Category: Parent

New year new challenges

Posted on by Alex

You can teach an old dog new tricks

I have been singing in various women’s choirs since I was seven years old and have had the pleasure of working alongside some amazing conductors and competing in international choral competitions to great success.  As a member of a choir it is a comfortable easy place for me to be.  You literally can lean on those around you to help carry the tune or maintain the sound.  I have sung with my current chorus for the past 12 years and it is safely within all aspects of my comfort zone.  There is a sense of community and support among the eclectic group of women not unlike that which we have at Camp Runoia.

With my Women In Harmony singing friends.

This fall stepping completely out of my comfort zone and with a little trepidation and a good amount of anxiety I decided to challenge myself and started taking private voice lessons.  In most aspects of my life I am generally a very confident person but when it comes to singing alone I often clam up and feel very uncomfortable.  Leading camp songs isn’t too much of a problem but more formal performance in front of an unknown audience terrifies me.

I wanted to develop my vocal technique, understand my somewhat irrational fear and be able to overcome some of my lack of confidence in solo singing.  Our chorus pianist is one of the most brilliant musicians I have met and is very non-threatening so was a great choice for taking this leap of faith with.  She doesn’t even require a financial commitment so I couldn’t even use the ‘you’ve paid for it so you have to go’ as an incentive for showing up.  It is interesting as an adult to push outside of your comfort zone by choice and then to stick with is even when it is fairly painful.  Not knowing really what to expect I convinced myself that I could at least make it through the first class.  I did! and now look forward to those 45 minutes a week when I focus on my own skill development.  I don’t think my technique has improved all that much yet but I feel more confident walking in and know that I can do things that I find challenging even if I have to give myself a little mental push.

As you welcome in the New Year and perhaps make resolutions to change or start something new, I hope that you will be confident and courageous, try something unexpected and go outside of your comfort zone.  As we often tell our campers ‘it isn’t always easy to try something new.’ It is great for kids to see adults not always be good at something and have to work to get better or to overcome a challenge.  Share your journey with those around you and embrace and enjoy the process.

Bring on 2018!

Season of Giving or is it?

Posted on by Alex

‘Tis really the Season of chaos….

We still don’t have a tree and now there is 6” of snow on the ground, my closet is a stack of unopened Amazon packages, the ‘Elves on the Shelves’ haven’t moved in 2 days, I need to get a new windshield (thanks to yesterday’s storm) and there are definitely just not enough daylight hours in these very short, Maine winter days.

At this time of year it is so hard to not get sucked into the crazy chaos of the season.  With school concerts, Holiday events, shopping, family gatherings and all the regular day to day life stuff snowballing around us it is hard to find the time to take a moment for yourself,  to breath and be appreciative.  This Holiday season I hope that you can take a second or two and pause, relish those around you, be present not panicked and generally enjoy the moments not count the minutes.

The good news is today I dropped off 3 bags of gifts at a local nonprofit for our sponsor family, I actually have 99% of the Holiday cards ready to go in the mail- what a joy it was to write them and reminisce as many of them are to Camp Runoia friends made over the past 20 years, tonight I get to go to an awesome lecture about empowering girls – Rachel Simmons, the Holiday tunes are on and I just booked a really fun surprise for the kids next week.  I am determined to make memories, build on our traditions and try and embody the true spirit of the season rather than being bombarded by the commercial components or a need to keep up with the Facebook friends!

I am going to win the Holidays and I hope that you do too!

Helping Others Help Themselves

Posted on by Pam Cobb

You inspire us at Camp Runoia to be the best we can be by helping others, and sharing our passion for the camp experience with children and adults.

In honor of all the campers and counselors of Camp Runoia, we are making a donation to two camps in the Sonoma area of California that suffered devastating destruction from wildfires this fall. Both camps are committed to rebuild, re-open and create a magical summer for campers in 2018.

In this spirit, we hope you spread your own Runoia generosity and cheer and help others during this holiday season.

May peace be with you as you celebrate the holidays and the start of the new year with your family and friends!

For information on the camps damaged by the California wildfires that we are donating to this holiday season:

Cloverleaf Ranch

Camp Newman

With Gratitude for our Girls and Families

Posted on by camprunoia

Greetings from Camp Runoia!

