Tag: equestrian camp

Camp Runoia’s Equestrian Program

Posted on by Ali Wight
  • One-Week Equestrian Camp for Girls in Maine
  • A Unique Equestrian Experience: What Makes Camp Runoia Stand Out 
  • The New Riding Arena: A Modern Facility for Young Riders
  • Activities Beyond Riding: Building Confidence and Teamwork 
  • Camp Runoia’s Equestrian Program Among Top Maine Camps
  • Why Choose Camp Runoia?

At Camp Runoia, an all-girls summer camp set on the stunning shores of Great Pond in Belgrade Lakes, Maine, horseback riding is more than just a fun activity–it’s an opportunity for girls to connect with horses, build confidence, and develop new skills. Whether they’re beginners or seasoned riders, campers enjoy instruction in a supportive, friendly environment. From learning the basics of horsemanship to improving riding techniques, campers gain hands-on experience and learn the importance of care and responsibility. On top of the chance to practice daily as one of their chosen traditional summer camp activities, Camp Runoia’s week-long end-of-summer equestrian program is a great opportunity for young girls to grow, make lifelong memories, and discover their love for horses.

One-Week Equestrian Camp for Girls in Maine

Camp Runoia offers a week-long end-of-summer equestrian camp. This fun-packed week offers an intense, focused experience for junior riders, ideal for those seeking an immersive introduction to horseback riding or looking to sharpen their skills on the saddle. The camp is designed for girls of varying levels, from beginners to more experienced riders. Riders will also get to experience some fun activities with their horses that their home barn might not offer. Activities like swimming in the lake with our horses and playing mounted games are always a hit! Known as one of the top equestrian camps for girls, Camp Runoia’s week-long horseback riding program is the perfect way for girls to end the summer with new skills, friendships and a renewed sense of confidence.

Camp Runoia camper loves horse riding

A Unique Equestrian Experience: What Makes Camp Runoia Stand Out 

Camp Runoia stands out as one of the best horseback riding sleep-away camps for girls in New England, offering a truly unique experience that sets it apart from others. With top-of-the-line equestrian arenas, collegiate-level instructors, and a carefully chosen stable of horses, girls of all skill levels have the perfect environment to grow and excel in horseback riding. The all-girls setting at Camp Runoia fosters a supportive and empowering atmosphere where young riders can build confidence in English riding without the distractions of coed competition. This makes it an ideal space for the girls to focus on their riding skills. 

What truly makes Camp Runoia special is its community-focused approach, where campers can form lasting bonds with their peers and the horses they work with. Runoia’s horses, along with private horse leases, ensure that campers can reconnect with their favorite horses year after year, creating a consistent and meaningful experience. Our horses and ponies, who spend the off-season working in collegiate and interscholastic riding programs, return each summer ready to teach, giving campers the chance to learn from top-tier animals. 

The New Riding Arena: A Modern Facility for Young Riders

The new riding arena at Camp Runoia is a total game-changer, offering a modern, safe space that makes horseback riding even more fun! With a smooth, level surface, it’s designed to help riders practice and grow, so campers can ride with confidence. Camp Runoias has not one, but two amazing arenas, each with its own size and setup to fit everything from beginner lessons to more advanced exercises. Whether you’re learning the basics of horse care, working on your canter, or jumping cross rails, our program is fun, challenging, and suited to all skill levels. At Camp Runoia, every ride is an exciting adventure for our campers!

Activities Beyond Riding: Building Confidence and Teamwork 

At Camp Runoia, being a horseback rider is so much more than just riding – it’s about truly connecting with the horses and learning the ropes of horsemanship. Our equestrian program is all about teamwork, with campers working together to care for the horses and support one another during lessons. Each session, riders get to represent their team in our fun and spirited “Bees vs. Elephants” Horse Show, where everyone–from beginners doing walk-only classes to advanced riders jumping 2’6” courses–earns a ribbon for their hard work. But the fun doesn’t stop there–Runoia also hosts an invitational show and takes part in shows at other camps, giving riders the chance to show off what they’ve learned, challenge themselves, and build confidence. It’s all about learning, growing, and having a blast in the saddle!

