Every year my husband and I plan an annual cousin camp (known in our family as Camp CeCe) according to the ages and interests of our grandchildren. So far we’ve hosted Secret Agent Cousin Camp, Preschool Cousin Camp, and two different versions of Cousin Camp at Jellystone Park. Cousin Camp is special for so many reasons, so we put a lot of thought into our venue and theme.
I moved from my hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi several years ago, so my grandchildren had never experienced the unique culture of my hometown. That’s why we decided to host a Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast.
The Mississippi Coast offers a variety of family-friendly events and venues, so we knew it would make an excellent choice for a Cousin Camp.
Heading out to Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast
A couple of weeks before Cousin Camp, I hand-stamped shirts for everyone.
We always keep our venue for Camp CeCe a secret from our grandchildren. Part of the fun of Cousin Camp is having them guess for weeks where we might be going.
On the day of our departure, we surprised our grandchildren with the announcement of a trip to the Mississippi Coast. They were beyond excited! Then my husband and I loaded our grandchildren and their luggage into two vans (borrowed from our children) and headed out.
My mom has been serving as a co-camp counselor since our very first Cousin Camp. Since she lives on the Mississippi Coast, she offered up her home to us! We spent no time hanging our Camp CeCe banner over her sunroom door and flinging sleeping bags onto the floors!
Day One of Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast
Not Just Any Donut
Our first morning at Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast called for a visit to Tato Nut, a true Ocean Springs icon with indescribably delicious donuts.
Shrimp Boat
Our first adventure on the Mississippi Coast was a shrimp boat excursion. As our boat left the harbor, the kids learned about the Coast’s long-time shrimping industry. Then they handled a variety of creatures pulled from the boat’s shrimp net.
Small Craft Harbor Park
Since we’d planned a jam-packed itinerary, we brought along lunches and an ice chest. After our shrimping boat excursion we stopped at a park near the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor where the kids ran, played, and paused to visit a military monument.
After dinner at Sal and Mookies (where pizza makers tossed pepperonis at the kids!), we headed for the beach.
Beachside Park
As the sun began to fade, Ocean Springs Front Beach offered a view that was hard to beat.
Day Two of Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast
Biloxi Lighthouse
The Biloxi lighthouse has provided a beacon of light over the years for countless maritime pilots. But as a Coast native, the lighthouse reminds me of the unique people, food, and culture that make up the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
When I suggested we climb the 55-step staircase to the top of the lighthouse, I had no idea my 84-year-old mom would be game! Although she’s lived on the Mississippi Coast all her life, my mom had never climbed the lighthouse steps!
It’s one of the many special treasures Cousin Camp on the Coast gave to all of us.
Air Show
On our way back from the children’s museum we stopped at a Biloxi harbor and unpacked our lunches and ice chests. Then we ate lunch and drank plenty of water while we watched the Blue Angels practice their air show that was scheduled for the next day!
Children’s Museum
After our lighthouse adventure, we made our way to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, a children’s museum that offered entertainment for everyone.
Day Three of Cousin Camp on the Coast
Beauvoir
To our surprise, our grandchildren loved our visit to Beauvoir, the historic home of Jefferson Davis.
We were impressed by how attentively our grandchildren listened to the tour guide. As she told us about the history of the home, they paid attention to every word.
The kids loved Beauvoir’s museum and explored the exhibits with interest.
Every. Single. One.
After the tour we boarded golf carts for a visit to the cemetery.
With the help of an onsite ledger, my mom discovered the grave of her great-grandfather, a Civil War veteran. The kids were beyond excited. And so was my mom!
Once we’d seen all Beauvor had to offer, we were sweltering in the Coast heat.
So, we accepted a gracious invitation from some Coast friends for a pool party at their home.
Downtime
As the sun began to fade, my grandchildren asked to return to the Ocean Springs playground they had enjoyed the day before. So we did. And we were not disappointed.
Day Four of Cousin Camp on the Coast
Shoe Excursion
We ended Camp CeCe by buying all the grandchildren a new pair of back-to-school tennis shoes.
Hometown family
Once the shoes were purchased, we met up with my sister and nephew for a quick lunch at what had become one of my grandchildren’s favorite spots.
Since my sister and her family normally live out of the country, we felt fortunate to catch them during one of their stateside breaks. (The benefits to Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast kept mounting!)
Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast for the win!
As we loaded our grandchildren into the van to begin our trek back home, I asked them which was their favorite Camp CeCe: Bug Camp, Secret Agent Camp, Jellystone Park or Camp CeCe on the Coast?
And their unified response was: Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast!
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