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Cousins' Camp - A Time of Bonding

If your grandchildren live some distance from you and, or, perhaps don’t know each other very well as cousins, try organizing a Cousins' Camp. 

Plan and Prepare Ahead

• Determine camp length - one week or less?
• Send invitations to the grandchildren.
• Look into area attractions and ticket prices.
• Collect and prepare craft items, if necessary.
• Stock the freezer and cupboards with foods children like.
• Choose age-appropriate devotional materials.
• Have parents mark name or initials on all child’s personal belongings.

Limit the Age Range

• Anywhere from age four or five and up.
• Must be potty-trained.
• No parents allowed during the camp.

• From there, launch out to regional parks, area attractions, pools, or even nearby camping.
• Divide bedrooms into “cabins” - boys in one, girls in another and “counselors” in a third.
• Renting a cabin or condo is an option.

• Post rules in conspicuous places.
• There to enjoy each other and have fun.
• Treat each other with respect; no name-calling, put-downs, fighting.
• Always let grandparents know if you’re going somewhere away from the group.

• Plan different activities for each day (swimming can usually be repeated).
• Keep food simple, but varied. 
• Have grandchildren cook at times or help along.
• Keep each day’s activity and menu a secret to build suspense.
• To adjust for differing ages, grandma can take little ones and grandpa older ones.
• Allow ample free time and be flexible.
• Do allow several half days for play. 

• Good Morning List
  • get dressed
  • make bed
  • brush teeth
  • put dirty clothes in laundry
• Chores List
  • sweep, dishes
  • clear table
  • laundry, etc
• Going Away List
  • take hat
  • sunscreen
  • water bottle
  • lunch, etc

• “Celebrating our Creator” or “Celebrating our Dutch Heritage” etc.
• Make simple posters and related crafts.
• Make yearly time capsules and dig up the next year and add to them.

Related Reading:

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Anne Feenstra has been married for 20 years and has home-schooled all four of her children.  She has lead several bible study programs in her church and enjoys Creative Memories scrapbooking, cooking, entertaining and using their home for hospitality. Anne is to credit for the creative ideas in the "Effective Grandparenting" articles on this website. A Cousins' Camp is a time when all the cousins get together for a week or less and really get to know each other. It is run by the grandparents and there are no parents allowed.
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