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New camp experience

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

CISV – Maine mini camp

This past weekend I took my daughter and her friend on a new adventure. We joined a mini camp weekend in the beautiful Acadia National Park with an organization called CISV. Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of them but found out about their programs while interviewing a prospective counselor.

“CISV is a charitable, independent, non-political, volunteer organization promoting peace education and cross-cultural friendship.” Their mission of promoting peace through international friendship really spoke to me so off we went to their Maine mini camp.

It is always interesting to join a group of people many of whom already have established relationships and I really didn’t have much sense of what I was getting us into. I had also volunteered to act as a chaperone without reading the fine print!

The topics were lofty but presented in a camp kind of way through fun activities. It was amazing to have engaging conversations with children and young people who were passionate about making a difference in the world. They spoke eloquently about global warming, resource misuse by developed countries and destruction of the earth the only planet that we can currently live on. Many of the kids were heading overseas this summer or to camps in the US that will welcome international campers. They were eager to explore the world and make friends with people who are not like them at all.

It was a great reminder to me of how children see the world much differently than adults. Their simplistic view was that if you take action as an individual it will create change. The small steps that we take to make change in our own communities can truly make a difference. At Camp Runoia we welcome campers and staff from many different places and celebrate the differences that we have. We also aim to promote resource management and treading lightly on the earth. Spending time with like-minded people who recognize and appreciate that we are all a part of the global community was inspiring and energizing.

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

Planning Gardens and Waiting for Bird Migration at Runoia

Posted on February 25, 2016October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

This is the time of year, for those of us who live in northern climates like Maine, we dream of spring gardens and bird migration among other wonders of the changing season. Did you know March is the “most snowfall” month of the year in Maine?! Although February might seem early to be dreaming of birds and gardens, dreams are what keep us positive when we have 31 days of winter in March (a true statement in

Maine!). So although maple sap is flowing early this year, you never know if we’ll get another cold snap and a lot of snow.

Back to those dreams about gardens and birds. Camp Runoia’s seed order has been not only ordered but has been received. The season for sleepaway camps doesn’t match with the Maine growing season so we are sure to put in early harvesting vegetables like spinach, kale, snap peas and sugar peas and summer squash.

Lots of Fun Growing in the Runoia Greenhouse Later in the summer the tomatoes, basil, lettuce and other herbs and veggies flourish in our greenhouse.

Lots of Fun Growing in the Runoia Greenhouse Later in the summer the tomatoes, basil, lettuce and other herbs and veggies flourish in our greenhouse.

Always a Delight to Spy an Oriole at Runoia

The day the robins show up in April is always a sign of spring and the migrating birds coming through. We hang orange slices to attract the Baltimore Orioles – they are such fun to see.

One thing we learned in recent years from our wood shop aficionado, Ted, is painting bird houses is detrimental to birds. Who knew? So here’s a project one camper did combining our wood shop and wood burning program areas. It’s an awesome birdhouse with a beautiful floral designed burned in with wood burning tools. All made at camp! So enjoy the wonders of spring, catch those birds going by and dream next of summer and summer camp!

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.

Count Down to Runoia 2016!

Posted on January 26, 2016October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

The countdown to summer sleepaway camp is well underway as we just passed the 150 “days till camp” marker. While some campers are enjoying the count down, others are feeling a big nervous and maybe even somewhat anxious about overnight camp. This is perfectly normal!

What can you do to encourage your campers to be ready for camp? Here’s some tips from the experts:

Brooke Cheley-Klebe from Cheley Camps suggests “Get your camper involved in picking out gear for camp. If you buy hiking boots, go on a hike with them!”

Camp Owner and TED talk extraordinaire, Steve Baskin suggests reframe what three weeks away is about “wise parents provide their children with a different frame to look at camp. It is not “3 weeks away from mom and dad”, but is instead “a grand adventure full of fun and friends”.

Jen Bush writes for American Camp Association: “Learn details of the facilities. Will your child have to walk to the bathroom at night? Some kids, especially those from urban areas, are unaccustomed to total darkness, so it’s a good idea to practice using a flashlight. Will she be exposed to a lot of bugs and wildlife? Consider taking a family camping trip in advance to familiarize your child with the outdoor environment, nighttime sounds, and roughing it a bit.”

