Camp Kupugani Blog
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 […]
Easy Ways to Help Your Environment
As camp people, we have a vested interest in protecting our Earth’s limited resources, which are in jeopardy of being forever ruined during our lifetimes. When you have twenty minutes or so, take the time to watch the video linked here, if you haven’t yet seen it. It provides an entertaining, clear, and hopeful explanation of why the economy and world are in their current conditions. Check it out, show it to your kids, and pass it on. Maybe we can turn things around … hopefully so!
When You Should NOT Send Your Child to Camp
At our midwest summer camp, we recognize that camp can be a great opportunity for child development by facilitating kids’ abilities to stretch and empower themselves. We also recognize that certain parents may not quite be ready to allow that experience for their child. Below are some times when you as a parent should probably not send your child to camp. If you are a parent riddled with fear and anxiety, and you have a child who expresses reluctance about camp, don’t send them to camp! If, as a parent, […]
Why Being a Bedwetter Can Be a Good Thing at Camp
Being a bedwetter affects many children, ranging from primary aged children to older teens. (The current blogger, aka Kevin—through age 12—and his lovely wife—through age 10 or so—were also in that not-so-exclusive club.) For some children, bedwetting can be a source of embarrassment, preventing them from participating in overnight activities such as sleepovers and overnight camps. However, bedwetting should not and need not prevent your child from taking part in overnight stays, and especially shouldn’t inhibit your child from enjoying the benefits that overnight camp can bring. In fact, being […]
Should Siblings Attend Camp Together?
At our children’s summer camp outside of Chicago, we have sessions for girls-only, boys-only, and a blended session (with intentional opportunities for them to interact). So there are options when considering the best option for a single child. When there are other siblings in the family, you should also consider whether it’s better for them to attend camp together, or to be able to have their own individual camp experience. Here are some useful factors to analyze about siblings going to camp together: Single-Sex or Not Consider whether the individual […]
5 Ways to Help Your Girl Increase Her Confidence
Girls today get a lot of conflicting signals at school, from friends, and through mass media about who they are and what they can be. They receive many mixed messages about their bodies and their abilities. In a Harris poll, 3rd through 12th grade girls were asked about gender stereotypes, their quality of life, and their future plans. 52% said people think girls are interested only in love and romance. 59% said girls are told not to brag about things they do well. 62% said in school, boys think they have […]
Resist the Urge to Pick Up a Child Early from Camp
As a camp owner, I often see parents struggle with the idea of sending their children to camp and wanting to pick their child up early from camp. They can’t pinpoint exactly why they’re worried (and often conflate their own fears by saying/thinking that their child is the one who’s not ready); in truth, the very notion of their child navigating an unfamiliar environment (even a loving and supportive one) without their help makes them deeply uncomfortable. Indeed, if you ask a sample of parents what their biggest parental challenges […]
Strategies to Maximize the Camp Experience
Camp Kupugani is a longstanding member of the American Camp Association (ACA), the largest accrediting body for summer camps in the country. The ACA has some good tips on how to “cope” with camp. For many, the camp experience has been a long-standing family tradition. For others, the camp experience seems almost counter-intuitive. Send your child off to camp for maybe weeks at a time? Why? “As parents, recognizing that you and your child are growing and learning on a journey together is key to adequately preparing yourself and your child for any type of separation, including going to camp for […]