Camp Runoia’s Equestrian Program Among Top Maine Camps

Maine is known for its incredible summer camps, and Camp Runoia is a standout when it comes to horseback riding. Set in the heart of Maine’s stunning natural beauty, Runoia offers the perfect backdrop for the girls to connect with nature and develop their equestrian skills. As one of the top equestrian camps in New England, Runoia allows campers to ride daily, participate in horse shows, and hone their skills all while enjoying a traditional camp experience. 

We cap the number of lessons we offer to ensure each rider gets attention from instructors and the horses are not over-worked. Two of our riding instructors teach each lesson, ensuring that every camper receives the individual attention they need to grow. This low rider-to-instructor ratio allows for focused, hands-on learning, while still creating a fun and social atmosphere where girls can bond with other campers. Runoia’s skilled staff are passionate about working with children and ensure that your daughter will thrive in a supportive, empowering environment. 

Camp Runoia equestrian horse rider jumping

Why Choose Camp Runoia?

For generations, Runoia has been empowering girls to grow both as individuals and athletes and is known as one of the best all-girls camps in the country! One of the camp’s standout features is the amazing horseback riding program, perfect for girls of all skill levels. Whether your daughter is just starting to ride or is already an experienced equestrian, she can choose horseback riding as a daily activity during the traditional summer camp or take part in the week-long horseback riding camp at the end of the summer. It’s a fantastic opportunity for her to ride every day, care for horses, and even participate in competitions. Runoia’s equestrian program is a major highlight of our Maine sleepaway camp.

Camp Runoia’s equestrian camp for girls is more than just a place to ride–it’s an opportunity for personal growth, bonding with like-minded peers, and creating lasting memories in one of the most beautiful spots in the country. With state-of-the-art facilities, well-trained horses, and a team of knowledgeable staff, our equestrian program truly stands out. At Camp Runoia, girls have the chance to learn what it takes to be a true horseback rider in a safe, supportive environment, surrounded by empowering staff and fellow campers. Whether it’s one of our lesson packages through our traditional camp programs or our immersive week-long end-of-summer equestrian camp, Camp Runoia’s equestrian program is a must for any girls looking to learn more about horseback riding!

 

Why Camp Runoia Is the Best All Girls Sleepaway Camp

Posted on by Lydia Schuldt
  • Exciting Summer Camp Activities
  • The Best Location for an All-Girls Sleepaway Camp
  • Empowering Girls for Personal Growth
  • Camp Runoia’s Equestrian Program
  • Inclusivity at Camp Runoia
  • Why Choose an All Girls Overnight Camp for Your Child?

If you’ve ever been to summer camp as a kid, you probably understand that the memories made at camp can stay with you for life. There is something magical and nostalgic about summer camp—the smell of the dining hall, the catchy campfire songs, and nights staying up past curfew sharing stories with your cabinmates. These experiences stick with us even into adulthood. Nestled on the shores of Maine’s picturesque Great Pond sits Camp Runoia’s all girls summer camp, where girls have been creating lasting memories for over a century. Discover why Camp Runoia stands out as the best all girls sleepaway camp in New England and what keeps campers and staff coming back year after year.

Best all girls camp friendship photo on the waterfront

Exciting Summer Camp Activities 

At Camp Runoia, the possibilities are endless, with a variety of summer camp activities for girls to choose from, allowing them to create a daily schedule that’s tailored to their interests and passions. From the thrill of horseback riding, to testing precision and focus in archery, or mastering the waves in windsurfing, there’s something for every girl to dive into. For those who love creativity, arts and crafts offer a chance to express themselves through painting, jewelry-making, pottery, friendship bracelets and more. Camp Runoia has a variety of traditional camp activities, but some of the more unique activities that stand out are basket weaving, mountain biking, yoga and stained glass. There is truly an activity for every girl here at Runoia!

