SUMMER 2025
Camp Tuku Welcomes Your Child!
A TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP WITH A MINDFUL TWIST
Imagine your child at a summer camp where they learn how to tap their personal “inner well” of creativity, kindness, resilience, and resourcefulness …while having a blast in all the amazing activities summer camps are known for. It’s not too good to be true! It’s exactly what we do at Camp Tuku!
Offered at our stunning location in Arizona, Camp Tuku is a traditional sleep-away camp. We integrate mindfulness practices and social-emotional learning strategies that help your child cultivate positive self-awareness, manage stress, and develop a resilient mindset. Taken together, these skills empower a child to better navigate the challenges that life brings their way. (Did we mention they’re having a ton of fun the entire time?)
We welcome children ages 6-17 from all over the country (and sometimes further afield!) to their home-away-from-home for three weeks in June. Every day at camp is intentionally designed to enrich your child’s wellbeing–and teach them skills that will help them continue to nurture their mind, heart, and body long after they depart from camp!
HOW DO WE DO IT? THROUGH YOUR CHILD’S RESILIENCE ZONE
There are countless ways we help your child strengthen what we call their Resilience Zone. It begins with every camper learning simple, effective, and research-backed mindfulness practices to enhance their inner awareness and ability to self-reflect. Building on this foundation, campers are introduced to social-emotional and ethical learning strategies–in the form of games, experiential outdoor adventures, and fun camp activities. From archery, boating and crafts to hiking, ropes course, wilderness trekking and the STEM innovations lab, your child will mindfully develop new skills, strengthen their confidence, empathy, focus, resourcefulness, and make lasting friendships!
DEVELOPING THE WHOLE CHILD, FROM THE INSIDE-OUT
At Camp Tuku we focus on developing the whole child–mind, heart, and body. We take an “inside- out” approach to your child’s well-being by attending to their inner world, first. How your child sees and feels about themself is the compass by which they will navigate their world. We strive to give kids a strong inner compass and the skills to nurture their unique self. We help kids develop creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and other assets that help them thrive as they grow from childhood into the tween and teen years and on to young adulthood.
WHILE AT CAMP TUKU, YOUR CHILD WILL…
• create new and meaningful relationships with other campers and staff
• feel connected to a community built on respect, cooperation, and trust
• enhance their ability to focus and reflect on their experiences
• build resilience, confidence, awareness and so much more!
AFTER THEIR TIME AT CAMP TUKU, YOUR CHILD WILL…
• know how to support their wellbeing through mindful strategies
• have the ability to navigate emotions, manage stress, focus, and make good choices
• feel excited about their new friendships and fun memories!
Hardly a moment goes by when our phones don’t buzz with a story about the toll stress is taking on kids’ minds and bodies. That concern inspired Camp Tuku’s founder to focus on bolstering kids' social and emotional wellbeing so they can be better equipped to navigate difficult emotions and proactively respond to challenges in life. Our mission is to provide a mindfulness-based camp curriculum that empowers children and teens with skills to cultivate positive self-awareness and nurture inner resilience.
NURTURING A CHILD’S MIND, HEART, AND BODY!
The combination of time spent outdoors (Vitamin N for Nature!), mindfulness, and unplugging from the digital world helps children nurture their inner world and enhance their social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
JOYFUL MINDS
Daily mindfulness and meditative practices are tailored to campers’ age, energy level, and attention span. These skills help campers tap into the mind’s innate capacity for emotional stability, calm, and joy. Disconnected from the mental barrage of technology, kids strengthen their connection to nature and the innate resources of their own minds.
The laughter and learning experienced at Camp Tuku
will
blossom
into friendships that kids will want to continue nurturing long after they’ve said goodbye!
COMPASSIONATE HEARTS
Compassion isn’t something we only give to others, it is something we must also have for ourselves. Campers engage in social-emotional and ethical learning activities that build their capacity for self-compassion and empathy for others. Through team-building, cooperative games, and collaborative projects kids learn to express emotion in a more balanced way, appreciate diverse points of view, effectively communicate their own needs and ideas, and think creatively.
