kevin gordon

Intro: The Leadership Seed is Planted As intentional parents, you recognize the importance of nurturing your child’s personal development. The journey to leadership development often begins in unexpected places, one of which could be a summer camp. According to the Journal for Youth Development, foundational leadership skills correlate with camp experiences. Let’s delve into how Camp Kupugani, without overtly pushing, becomes a fertile ground for leadership growth. Camp Kupugani’s Unique Approach Camp Kupugani is a multicultural summer camp that challenges, empowers, and celebrates bringing together children of varied backgrounds. A […]

As intentional parents, we constantly try to nurture our children’s growth and development. One avenue that holds tremendous potential is the timeless tradition of summer camp. Camp for everyone! The Power of Great Summer Adventures An American Camp Association survey shows that children who attend summer camps experience significant boosts in self-confidence and social skills. A structured, yet fun camp environment aligns perfectly with the intentional parent’s goal of creating a well-rounded individual. Unplugging for Personal Growth In an era dominated by screens and digital distractions, the importance of unplugging for […]

Hey there, intentional parents! Today, we explore how adopting a growth mindset can be a game-changer for families, turning discomfort into a catalyst for immense growth and learning. The Growth Mindset Unveiled: What is it? So, what’s the buzz about a growth mindset? It’s more than just a trendy term. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. On the flip side, a fixed mindset sees abilities as innate and unchangeable. Shifting Perspectives: Let’s keep it real–embracing a growth mindset […]

Once upon a time, in a bustling neighborhood, lived a young girl named Maya. Maya’s parents, avid believers in intentional parenting, strived to instill empathy and compassion in her heart. Little did they know, the uncomfortable moments in Maya’s life would become stepping stones to her profound understanding of others’ emotions and struggles. The Power of Discomfort: Fueling Empathy Empathy and compassion often find their roots in discomfort. It’s in those moments of unease, whether it’s experiencing a personal setback or witnessing someone else’s pain, that empathy begins to bloom. […]

Introduction: The Dinner Table Talks Picture this: a family gathered around the dinner table, forks clinking against plates, laughter in the air. But tonight’s conversation diverges from the usual anecdotes. The topic? Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Faces may scrunch up, discomfort lurking, but embracing uncomfortable conversations holds a key to growth, understanding, and creating a more inclusive world by embracing discomfort. Initiating Uncomfortable Conversations: Why They Matter When it comes to cultural immersion and discussing diversity, embracing uncomfortable conversations can be like stepping into uncharted territory. Yet, they’re crucial. According […]

Picture this: a summer camp nestled within forest land, a picturesque lake, and limestone cliffs. Laughter echoes through the trees and children’s faces light up with newfound friendships. Campfires crackle, marshmallows roast, and an air of excitement blends with a tinge of nerves. This is the landscape where growth unfolds, where discomfort is not feared but embraced as a tool for personal development. In a world where discomfort is often seen as something to avoid, intentionally creating safe spaces for discomfort–that welcome and nurture it is a transformative act. Parents […]

Personal development is an important focus at Camp Kupugani. Allowing ourselves to make mistakes and embracing failure as a means of growth and learning is a critical tool along the way to personal development. Failure is a word that often carries a heavy weight, full of disappointment and negativity. But what if we reframed “failure” as a stepping stone toward success, a crucial part of the journey rather than the end of it? Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is a transformative mindset that can maximize personal and professional growth. […]

Personal development is an important focus at Camp Kupugani. Embracing discomfort as a means of growth and learning is a unique and valuable approach. At Camp Kupugani, two of our (six) core values—excellence and empowerment—speak to the importance of embracing discomfort both at camp and in our lives at home. Navigating discomfort on the way to personal growth and learning means being able to develop resilience. Below are some tips and resources on how practicing mindfulness and cultivating resilience can help families develop health tools for coping with discomfort. Family […]