Below, you will find some of the answers to our most commonly asked questions. Take a look and see if these answer some of yours! Remember, we are also more than happy to answer your questions via e-mail at info@campkupugani.com or calling us toll-free at 1-866-471-4616.
- Why should I send my child to camp?
- Why Camp Kupugani at Camp White Eagle?
- Where is Camp White Eagle?
- What is the weather like in northwest Illinois in the summer?
- Who owns your camp? Is your camp affiliated with any organization?
- What is the best age to come to camp?
- Why is Camp Kupugani for girls only?
- With so many activities available, how do campers choose what to experience?
- Does the camp have any religious affiliation?
- What kind of housing does the camp have?
- How is the food at camp?
- Do you allow cell phones or Ipods?
- Okay, cell phones and Ipods are out, but what should I bring?
- Is Camp White Eagle a “fancy” camp? Is there waterskiing, tennis, or air-conditioned cabins?
- How are counselors selected and what qualifications do they have?
- What is the camper to staff ratio?
- What if my child is on medication or requires medical attention?
- What if my child gets homesick … should I be worried?
- Can my child call home?
- What can I do to minimize homesickness?
- How do I register my child for Camp Kupugani?
- When should I enroll my daughter?
- We have a family who may be interested in coming to Camp Kupugani with our child. Can you send them a packet?
- How do we get to camp?
- What does ACA-accredited mean?
- Can we tour the camp?
Q: Why should I send my child to camp?
James C. Stone, Ph. D. Ed., in a renowned 1986 study on the effects of camp on school-age children, found that campers made significant increases in personal accountability, decision-making, social skills, and appreciation of natural surroundings. This 20-year study was far-reaching and has been frequently repeated, reinforcing the results. In recent studies, the overwhelming majority of campers says that camp helped them make new friends, helped them get to know other campers who were different from them, helped them feel good about themselves, and allowed them to do things they were at first afraid to do. The substantial majority of camper parents says that their child gained self-confidence at camp, continues to participate in activities learned at camp, and remains in contact with friends made at camp. Of course, camp directors and staff have long personally seen the benefits of camp as we have watched former campers grow into mature, well-rounded, fun adults!
Q: Why Camp Kupugani at Camp White Eagle?
Camp Kupugani focuses on the individual needs of each and every child. Our goal is to provide the safest, most rewarding, fun, and memorable summer experience possible. We offer a wide array of activities, top-notch staff members, and the most caring, nurturing environment you can imagine.
Q: Where is Camp White Eagle?
A mere 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 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: Who owns your camp? Is your camp affiliated with any organization?
The Gordon family, who, after years in the camp industry, bought Camp White Eagle from the Devore family, owns Camp Kupugani and Camp White Eagle. The Devores had operated Camp White Eagle since 1991. For the prior 40 years, it was operated by the 4H organization. Camp White Eagle and Camp Kupugani are privately owned, independent camps, accredited by the American Camp Association.
Q: What is the best age to come to camp?
The best age for a child to begin camping is when the child is “ready.” Some are ready at age 7, while others are ready a little later in childhood. Camp Kupugani’s program is tailored towards girls from ages seven to fifteen, and we have new campers within all of those ranges, eager to have a great camping experience.
Q: Why is Camp Kupugani for girls only?
We feel that having a girls only program allows us to address issues specific to girls and women. Girls can interact with women in positions of authority, and there are more opportunities to “be yourself” without having to impress campers of the opposite sex.
Q: With so many activities available, how do campers 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: Does the camp have any religious affiliation?
A: In keeping with our multicultural focus and respect for each individual’s belief system, we have campers of many different faiths and beliefs.
Q: What kind of housing does the camp have?
Campers live in wood-framed cabins within the woods of Camp White Eagle. 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 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 sometimes sit with their cabin group and sometimes meet other members of the camp community by mixing it up. Along with lots of food variety, we offer salad for lunch and dinner, and a limited vegetarian option if requested.
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 tend to diminish interaction. In fact, a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2005, revealed that children today are plugged into some kind of electronic medium an average of five-and-a-half hours a day—“the equivalent of a full-time job, and more time than they spend doing anything else besides sleeping.” Recent research suggests that exposure to nature can improve all children’s cognitive abilities and resistance to negative stresses and depression. Creativity is also stimulated by childhood experiences in 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 Camp White Eagle a “fancy” camp? Is there waterskiing, tennis, or air-conditioned cabins?