HEALTHY BODIES
A variety of leisure and sport activities are available for campers to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. From archery to yoga, kids are able to strengthen their bodies and stretch their comfort zone. They are free to challenge themselves as much or as little as they desire–always with positive encouragement from staff and peers. We provide balanced, nourishing, and yummy meals for campers to replenish their energy and support growing minds and bodies.
Our Mission and Values
WHY
BEHIND THE SCENES
An exciting day at Camp Tuku
7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:45am 9:30am 10:45am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:15pm 4:15pm 5:15pm 5:45pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm
Wake Up
Morning Welcome
Breakfast
Cabin Clean-Up
Activity Block 1
Activity Block 2
Lunch
Rest Period
Activity Block 3
Activity Block 4
Mindfulness Workshop
Dinner
Free Time
Evening Activity
Practicing Gratitude
Lights Out
A TOTALLY UNIQUE CAMP
Camp Tuku’s integrated curriculum equips your child with mindfulness skills and social-emotional-ethical strategies to benefit them throughout their lives. Traditional camp activities and time spent in nature provide experiential learning through which campers practice pro social communication skills, collaborative problem-solving, ethical decision making, respect for differences, and the ability to manage emotions in a variety of situations. All while having fun and making lasting friendships!
MINDFUL RESULTS FROM CAMP TO HOME
After Camp Tuku, your child will return home inspired to build-upon what they learned at camp. Our post-camp research indicates that our campers
• are more capable of effectively managing stressful emotions
• can better adapt to challenges & bounce back from adversity
• are resourceful & creative in learning and problem solving
• feel more self-aware & confident in communicating their needs & ideas
• show an enhanced ability to focus/pay attention
• are more likely to collaborate and cooperate with others
All of these qualities and skills nurture and support your child’s overall health and happiness.
WHAT
WE FOCUS ON EACH DAY
Our daily themes serve as anchor points for camp activities. These themes also inform choices campers make as they learn new ways to support their own wellbeing (mind, heart, body) and live in harmony with other campers.
day theme what will we explore?
What happiness looks like to me. What fills my bucket? How do I help others fill their buckets and support their path to happiness? 1 2 3 4 5 6
Exploring Happiness
Bunk Agreements
Building Resilience
Learning a variety of tools for regulating the nervous system to enhance resilience to stress and adversity.
Self-Awareness
Strengthening Attention
Developing Focus
Navigating Emotion
Self Regulation
Compassion for Self & Others
Calming the mind, paying attention to the inner world. Activities and exercises to cultivate attention, develop and enhance focus.
Using familiar games, we help campers develop the ability to self-regulate, soothe, focus, and express themselves.
What does it mean to have self-compassion, to act with compassion for self and others? We role play compassion in action.
All for One, Working Together
Campers learn about and explore interdependence in nature and amongst people in their communities.
Mayer, Arizona
SESSION 1: JUNE 10 - 14 (adventure week)
SESSION 2: JUNE 15 - 21
SESSION 3: JUNE 22 - 28
Camp Tuku’s Arizona home base is surrounded by the mountains, flowering fields, and towering trees. Located between Flagstaff and Phoenix, the region’s mild climate, rich natural history, and stunning beauty make it the perfect spot for summer camp activities.
With nature as the backdrop for nurturing a child’s mind, heart, and body, campers learn how to cultivate mindful self-awareness and bring that focus into all of their activities–at camp and after they return home.
Each day at camp intentionally provides your child with opportunities to explore their potential, develop new interests, and make new friends. Through a facilities partnership with the The Orme School, your child benefits from a mindfulness curriculum integrated with an array of traditional camp classes and experiences including: yoga, nature exploration, journaling, water sports, self-reflection, arts and crafts, focusing techniques, and social-emotional learning strategies enhance self-esteem, compassion, focus, gratitude, and inner resilience.
At Camp Tuku in Arizona, your child develops essential skills and inner resources that honors their unique brilliance and strengthens the resilience and perseverance they need to optimistically find their way in an increasingly complex world.
