Camp Kupugani Blog
How to Avoid 9 Happiness Mistakes
A recent Huffington Post article emphasizes that, while incorporating “happiness” habits may be a manageable way to integrate joy into our lives every day, we should be mindful of nine potential mistakes we might be making that are detrimental to our overall happiness. Summary below: You’re placing too much emphasis on fulfillment. Concentrating too much on achieving happiness may actually be making you more unhappy. The study found that those who put a higher pressure on themselves to be happy felt more lonely on a daily basis than those who did not. […]
Make a Positive Impact in Your Workplace
At our multicultural summer camp, we try to be intentional about fostering a culturally competent atmosphere that is welcoming to everybody. Here are some good tips, culled from a calendar from the Anti-Defamation League, detailing how you can make a positive impact in your workplace. Offer professional development workshops that help all employees understand and respect individual work and communication styles. Be understanding and supportive of co-workers when they are observing religious and/or cultural holidays. If a co-worker makes an insensitive racial, ethnic or religious comment, respond by respectfully pointing […]
Help Your Children Lead Mindful Online Lives
At our Illinois summer camp, during the summer, we don’t have to worry about our campers being on their phones constantly because they are too busy empowering themselves. However, during their home lives, we recognize that, since electronics are allowed there, that it can be useful to guide young people appropriately. I recently read a good blog entry detailing how to navigate managing tablet and smartphone usage for young teens and pre-teens. Sociologist Christine Carter notes that: “Tech devices are dramatically affecting our kids’ normal social, sexual, intellectual, and emotional […]
It’s Never Too Early to Think About Camp!
Hopefully, you’re enjoying the end of a fantastic year and the impending approach of an optimistic new one. Although 2013 is still with us, it’s not too early to begin planning for next summer’s camp season. Especially since children have a limited window of opportunity in their lives to benefit from camp, the decision to begin a new camp experience should not be put off. We are already accepting 2014 registrations; because our Illinois girls summer camp near Chicago (or our boys program, like other camps) has limited registrations, if […]
Ambivalent Sexism Inventory
At our girls summer camp here in snowy Illinois, at all times of the year, we recognize the value of identity and self-empowerment. A link a friend recently forwarded to me reminds me of the work we have to do as individuals, communities, and yes, even summer camps for girls. See below for more from the link. Every day, the self-esteem of young girls and women are lowered due to the subliminal behavior of others. Test yourself by taking the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory to see your own hidden biases.” “Women — you […]
Thoughts on Fostering Child Independence
If you have seen our recently released video of parent testimonials, you’ll notice a theme that ties them all together–fostering independence. Almost every parent mentions that their child comes back more independent than when they first dropped them off at Camp Kupugani. Outside of camp, children are typically seen as somewhat incompetent beings dependent upon adults, with the expectation that children will eventually gain independence during their young adult years. However, at camp we recognize that, at a younger age, independence not only helps children now and later on in life, but also […]
How to Make an Empowering Plan for the New Year
The new year is approaching for us at our summer camp near Chicago, and for everyone around the world. For those who are resolution makers, here’s a recent article from psychotherapist Maud Purcell on how to make a plan that you can stick to. Highlights include: • Work backward: Start now by clarifying your goal and then envisioning, in precise terms, what you want to have accomplished by the end of 2014. Now work backward to determine the objectives necessary to get there. • Create a schedule: Break down your objectives into […]
Youth Committed to Diversity Education
At our multicultural summer camp, we recognize that children crave global unity, acceptance of each other, and understanding. Here’s a cool video showing how tomorrow’s leaders address language discrimination and the importance of accepting others. While we’re pondering diversity and acceptance, check out this Chicago-based organization, Genesis at the Crossroads which uses arts education to bring cultures in conflict together globally.
Are We Wired to Want Stuff?
With the recent coming and going of the craziness of “Black Friday” and its rampant commercialism…with the holiday season ramping up…with my son in the second grade, exposed to classmate talk about what presents they plan on getting in the next few weeks, it reminded me of an article by social psychologist Christine Carter discussing whether we’re “wired to want stuff.” Like the author, as intentional parents, we want to foster positive emotions like gratitude and altruism-to bring meaning, connection, and positive memories. So how can we do so at this challenging […]
Tips on Yelling Less
I like to think that I’m a good parent, and know that I always do my best. Nevertheless, we all have times that we’re challenged more than others to maintain our composure and do right by our kids. Check out this link for tips on doing that and minimizing yelling, especially as holiday tensions might ramp up.
Where It’s Hardest to be a Woman
As a camp based on female empowerment with intentional diversity, it is only right for us to not only know about female limitations in our own country, but also in others. One major population consistently placed in an inferior position is that of Arab women. I found a recent article on Buzzfeed, ironically, when I was searching for something funny to send to a friend. When I looked at the article, I was astonished. I had no idea there was so many difficulties and struggles for Arab women outside of […]
Saving Our Earth Starts Now: Save the Bees
With each passing year, it becomes more important to incorporate into our own lives critical practices that will allow our Earth to sustain itself for our children and their children. At our multicultural summer camp, environmental awareness and respect for the natural environment is one of our core values. We take seriously our relationship with the environment and convey that attitude to our campers. In addition to providing learning opportunities through experiential education, we teach the campers service to the environment by modeling good practices that are respectful of the […]
