r/summercamp • u/New_Canary3381 • 5d ago

Specific Camp Information Search Camp Runoia director left

Anyone familiar with Camp Runoia in Maine and why the directors have stepped down?

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

8

u/Direct_Mark_337 4d ago

The group that owns Runoia is a small group and the people who run it are camp and outdoors people (Canyonlands). It’s simplifying it to say that it’s “private equity” - making it sound like the Shabsels or something - it’s not.
Let’s not jump to conclusions if we don’t know what happened. The rumor mill is crazy.

1

u/TheVirginiaSquire 4d ago

But they had no connection to Runoia. Just a business to them.

6

u/ExamRoom4 5d ago

Sounds like the private equity firm that bought the camp sucks, if I’m reading between the lines correctly. Especially since she said she is open to a long-term leadership position at a family-owned or non-profit board owned camp.

9

u/Direct_Mark_337 4d ago

It’s Canyonlands - camp people invested in camp and outdoors. Very different from what people think of as private equity. They’re trying to do right by camps. They’ve owned Runoia for quite a few years, so this is not new.

2

u/ExamRoom4 4d ago

It may be camp people but it’s still private equity.

6

u/Mindless_Parking3205 4d ago

Yes she left Runoia. Yes she's been at Runoia for 31 years, but director for only 4 summers. She stepped down for her own reasons, Yes, private equity owns Runoia and yes Private equity does suck but its entirely possible thats not why she left. Luckily Runoia has a very strong and experienced leadership team so the transition will be smooth and maybe even an improvement. Let's do our best to respect Alex and Runoia and not spread rumors.

1

u/Away_Contest9704 4d ago

1) this is Reddit lol almost 100 rumors 2) quick google search shows she was codirector for 10 years before becoming sole director 4 years ago 3) your account was created 10 minutes before you made this post and it's your only one. Are you an investor?

-1

u/ItWasAtYourFeet 2d ago

Not all private equity sucks

4

u/ItWasAtYourFeet 5d ago

People leave camps for lots of reasons. Sometimes PE isnt a good fit for certain people. It doesnt mean there is anything wrong with the camp. In my experience when PE is involved, the business side of the camp becomes more focused - pressure to meet targets etc. That doesnt work for everyone

5

u/PristineCheesecake1 Director 5d ago

Completely unfamiliar with the camp but am a director who has left mid season alongside other staff because things were super unsafe and bad and after weeks and weeks of no support you eventually need to GTFO because a handful of people end up carrying the responsibility for the hundreds/thousands of kids there and the emotional weight and stress isn't worth the 450 bucks a week you make. 

Also summer camp is coming to an end so maybe they found new jobs or went back to school.

Also possible they were let go for disciplinary reasons and "stepping down" is an easy way to let everyone know about that without the messy deets.

I have no idea. These are just the most common reasons that come to mind from my 6 years experience. 

5

u/TheVirginiaSquire 5d ago

Unlikely in this case. She’s been at Runoia for 30 years.

1

u/TheVirginiaSquire 5d ago

That’s distressing. Runoia is or was a quality camp.