Camp Kupugani is a multicultural summer camp for girls and boys located near Chicago, Illinois. Our overnight program, with domestic and international campers, is for children ages 7-15. We offer two-week sessions for girls-only and boys-only, and two- or four-week blended sessions where girls and boys are at camp at the same time, with some intentional co-ed interaction.
When your child is at Camp Kupugani they will have the chance to develop life skills, meet new friends, and enjoy an active outdoor environment. Since 1951, Kupugani's home, Camp White Eagle, has provided girls and boys a secure summer camp environment that encourages the discovery of self, and a sense of wonder in the natural world.
When your child is at Camp Kupugani they will have the chance to develop life skills, meet new friends, and enjoy an active outdoor environment. Since 1951, Kupugani's home, Camp White Eagle, has provided girls and boys a secure summer camp environment that encourages the discovery of self, and a sense of wonder in the natural world.
Reviews (19)
Scott K.
Oct 04, 2020
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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.
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.
Dan D.
Oct 05, 2019
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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
Aimee E.
Oct 18, 2018
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Maggie B.
Oct 16, 2018
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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
Sara G.
Sep 25, 2018
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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!
M. S.
Sep 13, 2018
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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
Kris S.
Jun 30, 2018
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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
Linda N.
Jun 05, 2018
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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
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
Felice D.
Oct 08, 2017
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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
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
Deb M.
Aug 15, 2017
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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
C. H.
Jul 27, 2017
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Ashanti S.
Jul 24, 2016
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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
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
Chris H.
Oct 05, 2015
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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.
Ben B.
Oct 04, 2015
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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
We had a great phone conversation with Kevin, the director, a few weeks before
Jackie G.
Sep 22, 2015
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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
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
Sarah M.
Aug 07, 2015
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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.
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.
Anna W.
Aug 06, 2015
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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
Meloney D.
Aug 05, 2015
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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
I also enjoy that this camp attracts a diverse group of girls from around the world. Being a blended, non-traditional family, it
Kitty W.
Jul 22, 2015
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We saw glowing reports about this camp online before we entrusted our daughter to Kupugani's care. I hope my review will help you avoid making a similar costly (in so many ways, money-wise least importantly!) choice for your child. (Note that this camp is called Kupugani for girls and White Eagle for boys.)
Daughter had fun, but parents were less than happy. First off, this is a lot of money for a really rustic camp (almost $1k/week). We had assumed that the camp would be as nice as the faaaaaaar less expensive one our kids have attended in the past. But it's pretty sad. Bathrooms in
Daughter had fun, but parents were less than happy. First off, this is a lot of money for a really rustic camp (almost $1k/week). We had assumed that the camp would be as nice as the faaaaaaar less expensive one our kids have attended in the past. But it's pretty sad. Bathrooms in