Camp Kupugani Blog
6 Ways to Keep Your Family Happy
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 […]
Kids Lives Matter
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.
4 Warning Signs Your Child Might Be Being Bullied
At all times, and especially during Anti-Bullying Month, we should be aware of how our children are doing socially. At summer camps for kids, it can be easier to see if bullying behaviors are present. The challenge can be at home, where much social behavior takes place away from families or online. Here are 4 useful warning signs that a child might be being bullied: Frequent headaches A drop in grades (even in just one subject) Being upset after social events Excessive concern about being popular A link to a […]
7 Steps That Will Make You Happy All Day
When we’re at our Midwest summer camp and playing GaGa, rock climbing, or just hanging out with friends, it’s pretty easy to be happy. After all, communing in nature, having fun, and having a great time in the sun are easy ways to create smiles and be happy. When we’re not at camp, we might need to be a little more focused to make those smiles last all day. Below are some good scientifically-backed research tips on what you can do to get that happy feeling all day. The summary […]
3 Scientifically-Based Ways to be More Assertive
At our multicultural summer camp near Chicago, we practice assertiveness techniques to help empower our campers and staff. A recent blog from Barking Up the Wrong Tree has a few useful tools. Bullets are below, with the full blog available at this link. Focus on controlling only your own behavior, i.e. not other people’s If you want something, ask! Try to get people to change their behavior, not their personality.
5 Fun Ways to Be More Successful
It may be easy to have fun and thrive at summer camp. Sometimes it might take a little more intentionality. Luckily, science has some ways to help us out regarding how we can be more successful in life. Below are some good scientifically-backed research tips on how you can do exactly that. Bullets below, with the whole article available at this link on how to be more successful in life. Successful Habits Happiness brings success (i.e. not the other way around, as is commonly misconstrued). See problems as challenges, not […]
10 Things You Should Do Everyday to Feel Good
While it’s relatively easy while at summer camp to do things that make you feel good, when not at camp, it might take a little more intention to do so. Below are some good scientifically-backed research tips on what you can do to maintain a good mood. Bullets below, with the whole article available at this link. Feel Good Activities Get out in nature Exercise Spend time with friends and family Express gratitude Meditate Get enough sleep Challenge yourself Laugh Touch someone Be optimistic
How To Never Have to Argue with Your Kids (Or Anyone)
At our summer camp in the Midwest, we work on conflict resolution techniques to help empower our campers and staff. A recent blog from the good folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree, a blog offering cool life tips, emphasized a few ways that we can use to never have to argue with your kids (or anyone). Bullets are below, with the full blog available at this link. Listen With Full Attention: Everyone needs to feel understood; kids are no different. Acknowledge Their Feelings: Paraphrase what they said. Don’t say you understand, […]
Trusting Child Development Professionals
As parents, we seek the best for our children. What can sometimes be a challenge is recognizing that the best thing for our children is letting them navigate their own path, and sometimes letting them fail. Life’s best lessons aren’t always learned through getting your way, or creating situations where your children get their way. For example, when parents confront coaches about playing time (or referees about perceived bad calls…or camp directors about experiences related to camp) for their kids, they send dueling bad messages: that the child deserves the […]
Kupugani Diary Cabin Day: July 31st
Donuts and a later than normal morning circle after a night under the stars was perfect for the Kupu-campers this Sunday. I’m pretty sure I heard snoring 15 minutes into “The Lego Movie” last night. The morning was a little slow, but picked up very fast once the kids got into their songs and skits with their cabin. Several of them came running back eager to start the activity that their cabin agreed on. Since some campers chose the same activities, they were able to play games together which gave […]
Final Night of Blended Session
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” – William Ellery Channing. We reflected on this quote in our morning circle. It’s always refreshing to hear the campers’ perspective on the final day. For camptivities, we Crate Stacked, Tie Dyed, Swam, and played 9 Square in the Air. As part of campers’ preparation for their departure tomorrow, we signed our Blended session 2016 Bench for the final night. These campers have definitely left their mark on camp. The campers sang their appreciation […]
It’s Time for Kupugani Olympics!
Today was a scorcher in more ways than one. We started the day with a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs with spinach and our favorite coffee cake. In Teams, we talked about the impact of our words and actions. We have been learning a lot about this here at camp and also learning how to responsibly communicate our emotions by using “I” statements. After lunch, the Kupugani Olympics opening ceremonies included body paint and team cheers. Campers could not be beat by the heat. Slip and slide, Gaga and […]