CAMP ADVENTURES
Aquatics, crafts, horseback riding, cooking and gardening, and so much more! There are so many adventures in which your child will apply mindful self-awareness, think creatively, and develop grit.
CAMP TUKU VARSITY
Discover the extraordinary journey that awaits you at our VARSITY Summer Camp, a brand new teen leadership program tailor-made for 9th to 12th graders. VARSITY camp offers a transformative experience focusing on leadership development, community building, team adventures, and personal responsibility cultivation through service. As a member of the varsity group, you will have the opportunity to assist with planning and executing campus-wide events, honing your organization and teamwork skills.
Built in partnership with our Camp Ambassadors (exemplary campers who have been leaders at camp over several years), the new VARSITY program allows teens more flexibility in their camp schedule including choice periods to connect with other teens, an opportunity to complete a service project at camp, and an exciting team adventure activity off-site (examples may include a high ropes challenge course, a tubing excursion, or an off-site camping adventure).
The same philosophy of Camp Tuku will apply to varsity where mindfulness and emotional intelligence development will be at the very foundation of our program. At VARSITY, we're not just shaping leaders; we're cultivating well-rounded, empathetic individuals ready to tackle the challenges of the future while fostering meaningful connections with their peers.
A NOMINAL FEE OF $100 IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VARSITY PROGRAM. FOR MORE
SEE Learning™ A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP
CAMP TUKU PARTNERS WITH EMORY UNIVERSITY
In a unique partnership, Camp Tuku is collaborating with Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science (The Center) to integrate Camp Tuku’s mindfulness summer camp program with The Center’s SEE Learning™ curriculum. The redesigned curriculum will integrate competencies, resources, and skills that support youth wellbeing and flourishing.
SEE Learning™ is an innovative, evidence-based program that provides a comprehensive framework for social, emotional and ethical competencies that are essential to and protective of a young persons’s mental health, academic success, and personal resilience. The curriculum, designed for youth in grades K-12 teaches skills that help youth build positive self-awareness, compassionate regard for self and others, emotional regulation, empathy, ethical discernment, resilience, respect for differences, and strategies for effective interpersonal relations, conflict resolution, and stress management.
The collaborative partnership builds upon Camp Tuku’s existing mindfulnessbased summer camp program by providing youth with additional strategies for cultivating self-awareness, regulating emotions, building community, and strengthening inner resilience. Set against the backdrop of awe-inspiring vistas, woodland trails, and starlit skies, campers learn how to apply mindfulness + SEE Learning™ skills while engaged in exciting camp activities and outdoor adventures. Among the wide variety of camp electives to choose from are archery, arts, aquatics, cooking, drama, hiking, challenge course, STEM, survival skills, woodworking, yoga and the list goes on.
The partnership came about at time when Camp Tuku’s founder and Executive Director, Sincia Liu, was searching for mindfulness training specifically designed for children and teens. “Upon a recommendation from my longtime meditation teacher, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, I learned that Emory University had developed an incredibly rich social, emotional, and ethical program for students under the guidance of his holiness the Dalai Lama,” stated Ms. Liu.
“It has been a passion project for me to establish a camp program that supports youth with a joyful journey in their growth and development. I wanted to combine immersion in nature with teaching young people practical skills to build inner resilience, growth mindset, and connectedness with others. SEE Learning™ presented a great opportunity to connect mindfulness practices that help children develop self-awareness, with the methods of SEE Learning™ to teach skills that help children flourish through building resilience, regulating emotions, strengthening focus and attention, and embracing our common humanity and interdependence. Camp Tuku is blessed with the opportunity to collaborate with the Emory team to adapt the program for our camp curriculum for staff training and camper programming.”
By incorporating SEE Learning™, Camp Tuku will continue to provide a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where campers can learn and grow, build meaningful relationships, and develop a strong sense of self-awareness, self-compassion and resilience. We are excited to see the positive impact that -SEE Learning™ will have on campers this summer and beyond!
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS READY FOR CAMP?
