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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

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Cousin Camp

“Do you long to be an influence with your grandchildren? Cousin Camp is full of ideas for both generations. Susan’s wisdom and experience are sure to guide you to develop intentional multigenerational relationships too.”

-Dennis and Barbara Rainey, cofounders of FamilyLife, parents to six and grandparents to twenty-four

Cousin Camp

A Grandparent’s Guide to Creating Fun, Faith, and Memories That Last

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In a world where our families are more scattered than ever, true and lasting family connections are hard to forge and even harder to maintain–and they don’t happen by accident.

Cousin Camp is an inspiring, practical book that outlines how grandparents can plan and host a camp. Grandmother to 21 grandchildren, Yates has been creating cousin camps and family camps for years. Now she passes on what she’s learned so you can help your children and grandchildren develop meaningful, lasting connections with each other–and with you!

Full of specific, practical ideas and hilarious stories, this book contains everything you need to know from initial planning (who, when, and where) to a daily schedule to specific ways to build friendships among family members. Mothers of young children will want to adapt her ideas for use throughout the year–not just at reunions! Her concepts apply in a variety of situations.

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Download your FREE copy of "Camp at Home: 100 Practical Ideas for Families"

Camp at Home

I have a gift for you! “Camp at Home” is based on my book Cousin Camp but contains a plan that will enable you to host your camp at home. In fact I have included 100 things for you to do with your kids of different ages including toddlers, the middle years, teens, and specific things for the whole family. In addition, there are ideas for grandparents to use to stay connected with their grandkids during this time.

Enter your email address below to sign up for my email newsletter and download your FREE copy of “Camp at Home: 100 Practical Ideas for Families”

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Praise for Cousin Camp

Another winner by Susan Yates! Cousin Camp is a treasure trove of wisdom, ideas, and practical helps for passing on a legacy of love and faith to those you love most. I am on it—planning a yearly gathering to bless and build our family based on this very inspiring book!

-Pam Farrel, international speaker, codirector of Love-Wise,
and author of fifty books including the bestselling Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti

Susan had my full attention the first time she mentioned her Cousin Camp. Intrigued by the idea, I was eager to hear why she did this, then how and what and where. I instantly knew it was something I would want for our own family someday. Now Susan is offering helpful answers to all those same questions and many more—shared in her encouraging, inspiring, and always entertaining style. So get ready to create lasting memories and closer relationships for your entire family.

-Lisa Jacobson, Club31Women.com

Susan Alexander Yates understands the value of building strong families. Abiding in the twenty-first century, many of us lead hectic lives resulting in superficial relationships. Most of us long to draw close to our families. Yet bringing the extended family together can be daunting. Overflowing with practical guidelines for organizing family camps and reunions, Cousin Camp is an excellent resource for families of all sizes, backgrounds and needs. Knowing Susan for forty-seven years, I have been blessed to learn from her as she journeyed the ups and downs of being a mother and grandmother. What she writes is authentic. She shares what she has lived. This well-organized, delightful, inspiring, and informative book is realistic and encouraging to anyone longing to draw nearer to family. It is with joy I recommend it.

-Catherine Jacobs, mother, grandmother, speaker,
author of Pass the Legacy: 7 Keys for Grandparents Making a Difference,
and director of Pass the Legacy Ministry

Cousin Camp casts a vision for extended family that goes beyond ‘civil’ holiday gatherings. With an abundance of practical insight, Susan Yates shows how each of us can be cultivators of beautiful closeness, loyalty, and special memories among our relatives. Whether or not you grew up with a tight-knit extended family, this book will give you an expansive view of what family can be and help you create it.

-Jedd and Rachel Medefind,
presidents of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and parents of five
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Cousin Camp
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Cousin Camp is Featured On:

  • 100 At-Home Activities for Kids this Summer on The 700 Club with CBN
  • Cousin Camp Interview on Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman
  • Interview on FamilyLife Today:
    Time for Camp!
    A Camp With a Purpose
  • Interview on Chris Fabry Live with Moody Radio
  • Grace Enough Podcast Interview: Creating Connection Through Cousin Camp & Extended Family Gatherings
  • Simply Wholehearted Podcast Interview: Creating Connection that Lasts

Cousin Camp Also Includes Ideas for Family Reunions!

