A Summer Camp Like No Other: Camper Photo Journal

It’s no exaggeration that Camp Tuku is a summer camp like no other:  At Camp Tuku you’ll find all the traditional activities of summer camp (sports, arts, outdoor excursions) plus the opportunity to learn mindfulness practices that support each camper’s social-emotional wellbeing.

Every year I’ve gone to Camp Tuku (I’m on my third year), I’ve learned something new–a craft, a hobby, stress management skills and found a way to use it in my life back at home. More than that, I’ve learned how to navigate difficult situations with a lot more calm and a lot less stress. And that says a lot, for me, anyway, because I’m kind of a high-strung kid. My home life had been really rocky, especially during and after the pandemic. And, I don’t always have the best grades. Since I started coming to Camp Tuku, though, a lot has changed for me.

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Woodworking Sparks Creative Thinking for Kids at Camp Tuku

Woodworking isn’t a hobby most kids encounter in their digital-focussed lives. To some degree, it’s a lost art form. Not so at Camp Tuku where woodworking brings forth campers’ creativity, enhances attentional skills, and sparks interest in a potential lifelong hobby.

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Camp Tuku Embraces Each Child’s Uniqueness

You might be thinking about sending your child to Camp Tuku in New York or Arizona. Maybe you’ve pursued our website and seen our photos and videos, but are still wondering “is Camp Tuku a good fit for my child?” We’d like to share a bit more about how we embrace the uniqueness of each child who attends Camp Tuku.

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Creativity & Collaboration Blossom in Drama & Innovations Classes at Camp Tuku

 

Whether working together to figure out how to design props with limited materials or use uncommon materials to build a model boat that will move through water, Camp Tuku’s drama and innovations classes help kids tap into their innate curiosity, strengthen creativity, and learn the value of collaboration.

You might not think that innovations, which is a STEM-based class, has much in common with drama class. So, not true! The skills the kids are learning in innovations carry over to drama, and vice-versa. 

  • The creativity of crafting a performance supports creative problem solving in the innovations class. 
  • Working as a team to figure out how to build an object carries over to the tasks required when building props for a performance. 

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Scenes from a Day at Camp Tuku in Arizona

If your child hasn’t been to Camp Tuku, there’s no better way to get a sense of what happens at camp than peeking into one of our older camper’s photo diary entries. We hope you enjoy this entry.

If you have questions about sending your child to Camp Tuku-Arizona (June 2023) or Camp Tuku-Catskill Mountains (July 2023), please contact us at 928-224-5855

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Campers Practice Patience & Strengthen Focus in Wilderness Exploration

Within every activity at Camp Tuku, campers are learning something new, giving them the opportunity to practice patience, strengthen focus and attention, and enjoy the great outdoors. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at camper experiences in one of camper favorites: wilderness exploration.

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Introducing Mindfulness & the Resilience Zone to Young Campers

Campers at Camp Tuku proceed to the gathering area for morning mindfulness.

Just before morning assembly on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Camp Tuku in Arizona, campers were chatting amongst themselves on the lawn just outside Founders Hall. Our Outreach and Development Director, Karen, was on scene, capturing “words of wisdom” from our campers as they described their first night at camp and what they are looking forward to in the coming week:

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“We were up at 5 a.m. The earlier you get up, the more fun you get to have in the day!” (Their counselor concurred; their entire cabin of 8 year old girls was up and roarin’ to go!)
  • “I can’t wait to try all the things (activities) I don’t get to do in my real life.” Such as? “Shooting arrows!” (archery) 
  • “It wasn’t my comfy bed from home, but I was so tired from being so excited, I slept just fine.
  • “I wish real school let us spend this much time outside doing cool stuff.”
  • “I can’t wait to get on the horses and also dance and drama.”
  • “I really want to learn how to be more chill. School stresses me out way too much.”

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Meet Camp Tuku’s Counselors-in-Training (CIT)

We’re excited to introduce this year’s Counselors-in-Training (CIT) for Camp Tuku! 

Let’s take a closer look at the ins-and-outs of a CIT experience, get to know the two young ladies who were selected for the 2023 Camp Tuku CIT Program, and learn more about how you can become a CIT at Camp Tuku.

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Camp Tuku Behind the Scenes: Leadership & SEE Learning Training

Before campers arrive at Camp Tuku, a lot goes on behind the scenes. Our directors and counselors participate in two online classes provided by Emory University SEE Learning (Social, Emotional, Ethical Learning).  Three days before we welcome campers, the entire camp staff meets for orientation and additional training on the principles and practices of SEE Learning, mindfulness, and leadership development.

In our photos, below, you see our staff getting ready for camp by:

  • practicing active, attentive listening skills
  • learning about leadership styles & identifying their unique way of leading
  • engaging in team building activities that they will use with campers
  • exploring mindfulness skills that help us attend to emotional states & create calm

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