Jeep rides, swimming, crafts, yummy food, skits, fishing, archery, and night hide and seek…
Yep, it was 2018 Camp Grandma!
Since Tom and I had retired in the fall of 2017 and moved to our ranch house in April, Camp Grandma had to look a little different for the summer of 2018.
We set up two tents and a “gathering place” in our front yard.
The gathering place, or outdoor living room, was necessary, since we had moved to a much smaller house.
We opted for some camping “rugs” and our old lawn furniture to expand our living space.
Of course my older grandchildren came early to pre-camp as counselors to set up the outside area and prepare food and crafts.
(You can find this recipe and the one below on my Pinterest Camp Grandma Idea Board.)
OK, you gotta admit… these cool snacks are so PERFECT for Camp Grandma!
We set up a craft table near the tents where we could do crafts. (This one is a bird feeder.)
Grandpa also used this area to teach the grandkids about the Chumash Indians who once lived in this area.
And, of course, the kids made their own Indian symbols painted rocks. 🙂
Painted washers became Indian necklaces.
(You can find the crafts on my Pinterest Camp Grandma Idea Board.)
One of our best decisions to make Camp Grandma new and different was to
invest in a new swing for our new home. (Thank you, Amazon!) It was VERY popular.
Since my cousin, Pat Loomis, leads Fort Hope and God’s Country near our home AND located on the same ranch where I grew up and now live, he hosted our grandkids for an afternoon of archery, fishing, and BB gun target practice.
The kids LOVED it!
BTW… If you like to get involved in Fort Hope and help kids discover a world without technology, it’s super easy.
Just click HERE for more information.
In the evenings we played night hide and seek, ate s’mores, told stories, sang silly songs, and enjoyed the camp fire.
Yep, the swing. Two to four at a time. Big win.
At 5:00 pm on the last day of camp the parents started to arrive with lots of food for a family bar-b-que.
Their little campers entertained us with their skits and songs and we all laughed ourselves silly.
For more ideas on hosting your own Camp Grandma or Cousin’s Camp see
This Post Has 14 Comments
Nicely Done! New learning curve in your new casa. Good Job Woman!
Thanks, Sarah. We had a blast. So fun. I know you and your sisters used to do a cousins camp even after the kids grew up. That is soooooo inspiring!
Fun!! You are my inspiration for my someday! 😊❤️
Yea! I look forward to hearing all about your Camp Grandma someday, Mary!
great family bonding and inspirational
Many Blessings
Charlotte
Yes, totally a great time for bonding, Charlotte.
Love it!
Very cool Those snacks were adorable. Almost to cute to eat (almost). Glad it went so well. I love seeing Katie bugs kids. Because she is not on facebook I don’t see them as much so that was a special surprise and joy.
Yep, Kati’s an Instagram gal, not Facebook. 🙂
Hi Susan! Our own Camp Grandma begins this Saturday. Thank you for the last minute campfire brownies idea. Its so cute. You always have the best ideas. Looks like y’all had a blast!
Whoop, whoop, Debby! I’d love to see some photos of your Camp Grandma sometime!
WONDERFUL pics and wonderful blog Susan…..and obviously a wonderful time was had by all!!!! I’ll just have to copy your ‘banana-dolphins’ & the painted washers….they were FAB!!!! Looks like the perfect Camp Grandma <3 …..
BLESSINGs & HUGs to all
Moira xx
Miss you, Moira. Hugs from across the “pond.”
Gam’ma!Gam’ma- Thank you so much for sharing! The ultimate “loving” session with our “Babies!” Be blessed in the many days ahead with them all!!!😄😍🎈👏👏👏👏