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Camp Grandma Invite

Camp Grandma 2013

You weren’t invited to our annual two-day Camp Grandma this year, but my grandkids were. At least those that were potty trained. Six out of nine grandkids made for one awesome weekend!

Bonding. Memory making. Passing on our spiritual legacy. You know, all the important stuff that grandparents treasure. Condensed into two days. So, as promised, here is our Camp Grandma in review.

The above invite for each grandchild was downloaded and printed off from The DIY Dish. Easy peasy!

Throughout the year I had collected ideas on Pinterest for crafts, snacks, and meals. I wanted this summer’s Camp Grandma to be full of fun activities that were different from last year.

My two oldest granddaughters were put in charge of finding skits and memory verses for the weekend. (Working on things for Camp Grandma together—how cool is that!)

snack at Camp Grandma

My camp counselors (two oldest granddaughters) came a day early for “pre-camp” to help with on-site preparation.

They made these snack necklaces, organized skits, a memory verse activity (with a memory verse printed on rocks), and created pet rocks and other crafts that could be used as examples when they helped during craft time. (But best of all, it was great bonding time for me with two wonderful young women.)

Water Skating at Camp Grandma 2013 by Susan Gaddis

The first afternoon we spent some time water skating on the front lawn. Zip lock baggies were the “skates.”

Water Skating at Camp Grandma

And this is the “skating rink.”

Skit practice at Camp Grandma 2013 by Susan Gaddis

Skits and memory verses were practiced in the back yard—all in preparation for a Parents Bar-b-que scheduled for the second evening.

Evening Fire at Camp Grandma 2013 by Susan Gaddis

Evening camp fire allowed time for the kids to share their pet rock stories and listen to some tales from the life of Grandpa and Grandma. (Passing on a spiritual legacy weaves perfectly into such times.)

Early Morning Games at Camp Grandma with Susan Gaddis

As expected, the kids were up and out of the tent before Grandma had coffee made in the morning. So quiet activities let Grandma get caffeinated and make breakfast. (Notice the booklet cover with our Camp Grandma 2012 photo on the table. After last year’s event, I made photo albums for each of the grandkids for Christmas gifts.)

Grandpa slept-in since he had camped with the kids in the tent. Grandma didn’t sleep in the tent. Grandma slept well. Smart grandma.

Counselor Break at Camp Grandma 2013 with Susan Gaddis

Even counselors need quiet time.

Afternoon Sports at Camp Grandma 2013 with Susan Gaddis

Morning sports were balloon games with paddles made of paper plates.

Afternoon Swim at Camp Grandma with Susan Gaddis

Afternoon swimming followed craft time and lunch.

Community Service at Camp Grandma 2013 with Susan Gaddis

Grandpa made a game out of picking up trash along our road for a community service project. The kids loved it. I’m sure the neighbors did too.

Parents arrive for Camp Grandma bar-b-que

Parents and a crawling grandchild arrived in the late afternoon of our final day. Time for a bar-b-que and presentation of skits and memory verses!

Introducing a pet rock at Camp Grandma 2013

The children introduced their pet rocks to their parents during skit time. Each child had named the pet rock they created and developed a story of how they got their pet. (I think pet rocks make nice pets. No messes in the house.)

Excited grandchild at Camp Grandma with Susan Gaddis

Even the crawling grandchild enjoyed the skits.

Camp Grandma 2013 campers with Susan Gaddis

2013 Camp Grandma campers!

I realized, after they had all gone home, that I didn’t get a single photo of Grandma with the campers! Bad grandma. Sorry ’bout that.

Want to plan your own Camp Grandma? Here’s another Camp Grandma Tips and Ideas blog post and How To Plan a Camp Grandma free printable. And don’t forget our 2014 Camp Grandma for more ideas.

Catch you next week. Susan

“Jesus likes it when we share.” -Adelaide, age 3: Pass this along to everybody and their brother. OK, maybe not everybody’s brother, but you know . . . all of your friends would be nice.

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Tom Gaddis

    Nice pics hon! Thanks for the the creative idea of putting this on and for all your hard work. Love, tg

  2. Carolyn V

    Looks like so much fun Susan! You’re an amazing Grandma … among other things!

    1. Susan Gaddis

      And what are the “other things?” Inquiring minds (mine) want to know…. 🙂

  3. Heather

    What a wonderful grandma you are!

    1. Susan Gaddis

      Really? I hadn’t thought of myself that way, Heather. Thanks! I see myself as just a normal grandma. And I love it!

  4. Willa

    Susan,

    Wow, and more Wow. I so want to do this – maybe next year after life has settled down with my Mom. Since we live in a mobile home, the space is limited. But I can see us taking them to a local campground and having Camp Grandma and Grandpa Eklund. I am amazed at all you do. Thank you for the great ideas. Love, Willa

    1. Susan Gaddis

      A campground would be a wonderful place to have a Camp Grandma, Willa. Go for it! (And I’m still praying for you mom. Transitions are so hard.) Love you!

  5. Anne Schroeder

    Such love in your projects. I want to be just like you when I grow up, Susan. Thanks for sharing these.

    1. Susan Gaddis

      Seems like that is what I’ve always said about you, Anne. Miss you and our rides to Nightwriters. I’m counting the “5 years” and hoping you’ll still want to move home to the Central Coast. 🙂

  6. Char

    This is super!
    No, you are not normal or ordinary!
    It takes work, but you don’t fear it!
    It takes creativity and you embrace it!
    Plus you have a supportive husband!
    Good for you guys…and for the kids!
    Hugs, Char

    1. Susan Gaddis

      So I think I’ll frame this on my wall to stare at when I need encouragement. Unless Tom steals it first! (Thanks Char)

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