Camp Kupugani Blog
Importance of Girls Camps Given Societal Issues
If you’re an NFL fan at all, lately there has been a lot of attention surrounding the league’s treatment of players with allegations of domestic violence. While the controversy has had potential good points, like the increased attention regarding the dearth of women in decision-making positions in the league, it has highlighted just how far the league, and American society generally, has in regards to issues that significantly impact women. For me, it underscores the importance of continuing to foster environments where girls and young women can strengthen themselves. It […]
Why We Need to Be Inclusive and Culturally Competent
Everyday, it’s easy to pick an example of a stereotype being perpetuated; we seem to continually forget the lessons of history and repeat discriminatory behavior—and rationalize to ourselves why it’s okay. Today it’s Muslims and homosexuals, yesterday (in historical terms) it was blacks and Jews, the day before interracial couples and Protestants, you get the drift… At our girls-only and boys-only camps, we exist for children as they are so they imagine the women and men they can become. To do that, we help them celebrate and appreciate their own […]
20 Things a Father Should Tell His Son
Here’s a fun slash useful post regarding 20 things that a father should tell a son. Some of my favorites are below…so listen up Mico! The only time it is appropriate to use your fists is to defend yourself from someone else using theirs on you. Learn to disagree with someone without taking personal offense – if for no reason other than the fact that you can’t expect something from someone that you aren’t able to deliver yourself. Never let anyone do your thinking for you. There are far too many people […]
How to Raise a Hero
As my eight year-old son returns to school for the beginning of the school year, it reminds me of the importance of providing an environment where he is challenged to be the best person he can be. An old article from sociologist Christine Carter has some good tips on how to maximize your child’s ability to take action rather than be an unresponsive bystander when witnessing wrong. Our communities can always use more heroes! Highlights below! Here’s how we can make it more likely we raise heroes than bystanders: Foster their […]
Helping Children Through Transitions
Late summer brings with it many transitions for families–kids coming home from camp or other summer activities and getting ready for school; families with young adults getting set to head away from home or to college. Just like at camp, parents should be careful when considering “rescuing” their children who are undergoing tough times, whether the child is anxious, homesick, or lonely. Sociologist Christine Carter advises parents on helping manage transitions, emphasizing that the seeming “rescue” can often exacerbate the issue longterm, rather than letting them get through it and […]
And So It Goes…
And so it goes, boys camp came and went in the blink of an eye; and after two weeks, campers created some strong bonds. Not only with each other but also with their counselors. It was a transformative experience for them all and we are looking forward to next summer already! Mother-Daughter Weekend Without further ado, Mother-Daughter Weekend began on Friday evening and ended Sunday. We enjoyed watching the interaction and growth between mom and daughter, hopefully as much as they enjoyed it! Moms and Daughters were able to bond […]
Kupu-lympics!
Even as our boys session winds down, excitement and enthusiasm is peaking here at Camp Kupugani! The thoughts of going home are somewhere in boys’ minds, but the fun and activities we are having are at the forefront! Today was exceptionally fun as we had our Kupugani Olympics! Starting the Olympics was a traditional ceremony where teams come up with a chant to shout with the mightiest of voices! Then campers wasted no time beginning with a game of Sand Volleyball/Newcomb, then Relays which include sack races, a three-legged race […]
And the Winner Is…
Good Sportsmanship Today was another day full of joy and wonder with our boy campers. The boys challenged themselves today with Camptivities like Rock Climbing, Challenge Hike, Slacklining, Cratestacking, Pool, Canoeing, and our special Engineeritivity- Stomp Rockets! An extra soccer match was added to the agenda following the camper vs. counselor game this previous Saturday…this time with the cabins enjoying good sportsmanship and spirited play representing their cabin groups. Fun! Can you guess the winner?
The Kupugani World Cup
The annual all camp soccer game was the focal point of today along with it being Seniors Run Camp Day, where our senior campers took the lead at camp with songs, making announcements, and other activities! At the big game, soccer skills were exhibited throughout by counselors and campers alike! Celebratory dances were performed with each goal from both teams. It was a close game, ultimately resulting in a counselor win. The counselors even had to carry a cup of water with them the whole game and try not to […]
Another Empowering Day at Camp Kupugani
Camp Kupugani was full of exploration today between camptivities, Teams, and evening programs. Our campers participated in Lake Play, Pool, Fishing, and Mud Volleyball. The boys also dabbled in some Canoeing and Bench Building too in order to channel their inner Bear Grylls here! After a most appetizing and scrumptious dinner of BBQ Chicken courtesy of Miss Natasha, the boys participated in a very thought-provoking activity called Cross the Line. As an energy release after the activity, the campers did a “50 yard scream” and then enjoyed an all camp […]
Evolution of Our Kupugani Leaders
Today’s Camptivities brought great fun with rock climbing, nearly an all camp gaga game, challenge hike, pool, lake lay, and crate stacking! WAY TO GO BOYS! After a delectable meal of tater to casserole and apple strudel for dessert, the boys enjoyed a fun game of RoShamBo Evolution! At the end of the game, all of the boys were chanting “Stop! In the Name of Love” with inspiring fortitude! Following RoShamBo Evolution, campers went off to their second campfire of the session with the theme of “Deciding to Make a […]
The Kupugani Spirit
Cackles of laughter and spews of Kupugani songs fill the camp as the boys are settling into the camp routine! The joy continued throughout yesterday with camptivities of a River Walk/Float, Archery, and Pool along with the choice of either Tie-Dye, Biking or Chill Time! The campers channeling their inner Robin Hoods all made it within inches of the Bullseye which makes us wonder if we have a few professional archers in our midst! The happiness and energy seen within all of the campers is truly exciting as we see […]