Resident Camp Runels
Pelham, NH
About Camp
Nestled on 300 acres on the shores of Little Island Pond, Camp Runels is our art colony--an arts and crafts camp with extensive pottery, ceramics, wax, photography, drama and other creative arts programs. It is also the base camp for our most extensive backpacking programs in which girls learn or improve their outdoor skills during trips throughout New England. Our unique half-week sampler programs make Runels a perfect camp for first time campers. All programs include swimming, boating, campfires, games, crafts and all that camp has to offer. For additional information: email or call (617) 350-8335.
Typical Day at Camp
Each day you'll also spend some time working on your specialty program activities. At least once during your stay at camp you will have the chance to cookout with your unit. The rest of your time at camp will be filled with many different activities. Maybe you'll get creative in arts & crafts, or take aim on our archery range. You'll also get to decide as a group how you want to spend some of your time at camp. More about a typical day at camp (PDF)
About the Director
Sarah "Fluke" Leshay is the Camp Runels Director. This is Fluke’s third summer directing Camp Runels and her tenth summer working at Girl Scout camp. Her favorite memories as a girl are of final campfire at Girl Scout camp. She loves to sing camp songs, swim in the lake, and get messy in arts and crafts while at camp. Fluke believes that Girl Scout camp gives girls a chance to try new activities in a safe and supportive environment, as well as helping to cultivate lifelong friendships.
More about the director (PDF)
Sleeping Quarters
Campers who stay at Runels will live in platform tents, yurts, open air cabins, or tentalos holding 4 to 6 girls. Each girl will have a cot with a mattress. A bathroom in located near each unit. Hot showers are located in the central shower house. Each unit has a fire pit for cookouts. Counselors stay in quarters with other staff right by the camper's quarters. Each unit has a covered pavilion for rainy day space. Poles for bug netting will be provided. Bug netting can be purchased at the trading post. Click here to see a pictures of Camp Runels sleeping quarters (PDF).
Health & Safety
Camp Runels is an American Camp Association accredited camp. This means that a nationally recognized organization comes in every 3 years to make sure everything we do (from the meals we serve to the programs we plan) is done in a safe way. By selecting an ACA accredited camp you can be assured your camper is safe.Our camp is also licensed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The Department of Environmental Services in the state regulating body for summer camps in New Hampshire and separate standards of health and safety with which we comply.
What to Bring to Camp
Packing for camp can be very hard if you don’t know what to bring or not bring for your stay, especially if you are a
first time camper. If you are wondering what you can and can not bring to camp, simply click here for a full packing list (PDF) that will work for all our camp programs. We recommend packing in a camp trunk that can fit under your bed or a soft duffle bag. Please label EVERYTHING with your full name. Visit the Girl Scout Shop for camping essentials!