We love Camp Kupugani! Looking forward to going back again this summer. This summer would be our family's 3rd summer doing parent-child camp. read more

Took my son there for parent child weekend this summer. Was hands-down the highlight of our summer. The Director, Kevin and his team do an absolutely incredible job of organizing activities, keeping everyone, happy and comfortable, and overall systems well thought out and planned. we will definitely be going back next summer. read more

Be warned. The owner is STILL an attorney first and foremost (in our family's multi-year experience). Lack of, and poor communication when my child got hurt, lack of compassion, and other incidences explained to me by my child and family were handled in the owner's best interest first, at all times. The projected persona is the exact opposite... I have been a camper all my life and my parents were camp counselors. I made a big mistake by choosing this camp. read more

This camp was one of the most spiritually-fulfilling experiences that I have had at a camp. I attended Kindred Dance Camp, a dance-filled weekend of workshops and camp activities held at Camp Kupugani. It is about a 2 hr drive west of Chicago heading towards Rockford. The staff were all so very welcoming, and you can tell that they have figured out much of what works and what doesn't in terms of camp guidelines. The facilities have plenty to offer in terms of a parking lot, cabins for staff members and camp leaders, cabins for camp participants (about 10-12 bunk beds in each of the participant cabins), a barnhouse that we used for dance workshops called the Rec Hall, and a dining hall. There are plenty of hiking trails and some obstacles (I'll let you find those out on your own!) on them for those who want to be challenged. Camptivities included crate stacking, canoeing, dam-jumping, nine square, and I'm sure there are others that we didn't get a chance to do. The food was delicious! Natasha was a wonderful cook along with her kitchen staff. The blueberry coffee cake is heavenly. Other meals included hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and fruit and meals with roast beef, rice and corn, grilled cheese sandwiches, and vegetarian chili. I hope to come back here again! The camp for the most part offers girls and boys' adolescent and teen camps during the summer. read more

Both my son and daughter attend Camp Kupugani. They both love it. At pickup, while my kids were happy to see us, they were both totally bummed that camp was over. My daughter loved it so much that she is working around the neighborhood (babysitting, car washing, odd jobs) so she can pay to go to an extra session of camp. Now that says something about the camp! Camp ended over 3 months ago and they are still talking about it and looking forward to going. I like that the camp is focused on helping the children see the best in themselves and learn how to navigate social issues in the world. They do all of this while enjoying typical camp things like swimming, games, mud volleyball, hiking, camping, etc. If we ever do have a concern, Kevin is quick to respond and address it. Everyone else's review encompasses how we feel so no need for me to repeat it. Overall, we are a happy Camp Kupugani family! Looking forward to next summer! read more

Kupugani deserves ten stars. The camp has become a major part of my daughter's life, and hence the life of our family. Kupugani is a community of people committed to kindness, laughter, equality, inclusion, fun and justice. And then there's the self-confidence it nurtures in kids. My daughter came back from her first summer at Kupgani transformed. She had fun, lots of it, but what was most special (this is her Mom speaking) was the sense of SELF she returned with - stronger, more confident, sure of herself. Then, after her second summer at Kupugani, she came home even more spirited! Middle school is notoriously a difficult time of life, and Kupugani is the antidote. One more thing, and this is important. Kupugani is inclusive and diverse, for real, not just in words. My family of four represents four different races, three religions, and three nationalities. Kupugani celebrates diversity and lives it. We need more of this in our world. If you are looking for a special, and I mean REALLY SPECIAL place for your daughter or son, Camp Kupugani is the place. read more

We love Camp Kupugani! My daughter was so happy to go back for her second year that as soon as we got there she ran off to greet the other campers and wanted to skip all the welcome programs and get going on the regular camp activities! read more

Camp Kupugani and its leadership are the best thing that has happened to my three daughters. With a variety of fun and meaningful activities, diverse camp community, outstanding staff and educational experiences, this Camp has helped me raise my children since 2008! It is a hidden gem, with Girls, Boys, Blended and Family camp options. read more

