Alex Jackson leaves Camp Runoia after 30-plus years

Alex Jackson has resigned as director of Camp Runoia in Belgrade, Maine, ending more than three decades at the girls’ summer camp. She plans to shift into consulting and leadership work for camps and youth-serving organizations.

Why it matters: - Jackson’s exit ends a long leadership run at one of Maine’s oldest continuously operating summer camps for girls. - Her move could affect camp leadership search dynamics and the broader market for experienced youth-development consultants.

What happened: - Alex Jackson resigned as director of Camp Runoia, effective Aug. 13, 2026. - Jackson joined Camp Runoia in 1995 as a cultural exchange counselor and later held multiple leadership roles. - Jackson served more than a decade as co-director before becoming director in 2022. - Jackson led the camp through a period of transition and growth after ownership shifted from a family-owned business to private equity fund ownership.

The details: - Jackson said Camp Runoia was one of the great privileges of her life and thanked generations of campers, families, staff and alumnae. - Jackson’s work at Runoia included camper care, staff recruitment and development, program design, family communication, safety and accreditation, financial and operational planning, and stewardship of camp traditions. - Jackson is known for combining institutional knowledge, relationship-building, pragmatism and a focus on children. - Her professional service has included the Maine Summer Camps Board of Directors, the Maine Trip Leaders Committee and American Camp Association New England. - Jackson also supported American Camp Association standards and accreditation. - Camp Runoia has been owned by the Canyonlands Fund since spring 2022 and remains part of the Canyonlands Camps portfolio. - Jackson’s resignation ends her employment with both Camp Runoia and Canyonlands Camps.

Between the lines: - Jackson’s departure removes a leader with deep institutional memory from a camp navigating ownership change and operational complexity. - Her next step signals demand for experienced leadership in camp operations, staff culture, program quality and accreditation readiness. - Jackson said she remains committed to camp as a setting that helps young people develop confidence and gives staff leadership experience.

What’s next: - Jackson plans to offer consulting and leadership support to camps and youth-serving organizations. - Her advisory work will focus on camp operations, staff culture and development, program quality and accreditation readiness. - Jackson is open to a long-term leadership role at a family-owned or nonprofit board-run camp. - Jackson works with camps and youth-serving organizations nationwide and splits her time between the Washington, D.C., area and Denver.

The bottom line: - A veteran camp leader is turning her focus from one institution to a broader slate of camps seeking experienced operational and leadership help.