Our campers range in age from 6 to 17 years old, and many are attending sleep-away camp for their very first time. We encourage you to speak with your child about their desire, willingness, and readiness for attending camp away from home. A strong indicator that your child is ready for sleep-away camp is their past experience staying away from home for two nights. If your child expresses a desire to go away for camp, support that by sharing your confidence in their ability to meet new friends, listen to counselors, make good choices, and have a great time at camp. Keep in mind that a child of any age can feel a bit overwhelmed or homesick the first day or two at camp. The Camp Tuku staff helps each child acclimate to camp in the way that best suits their needs.
HOW DO YOU HELP CAMPERS ADJUST TO SLEEP AWAY CAMP?
While most campers adjust quickly to camp life, we at Camp Tuku realize that every child’s adjustment is unique. Sometimes a child with lots of camp experience struggles while a first-timer jumps right in with both feet! Anticipating that some campers may have challenges, especially the first night, we provide extra attention to the “settling-in process”. We plan “first-night” activities that help make being at camp extra special. Our welcoming and inclusive environment helps your child get involved and engaged with bunkmates and staff. The mindfulness practices we teach help your child to identify, understand, and navigate their feelings. Taken together, your child is able to see they have the ability to have a positive and successful time at camp.
WHERE DOES MY CHILD SLEEP WHILE AT CAMP TUKU?
Camp Tuku offers beautiful sleeping quarters that bring together the comforts of home with the rustic nature of camping. “The bunk” is where your child’s memories of camp are born as they laugh and swap stories with new friends and their counselor! Even if your child comes to camp not knowing anyone–that will quickly change. Their bunk counselor is assigned to your child throughout the duration of camp. They are there to ensure that cabin-mates get along with one another and support each other. Your child’s bunk assignment is a random selection process based on age and gender, and other special needs as indicated on your application. If you wish for your child to bunk with a friend, please indicate this on the application and be sure your desired bunkmate also selects your camper on their application. We will do our best to accommodate that request so long as campers are of a similar age/gender.
HOW CAN I COMMUNICATE WITH MY CHILD WHILE AT CAMP?
You will be able to communicate with your child through old-fashioned letter writing or through an email letter, which we will print daily and distribute through “camp mail”. Campers love receiving letters this way! However, campers are not allowed to make phone calls. Another fun way families stay in touch with their camper is via a secure camp portal where you can see photos of daily camp adventures and all the fun your child is having at Camp Tuku.
DO YOU HAVE HEALTHCARE STAFF ON THE CAMP PROPERTY?
Yes. During each camp session, we have a minimum of one licensed healthcare professional on site. They work from our camp health office. Camp Tuku ensures medical staff are on site in accordance with local guidelines & best practices as outlined by the American Camp Association. Between our medical team and other camp staff we are able to respond to a wide range of medical needs including first aid, the dispensation of medication, and first line medical care. If the medical needs of your camper are urgent and surpass the capacity of our staff on site, they will be taken to urgent care/ER based on the circumstances.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE FOOD ALLERGIES?
We do our best to be allergy aware and do not use nut products. However, we cannot guarantee an allergen free environment as many foods may come in contact with allergens during production. Every year we welcome a number of campers with a range of allergies and are happy to discuss your child’s situation to see if camp is a good fit.
WHAT IS YOUR VACCINE POLICY?
For the health and safety of campers and staff and due to the close living quarters and the nature of communal living, we require at a minimum the following vaccines as per health
Refunds due to non-compliance cannot be honored.
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY REGARDING
In the hopes of encouraging human connection through disconnection from technology, we require all devices to be left at home. Campers, if necessary, may bring a music-only iPod that does not have access to the internet. Please note, Camp Tuku is not responsible for loss or damage to iPods.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE MISBEHAVIOR
Camp should always be a fun, safe environment for everyone –campers and counselors, alike. As such, all members of our community are expected to contribute to a safe environment
Camp Tuku makes every effort to redirect campers’ emotions into positive outlets; we will work with campers to the best of our ability to overcome challenges that may arise at camp. However, we will not condone dangerous or extreme behaviors.