The Best Location for an All-Girls Sleepaway Camp

With its sparkling lakes, breathtaking coastal landscapes, lush forests, and vibrant wildlife, Maine truly is the best location for an all-girls sleepaway camp. The natural beauty of the state, paired with the safety and tranquility of Camp Runoia’s campus on Belgrade Lakes, creates an ideal setting for girls to explore their interests and make lasting summer memories. For generations, young girls from around the world have traveled to Maine to experience the magic of summer camps like Camp Runoia—one of the oldest continually operating all-girls sleepaway camps in the Northeast. The peaceful surroundings and the camp’s nurturing environment provide the perfect blend for adventure, personal growth, and fun! Not only is Maine a perfect location for camp because of the beautiful nature, it’s also in very close proximity to major cities such as New York and Boston, which is a short drive for girls living in the city to enjoy a Maine summer at sleepaway camp. 

Empowering Girls for Personal Growth

Making friends at summer camp can feel a bit intimidating for some (including parents!), but at Camp Runoia, we make sure the experience is anything but scary! We know how important it is for girls to build friendships, and we work hard to create a supportive, empowering environment where they can grow and become their best selves together. Through team-building activities, trust exercises, and plenty of opportunities for collaboration and decision-making, campers not only forge strong connections with each other but also gain the confidence and social skills that will stick with them long after summer ends. Whether the girls are singing songs, playing tag or going to open swim together, forming friendships comes easily at camp. With a welcoming all-girls atmosphere, caring camp staff, and carefully curated cabin groups, Camp Runoia is the perfect place for girls to learn, thrive, and create lasting friendships!

Camp Runoia’s Equestrian Program

At Camp Runoia, summer is filled with exciting opportunities for girls to explore, learn, and grow—and horseback riding is one of the major highlights. With a new equestrian arena, Runoia offers campers from beginning to advanced knowledge with an exceptional space to hone their riding skills. Runoia’s equestrian summer camp program teaches that horsemanship is more than just riding. 

To wrap up the summer, Camp Runoia offers an immersive, week-long horseback riding camp, where girls dive deeper into their passion for horses and enhance their riding skills. Runoia also takes part in shows with other camps, both hosting an invitational show at Runoia and attending shows at other camps, which makes the equestrian program stand out amongst other camps in New England. It’s the perfect opportunity for young riders to end their summer with a fun-filled, confidence-building experience that they’ll cherish long after camp ends.

Inclusivity at Camp Runoia

The heart of Camp Runoia is our deep commitment to inclusivity. For over a century, we’ve been empowering girls by fostering a welcoming, supportive community where every camper is celebrated for who they are. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, we create an environment where girls from all backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Through team-building adventures and personalized experiences, Camp Runoia provides a safe and encouraging space for every girl to embrace her individuality and become the best version of herself. Camp Runoia also has a Diversity Advisory Committee that is continuously working towards making Camp Runoia as inclusive as possible. The committee has a specific focus on reacting to systemic racism in our country and collaborating to craft relevant DEI standards, practices and outcomes at camp. Our dedication to inclusivity at Camp Runoia is what makes it a progressive environment and one of the best summer camps for all girls.

Why Choose an All Girls Overnight Camp for Your Child?

Choosing an all-girls overnight camp such as Camp Runoia offers your child a unique opportunity to grow in a supportive and empowering environment. At Runoia, girls can focus on developing their confidence, leadership skills, and friendships without the distractions or social pressures often found in co-ed settings. With a wide range of activities, from outdoor adventures to creative arts, girls are encouraged to explore their interests, challenge themselves, and embrace their individuality. Surrounded by caring staff and like-minded peers, your child will return home with newfound independence, self-assurance, and lifelong memories. 

We hope that you now have confidence in why Camp Runoia is the best all girls sleepaway camp in New England! From adventures like sailing and waterskiing, group overnight hikes, and excursions to Maine’s most scenic sites, your daughter will have a summer she will never forget.