The whole point of our camp is to have fun while enjoying nature, facilitate communication, and empower children 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 seek a camp where you can bask in air conditioning and go waterskiing after your tennis match, Camp White Eagle is not for you. If you’re looking for a camp that will help you maximize your potential and have fun doing it, we look forward to seeing you next summer!
Q: How are counselors selected and what qualifications do they have?
Our staff members are carefully selected from applicants from throughout the United States and all over the world. We are extremely intentional in our hiring process, offering positions to only those truly committed to being a teacher, counselor, mentor, protector and friend to our campers. Prospective staff members undergo a rigorous screening and interview process to make sure that we hire only the best, most qualified individuals to be a part of our camp family. All staff members are CPR and First Aid certified.
Q: What is the camper to staff ratio?
Supervision is one of our top priorities and we maintain a ratio of better than 4 to 1.
Q: What if my child is on medication or requires medical attention?
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. You will be notified if your child is sick or needs any kind of medical attention.
Q: What if my child gets homesick … should I be worried?
Missing home is normal. 95 percent of children who spend at least two weeks at overnight camp feel some degree of homesickness, which is typically mild. Nearly everyone misses something about home when they’re away, be it their parents, home cooking, a sibling, or the family pet. In fact, homesickness has a silver lining; if there’s something that they miss about home, that means there’s something about home that they love—and that’s a wonderful thing. Whatever they miss, the vast majority of children has a great time at camp and is not bothered by mild homesickness. Overcoming a bout of homesickness and enjoying time away from home nurtures children’s independence and prepares them for the future; the fact that second-year campers are usually less homesick than first-year campers evidences this powerful growth. Our caring staff members have been trained to help campers deal with homesickness, should it arise.
Q: Can my child call home?
Campers are generally not allowed to call home. Our experience with calls home is that they diminish the camper’s move towards self-sufficiency, and do not help if there are issues of homesickness. You are welcome to call us any time of day or night to check up on how your child is doing.
Q: What can I do to minimize homesickness?
At Camp Kupugani, we create the most nurturing, comforting environment possible, and with all of our activities and program structure, no child stays homesick for long. To further minimize homesickness, before coming to camp, you should:
- make camp decisions together
- arrange lots of practice time away from home
- share your optimism, not your anxiety
- NEVER EVER make a pick-up deal.
Q: How do I register my child for Camp Kupugani?
Our registration process is simple and fast. You can apply by doing one of the following:
- Click here to go to our online application.
- E-mail us at info@campkupugani.com for an application; download it, fill it out and mail it into our office with your deposit information.
- E-mail us at info@campkupugani.com for an application; download it, fill it out and fax it with your deposit information to 1-815-738-2764.
- Call our office toll free at 1-866-471-4616 and we’ll take care of your enrollment over the phone. Telephone enrollment requires a credit card to secure the space.
Q: When should I enroll my daughter?
Enrollment is ongoing. Because space is limited, it is best to enroll as early as you can to ensure a space for your daughter.
Q: We have a family who may be interested in coming to Camp Kupugani with our child. Can you send them a packet?
A: Absolutely! Click here to send us an e-mail with your name, address, phone number and the names and ages of your children. We’ll send out a packet, which includes all of our current information. If your friend enrolls in camp, you’ll receive a 1% tuition discount.
Q: How do we get to camp?
Transportation to camp is easy and convenient. We provide a pick-up and drop-off on the first and last day of camp at a convenient location near Chicago. If you would like to drop your child off at camp, we can provide you with directions. We can also arrange for pick-ups at our local airports or bus station. When flying to camp, we suggest using the Chicago-O’Hare International Airport, which allows for the most flexibility of flight options.
Q: What does ACA-accreditation mean?
ACA Accreditation means that we submitted to a thorough (over 300 standards) review of our operations by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. We and the ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.
ACA helps all accredited camps provide:
- Healthy, developmentally-appropriate activities and learning experiences
- Discovery through experiential education
- Caring, competent role models
- Service to the community and the environment
- Opportunities for leadership and personal growth
Q: Can we tour the camp?
A: Absolutely! During the summer, we are happy to offer camp tours to prospective camp families. In fact, it provides a perfect opportunity for you and your child to get a first hand look at the camp in operation. You can schedule a tour by contacting our summer office toll free at 1-866-471-4616.