EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CAMP KUPUGANI, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK!!!
Welcome to Camp Kupugani! We are so glad that you will be at camp this summer! We know you will have fun changing your world!
Whether you are a first time camper or have been to camp before, the following list of questions will help answer some common questions.
Q: Why should I want to go to camp?
I can't think of a better way to have fun, make real connections with lifelong friends, and become more in touch with the environment, all while becoming a better all around person. Studies show that campers get better at responsibility, decision-making, social skills, and appreciation of natural surroundings. You make new friends, get to know other campers who are different from yourself, feel good about yourself, and do things that you might have been at first afraid to do. Most campers gain self-confidence, continue to participate in activities learned at camp, and stay in contact with friends made at camp. As camp directors and staff, we love to see how former campers grow into mature, well-rounded, fun adults!
Q: Why Camp Kupugani?
At Camp Kupugani, we focus on you as an individual, so we can provide the safest, most rewarding, fun, and memorable summer experience possible. There are a ton of cool activities, great staff members, and the most caring, nurturing environment you can imagine. We strive to have fun, empower our campers, and enjoy nature, so if that's what you want, please join us! You'll get great girls empowerment tools, sometimes without even knowing it; you get to just have a great time making fantastic new friends while reconnecting with old ones. You'll enjoy activities like rock climbing, canoeing, playing under waterfalls, and night hikes under the stars, plus carefully designed group activities and games so that fun and personal growth coincide. At Camp Kupugani, you get to have fun changing your world.
Q: Where is Camp Kupugani?
Less than a two-hour drive from Chicago, Illinois, and nestled within 120 acres of lush forests, Camp White Eagle is in Leaf River, Illinois, alongside the Leaf River in the northwestern part of the state near Wisconsin and Iowa. The Leaf River is a tributary of the Rock River; via the Rock, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed. Click here for a map!
Q: What is the weather like in northwest Illinois in the summer?
Throughout the summer, northwest Illinois enjoys moderate temperatures with average highs ranging from the mid-70s to the low 80s. Occasional rain showers ensure lush green forests and fields while the regular warm sun-filled skies provide the perfect setting for playing in the waterfall or dipping in the pool. There are plenty of bright sunny days for activities of all sorts to take place around camp.
Q: Why is Camp Kupugani for girls-only? (For boys, please click here to go to our boys-only camp page.)
At our girls-only program, we're able to address issues specific to girls and women. You can interact with women in positions of authority, and have more opportunities to "be yourself" without having to impress the boys.
Without those kind of distractions, you can be more comfortable, focused, and establish more meaningful relationships. You feel supported and safe, without the pressure and competition that might exist in a coed camp. You get to try new things like dam jumping and rock climbing, develop positive relationships with other girls in your cabin groups and teams, and overall just have a space where "girls can be girls." Free of any self-consciousness that might happen say at school, other social settings, or at a coed camp, you get to concentrate on skill-building, personal growth, and having fun changing your world!
Combining structured programing and purposeful free time in a supportive community, we intentionally provide young women with a place to question cultural standards and increase opportunities for them to gain leadership skills. In our all-girls camp, you get to be challenged both physically and emotionally, yet safely in a supportive and comfortable camp community.
Q: Where do Camp Kupugani girls come from?
Our campers come from all over the country and the world! Girls have come from as far as Japan and Spain, with others joining them from California, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia and Kansas, in addition to girls from right here in Illinois. Our campers' ethnic backgrounds are a nice mix too--including Caucasian, African-American, Bi-racial, Hispanic/Latina, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American; our young ladies embrace identities from everywhere!
Q: With so many activities available, how do I choose what to experience?
Our daily schedule combines scheduled group activities and choice periods. Campers choose at least two individual activities daily, and we re-evaluate our group schedules continually to ensure that all of our campers are focusing on the activities they enjoy most. The camp as a community does an evening activity together.
Q: What kind of housing does the camp have?
Campers live in wood-framed cabins within the woods of Camp White Eagle. Each cabin has been recently renovated, with insulation, interior wood siding, and solid, built-in wood bunks and drawers. Up to ten campers live in a cabin with two to three staff members who provide the care and attention for each cabin group. Campers wash up in nearby washhouses.
Q: How many campers are in a cabin?
Camp Kupugani campers are organized by age and grade, in addition to maximizing the diversity in each cabin group. Seven to ten campers live in a cabin with at least two cabin counselors.
Q: Where are the bathrooms?
The cabins have nearby bath houses with bathrooms and shower stalls.
Q: How is the food at camp?
Meals at camp not only taste great, but are nutritious too! All meals are served family-style in the dining hall where campers sit with their table group, enabling them to meet other members of the camp community by mixing it up with girls who are different from those in their cabin and team groups. Along with lots of food variety, we offer salad for lunch and dinner, and a limited vegetarian option if requested.
Q: What if I can't drink milk or have food allergies?
Campers with allergies are offered alternatives such as soy milk, soy nut butter, and gluten free meal substitutes. A parent or guardian will put this information on your health form before camp so that we'll be prepared beforehand.
Q: Can I bring my own snacks to camp?
We serve three healthful, balanced meals each day and there's always fruit available if you're feeling "snacky" during the day. In addition, there's "La Tienda" time most days when you can enjoy a treat from the camp store. Any other food brought or sent to camp will be donated to our administrative staff snack collection.
Q: Do you allow cell phones or Ipods?
Because the whole point of our camp is to enjoy nature, facilitate communication, and empower children by developing those skills, we don't allow cell phones or Ipods, which take away from interpersonal interaction. Camp's a great time to unplug; at first it might seem weird, but soon you really start to feel a newfound freedom from not being electronically connected to something for hours each day. Studies also show that you get smarter, healthier, and more creative by being exposed more to nature.
