Camp Kupugani Blog
Another Great Day at Camp
“We are for difference, for respecting difference, for allowing difference, for encouraging difference, until difference no longer makes a difference.” – Johnetta Cole. This was yesterday’s quote of the day, which we reflected on in the morning circle. The day started with Yoga for the early birds. After a scrumptious breakfast of farm fresh eggs and coffee cake, we were ready to embark on our next adventure. Our Camptivities included canoeing, rover float and lake play, nature walk, climbing, and challenge hike, as well as GaGa, archery, and volleyball. Our […]
Terrific Tuesday – June 29, 2016
Day three of camp featured continued growth and comfort with the girls. We had perfect weather, beautiful blue skies and a day with exciting team games out on the field! Today was a big day for letting it all come out whether in the sing off, during cabin time, or in our discussions of diversity during team time. The menu for Tuesday afternoon was hamburgers, salad and chips! Our camptivities were crate stacking, GaGa, challenge hike, river walk and Slacklining. The night ended on a sweet note with the girls sharing […]
A Strong First Full Day of Girls Second Session
Yesterday’s first full day of girls second session featured more activities and less getting-to-know-you jitters. It was a big day for getting to know one another through Name Games, 3-Minute Interviews and swim evaluations. It was also a great day for a pool party! Everyone was all smiles. A day like yesterday reminds us that camp is more than just a chance to retreat from the rigors of the “real world,” to have relaxing fun and excitement, and to make new friends and reconnect with old ones–camp is also place in […]
!Tnelatnu toG s’inagupuK
Today was backward day! As the campers enjoyed Free to Learn time in the serene Walnut Grove, the incredible kitchen staff prepared dinner for breakfast (delicious Chicken and Waffles). Despite being backwards day, we still reflected forward on conflict resolution during team building activities. Fostering those skills are an important component of self- and character-building. Today’s camptivities included Gaga and Cratestacking. It is amazing to watch our girls set goals conquer them and then create new ones. There is a definite grasp of empowerment as they challenged themselves to overcome […]
Singing Fun
As we enjoy our second week of the first session of Girls Kupugani, camp is full of cheer and laughter with the many friendships formed. This evening, our older campers set off on outbound adventures while younger campers gathered into the Rec Hall for a game called Sing-Off- campers were able to showcase their knowledge of music with the rest of camp in a fun bantering game! Many songs, dances, and laughs were had before heading off to their cabins for another eventful day tomorrow.
What Makes You Beautiful?
What defines beauty? As part of Friday’s theme at Kupugani, all of the mirrors around camp were covered to allow opportunity to recognize beauty as not just physical, but perhaps better defined by their personality. It can be very impactful to realize the leverage our physical appearance has over our self-evaluations. A lot of the girls tried new camptivities; crate stacking was a favorite. On Saturday, the campers lost a close match to the counselors in the staff vs campers soccer match. The campers took an early lead in the first […]
Celebrating Identity at Camp
“We are for difference, for respecting difference, for allowing difference, for encouraging difference, until difference no longer makes a difference.” – Johnetta Cole. This was the quote of the day, which we reflected on in today’s morning circle. With early morning running class and late afternoon crate stacking among a variety of camptivities, every girl is becoming more confident and empowered–stretching their limits with challenging activities and making new friends. Additionally, teams grew closer as we wrote and shared “I am from…” poems. These poems both celebrate individuality and validate […]
First Full Day of Camptivities
Tuesday marked our first full day of camptivities and team activities, plus games and cabin time in the evenings. Even given a few episodes of missing home (a normal thing, which 95% of people, not just kids undergo) over the first couple of days, the girls are gaining confidence and continuing to build a sense of empowerment.
A solid beginning to the girls camp!
The girls have been enjoying getting meeting new friends, re-connecting with old ones during the first full day of camp. Beginning on Sunday, our campers had a smooth beginning to the session. From our opening pot luck to camper check in, big group games like Ship Island and Running with the Bulls, and opening campfire, the day was a great one. The meals have been tasty (as usual), with highlights so far being Phil’s Farm Fresh Eggs for breakfast along with muffins from England (English Muffins), and scrumptious Mac and Cheese for lunch. Monday was […]
Why NOT Talking to Your Child During Camp is Best
For many children this summer, camp will be the first experience they have away from home, their family and friends for an extended period of time. Some will be eager to experience this new chapter in their life; others will struggle with the decision their parents made for them and will try and find every reason not to go. Nevertheless, camp parents know that it is best for their children’s growth. But, before you pick up the phone and call camp or write a letter to your child to express […]
6 Ways to Maximize Family Happiness
At our girls-only and boys-only summer camps, we recognize the value and importance of community. A recent post from Intelligence for Your Life helps prompt ways that we can strengthen family bonds. The whole article is at this link, with useful bullets below: Make Family Priority Make sure the kids know their family’s history. Studies show that kids who know their family history (good and bad) have higher self-esteem, are more resilient, and are better at handling stress. Hold weekly family meetings. You can make changes before minor glitches turn […]
10 Ways to Boost Emotional Resilience
At our Midwest summer camp near Chicago, Illinois, we are mindful of personal development. A recent article offers some good tips on how to foster emotional resilience. Bullets below, with the whole article from the folks at Barking Up the Wrong Tree available at this link. Increase Emotional Resilience Foster optimism: Don’t be in denial. See the world clearly but believe in your abilities. Face your fears: Hiding from fear makes it worse. Face it and you overcome it. Have a moral compass: A strong feeling of right and wrong tells […]