My children 8,9 and 14 attended Camp Kupugani this summer. I had been looking for a good camp where they could do a multitude of activities and Camp Kupugani seemed the perfect fit. From start to finish the camp exceeded my expectations. From being able to see pictures everyday online of my kids having a great time to picking my kids up and hearing countless stories about what they had done. Each one of my children had an awesome time and they learned so much! On the ride home, they talked non stop about camp, their new friends, the counselors, staff and the owner and how great they were as well as a big thumbs up on how good the food was! And on pick up day, the feeling I felt in the camp was a feeling of family. I feel good as a parent to have chosen such a great camp that allowed them such a unique experience this summer and we are already looking forward to next year! read more

My 11 year old son attended this camp this summer. It was the first time he had been away from home for more than one night. We researched camps extensively and drive 7 hours both ways to get bim to Camp Kupagani. When we picked him up he exclaimed. "THIS WAS ONE OF RHE BEST EXPRRIENCES OF MY WHOLE LIFE!" That was the best feeling as a mother to know I had made a great choice and investment in him. I was a little nervous and sad to leave himin the begining especially with no cell phone or contact for 2 weeks. Then I received a call from the Camp Director 2 days after dropping him off explaining the extrodinary measures my son was taking to call me, since I had told him I would pick him up if he was homesick. Apparently that is the worst thing to say because my son wanted to be picked up on day 1. I was so very impressed at the individual attention he received and the camps awareness of his feeelings. Kevin, the director called and explained everything to me, I felt a little helpless at first but he told me all he needed from me was to let Quin know that I was not coming to get him and he could do the rest. The confidence in his approach assured me that it was the right thing to do, plus I was comfortable after spending months finding the best place for my child. Within 24 hours there were pictures of Quin enjoying himself doing the countless mindful activities at camp. The persoanl development he achieved in just 2 weeks speaks to the great thought this camp has used in creating their program. He has faced many fears, felt independence, gained confidence, and all on his own with out me. Quin wants to return to camp already, he literally wants to go to the parent-child weekend in 2 weeks because he misses the camp and says it went too fast. If you are looking for something special for your child this is absolutely the place to be. Children come from all over the world to attend, so we feel very blessed to have the experience Camp Kupagani offeres. read more

Sadly, this year marked my daughter's last year as a camper at Camp Kupugani. She's attended the camp for 6 years (from the age of nine to fifteen) and looks at the camp, its staffers and returning campers as a second family to her. Every year she has had a fantastic time and comes back a more mature and responsible young woman. She has learned leadership skills and the a sense of independence I don't think she could have without attending this camp. I also enjoy that this camp attracts a diverse group of girls from around the world. Being a blended, non-traditional family, it was a comfort for her to be around all types of girls and get a better understanding of the what the world really looks like. From an expense standpoint, I felt that the pricing was on par with other camps in the area and while it's not a fancy camp, her room and board accommodations were always comfortable and she has always enjoyed the meals, activities and special outings. One of the really special things about the camp is the camp reunion they have every year in the city of Chicago. She gets an opportunity to see some old friends that don't live in our area during the year. Even though she is no longer an official camper, we plan to continue to support this great camp! read more

Camp Kupugani is a treasure. We live in north suburban Chicago and were looking for a diverse and nurturing camp for our 10 year old daughter. This would be her first sleep away camp and we wanted her to have a good experience. I got a recommendation for Kupugani from a friend of mine and started my research. After checking out the website and reading the back story behind how the camp was formed, I was really excited. We showed our daughter the online videos (a great resource for first-time campers) and she was hooked. We had a great phone conversation with Kevin, the director, a few weeks before camp to answer any questions we had (like why a 2 week experience is better than just 1 week) and drove up to Leaf River to drop our girl off for her adventure. When we drove up it was such a welcoming place! The campgrounds are beautiful and the camp staff recognized our daughter from the picture we sent and knew her name. I met the parents of several returning campers and they talked about the place like it was a second home for their girls. Many of them had traveled from other states to attend the camp (one family was from Florida!). The fact that they were so happy with the experience and kept coming back year after year was a good sign. The staff was so diverse--the young women were of different races and backgrounds and from 3 or 4 different countries. After 2 weeks, (and no homesick letters!) we picked our girl up and she had a wonderful experience. She made a ton of friends, was challenged, and learned a lot about herself. If you're looking something more than your typical camp experience I would recommend Camp Kupugani. The director is really invested, responsive to calls and emails, and really cares about the kids. He even followed up after camp to see how she enjoyed her 2 weeks there. Camp Kupugani has been a great experience for our family. read more

