For families and friends looking to share a little extra love this Valentine’s Day, why not gift something that reminds them of their happy place—Camp Runoia?! If you’re scrambling to find the perfect gift tonight, look no further! We’ve curated THE BEST Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for your Runoia Camper! 💙 Whether they’re counting down the days until summer or holding onto those camp memories all year long, these gifts are perfect for any Runoia girl! Here are 10 picks guaranteed to come in handy this summer!

🎁 1. Runoia Merch & Apparel – Stay cozy with a Runoia hoodie, t-shirt, or hat! Check out our camp store for the latest gear and send any suggestions our way of things you’d like to see added!
🏷️ 2. Labels, Labels, Labels – Head over to our fundraiser at Mabel’s Labels (just click on the link and type in Camp Runoia) to get your own custom-made labels to claim dibs on all your camper’s items! Imagine the horror of getting the new water bottle of your dreams only to lose it on the first day of camp because your name isn’t on it (Part 2 below). That’s a nightmare we’re trying to avoid—let’s spread love, not terror!
🥤 3. Colorful Water Bottle with Handle – Arguably the most important item Runoia campers bring! Imagine being 10 again, walking back to your cabin after filling your water bottle at the ice-cold faucet by the dining hall. Your friend shouts, “Hey, wanna play some Gaga?” You toss your water bottle into the ferns and jump into the pit—sounds like an amazing camp memory, until you can’t find that water bottle after your win! Avoid the thirst disaster with a LABLED, colorful bottle that’s easy to spot!
🔥 4. Brightly Colored Crazy Creek Chair – Perfect for campfires, canoe trips, evening programs, and everyday use! Pro tip: The nontraditional colors are much easier to spot if you forget to label it, and your camper is on a hunt to find it! Check out the “original chair.”
📝 5. Camp-Themed Stationery & Stickers – Let your Runoia campers write letters home in style! These fill in the blank letter sheets work GREAT for our younger campers!
💎 6. Friendship Bracelet Kit – Because camp friendships last a lifetime, and nothing says “camp love” like handmade bracelets! Don’t forget the extra string AND extra letter beads! A tried and true Runoia Camper favorite!
💡7. Fun, battery operated portable LED bulbs- Runoia campers can conveniently clip these onto their bunk beds when they need a light for some late-night reading! Hands free and a cute decoration!
🔦8. Headlamp/Flashlight– While the LED bulbs are fun, a traditional headlamp or flashlight cannot be beat! I mean, you can’t play flashlight tag with a light bulb! Ask any Runoia camper to share their favorite lights out memory and I bet flashlight tag is in the top 5!
🎐 9. Small, Portable Fan – For those hot summer days (we promise, they’re coming even if you’re currently shoveling snow). A small fan can make a world of difference! Don’t forget the batteries if it’s not rechargeable!
💌10. Pre-addressed envelopes and lots of stamps- You love that Runoia is tech free but wish you could hear more about what your camper is doing right? I totally get it. I guarantee they will send more letters home (and to Grandma and Titi Laura and Miss Sherman…) if you address the envelopes ahead of time. Feel free to throw on the stamps if you’d like, or pack extra stamps for camp to ensure you’re getting those old school updates from your favorite Runoia camper!
🎟️ 🏕️Bonus! The Ultimate Gift—A Summer at Runoia! – There’s no better Valentine’s gift than the experience of camp! Secure your camper’s spot for an unforgettable summer. Enroll Now!
Love,
Aionur











growing up, so during the summer at camp I looked forward to the traditions of having campfires and singing the songs that correspond, every weekend. I looked forward to having braiding circles every night before going to sleep. Most of all, I looked forward to our annual competitive team games. Sailing regattas, swim races, soccer and softball
Being a leader has always been natural to me as I am a very outgoing, outspoken person. At camp, there was never a time I did not want to volunteer to participate in something or be elected to be captain. As team captain, I would organize plays for sports and come up with new events for both teams. I also led my team to three victorious summers in a row, might I add. Though those were low-stakes things, they inspired me to get more active during the year with other leadership positions in my national organization and school. Pre-Covid, I held positions such as Nominating Chair and Recording secretary for my organization Jack and Jill Of America Inc., Very different from each other, as I can say there was no cheering or chanting but required the integrity and proactive skills I once learned at camp. Moving up the ladder, I held the position of Vice President and, in the same year, as President of my school’s Black Student Union, which, although virtual, was nothing short but exciting.



For nearly 100 summers, Runoia has been flying the team colors of Blue and White but, let it
be known that before 1923, each summer brought with it new team names: The Hooks and Eyes, The Crickets and Grasshoppers.
At camp we introduce ourselves now as I’m so and so and my pronouns are… it feels normal and fluid although it took some getting used to by many older people. Here’s one camp mom’s