Although I’m still waiting for my imaginary go-to guide on how to be a great parent (I’m thinking it must be lost in the mail for the last 11 years or so…), I’ve tried to do my best by my son. Here are some good tips for any parent from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. The summary is below, with the full article available at this link. Gardener not carpenter: Your job is to provide a safe space to grow, not to systematically build Frankenstein. Under 6, […]
As a director of a summer camp, people often don’t believe me when I say that I’m shy. A recent post by Jenn Granneman of Introvert, Dear summarizes the challenges of “outgoing introverts” quite eloquently, as below: Outgoing Introverts Exist, Are You One? So, you just found out you’re an introvert. Now you have a new way of understanding yourself and how you relate to the world. You can’t get enough of your new identity, so you’re reading every listicle and blog post about introverts that graces your Facebook news feed. […]
I still have fond memories of hanging out in the back of our family station wagon, without a seatbelt, looking at the drivers immediately behind our vehicle. Many of us growing up in that era also remember well-meaning parents who spanked us. Although many easily appreciate the wisdom and safety regarding current child seatbelt laws, some struggle with whether spanking is still a good idea. Our summer camp near Chicago is always focused on positive child development. So we encourage some potentially reluctant parents (including—according to a recent NBC News […]
Often at this time of year, most families thoughts turn to summer planning. As director of our camp near Chicago, I’ll often get questions from families trying to figure out whether their child is ready for a camp experience. Sometimes the question is disguised as a comment that their child can’t possibly be ready, but that comment often belies the parent’s own misgivings. We’ve designed a couple of fun, insightful quizzes to help provide answers for questioning families. Take a quiz! Have fun and let us know what you think!
An act of kindness… An open letter to the white lady at Subway… You don’t know how you made me smile. When I went to check out and pay for my sandwich, the cashier informed me that it had been taken care of by the lady who had just left the store. Involved in my order, I didn’t really take note of you, beyond seeing that you were maybe 60-ish year’s old and had smile lines on your face. When the cashier told me my sandwich was free, and why—I […]
If you’re reading this, you’re likely disappointed that events of recent months have revealed apparently deep societal fissures. If you’re reading this, you’re likely feeling uncertainty and fear about this country’s future. Even as the holiday season approaches, you may be wondering what new bad tidings the new year may bring. If you’re reading this, you might be asking yourself, “How can I make my part of the world a better place? How can I address looming challenges that seem much larger than they did only a few months ago […]
At our summer camp near Chicago, living the good life is pretty easy. Sun, fun, and connecting with friends on the daily–who can beat that? In the cloudier non-summer months, with less sunlight and shorter days, it’s important to focus on strategies that can help us continue to live the good life. Here are some good tips from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. Smile: Flex that happiness muscle. Laugh: How many things prevent divorce and can help you deal […]
We Need to Know This (by Tirien Angela Steinbach, exec. director of the East Bay Community Law Center, Berkeley, CA) We got here because of fear and hate and anger – powerful motivators. They drive our economy, our media, our consumption culture, and our laws. We need to know this. We got here because of the continued legacy of bigotry motivated by power – real and imagined, held and craved. When people have privilege – even a thin thread of it – equity feels like oppression, and people will clutch […]
During the summer at our Midwest summer camp, it’s relatively easy to connect with new and old friends–mostly by just being yourself, but sometimes by being intentional about using good socializing techniques, like the good, active listening techniques below. Here are some good tips from a former FBI agent about how you can get people to like you by active listening. The summary below (from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree), with the full article available at this link. Active Listening The single most important thing is non-judgmental validation. […]
Here are some good tips on rituals you can incorporate to facilitate being happy. Summary below (from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree), with two relevant articles available at this link and this link. Here’s what brain research says will make you happy: Ask “What am I grateful for?” No answers? Doesn’t matter. Just searching helps. Label those negative emotions. Give it a name and your brain isn’t so bothered by it. Decide. Go for “good enough” instead of “best decision ever made on Earth.” Hugs, hugs, hugs. Don’t text — touch. Here’s […]
During beautiful summer days at camp, within our Midwest summer camp community, the challenge of keeping our camp family happy is not overwhelming. Hanging out in nature, playing with friends, and enjoying the beautiful weather are almost guaranteed to keep one happy. When not at camp, it might take a little more intentionality to maintain family harmony. Below are some good scientifically-backed research tips on ways to keep your family happy longterm. The summary below (from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree), with the whole article available […]
Here’s a link to a recent op-ed piece in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch by camp director Kevin Gordon detailing the importance of interaction among children of different backgrounds: Kids Lives Matter.
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First-time campers can receive a discount when they register for girls or blended sessions!
6903 West White Eagle Road, Leaf River, IL 61047 | Phone: (815) 713-4110 | Kevin@CampKupugani.com