I have been to Camp Kupugani 3 times over the last few years for mother/daughter weekend, a Girl Scout camping trip and a beautiful wedding. My daughter just completed her first summer at camp. She loved crate stacking, Ga Ga and rock climbing. We love this place! The staff, the food and the activities are wonderful. The director is passionate about creating a unique, diverse and empowering camp experience. Check out the website for more info or attend a parent child weekend where you can really experience all the fun with your child first-hand. read more

Our two daughters have attended camp here for the past several years on both the two week and four week sessions. The experiences they had as well as the connections they have made with other campers are priceless. Read the website for all the details on what a special place Kupugani is. From the owners (Kevin and Natasha) on down through the staff and all the parents we have met through the years, we could not be happier with this camp. read more

My daughter has been to the camp three years in a row and has always come back more confident and empowered. I highly recommend this camp to any parent. read more

Look no further if you want an amazing camp experience for your daughter! The camp directors are wonderful and work really hard to provide your child with a mix of traditional experiences and one of a kind experiences that you won't find at other camps. Every year, our daughter comes away with memories that will last a lifetime! From horseback riding and hiking, to group exercises that foster growth in areas of social justice and female empowerment. We can't recommend this camp enough! read more

I just had my wedding here and the staff was absolutely horrible. The made us take out all the garbages and replace them and that wasn't in the agreement. Also the staff is disrespectful and was talking money with me the day of my wedding in front of my wedding party asking for a check that day. While clean up after the wedding the staff kept asking us to do things that were not on the checklist while they all stood around and watched. Location is beautiful but 10/10 do not recommended having your wedding here read more

This camp just didn't work for my daughter. It's great if everyone is just perfect but do not send any kids that have 'issues' they will not tolerate any. Fantastic camp for the normal. read more

This summer was my daughter's 2nd year at Camp Kupugani. This camp is absolutely amazing. The 1st year, my daughter came home with a new perspective on building relationships with other pre-teens, a sense of belonging, higher self esteem and an improved ability to communicate not only with her family, but with peers. It was a great stepping stone into Junior High. This year, she came home and had even more self confidence, a stronger sense of leadership, more knowledge of being mindful of her surroundings and the affects her actions have on others and she developed an interest in being more cautious of excess food waste. 2 years in a row, the results have been immediately apparent and she has learned and grown from each experience. We cannot wait to go back again next summer. read more

3 years ago, we sent our daughter to Camp Kupugani for two weeks. When we picked her up on her last day she cried "Why did you do this to me?" We asked our daughter just a few days ago, What do you remember about Camp Kupugani? she replied "It was the worst time of her life" Now, as a parent, I feel sad that we sent her away and she hated it. (Even 3 years after the fact) My advice -DON'T DO IT! They timed her showers, and the worst thing is she came back with Head to Toe poison Ivy, But it was untreated, she had marks on her body for months. (I remember that) read more

My family was told about Kupagani by a family friend and it turned out to be one of the best things we have ever done in sending my daughter to their summer camp. I am just sad that we only had three years of being able to send her to camp before she aged out. The owners and staff at Kupagani are amazing. They want your child to have their own camp experience and make sure that all the girls are included in everything and they are challenge to try new things that empower them. All the kids have a camp account for use Internet the camp store, that has to be funded so nobody is left out or made to feel like they can't afford to buy treats or souvenirs. They have scholarships to help those in need pay for camp. They have girls from all levels of social economic backgrounds which gives everyone at camp a more well rounded camp experience. My daughter is a special needs kid and was able to succeed at camp and her last year she was able to join the counselor in trading program. Everything about the camp we loved. There is so much good to say about the camp I don't have the time to post here. read more