Q: Okay, cell phones and Ipods are out, but what should I bring?
We have a full packing list in our welcome packet to use as a guideline. Camp is about fun, so leave those fancy clothes at home and come prepared to get a little messy. River walks, mud volleyball, and rock climbing can get clothes dirty!
Q: Is your camp a "fancy" camp?
The whole point of our camp is for you to have fun while enjoying nature, communicating well with others, and becoming empowered by developing those skills. Our facilities are very well maintained, and close to nature. Our program will challenge and support you. Our counselors will care for and respect you. Our activities will help you excel and accomplish things you never thought you could. If you're looking for a camp that will help you be the best person you can be and have fun doing it, we look forward to seeing you next summer!
Q: Who will be my counselor?
Our staff members are carefully selected from hundreds of applicants from throughout the United States and all over the world. We offer positions to only those truly committed to being a teacher, counselor, mentor, protector and friend to our campers. Our counselors love to play and have tons of fun, and are great people to go to if you ever have something you want to talk about.
Q: What if I get sick?
Camp Kupugani has a complete health center, with a nurse who handles the day-to-day services and needs. Our nurse keeps all medication and distributes it as prescribed by your doctor. Every day there is one regular sick call for campers who don't feel well. If you don't feel well during the night or outside of sick call, talk to your counselor first.
Q: I take medicine every day. Can I keep it in my cabin so it is easier to take?
No, the state of Illinois and camp accreditation regulations do not allow any medicine to be kept in your cabin, including Tylenol or any other over-the-counter drug. Campers who take medicine go to the health center to take their medicine or have their medications brought to them at meals. An important exception is that if you have an inhaler for asthma, you should carry it with you at all times so you have it when you need it, and bring an extra one for the nurse to keep (just in case)!
Q: What if I get homesick...should I be worried?
Missing home is normal. Most kids spending a good amount of time at overnight camp feel some amount of homesickness, which is typically mild. Nearly everyone misses something about home when they're away-their parents, home cooking, a sibling, or the family pet. Homesickness has a silver lining; if there's something that you miss about home, that means there's something about home that you love-and that's a wonderful thing. Whatever you miss, most children have a great time at camp and are not bothered by mild homesickness. Overcoming homesickness and enjoying time away from home nurtures your independence and prepares you for the future; you get the growth and independence you need as you grow and make your way into the world. Our caring staff members are trained to help you deal with homesickness should it arise.
Q: I love camp, but I miss my family and friends. When do I get to use the phone?
Campers are generally not allowed to call home. Our experience with calls home is that they take away campers' moves towards independence and growth, and do not help if there are issues of homesickness. There are always great counselors to talk to, plus fellow campers to help out if you ever need to talk. Most of the time, you'll be so busy having fun and making new friends that there isn't much time to think about home!
Q: I don't think I can go weeks without my cell phone, TV, and computer. How will I ever survive?
All of us rely heavily on technology during the year. It can enhance and simplify our lives in the city. At camp, we focus on different things-building a community, making friends, being outdoors, playing, singing, dancing, and just having a great time all around! Therefore, you can't bring your tech toys like laptop, cell phone, video camera, pocket TV, walkie talkie, Gameboy, etc.-you just won't need them! Really!
Q: I packed all of these pens and stationery, what am I supposed to do with them?
Yup, with texting, Facebook, e-mail, etc., not too many people write letters with a pen and paper anymore. Camp time is a great chance to practice your creative writing skills in your letters to friends and family. You'll have a lot to write about-new friends, great counselors and more! At camp you will also be able to receive, but not send e-mails.
Q: I never do laundry at home, how does it get done at camp?
Around the middle of each session, your laundry will be washed and folded by an outside laundry service, and brought back the next day. It's important to bring a laundry bag and label all your clothes.
Q: What do I do if I have a problem with another camper?
Spending time at camp means living in a diverse community. You live in a cabin and camp community with campers from different states, maybe even different countries-and a variety of backgrounds and cultures. There are many ways that we try to keep relationships at camp healthy and respectful. You'll learn useful ways to communicate with others and great tools to help resolve any conflicts that might come up.
Q: I play a musical instrument. Should I bring it to camp?
You sure can if you'd like; we have an "Untalent Show" where you can demonstrate your skills to the whole camp (and those of us without talent are also welcome to perform in other ways). However, you are responsible for anything to bring to camp; if you're worried about damage or loss, DON'T BRING IT. We will not be held responsible if it is lost, missing or broken.
Q: My birthday is in July. Can my parents send me a birthday cake or other snacks?
Every camper who has a birthday during the camp session gets a special birthday cake. The entire camp will sing to you (many many fun birthday songs) and you can have a party with your cabin group. Birthdays can be a pretty special event to have at camp! Additional snacks are not provided for birthdays.
Q: I love camp and want to leave my name on my bunk wall. Is that o.k.?
Sometimes, because camp feels so comfortable, we may be tempted to do things that we wouldn't normally do, because we want to leave "our mark." It's extremely important that the buildings and furniture in camp remain in good shape for all of the campers who will be using them after you. Graffiti is unattractive and takes away from the beauty of camp. Therefore, graffiti is not permitted in the cabins or elsewhere in camp; the one exception is inside the arts and crafts building, where you can "leave your mark"!
Q: Camp is such a beautiful place. How can I help to keep it that way?
A: With the help of campers and staff, we preserve our beautiful camp environment. We all pitch in several times a week taking turns to do camp patrols to make sure it's clean. Be sure to be mindful of keeping garbage off the ground and in garbage cans.