caring adults Archives - Page 8 of 10

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.

That is So Cool; Camp Runoia – Style!

Posted on March 22, 2016October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

“Wow! That is so cool. Where did you learn to make that?”

Upon being asked, you reply, “ Camp Runoia”.

With great pride, you show off your stained glass, woven basket, or wooden box–just a few of the art projects possible at Runoia.

For many years, Camp Runoia has provided campers with a unique and exciting visual arts program which continues to flourish. The days of summer are filled with inspiring opportunities, allowing girls to find their inner talents, regardless of age or skill. Think back to your first time you finished a basket and stood on the rock and heard the shouts of “BASKET WEAVING SHOW OFF TIME.” Remember when you showed up at dinner wearing earrings you personally designed. How did it feel when you learned to wood burn and created a beautiful image of a loon on the box you made in woodworking?

This summer, I encourage you to tag up for a visual art project at Camp Runoia–perhaps one that may seem challenging or time consuming. You will be surprised to find

Make a Basket - a Runoia Keepsake! — Make a Basket – a Runoia Keepsake!

that you have talents waiting to be discovered. You will also learn a few things about other campers in the activity and perhaps find a new friend. The very best part is that you will have an object to keep as a memory of your summer or a special surprise gift for someone you know. More links to arts and Runoia programs are here.

I am very excited for you to discover the many visual art opportunities around camp. You will be amazed at the artwork created by fellow campers as well as yourself. Just think of what your friends back home will say when you show them the art project you made at summer camp!

By Jeanne S. – returning to weave baskets with you second session 2016!

Camp ready or not?

Posted on March 16, 2016October 18, 2016 by Alex

Can you believe my son will be 9 this summer and to the shock of many of my camp colleagues he will not be heading off to overnight camp. There are no shortage of options and many boys camp directors ready to welcome him through their gate but he just isn’t ready. I am honestly not even sure that camp is ever going to be his thing only time will tell. He feels like his summer is already perfect why would he want anything different? We spend the school year challenging the routine and structure of school so ‘camp’ to him is his time to chill out and free range.

I committed a long time ago to not forcing my children to be campers just because it was my job. My oldest daughter did a variety of programs most in NYC and she ended up on staff at a dance camp located on a ritzy college campus about as far from the Maine woods as you can get! My youngest daughter can’t wait to be full summer in a cabin at Runoia. She is definitely ready and excited for this next step. As for Ri you’ll find him digging in mud puddles, picking blue berries, building sandcastles and living life to the max at ‘his’ camp.

This year at Runoia we are excited to introduce Harmony Land Camp. It is a shorter, self-contained program to give some girls the opportunity to try camp life and being away from home. As we know kids grow and develop at all different speeds and they are camp ‘ready’ at their own time. Helping parents figure out if it is their daughter’s camp time is something that we love to do.

We still have a few openings for the 2016 season so if you are pondering camp for your daughter give us a call.

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.

Normal Anxiousness about Sleepaway Camp

Posted on January 13, 2016October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

The countdown to summer sleepaway camp is well underway as we approach 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. 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!

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!

Posted on December 28, 2015October 18, 2016 by Pam Cobb

Family-Handbook2016

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

End of season refelctions

Posted on October 6, 2015October 18, 2016 by Alex

The summer of 2015 is awesomely reflected In the words of our Dream Team 2015 Counselors and staff.

I love working at Runoia. It really is a truly amazing thing that happens. I get the opportunity to make lasting friendships with amazing people, to pass on skills that I value very highly to a group of fantastic girls, and build my leadership skills more than I could at just about any other job. To the director team, thank you for giving me the opportunity to have two of the best summers of my life and for supporting me!

Personally, there were many highlights of the summer. I enjoyed watching the bond between everyone grow and it definitely showed during campfire and EP. Not only did I create bonds with campers, but I created friendships with the staff that I will hopefully stay in touch with! Seeing the kids improve in their skills and to be excited about trying something new was rewarding. It felt good to see the results of your hard work.

I loved every trip I went on. The Katahdin and Saddleback trips stood out as my favorite.

There are too many highlights to mention them all. I love Runoia because of the amazing experience it provides girls from all over the world. The biggest challenge for me was saying goodbye to campers and staff alike.

The highlights were all of the experiences I had with teaching the girls. It was so rewarding to have a girl come back to my activity and remind me of something I had told her or be able to do something without needing to be reminded. Seeing their smiling faces everyday was always amazing too.

I just want to say that this summer at Runoia was the best summer of my life and I am so thankful to be a part of the Runoia Dream Team!

We couldn’t have said it any better.

Thanks to our amazing ‘Dream Team’ staff! We hope to see you all in 2016.