empowerment

Teach Your Teenager about Non-Stranger Rape

At our girls-only and boys-only camps in the Midwest, we teach our campers, and enforce, the rule of 3—whereby a child is never to be alone with an adult. I’m not sure why this rule isn’t mandatory at all schools, religious institutions, and anywhere where children and adults interact…but that’s a topic for another day. Part of the reason my wife and I taught our child about ownership of his body from an early age, is so he didn’t run the risk of being abused. Other parents think along the […]

8 Ways to Respond to Bigoted Words

As this month continues in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, we look at we as adults can respond to situations where a bigoted bully might be acting wrong. Below is advice verbatim from the Anti-Defamation League about bigoted words. Challenging bigoted and offensive remarks are critical to ensuring dignity and respect for all people. Below are step-by-step strategies that can assist you if you find yourself in situations where such remarks are made. Think Explore your understanding of the situation. Take a moment to reflect on what was said […]

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 […]

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 […]

10 Habits Of People Who Never Worry

At our overnight summer camps near Chicago, we strive to be intentionally empowering and intentionally challenging, so that our campers maximize their potential. Amanda Chan posted this Huffington Post article, summarized below, (and in full at this link) describing ten (originally 11 in the article) habits of people who never worry: It is clear that there are some personality types that are more linked to worrying than others. And while everyone worries from time to time, it is possible to worry so much that it starts to have a noticeable impact on […]

The 9 Essential Habits Of Mentally Strong People

At our overnight summer camps near Chicago, we strive to be intentionally empowering and intentionally challenging, so that our campers maximize their potential. Carolyn Gregoire posted this Huffington Post article, summarized below, (and in full at this link) describing nine essential habits of mentally strong people: Mental strength is a difficult-to-define psychological concept that encompasses emotional intelligence, grit, resilience, self-control, mental toughness, and mindfulness. …It’s the reason that some people are able to overcome any obstacle, while others crumble at life’s daily challenges and frustrations. The ability to cope with […]

Strategies for Maximizing Childhood Independence

Children need to develop a sense of independence to successfully navigate an increasingly complex world. As intentional parents and seasoned youth professionals, we realize the need to give them space to grow. Psychologist Michael Thompson spoke with CNN about childhood independence. The author of a book about summer camp as a place for childhood self-discovery, Thompson, who is also a school consultant, recommends having minimal contact with your kids at camp. He also emphasizes that today’s kids are stressed and need whimsy in their lives. See the whole article here.

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 […]

Developing Good Listening Skills

A recent article noted some interesting attention span statistics, including some good tips on how to improve attentiveness and foster good listening skills. A great thing to emphasize at our multicultural summer camp! Some interesting points: The average attention span in 2012: 8 seconds The average attention span in 2000: 12 seconds The average attention span of a goldfish: 9 seconds As we navigate a world of technology seemingly competing for our attention, it’s easy to get increasingly distracted and more difficult to do the one thing that may be […]

Loving Yourself Unconditionally

At our multicultural summer camp, especially during our all-girls camp, we cover many topics from diversity, empowerment, to self-expression, leadership, and body image. One of our well-loved activities at camp is “Letter to a Body Part”, where we write a letter to one of our body parts expressing how much love we have for it—such as our eyes, stomach, hair, brain, etc. Why should we tell our body we love it? I was recently browsing internet feeds and noticed a variety of posts either encouraging body acceptance or encouraging diets […]

Encourage Kids to Appreciate Diversity

At Camp Kupugani, as a multicultural summer camp that is intentional in our empowerment and safely challenging our campers, we teach about and bleed diversity. It’s part of our mission and as such we are in a structurally and intentionally diverse environment. But what can you do if you’re at home and not necessarily in a diverse and supportive environment? How then to facilitate those important lessons? One article I checked out recently emphasizes: “Parents are uniquely positioned to guide their children to appreciate the differences that make each of us […]