To maintain the safety and enjoyment of all campers and staff there are situations that may require the dismissal of campers. These behaviors include but are not limited to: physical fighting, pattern of verbal disrespect to staff/campers, any behavior that puts physical safety or self/others at risk, pattern of blatant disregard for staff instructions or camp rules, gross destruction of property, etc.
In the event that a camper is dismissed from camp for failure to maintain behavioral expectations no refund will be provided. Parents will be notified and will be required to pick up their child the same
Rave Reviews
"I cannot fully express my appreciation for all of the time and care that went into making my daughter’s camp experience so wonderful. She had a tough road that first week, and the camp director was amazing at communicating and working with me to get her back on track. It was definitely a group effort, and it paid off in spades. My eleven year-old learned valuable life lessons and left camp with good friends, fond memories, and newfound confidence in her own power. She adored her counselors and continues to tell me stories about her summer. This experience will be a touchstone for her. Thank you to all!!”
- Lisa M., parent
“My girls had an amazing experience at Camp Tuku! They left home a little nervous and unsure of themselves; they came back confident and bold! It was amazing to see the changes in only 6 days. They were challenged to try new things and they found they could do it. Huge boost to self esteem! They just loved the camp counselors & had the best bonding time with new friends. They really learned the things you want your kids to learn. For example, their counselor taught them not to kill spiders because every creature has a purpose. They learned kindness and respect for all of God’s creatures, and they learned to care for each other as well.”
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DIANA D., parent
“This was my 8 year-old son’s first experience with a sleep away camp. He’s shy and kind of clingy with me, so he was nervous beforehand but drop-off was seamless and he didn’t want to come home when I picked him up! The staff was quick to respond to questions and concerns and I got to see pictures of him through a private portal during the week. The counselors were friendly, encouraging, and supportive. The grounds were beautiful and the activities were so fun for them. I can’t wait til next year!”
- JESSICA H., parent
“Camp Tuku is one of the most incredible experiences that I had in my life! All the counselors are very nice. The camp is very organized with what activity you do each day. I didn’t know how to kayak before but learned very quickly, and that was my top favorite activity. You also attend yoga and mindfulness in the morning. The food is delicious. The cabins are all organized and you do fun challenges to keep them that way. All the kids were very friendly. I recommend going to Camp Tuku.”
- AVA, AGE 8
“I loved my experience while at Camp Tuku. I loved the mindfulness sessions me and my cabin mates would do together. The activities that I did never got me bored, whether an indoor, outdoor, active, or more chill type of activity. As I got to know my cabin mates well, I felt some of my friendships grow and others sparked. We got an hour or two everyday to take a nap, lay down, or just chat with friends in the cabin. I loved other activities like rock climbing, swimming, land sports, innovations, gardening, and campfire cooking. The meals were hearty and I was never hungry, and they had water bottle refilling stations everywhere. My counselors were on top of everything, which helped a lot. Anyone who is looking for a summer camp to go to, Camp Tuku is a great option.”
- BELLA, AGE 11
PRICING STRUCTURE
We offer our families tiered pricing. Please take a moment to look at the rates below and determine which of the three prices your family is able to pay for your child’s camp experience. Price selection is done strictly on an honor system. If you can afford to pay the full fee (Tier 1), please do so. If you cannot, simply select the price which is right for your family’s circumstances. There is no difference in the camp experience for campers registered at different tiers and tier selection is kept confidential.
6/10 - 6/14
6 - 17 years old
Tier 1: $1,120
Tier 2: $970
Tier 3: $850
SESSION 2
6/15 - 6/21
6 - 17 years old
Tier 1: $1,675
Tier 2: $1,450
Tier 3: $1,300
SESSION 3
6/22 - 6/28
6 - 17 years old
Tier 1: $1,675
Tier 2: $1,450
Tier 3: $1,300
CIT (Counselor in Training)
6/9 - 6/28
15 - 17 years old
$1,800
MAILING ADDRESS: 24654 Lake Pleasant Parkway Ste. 103, MBN #759 Peoria, AZ 85383 Website: camptuku.org Email: info@camptuku.org
