Life at Camp

We started the day with our usual community gathering followed by Tash’s camper favorite of coffee cake (and cereal) for breakfast. We then moved into some team building activities to make our friendships and bonding even stronger. We enjoyed some delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches for lunch and had some relaxing time during siesta. But the day wasn’t any ordinary day; instead of normal camptivities, we had our KUPUGANI OLYMPICS! The first part of our Olympics consisted of a full camp gaga game, a relay involving potato sack racing, three legged […]

I didn’t know counselor training could be this fulfilling. I’ve met a lot of people here at Camp Kupugani, all the way from people from halfway around the world to people from my own backyard, and it’s been only three days! I have several more weeks to go and I haven’t even met the campers yet. When I was a camper, I met a lot of people, too. Now, I can’t say I’ll remember everyone’s name, but I will certainly look back fondly on my time and experiences here at […]

My trip started with a nerve-racking drive from my home to the airport. Although I was nervous, I was just as excited for what was soon to come. The first part was a 15-hour flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta. I sat next to an American lady who was very friendly and shared some insight on what to expect when I landed. The plan eventually landed in Atlanta, where I wandered around the airport and tried all the fast food places that I had never encountered at home; this was an […]

The 14-year-old campers left camp for a bit yesterday to visit a local farm.  While there, the girls learned how to split wood both the old fashion way (ax and maul) and new-fashioned (wood splitter). The girls were also able to interact with the alpacas and other animals on the farm. The girls also helped to build a new pen for the guinea hens. They further supported the farm owners by moving some bales of hay. Our 14 year-old leaders-in-training (LITs) will later head to a local nursing home to spend […]

While at camp, we empower young women by giving them opportunities to take leadership in their community. One service opportunity is the camp store (La Tienda) manager. Campers in this position provide excellent customer service, are involved in taking inventory, and take part in account management.

Yesterday was another fun-filled day at camp. The girls were split into two teams to open up Girls 1 2018 Kupu Olympics. Each girl competed in 4 events: gaga, an obstacle course ending on a huge tarp slip and slide, tug of war in our own mud volleyball court, and a canoe race (no paddles allowed) in the canoes around the raft and back. The competition was not decided solely on who won or lost the challenges but also Camp Kupugani values of sportsmanship, respect, participation, and effort. The blue […]

Our LIT campers recently enjoyed a trip to Starved Rock state park where they spent the night in tents they pitched themselves.  In the morning, they had to pack up the tents and prepare for a 3-mile hike. This hike began at the Starved Rock Museum where the girls learned a bit of the history of Starved Rock. They also learned about some of the fish that are local to the state. The hike traveled up a good elevation change (which might make our own What A Puff A Me […]

Today, six campers and one staff member headed out on an adventure to Pinecrest Community Center as part of our leader-in-training (LIT) community service programming.  The trip started out with quiet and relaxed campers. The campers arrived at the nursing home to a room full of residents excited to play a game of “Left Right Center” which, after an intense battle, one of our campers won with poise and grace. The group of campers wrapped up the time with the residents by singing the “Kupugani Beat” and leading them through […]

After every meal, it’s Kupugani tradition to do the Kupugani beat.  While trotters (table cleaners) clean up, campers explode into an uproar of rhythmic beating.  It’s a great bonding experience where returning campers will teach new campers and build community.  See the video below to get a sense of the energy and excitement.

            Every session, each cabin gets a group photo together.  Some cabins are silly, some serious, and others creative.  These photos are given to campers to take home on the final day as a memento to keep. Here is a sample of some from our recent blended session. Keep Up to Date Have access to incredible articles and keep up to date with all Camp Kupugani life here!

Along with cabin groups, every camper has a team group while at camp. Teams do various activities ranging from upbeat to cooperative to contemplative. They play fun games, build forts in the forest, and discuss difficult topics. Yesterday, teams created a cheer and today, they participated in an interactive game that led to a discussion on stereotypes.

Today, we enjoyed our first full day of Girls 1 session.  All campers safely arrived and are adjusting well.  Campers started the day meeting their new teams and participating in an all-camp Gaga game.  The afternoon was spent cooling off in the pool and finally, campers spent the evening presenting a representative cultural item in our traditional Diversity Show and Tell.