This summer marks the 2nd year my daughter has attended Camp Kupugani. I found this summer camp by googling "girls+empowerment+camp." Boy did I luck out. The fact that I've sent my daughter here twice signifies that I found what I was looking for in a camp, the fact that she wants to go back next year signifies that she found what SHE was looking for in a camp. My goal was to find something that moved past the typical camp experience and would help my daughter stretch and grow in ways that our everyday life didn't. Camp is supposed to be fun, but I wanted something more for my daughter. This camp offers more than activities, campfire songs and rustic cabins. Each activity is crafted to help the campers grow and push their comfort level...it's intentional. All you have to do is ask the camper how they feel after they've accomplished something that they were previously afraid to do. The camper/counselor ratio is incredible (something like 5:1) and from what my daughter tells me, that ratio is working. Again, that's intentional. These counselors interact with the kids, working as young adult mentors. The campers feel close to the counselors and benefit tremendously from this interaction. My daughter attended another camp (aka fancy camp) that was beautiful, fun activities, etc., but the closeness-component was missing. She developed no lasting relationships with any of the campers, no bond with the almost non-existent counselors and doesn't wish to go back. In my opinion, its the growth and friend-bonding experience that stays with them...not how white the bed sheets were. I've read about costs of camps and Kupugani isn't priced like your local park district camp. Its an overnight camp (full time staff) and they employ many counselors. They strive to provide healthy food options for the kids (not just pasta and fish sticks that the fancy camps still serve). It think cost is relative and depends on how you choose to spend your money. Would you rather spend it on the superficial stuff or the meaningful stuff that lasts? I give this camp my full recommendation. read more

My child has attended for two years, this will be three. Loves it. As to my concerns Kevin is uber-acessable and just a great 'papa'. I don't think you could do better. read more

My son has attended the co-ed camp session at Kupugani for the past two summers. He cherishes his time there and the friendships he's made. He's had the most amazing counselors. Kevin and Natasha run the camp in an intentional, thoughtful way and this care is especially obvious in the staff they hire. My son raves about the food, the games, the evening activities, and even though he didn't send a SINGLE letter home (I was too busy, mom!), I know, from the counselors' check-in with me during the first week, that he jumped in to all the activities enthusiastically and wholeheartedly. This was great to hear since he is typically a very reserved and even shy kid. His time at Kupugani has made him much more independent as a 12-year-old boy, both in terms of practical stuff (grooming, tidiness) and intellectual and social attitudes. Additionally, the camp grounds are awesomely beautiful-- the first time we took a tour, walking along the river and through the groves of tall trees, our whole family was simply breathless. Kupugani is a magical place, through and through. read more

My 11-year-old daughter has now attended Camp Kupugani two times and we both highly recommend it! I had searched and searched for an overnight camp that would not only be fun, but more importantly be inspiring. Camp Kupugani is truly an amazing place with a nurturing staff, a fun yet challenging curriculum, and with two camp directors/owners who treat their campers like they would their own children - with love, compassion and support. My daughter has become more empowered as a young woman and has a better understanding of how she can successfully love her unique self and make a difference in this world. I cannot say enough good things about Camp Kupugani. I guess the best way to explain it is that when I came to pick up my daughter after two weeks of camp this summer, the first thing she said was not "hi" or "missed you mom" but instead, "Can you please sign me up for next year's camp?!" read more

This was my daughters first time away from home and her experience at Camp Kupugani could not have been any better. She was never home sick. Four weeks later she still talks about it and can't wait to go back next year. She has grown up a city girl and at camp participated in almost everything including rock climbing and caving which really surprised me. I don't think that she would have done any of that with out the great group of girls and a great staff who encouraged and supported her in activities that took her our of her comfort zone. She came home more confident and empowered and full of great stories about her experiences at camp. She also thought the meals were great too. read more

I went into camp hoping to have fun. Boy, was I wrong. This was terrible. One thing that we did that was not on the website was taxes. Why should kids ranging from 7 to 15 need to do taxes? This is never mentioned on the website which confuses me because we spent multiple days doing this. Also upon being bored and not liking camp, I asked to call my parents to go home. They refused to let me talk to them repeatedly. I was sent to camp and am missing so many clothes with a monetary value of about $150. It's not like I lost the clothes, the laundry service that they hired lost them. Multiple people's clothes were lost during this process. Not only were my clothes lost, but the $35 sweatshirt that I bought was bleached and they blamed it on me. Upon expressing my concern to the camp director, Kevin, he said: "If you love something let it go." Also after telling Kevin about my missing clothes, my counselor, Jeff, told me not to go to the office anymore because I was "stressing Kevin out." On the website, it says that if you have a problem you can talk to someone about it. $2,000 for camp but it doesn't show with rundown facilities, counselors making 30 cents an hour (not an exaggeration), and lackluster equipment. read more

