comfort zones.  Pioneers of their time they chose to take a path that not many women had walked and left us a great legacy of strength and fortitude.

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Early residential summer camps were primarily established to provide an opportunity for children from urban areas to be away from the cities and have an experience in nature.  Initially it was boys who were provided with this opportunity but it wasn’t long before girls’ camps opened alongside them.  It was strongly believed that living away from the conveniences of home in the ‘wilderness’ would build character and strong moral values.   Perhaps unique in Runoia’s case was that women were our primary founders.

The 1907 world that Miss Weiser and Miss Pond lived in seems a million lifetimes away from the lives that our campers lead today.

 

Can you imagine that in 1907…

Women’s life expectancy was around 50

English suffragettes stormed British Parliament and many were arrested suffragette-uk

 

Julia Ward Howe was the first woman elected to National Institute of Arts & Letters

Theodore Roosevelt was president

The passenger liner RMS Lusitania made its maiden voyage from England to NYC

Katharine Hepburn and John Wayne were born

Rudyard Kipling received the Nobel prize for literature

Good Housekeeping magazine cost $1 for an annual subscription

Trade unions were established

Oklahoma become the 46th state

It is amazing that the values promoted by residential summer camps in 1907 are the same as they are in 2017

Camp helps build self-confidence and self-esteem

Camp is a safe environment

Camp is a place to build social skills and make friends

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We hope that Camp Runoia will continue to provide girls with the opportunity to bravely follow in the footsteps of the pioneering women who came before us.  We hope that we may all have strong female role models and be them too.

Beginnings and endings

Posted on by Alex

Endings and new beginnings

It is amazing how much we cram into a week at camp!  What a diversity of experiences there have been in the past few days.  Even the weather has kept us on or toes with moderate winds to dead calm and baking sun to a cool rainy day.  We have had new beginnings every day and very happy endings.

For EP we have been energetic at the scavenger hunt and chilled out at campfire, really tacky during everyone’s favorite ‘Ms Tacky Runoia’ and talented at our very own Runoia’s got talent’s show the Voice and USA gymnastics team had better watch out!

Team captains were chosen with the ‘A’ team of Ally and Anna leading the Whites and  Z and Eliza managing the Blues.  All of the girls that chose to run for the position gave great speeches at assembly and were commended for having the courage to ‘give it a go.’  Soccer games were already played with many more activities to compete in this coming week.

IMG_2444We have seen so many firsts as girls tried new things, met new people and adventured far and wide and we are beginning to see some of the lasts for our oldest campers.  Painting their boards to put up in the boat house was bitter sweet.

Perhaps the most meaningful moment of the week was our youngest and newest group of campers the ‘Harmony Land Camp’ girls sharing their love with the graduating senior village girls.  It was the first Runoia campfire for the HLC girls and the last as campers for our graduates.  A very meaningful moment as traditions are passed along and legacies left to the next generation.  Harmony Land Camp is our new short session taster program for 7 and 8 year old girls and it is already a big hit.

HLC at Nina's

We will make the most of our last 5 days of first session and are already anticipating the ‘see you next summer’ goodbyes as we hug those we now call our ‘summer sisters.’

 

See you soon!

Aionur