WHAT MAKES COUSIN CAMP SPECIAL? | CAMP CECE

Our annual Cousin Camp (affectionately known as Camp CeCe) is a well-loved tradition in our family.

So far we’ve hosted Preschool Cousin Camp, Secret Agent Cousin Camp,  Cousin Camp at Jellystone Park,  Cousin Camp on the Mississippi Coast, and Family-Style Cousin Camp.

It didn’t take us long to realize what makes Cousin Camp so special.

 

Cousin Camp at Jellystone

 

For our fourth annual Camp CeCe we returned  to  Camp Jellystsone’s Yogi on the Lake.

At the time, we had six campers. The youngest was three (her first time at Camp CeCe) and the oldest was nine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The number in our group pushed us over the capacity limit for a lakeside cabin—but we knew we wanted one. So, we asked to rent an additional tiny cabin and planned for my husband to sleep there with one of the grandchildren.

To our surprise, our five oldest campers all begged to sleep in the tiny cabin with my husband! My husband relented, and my mom and I happily settled into the lakeside cabin with my youngest granddaughter.

 

 

Imagine our astonishment when we entered the tiny cabin and realized we had overlooked a crucial detail. THE CABIN HAD NO BATHROOM FACILITIES!

 

 

Fortunately, a public bathroom with showers was located just a few feet away from the cabin. So, every night the cousins chose to bed down together in the tiny cabin so they could all be together.

And every time one of the kids woke up for a nighttime potty run, my husband was the escort!

 

 

Without a doubt, he deserved a trophy for his great attitude!

 

A new twist to our game

 

As returning guests to Jellystone, we knew how to make our meal-planning work and we knew which campground activities would be the most fun. But we also wanted to amp up our game to ensure our second Cousin Camp  at Yogi on the Lake would be more than “old hat”.

Although the pool and splash pad were a mainstay, we added a few new activities to our itinerary.

 

 

One afternoon my husband took the kids for a paddleboat ride on the lake.

 

 

Another afternoon we went to the campground’s air-conditioned craft center to paint pillowcases and tote bags.

 

 

During his traditional knot-tying lesson, my husband added a couple of knots that were a little more difficult. As a result, the kids practiced their newfound knot-tying skills all around the cabin.

 

 

 

We also held a  game session where my husband taught the kids how to play cards.

 

Something special

 

As we settled into  traditions that had begun to mark our time together, I noticed something special. Among the cousins there was a depth of teamwork and camaraderie I hadn’t seen before.

 

 

Not that our grandchildren didn’t already all love each other. But their arms were around each other in friendly hugs so naturally, it caught us offguard at times. And it always made us smile.

 

What Makes Cousin Camp Special

 

Camp CeCe has become a tradition, and we look forward to it all year long.

Among my grandchildren, it’s understood that—for the few days we set aside each summer—we all belong at Cousin Camp together. And the cousins have learned to work together as a team to help make Cousin Camp both enjoyable and memorable.

That’s why my husband and I have made a commitment.

Both of us agree that, for as long as we can talk them into coming, we’ll do all we can to make sure we have the whole crew of us right where we belong.

Together.

At Camp CeCe.

Our annual Cousin Camp.