Our staff training began today and we are quite excited about what the summer holds! We started off the morning with some fun icebreakers and learning of camp songs, including Princess Pat! We can’t wait to gather again for more training of our wonderful staff members!
As we transition from activity staff training into Kupugani counselor training, the energy of camp increases with about twenty counselors eager to learn what the summer holds. We spent the first morning’s training sessions getting to know each other and finding commonalities. Given that Camp Kupugani is a multicultural summer camp, we as counselors reflect those values, hailing from countries all over the world and from every walk of life. We comprise a variety of different races, languages, and cultures; by coming together, we demonstrate to our campers the importance […]
Staff activity training at our multicultural summer camp is now full speed ahead. The staff members are excited and ready to teach activity skills to campers on the water and on land. The weather so far this year has been even more varied here in Northwest Illinois than is “typical”. Some cold and rainy spells have provided staff with some necessary and valuable lessons as they prepare for our girls-only and boys-only camp programs. First, it teaches us that we sometimes must be flexible with our expectations. While we all […]
Our son will be attending his first away-from-Kupugani sleepaway camp this summer. As intentional parents, we are now on the other side of the camp director-parent dynamic. Since our boy’s bedwetting—continual since he was a toddler (like his parents’ before him)—has seemed to increase of late, defeating even the best efforts of his pull-up style bedtime diapers—I gave the camp director a quick call. I wanted to just double check that the camp’s dealing with that issue would continue the process we have had at home of making sure that […]
I had a couple of amazing moments earlier today–one a parent moment, and one a camp moment. During our staff training for rock climbing, led by our experienced instructors, Mico had his now annual opportunity to scale the limestone rock face. Belayed safely by a new staff member, he climbed his way to the top of the 50-ish feet limestone cliff, watched by smiling Mama and Papa. He was engaged and feeling great the whole way up, which was surpassed at the summit by his absolutely beaming smile and eyes […]
Have been enjoying summer staff training, recently with session discussing Punished by Rewards. Sharing viewpoints on how challenging it is to overcome the popular, easier choices that teachers, parents, and others working with youth make. Avoiding the carrot and/or stick approach that many use–which work only temporarily to elicit desired behavior…and at a cost of eroding true relationship-building. Instead, we’re learning to focus on the harder work of helping youth to develop the intrinsic values so that the carrot or stick will be unnecessary.
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First-time campers can receive a discount when they register for girls or blended sessions!
6903 West White Eagle Road, Leaf River, IL 61047 | Phone: (815) 713-4110 | Kevin@CampKupugani.com
