Kupugani Blog
Why I No Longer Use the Words “Diversity” or “Diverse”
When we started our multicultural summer camp for kids twelve summers ago, we celebrated the word "diversity". It was all over our web site and elevator speeches. I bragged about how we were "diverse" and reveled in our "diversity." That was then. Now, the word "diversity" has a host of non-positive connotations. It has become a negative code word signifier for non-white male. There are now negative implications of using the word. Instead of the narrow, now-negative term of "diversity," we should strive for "equity." Perhaps, as we continue to move forward with our human progress, we can ce...
More DetailsHow to Tie-Dye Like a Legend at Summer Camp!
With summer rapidly approaching, it is past time to get serious about preparing for camp. So today, we discuss the importance of creating the perfect tie-dye! Tie-dye at camp is like air to a human. If you see someone wearing tie-dye in public, either they love the Grateful Dead or attended summer camp and can’t give up the sweet fashion trend. There are folks who are certified tie-dye masters. (The author has been considered as such...) Such masters are often asked at which store they purchased their seemingly-professionally made garb, and respond "well… I made it!" So here are some ...
More DetailsThe Impact of Camp Experiences on Social Skills and Happiness
With depression, anxiety, and addiction rates high among adolescents, and many youth engaged in relational aggression and other damaging social practices like bullying, there is clearly a need to find effective interventions to improve social skills, relationships, and overall well-being in our young people. Camp professionals know from experience that camp can serve as a positive, often life-changing, psychological intervention for youth, but for the "noncamp" world to understand the potential benefits of summer camp, rigorous research needs to be conducted and disseminated. Many in the fields ...
More Details30 Fun Summer Ideas for Teens and Their Parents
1. Go to a jump park. 2. Go roller skating. 3. Head to an indoor rock climbing center. 4. Go bowling. 5. Take a class. Art, cooking, pottery, archery, gun safety – what interests do you and your teen share that would be fun to explore together? 6. Start a family book club. Find a book that you’ll both (or all) enjoy and have your own family book club. 7. Go to the second run movie theater. 8. Go out for ice cream. 9. Make homemade ice cream or ice pops. 10. Go camping. 11. Go swimming. 12. Take a hike. 13. Do a service project. 14. Go to an amusement park. (Here are tips ...
More Details4 Ways to Maximize Relationships
During the summer, when we enjoy camp during our girls-only, boys-only, and blended sessions, we strive to have campers and staff be able to maximize interpersonal relationships. If/when you're not at camp, the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree have some good tips for doing so when supportive counselors and a beautiful natural atmosphere aren't necessarily there to help in the nurturing. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. It’s all about bids: If you think the conversation is about what the conversation is about, you’re in trouble. The content isn’t wha...
More Details3 Ways to Build a Strong Team or Family
During our girls-only, boys-only, and blended sessions of our summer camp outside of Chicago, we emphasize building strong teams and communities. The folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree have some good tips for doing so during non-camp life too. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. Here’s what the best teams and families all do: Build Safety: Not the “Hard Hat Area” kind. The “it’s okay to say something stupid” kind. Share Vulnerability: Did I mention my blog posts sometimes have typos? May those errors make you trust me all the more. Estab...
More Details6 Ways to Connect Well with Your Teen
At our summer camp in the U.S. Midwest, we realize that it can sometimes be a challenge connecting with teens. A recent article from the Washington Post mirrors some of the techniques we use at camp to foster good communication and maximize empowerment of teenagers. Below are some positively phrased bullets from the article, with the whole piece (by Kathryn Streeter) available at this link. Speak to your teens as if they are adults. This includes both the tone and content of conversations. Value conversations with them. Teens sniff out adults who pander to them and suff...
More Details10 Ways to Help Your Middle Schooler Thrive Emotionally
At our summer camps with girls-only, boys-only, and blended sessions in the Midwest U.S., we strive to empower the campers through enhancing emotional skills. We're not around so much during the school year; here are some tips from a recent Washington Post article by counselor Phyllis Fagell. Summary below, with the full article available at this link. 1. Make good friend choices. Kids figure out quickly which friends instill a sense of belonging and which ones make them feel uncomfortable. It can be helpful to ask your children these questions: Do you have fun and laugh with this pers...
More DetailsTips to Prepare First Time Overnight Campers
Okay, so you have made the excellent decision to give your child the gift of an overnight summer camp experience, and he/she has never been to sleepaway camp. Yikes, what now? No need to panic, everything is going to be fine. In fact, everything is going to be great. Throughout this process, always keep in mind that sending your child to summer camp is one of the best things that you can do as a parent to help you raise an emotional healthy, well-adjusted, and self-sufficient human being. Just take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee and read these tips for first-time camp families. ...
More DetailsEssential Parenting Tips from Raising Human Beings: Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child
A child psychologist friend recommended Raising Human Beings: Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child, Ross W. Greene, PhD, Scribner, 2016. In it, renowned child psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Ross Greene offers great insight on maximizing the parent-child relationship, while developing the critical character skills of empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence. As parents, we have the important task of helping shepherd our child(ren) move toward an independent life with important beliefs, values, traits, and goals. To be a good parent is to navigate the balance ...
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Camp Kupugani has been named one of the 50 Most Amazing Summer Camps for Kids.