The month of November is often associated with gratitude. Like so many, we find ourselves thinking about people, places and things we are grateful for, and we are grateful for you ~ our parents, families and girls that make Runoia the special place it is for all of us.  A “summer camp” is really just some land and buildings until you add the special ingredient… people. We know there are so many ways a girl can spend her summer, and we feel fortunate that you value the camp experience enough to choose Runoia for your daughter. We also appreciate that it can be a bit “nervous-making” to entrust your child to others. We are honored that you have chosen us and trust us to care for your daughter while she is with us in the summer.

We take this trust very seriously and strive to hire the type of counselors that will serve as positive adult role models as they teach, mentor, care for, and have fun with your daughter. We will do our best to create an environment where girls can discover themselves, make positive choices, develop life skills, create deep friendships, have joyous fun, and create memories that will last throughout their lives. We are very lucky to do this special work of camp.

We are so excited that so many girls have already re-enrolled for 2018. Perhaps you know a girl that would be a perfect addition to our community? We do still have a few spots available in all of our sessions, so please share your stories of the Runoia experience with your friends. Camp is a wonderful gift to share.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and many thanks again for being a part of our Runoia family!

Best wishes,

T

Simple Pleasures of Camp

Posted on 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.

 

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!

Minutes and Moments at Camp Runoia

Posted on 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! 6th and 7th 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 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 111th 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.

See you in the parking lot!

 

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.

Launching into Summer

Posted on by Pam Cobb

We have counselors at Runoia staff training from Maine and across New England, from the West Coast to Florida from New Mexico to Minnesota. We have counselors from Australia, New Guinea, Bangladesh, Scotland, England and Ireland. As we mix and learn about each other, prepare our activity areas and teach each other, we experience everything from a model teaching lesson to a British Tea, from taking care of different types of learners to running the best Evening Program. Our trip leaders just returned from their three day training trip and it’s so good to see them again! Old staff share with new staff, directors keep directing and together we are launching into the amazing summer of 2017.

We look forward to seeing our first and full season campers in less than a week and sharing new and old games, getting you on a horse and out on Great Pond, climbing the climbing tower, shooting a bow and arrow, trying your turn at tennis and riding a mt. bike. Plus there’s swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and all things great on the waterfront including “The Dot”.

We are no longer counting days but counting down hours! See you next week or next month on Great Pond!

Launching of the Big Canoe!

You can’t change the weather at Camp Runoia

Posted on by Alex

It’s been over 90 degrees in Maine for the past few days and the same people who a couple of months ago were complaining about the cold are now saying it’s ‘too hot’! One thing we can’t control is the weather but we can chose our clothing carefully and plan activities that best suit it.  Today was perfect for a dip in the lake and yes we did have a really great ski season this past winter.

Making the best of any give situation and figuring out solutions to the problems it may expose us to is a real life skill.  We value challenges at Camp Runoia as they help us to learn and grow.   While camp is certainly utopian it isn’t perfect and we wouldn’t want it to be.  Being away from home and being allowed to make choices and decisions and having to deal with everyday events is as much a part of the camp experience as s’mores around the campfire.

Campers quickly learn how to navigate the schedule, make the most of the opportunities at any given time and speak up if their needs are not being met.  Allowing girls to occasionally be dissatisfied, to not always get their first choice and to only have one serving of desert build coping and resiliencey skills.

Runoia campers love a challenge.

Running through puddles barefoot on a rainy day, watching the power of a storm speed across the lake from the safety of the boathouse or getting a quick dip before bed on a steamy night are all experiences that add to the camp magic.  Scheduled days are filled with organized activities and also free time for spontaneous fun.

We can manage many things at camp but we can’t manage the weather or slow down time.  We make the most out of every minute, maximize our opportunities and enjoy the time with our friends.

Our morning pledge at assembly.

For those parents who just cant resist knowing what’s going on at camp with the weather, rest assured, we have plenty of tricks up our sleeve for making everyday a ‘fine Maine day.’

Sleep-away camp provides a myriad of opportunities for growth whatever the weather.