A great idea we heard from a parent is have your teenager take a mini-vacation from their phone or screen. Make it a positive experience where you go do something together or something she enjoys and explain that it’s about being present together. Not tying it “going away to camp” will be in their favor.

Other ideas:
• Look over the packing list together on https://runoia.com/camp-store/, start browsing your closets and stores and gathering items together for camp.
• Practice sorting their dirty laundry from clean clothes, carrying their toiletries to the shower, brushing and braiding their hair, making their bed. Make a list of things they will be expected to do at camp on their own or with the support of a counselor or a friend and start practicing!
• Discuss what they will enjoy doing at camp, look over the camp activities, help explain how they can sign up for activities at the camp and who to turn to if they would like to change their schedule.
• Let them know how Runoia directors and adults are around all the time to help them at camp. Have them write an email to us about any concerns so we can address them. Reducing uncertainty and knowing adults will be there to help them really helps.

Let your camper know it is absolutely normal to be nervous about camp and let her know that everyone is nervous – even the campers returning to Runoia. Remind her we are great at helping campers adjust and get oriented at Camp Runoia and we want her to have the best time of her life!

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

Odd Mum out!

Posted on January 7, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

We were pretty busy over school vacation. We didn’t go anywhere too far away but spent time doing activities together that we don’t often get a chance to fit in. When we didn’t go visiting family and friends our days included plenty of fun both indoors and out. We like to be active: we went dog walking up the local mountain (dog-sitting Runoia’s Jake was a good excuse); ice skating at the indoor arena as the pond across the street isn’t frozen yet; to the big trampoline park to get in not only bouncy time but slack lining and playing in the giant hamster balls too. The waterpark is only an hour away and is always good for a few hours on a freezing cold day; swimming is the summer activity that we miss the most when we are not at camp. Of course when it did finally snow a microscopic amount we hit the local ski slope to get warmed up for the season.

One thing that I noticed while out and about was how many parents looked so bored sitting around the edges while their kids were having a great time. I am not passing judgement I am sure that there are many reasons for adults to not join in the fun but it just never occurred to me to not participate. I began to feel a bit like the odd Mum out. Why would I want to sit and watch when I can take part? My kids can get a great laugh at my efforts, we get to make memories together and it allows my children to be better than me at a bunch of stuff – there is definitely no front handspring on the trampoline from me these days! I also appreciate getting some good exercise and having plain old fun.

I’m not my kids tag-along for everything and believe me I am more than happy when they are tucked up in bed for the night and I get some quiet time. I enjoy being the odd mum out and thank goodness I have a bunch of grown up friends who like to join me.

Obviously there is no actual photographic evidence of me doing any of these activities as I was far too busy having fun. Might be time to buy a selfie stick!

Let it snow?!

Posted on December 24, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

The weather outside is gorgeous!

It’s beginning to look at lot like April. The weather in Maine is incredibly mild which is so very unusual for this time of year. With not a glimpse of the fluffy, white stuff to be had it has an interesting impact on the feelings of the season. My children have never in their lives had a Christmas without snow. I am fielding lots of questions about how on earth Santa is going to make the trek from the North Pole without a soft landing spot. Luckily having grown up in a country where there is almost never snow in December I can reassure them that he will definitely get here. Our conversations then turned to camp and ‘what if the snow came later and it was still freezing in June?’ An interesting thought and one we hope will not come true any time in the near future. While it would certainly be fun to have a winter camp session filled with ice skating, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and of course s’mores around a roaring fire we love our long summer days.

The weather certainly plays a huge role on our perception of events and experiences. We expect here in Maine that it will be cold and snowy for the Holidays and that the summer will be filled with long, warm days. We shall embrace our mild winter and imagine what it would be like if we could actually ski over break while hoping we will get our fair share of snow long before it is time for camp.

Hoping you all have days that are merry, bright and filled with the kind of weather that suits your activities. Here at camp we will enjoy seeing the grass for a few more weeks and celebrate not having to shovel yet.

Sending best wishes for the season from our homes to yours,

The Runoia Team