This year marked our daughter's second year at Camp Kupugani. She has already said she wants to return next year. Our daughter is usually reluctant to share much information with her parents. (Typical teenager, but far more reluctant than your average teenager!) Anyway, when we picked her up after her first year at camp (she had been very hesitant about going to any camp), she wouldn't stop talking about the experience for a good two weeks. My wife and I were also bemused and thrilled to watch her skipping down the sidewalks of Chicago (where we stayed for a few days after camp) - it was as if Camp Kupugani had allowed her to re-express her fun side that she had started tucking away as she became a teenager. When we were driving from the airport to the camp this year, she told me that it was the one thing she had been looking forward to all year. This was quite a revelation, since she shares so little with us. When I asked her why, she said, "because I can be me." When we picked her up this year, she was again very expressive and open about her experience -- such a joy to have conversations with her where she is telling us about herself! I'm surprised at Kitty W.'s review. First of all, it is a camp, not a luxury resort. The pool is a nice sized, outside pool. It's fenced and there is nothing "scary" about it. They do a swim test for all kids on the 1st day (even if they were tested the prior year and passed) and are given wrist bands that indicate whether they passed the test or not so that kids who are not skilled swimmers are flagged. Bathrooms in a separate building? Hey, it's a camp and that's just part of the camp experience. In my day, bathrooms rather than a latrine would have been a luxury! (But I gained from that experience too.) The cabins are more than adequate (it's a camp, not a resort). They are solidly built and appropriate for a camp. There is nothing dangerous about the lights/fans in the rec room (and I took notice of them because when the parents met as group in that room when we picked up our children, the director was going around pulling on the pull switches to turn the fans on for us). My daughter raves about the food at camp. And she's someone who will take a bite of something and instantly complain if it's not just right. One of the things I like about the camp is that the snacks that are available from La Tienda are on the more wholesome side. (I'd probably prefer that they not have any soda available, but at least they only offer a soda that is made from pure cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.) If Kitty W.'s daughter put on 20% of her body weight in a month, my bet would be that she is a teenager going through hormonal changes. My daughter did not put on weight either year. I can't speak directly to the so-called "frightening incident" mentioned by Kitty W., but from what is described, it sounds like the director received a report of something that potentially could be interpreted as inappropriate and wanted to investigate it. I don't think it's "creepy" that he would want to talk to the daughter since she would have direct knowledge and I think it's good that he waited for the parents to be around before requesting the talk. In these litigious times, I don't think it's inappropriate for him to not answer questions from the parents until he has gathered more information: At a minimum, he has to be concerned about a defamation law suit if he says anything that inaccurately portrays either the male or the daughter in a false light. And who's to say that the male is the reason for the concern? Let me give you an example: Suppose the daughter ran up and gave the male an exuberant and completely innocent hug but where some sort of "inappropriate" (albeit innocent) contact was made; and, assume the male reported it to the director and said, "Nothing happened, but given the rules against contact with campers, I'm reporting it." I would still expect the director to investigate. And given the parent's response as shown in the review, if I were the director, I'd probably be reluctant to share too much information out of fear that they would make a mountain out of a molehill with their daughter for her innocent behavior. And since Kitty W has already prejudged the male (stating that the director should be interested in "fixing the one he's in charge of"), I'd be particularly reluctant to share information. Watch the videos on the Camp Kupugani website under "girls camp" to get an idea about this camp. (It includes video of the pool and a brief glimpse inside of one of the cabins.) Watch the videos under "staff" to get a feel about the staff. And understand that there are two female counselors assigned to each cabin who sleep in the cabin with the girls. I have 100% confidence in the safety of my daughter when she's at camp. It gives great value (and remember that part of your tuition helps provide scholarships for others who can't afford it). read more