Kevin Gordon

About Kevin Gordon

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Simple Ways to Have More Joy in Life

During summers at our camp outside of Chicago, it’s pretty easy to find joy amidst the smiling campers, shining sun, and refreshing water in the pool and lake. Sometimes during the non-summer, we have to be more intentional about maintaining and creating joy in our daily lives. Here are some tips from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. Those things that make you happy? Do them: Take a break from “new.” Listen to the music that has always made you […]

5 Ways to Make Yourself More Resilient

As camp professionals, we recognize the importance of developing grit and resilience in forming strong character. Indeed, at our Midwest summer camp near Chicago, we work towards that goal both for our campers and for ourselves as staff. Here are some good tips from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. Your conscious mind isn’t always accurate: And this leads to problems. You will feel better: Because you don’t know yourself all that well, you’re terrible at predicting how you’ll feel in the future. Your […]

4 Good Tips on How to be Your Best Self

At our summer camp near Chicago, we strive to model for our campers how to be our best selves. Here are some good tips from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. “Treat yourself as if you were someone you were responsible for helping.” To Make Better Decisions, Think Of Your Best Friend: Take the “outside perspective” and follow the advice you would offer a buddy in the same situation. For Health, Think About Fido: Look after your health the […]

Expand Your Circle, Teach Empathy & Unlearn Prejudice

[FROM http://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/blog/6-fun-ways-to-grow-your-social-circle-teach-empathy-and-unlearn-prejudice] Now’s the time to broaden our tribes. We need to intentionally throw open the gates to new friendships and new social experiences if we’re going to expand our cultural boundaries and unlearn the prejudice that’s unraveling our country. It’s hard. I know. We’re all so preoccupied with finding a tribe and maintaining our small community. In this odd new world where families live far from one another and parenting is a 24-hour-a-day, 18-year marathon, finding like-minded, loving families to share the fun, the burden, and the car pool is essential. […]

Camp Mentors Set Children Up for Success

At our Midwest summer camp outside of Chicago, we recognize that camp counselors’ impact on campers is a strong example of positive mentoring. Recent research shows that middle and high school students reporting a high level of mentoring are significantly more likely to avoid risky behaviors. And, for folks considering sending children to camp, youth who have attended summer camp are 28% less likely to drink, 56% less likely to use illicit drugs, and 28% less likely to engage in sexual behavior than are their non-camper peers. Of course, this may be due […]

4 Ways to Maximize Your Parenting

As parents and counselors at our summer camp outside of Chicago, we try to continually improve how we empower our children. Here are 4 good tips from licensed child and school psychologist Dr. Kate Roberts on how to do so: Bullets here, with the whole article available at this link: Be intentional and focus on what is really important Be present when you interact with them, and show them that you care about what’s important to them, not just you. Emphasize the importance of being kind and not self-centered. Stop […]

10 Ways to Improve Body Image

At our summer camp outside of Chicago, Illinois, we emphasize empowerment by appreciating ourselves and doing the same for others. At a conference some years ago, there was a good panel discussion regarding how to improve body image. Here are ten great takeaways: (1) Before you look in the mirror, think positively. (2) Stop comparing yourself to others. (3) Nurture your inner self. (4) Wear clothes in which you feel comfortable. (5) Take risks to challenge yourself. (6) Make a “why I like myself” list. (7) Spend time with people […]

Brown Man Thanks Monroe Police

Dear Monroe Police Department (okay…maybe just two specific members of the Monroe PD…but that takes a lot more words than I feel like right now…) Dear Monroe PD…I really must say thanks. Thanks for reinforcing for me how much my son loves me. Thanks for reminding me how much I trust and value my wife and my life. Thanks for reinforcing for me that my choice of profession–as a director of a summer camp where we intentionally bring together children of varied backgrounds–is an especially important one. Thanks so much […]

Reasons Your Kid is Ready for Camp, Even If You Aren’t

As a camp director, I sometimes encounter parents of younger children who insist their child is “not ready” for sleepaway camp. But after discussing a bit more, it becomes apparent that the child is actually good to go and that it’s really just the parent(s) who is not ready to have their baby leave the nest. Now, it’s definitely our job as parents to seek the best for our children. But, it doesn’t mean that a parent needs to be the sole, direct controller of that growth. Think back to […]

Beware the Pernicious Effects of Advertising on Girls

Especially with the season of consumerism upon us, it’s worth being especially mindful of the pernicious effects of advertising, especially on girls. Sociologist Christine Carter has a good post on the subject, including: the elevation of the status of “slut” the negative impact on self-esteem and body image increased objectification by males of girls (and women) Check out the whole post here: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/market_victoria_secret#When:09:00:00Z Keep Up to Date Have access to incredible articles and keep up to date with all Camp Kupugani life here!

Camp Does a World of Good in Challenging Times

Smart parents know that summer camp can be a vital part of a child’s growth and development, giving healthy opportunities to discover, explore, grow and have fun; the camp experience helps build character and enhance life-development skills, allowing children to connect with nature, themselves and others. In these difficult times, camp also provides your child with a delightful respite from the inevitable pressures that surround our homes and communities. Especially since children have a limited window of opportunity in their lives to benefit from camp, the decision to begin a new camp experience should not be put off. But we don’t need to tell you how good camp is for kids, or […]

3 Ways to Help Raise a Powerful Daughter

At our summer camp in the Midwest, we appreciate the importance of facilitating the growth of strong, independent girls who will continue to empower women all over the world. Remind yourself what it means to raise a powerful daughter by reading this article. Some tips include: Listen more than you talk Encourage her to be direct when she’s angry Encourage her to take physical risks If you’re looking for more insight on understanding and building a solid relationship with your pre-teen or teenage daughter, be sure to check out Peggy Orenstein’s book, “Cinderella Ate My Daughter.” Keep Up to Date Have […]