How to keep everyone happy at cousin camp is a question that pervades my thoughts for weeks leading up to camp each year. I want cousin camp to be fun, meaningful, and something my grandchildren will want to return to year after year.
For our sixth annual cousin camp—affectionately known by my grandchildren as Camp CeCe—our nearly-three-year-old granddaughter joined us from Florida. Since her mom had to make the 12-hour drive, we invited her and our one-year-old grandson to join us.
So, altogether we had a baby, two preschoolers, five elementary-aged children, my 85-year-old mom who returned as a camp counselor, my daughter, my husband, and me.
With a ten-year gap among the grandchildren, we knew it would be a challenge to keep everyone happy at cousin camp. That’s why we made a safe choice and booked our third trip to Yogi on the Lake, a Jellystone Park near our home.
For the first time, we settled into the campground’s only lakeside lodge.
We rented two golf carts so we could easily transport everyone to the pool and other campground activities.
A variety of indoor activities help keep everyone happy at cousin camp.
Our annual cousin camp takes place in the dead heat of the summer. Although most of our activities are outside, we offer plenty of indoor activities as well. That way our grandchildren can cool off without getting bored.
Some of the grandchildren painted pillowcases with fabric markers. Not only did they enjoy the art project, but they took home a souvenir to remind them all year of our special time together.
Crayons and markers were popular with the younger grandchildren.
Both checkers and chess were a hit with the older kids.
We placed a jigsaw puzzle on an empty table, and were surprised by how frequently the older kids stopped by to help fit pieces in.
Participating in onsite activities keeps everyone happy at cousin camp.
One rule we have at cousin camp is that everyone must participate. Even if a grandchild isn’t excited about an activity, he or she is required to join in for the sake of those who may be looking forward to it.
The campground offered a free miniature golf course and the kids loved it. Although our grandchildren are at various levels of ability, we encouraged them to help each other, and they did.
Of course the pool kept everyone cool and offered hours of fun. Slides and a splash pad kept them entertained for literally hours at a time.
An army tank on the property ignited the kids’ imaginations and was the perfect setting for our Nerf gun wars. Again, everyone participated (even it Nerf guns didn’t seem “cool”) and, in the end, they all had a blast.
Our older grandchildren loved playing on the campground trampoline.
Games and learning activities help keep everyone happy at cousin camp
To help keep everyone happy at cousin camp, we keep a pretty tight schedule of activities. That helps us ensure that no one grows bored or irritable. At the same time, we want our grandchildren to have the freedom to choose what they’re in the mood for.
My husband made a corn hole game, and it was hands down our most popular camp activity for both kids and adults.
A dart board provided a more challenging activity, yet it was easy enough for all the older kids to use.
My husband gave whittling lessons, and the kids were all onboard!
Impromptu games of football popped up pretty frequently.
Knot-tying at Camp CeCe has become a tradition.
Learning to appreciate togetherness keeps everyone happy at cousin camp.
As much as I love all the games and activities at cousin camp, nothing trumps bonding time. It comes naturally as we play together, help each other, and remind each other to appreciate our differences.
Focusing on our faith
Perhaps the most important thing we do to keep everyone happy at cousin camp is the most intangible.
We focus on our faith in Christ.
We take turns praying at meals
and at bedtime I gather the grandchildren to tell them stories from my own childhood. With each story I fold in a spiritual truth, something faith-building they can hold onto and take with them.
Shoe-In
On the last day of cousin camp, my husband and I traditionally treat our grandchildren to a new pair of school shoes. Although the kids look forward to the shopping trip, it was designed to help our daughters and their husbands with back-to-school expenses.
This year we used the shoe-shopping excursion as a rewards strategy. On a chart we listed behaviors we wanted to encourage for the week. Then we lied. We told our grandchildren we’d purchase shoes only for those who at some point modeled the desired behaviors.
We never had to tell them we were lying! Haha! Although we’d have purchased shoes for every grandchild regardless of their behavior, the chart was a great tool of encouragement!
Keeping everyone happy at cousin camp is worth all the effort.
Since our first preschool camp, we’ve been learning how to keep everyone happy at cousin camp. As our grandchildren have grown, we’ve made many adjustments. Our Secret Agent Camp was tightly scheduled, but by the time we took the grandchildren to Jellystone Park for the first time, we were able to be a little more lax.
On our trip to the Mississippi Coast we kept a fast pace with plenty of activity. Finally, at our most recent cousin camp, we struck a balance between plenty of activity and some chill time.
Most importantly, keeping everyone happy at cousin camp requires a lot of pre-planning, plenty of flexibility, and constant reminders to love, help, and forgive each other. In the end, if we come away from cousin camp loving each other and feeling loved, I’m pretty sure we’ll be not only happy, but filled with joy.
