Kevin Gordon

About Kevin Gordon

Posts by Kevin Gordon:

Some Ways to Give to Others and Emphasize Gratitude

Here are some good ways to give to others: Give a charity gift-card to a child.You donate the funds, then they choose a cause to support. It’s a great way for kids to start thinking about charitable interests. Budding artists can add artwork to the Linked by Love campaign or share a Star of Hope with an isolated elder. Send cards to children who are hospitalized. Tie fleece blankets for those in need of warmth. Explore this eco-friendly gift giving guide … or buy the change you want to see in the world this Christmas, with the help of these ethical gifts […]

5 Steps to Develop Real Empathy

At our Midwest summer camp near Madison, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, we try be our best selves and endeavor to provide an environment where our kiddos can thrive. An important component of personal development is developing empathy. A recent article shared some good insights on ways to develop empathy. Check out our summary below, with the full article available at this link: https://bakadesuyo.com/2021/05/rituals/ Don’t assume you understand Summarize the words you hear and share the emotional shifts you notice. Let them respond with agreement or corrections. Stay present They may […]

6 Ways to Use Rituals to Improve Your Life

At our Midwest summer camp near Madison, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, we appreciate the positive impact that healthful, positive rituals can have. From the friendly, fun, tone-setting introductory games at our camp sessions, to the power of a final campfire to bring a cycle of development full circle–rituals can be great empowerment tools. A recent article shared some good insights on how we can use ritual to improve our lives outside of camp too! Check out our summary below, with the full article available at this link: https://bakadesuyo.com/2021/05/rituals/ Time is […]

How to Raise Awesome Kids

At our Midwest summer camp near Madison, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, we appreciate the value of partnering with our camper parents in the development of the kiddos. A recent article shared some good insights on how to raise awesome kids. Check out our summary below, with the full article available at this link:https://bakadesuyo.com/2022/08/make-you-an-awesome-parent/ This is how to use ancient traditions to raise awesome kids: To Raise Helpful Kids: Don’t shoo them away to the world of self-indulgent child distraction. Make them valued members of the team with communal activities […]

Olympics with the Girls

Today was Kupu-Olympics Day! Our campers started the day off by enjoying delicious cinnamon rolls, eggs, and fruit for breakfast. During teams they all worked together to flip a tarp they were all standing on as well as cross an imaginary acid river using only a few floating rafts. For lunch the campers had hamburgers and salad to fuel up in preparation for the day’s main events, the Kupu-Olympics. The campers had a great time doing a variety of activities that were judged in 4 categories: Spunk, ‘Spect, Spirit, and […]

Girl’s Camp sdrawkcaB yaD

On this Wacky Wednesday, the campers participated in backwards day. This included having breakfast for dinner (and vice versa), wearing clothes backward, and pronouncing words and names backward. After the first meal (dinner) of chicken and waffles, the campers broke into teams. Today’s module / discussion was Self-Expression/Creativity/Gender Identity with traditional team-building activities following. We continued to do the other initiatives until lunch. After lunch, the campers got to pick their camptivities. After the activities, dinner was served. The evening activity was an Untalent Show–with some truly amazing performances and […]

Terrific Tuesday!

We started off the day by waking up in the cabins after a good night’s sleep. Everyone was up by 7 to shower, brush their teeth, and get dressed for the day before heading to morning circle. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs, bagels, cereal, and fruit. After breakfast, we broke into our cabin groups to take care of our chores. Then we met with our teams and did some trust exercises and team building activities to prepare for the more challenging ones to come later in the week. After […]

Magnificent Monday with the Girls

On this Magnificent Monday, the campers started off the day with a community gathering at morning circle. For breakfast, we had pancakes, sausage, juice, and fruit! Cabins did their daily chores before splitting off into teams to do some team building activities and reflective discussions. After teams, the campers enjoyed Free to Learn in Walnut Grove, with a chance to explore, hang out with those in different cabins and play games. They also build some pretty impressive forts! For lunch we had Sloppy Janes and chips and then headed to […]

Cabin Sunday Funday at Girls Camp

It’s Cabin Day! Today the campers woke up on Top Field after NUTS (Night Under The Stars) and headed to the dining hall with their cabin mates for a lazy breakfast of donuts, cereal, and yogurt. After breakfast, we gathered for Morning Circle and took camp pictures. For lunch today, the cabins hiked to different parts of camp and took sandwiches and chips with them to have a picnic. During their lunchtime, each cabin worked on a cabin song and skits and performed them on stage in the rec hall […]

A Super Soccer Saturday

On this Super Saturday, the counselors defeated the campers in a close match in the staff vs. campers soccer game. The counselors took a quick two-goal lead, but the campers battled back to make it only a one-goal deficit before halftime. In the second half, after the counselors again opened up a two-goal cushion, the campers made a frenzied comeback to get within one at 3-2, with not much time left. Even given a spirited last-minute comeback spree, the campers couldn’t quite find the back of the net to equalize […]

Fabulous Friday!

We started off the day by waking up in the cabins after a good night’s sleep. Everyone was up by 7 to shower, brush their teeth, and get dressed for the day before heading to morning circle. Today, our senior 14/15 year old campers got to run camp for the day! They led our morning circle, camp songs, and took care of all of the announcements throughout the day. For breakfast we had English muffins, bacon, and eggs. After breakfast, we broke into our cabin groups to take care of […]

A Terrific Thursday!

On this Terrific Thursday, all of the campers woke up around 7 and got ready for the day. They headed to morning circle and then enjoyed a breakfast of eggs, oranges, and Natasha’s renowned coffee cake – always a very big hit among the campers. After some camp chores, the campers broke into their teams for team-building activities including lineups, stand ups, and hula-hoop passes. Each of these activities required trust and communication, which helped the campers better connect with their peers. After team time, the campers did a “nature […]