Camp Kupugani Blog
Empowering Children to Minimize the Potential of Abuse
Unfortunately, child abuse occurs with unnecessary frequency in the U.S. A video recently aired reporting sexual abuse at American summer camps. We are concerned to hear of child abuse and appreciate courageous children who report abusive treatment. Indeed, as stated in the video, “parents need to do the work, have the conversation with your children, and be aware.” Our number one priority at camp is the safety of each child. Below are just a few ways we protect your children while at camp and some family resources to minimize the […]
Takeaways from iGen
Kevin Gordon, Director of Camp Kupugani in Leaf River, IL–located two hours west of Chicago–recently read Jean M. Twenge’s iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy–and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood–and What That Means for the Rest of Us. We recommend this iGen book to any parent or potential parent that is struggling with: “When (or should) does my child get a smartphone?”; or “How much daily screen time should my child have?”; or “What harm does excessive screen time do to my child’s […]
4 Ways to Find Your Meaning in Life
At Camp Kupugani, our multicultural summer camp in Leaf River, IL. two hours west of Chicago, we believe that each person deserves to be happy. Indeed, if you could find a way to give your life meaning, you would be happier; we try to empower each camper to find what makes them happy and go for it. A recent article from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree speaks to this topic. See below for our summary and click here to see the full article. “There’s no shortage of […]
8 Fun and Easy Ways to Bond with Your Child
At Camp Kupugani, our multicultural overnight summer camp in the Midwest (in Leaf River, IL, two hours west of Chicago and 75 minutes south of Madison, WI), we are all about parents having positive connections with their children. Connecting with your child can sometimes be hard. Sometimes you might feel compelled to focus on teaching them “life lessons” and less just enjoying your time with them. Well, you can have both! Bullets below from a recent article from iMom, with the full article available by clicking here. Find a “fishing […]
How to Talk to Our Kids
At, Camp Kupugani, our multicultural overnight summer camp in Leaf River, IL–less than two hours from Chicago, IL and Madison, WI–we believe in helping parents provide their children with the tools to be productive and self-sufficient. Generally, as proponents of independence and empowerment, children (and adults) should strive for positive behavior not from fear of punishment nor desire for a reward, but because they intrinsically want to do what is right. ParentSpeak: What’s Wrong with How We Talk to Our Children–and What to Say Instead, by Jennifer Lehr, provides a […]
10 Tips to Express Gratitude in Your Life
At Camp Kupugani–our multicultural overnight summer camp two hours west of Chicago and 90 minutes south of Madison, Wisconsin–we help our campers express gratitude. Below are some tips from a recent great article from the University of Minnesota, to help you us be thankful during this season! Bullets below; you can read the full article here. Every day, say aloud three good things that happened Make time to see the positive Studies have shown saying something out loud helps you to remember it better Keep a gratitude journal Write down […]
Strengthen Your Bond with Your Mother (or Child)
At our multicultural overnight summer camp two hours west of Chicago, we place great value in the relationship between a mother and her child. We offer Mother Daughter and Parent Child weekend retreats where mothers and their children can connect. We facilitate this connection by working on teamwork, not allowing technology to get in the way, and allowing them to spend valuable time together. Here are a few ways to foster that important mother-child connection at home. It was originally written from one perspective; we feel that it can apply […]
3 Ways to Work Smarter Not Harder
Our multicultural summer camp in Leaf River, Illinois–two hours west of Chicago–is a camp where everyone works hard! As someone outside of camp, you likely entered your career with intention. However, no matter how much we love the work we do, we can all experience burnout. From the good folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree, here are three ways to help you experience less burnout and enjoy the job you are doing! Bullets below. You can check out the rest of the article here to learn the best […]
7 Ways We Can Help Girls Build Each Other Up
At our residential multicultural summer camp in the Midwest–located less than two hours from Chicago–we urge girls to be the best they can be while empowering other girls to do the same. Although we now have blended- and boys-only sessions to complement our girls-only sessions, we started with a single two week girls-only camp in 2007. We take great pride in helping our girls maximize their own and others’ potential. Indeed, especially when society can impose additional challenges that come from men and boys, this world needs women who are […]
Help Your Child Advocate for Herself/Himself
Our summer camp located in the heart of the Midwest makes empowering our campers our number one priority. Culling from a recent article, we summarize a few tips on how to help empower your child to become a strong self-advocate. Minimizing your own involvement while helping your child be involved in her/his own education is key to helping them grow and be ready for life after they leave your home’s cozy confines. Bullets below, with the full Washington Post article at this link. Teach your kids how to advocate for […]
7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Day-to-Day Contented
At our Midwest summer camp, we strive to have our community be content, even (or especially) when challenges arise. In folks’ day-to-day existence, maintaining that positive outlook might be harder than when one is playing outside in the sun. It can be done! Studies have shown that many people are not happy at work for lack of seeing success in their every day. Check out below for a summary of some tips and tricks from the good folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree, to see that you can shape […]
7 Tips to Sustaining Happy Families
At our Midwest summer camp (west of Chicago), we try to create a community that functions like a good family. The best families recognize that there should be intentionality to help make that happen. A recent article from Tesh.com underscores some strategies that work well to create loving and respectful households. Bullets below, with the whole article available at this link. #1: Share your family’s story. Helps kids feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves. Knowing what the family has gone through and overcome, prepares kids to face […]
