Camp Kupugani Blog
GaGa and Giggles
Today, our blended session campers woke up in their bunks for the first time! The birds were chirping, the sky was blue and the competition was on as the campers went head-to-head in a thrilling all camp game of gaga! Some attained victory, all attained fun. After an afternoon of swimming in the lake, the evening activity was diversity show and tell. It was so exciting to see all of the items from different cultures on display! From T-shirts to Tea, we saw a world of beautiful heritage and spirit […]
First Day of Blended Camp!
Today, families from around the state, country, and world descended upon Camp Kupugani for another great session of blended camp. After a wonderful pot luck of diverse foods, we got to meet the diverse people who love our Kupu-campers! All of our campers moved in, played a very lively game of “Ship-Island”, and got to see their beautifully decorated cabins for the first time. The day came to an end with the opening campfire and our first goodnight song. We’re so excited for all the rock-climbing, I statement, and oh-so-many […]
Big Splash at Camp Kupugani
With the pool sparkling and the diving board ready to go the campers have been enjoying doing tricks into the pool and playing loads of different games! They’ve also been making a splash down at the lake with lake play and river walking, what fun! Keep Up to Date Have access to incredible articles and keep up to date with all Camp Kupugani life here!
Full Day Fun with the Boys
Today the campers went through a lot of brand new activities! This included 9 square in the air, fishing, crate stacking, river walking, slacklining and caneoing/paddleboarding. Even the rain couldn’t dampen everybody’s spirits after such a fun day!!
First Day of Camp!!
We welcomed all of our campers for the first session of boys’ camp. Everyone settled into their Disney-themed cabins and met their new bunkmates. Dinner was a delicious serving of pasta and meat sauce, followed by incredible tasting brownies. Everyone enjoyed playing large group games against Kevin and the Counselors, the campers winning every time except once! We closed out the night with our opening campfire and shared our hopes and aspirations for the rest of camp. A magical start to Camp Kupugani for 2017!
Enjoying Staff Training
It’s been busy, busy, busy here at camp as we prepare for boys’ camp to start on Sunday! Staff training is underway, with our counselors learning the ropes (literally) for all of camptivities! Rock climbing, canoeing, Gaga, Ship Island, Nitro Crossing, slacklining, and so many more. The sun is getting brighter, cabins are getting tidied, and crates are getting stacked. Tash is writing meal plans for the week (Backwards Day breakfast for dinner anyone?) and Kevin is shining up his Pens of Destiny to be ready when campers arrive. Campers, […]
Advice on How to Let Kids Go to Camp
You may no longer be afraid of ghost stories or of sleeping on the top bunk but you, like your child, probably still have fears about camp. Rest assured, you’re not alone. While sending your child to camp for the first or eighth time can be emotional—most often, your fears are for naught. “A parent should evaluate how much his or her own personal anxieties are interfering with the child’s opportunity to engage in a positive camp experience,” suggests parenting expert Sara Dimerman, author of Am I a Normal Parent? […]
Fun Start to Summer 2017
What an exciting past few days! We would like to officially welcome our first international staff of the season (picture from left to right). Laura is from a tiny town called Walla-Walla, in Australia. She enjoys archery, and is looking forward to teaching Kupugani campers her impressive skills. Daniel is also from Australia. Back home, he resides in a town called Yass. His favorite color is yellow. Lee is a returning staff member; he is from Durham, England. He likes to travel, and plans on being in the Canadian […]
10 Powerful Things You Can Say To Your Kids
At our Chicago area summer camp, we’re aware of the importance of empowering children. When the Pew Research Center showed parents across America a list of 10 skills and asked, “Which of these skills is most important for a child to get ahead in the world today?”, the winner, by a landslide, was communication. Not only was it chosen as the most important, but it beat out such traditional favorites as reading, writing, teamwork, and logic. Powerful communication for kids starts with their parents and it is important to make […]
How to Talk to Kids About Scary News
While driving down the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, with a view of the Manhattan skyline gleaming outside the car windows, my 5-year-old daughter suddenly piped up from the backseat, “Did you know people flew planes into the Twin Towers?” It was like someone had knocked the wind of my chest, and my husband had to tighten his grip on the steering wheel. I collected myself enough to respond as casually as I could, despite reeling on the inside. “Um, yes,” I said. “How do you know that?” “We learned about it in […]
Six Benefits of Going to Summer Camp
For generations, children have spent their summers at day and sleepaway camps, trying new activities such as swimming, hiking, and various sports. But what many families may not realize is that camp provides children with different opportunities to develop important life skills that are difficult to achieve in any other environment. Below are just a few of the many benefits your children will gain from the summer camp experience. Benefits of Summer Camp 1) Campers obtain the life skills needed to become successful adults. At camp, children gain valuable life […]
Taking on Back Talk
Last week, I reread the family diary I kept faithfully years ago when my first two children were little. The entries stop rather abruptly after my third child entered the picture. For ten years, I haven’t had time to look at these notes. Most amusing: examples of the back talk problem I used to have with my middle child. Here are things my daughter actually said to me: “Mom, I very ’pointed in you!” “Mom, I put you in storage!” “Mom, no YOU be quiet!” She was two years […]