About the Author

Susan Alexander Yates is a popular speaker and the author of several books, including And Then I Had Kids and And Then I Had Teenagers. A regular guest on FamilyLife Today and other national radio programs, she lives with her husband, John, in Falls Church, Virginia.

The Stories Behind Cousin Camp

from Susan’s blog

September 7, 2022

Teenagers Rule at Family Camp: Messy, Crazy, and Oh So Sweet!

The last car pulled out a few hours ago. John and I are beyond exhaustion….

Read More
September 7, 2022
March 16, 2022

It’s Time to Celebrate Family! Advice for Planning Your Time Together

Spring is in the air, the pandemic is lessening, we are longing to be with…

Read More
March 16, 2022
September 8, 2021

Wild and Crazy Family Camp: Worship, Food, and Fun

We are getting ready! They are about to arrive!!! Yes, the wild and crazy “Yates…

Read More
September 8, 2021
April 2, 2020

My Favorite Things About Cousin Camp (an interview with Susan’s grandchildren)

Hey Friends! Last week I shared with you an informal, un-edited interview with my granddaughter…

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April 2, 2020
March 31, 2020

My new book about Cousin Camp is here!

My new book is here! And I’m excited to share it with you.  It’s called: Cousin…

Read More
March 31, 2020
March 25, 2020

A Little Chaos and a Lot of Love: Building Lifetime Bonds

Hey Friends, I know we’ve all been cooped up for a while now, and we…

Read More
March 25, 2020
March 4, 2020

What You Need to Know About Cousin Camp

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about Cousin…

Read More
March 4, 2020
June 26, 2018

Reporting from Cousin Camp!

This past week our 21 grandchildren, ages 6-20, gathered at our little family farm for…

Read More
June 26, 2018
June 13, 2018

“It’s Coming! Countdown to Cousin Camp.”

Tomorrow our 21 grandkids will invade our little farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia…

Read More
June 13, 2018
June 28, 2017

Highlights from Cousin Camp 2017

We just finished our tenth Cousin Camp and it was an incredible, exhausting, thrilling blessing….

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June 28, 2017
June 13, 2017

The Power of a “Buddy”–Cousin Camp is coming!!

I know it’s getting close when I start getting phone calls from my grandkids asking,…

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June 13, 2017
June 23, 2016

Big Kids Camp!

Two weeks ago we hosted our 9th Annual Cousin Camp at our farm. This year we…

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June 23, 2016
May 25, 2016

Countdown to Chaos! Another Year of Cousin Camp Begins

My study floor is covered with reams of paper, sticky notes, and printed out “schedules.”…

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May 25, 2016
June 24, 2015

Highlights from Cousin Camp

Last night we had our “Cousin Camp Closing Ceremony!” John and I and our great…

Read More
June 24, 2015
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Cousin Camp

Cousin Camp
Buy This Book Online
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Cousin Camp
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One Word: Warrior One Verse: “The Lord is a One Word:  Warrior 
 
One Verse:

“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name." Exodus 15:3
 
One Thought:

Lord, it is good for me to be reminded that you are a warrior. You are not a pushover, or weak. You are mighty. You fight for me. You defend me. You have my back. You are for me.
One morning recently I watched my dog, Charley, wa One morning recently I watched my dog, Charley, watch me. He noticed my every move. If I looked him in the eye he would hop up and come to me. If I moved he would follow me. He listens for my voice. His greatest joy is for me to communicate with him, to pay attention to him. He loves me unconditionally, even if I’m having a bad day, blown it with a family member or friend, or still have on my smelly sweats! Watching him watch me I think about how he reflects God. Our heavenly Father watches over me. He waits for me to notice Him. He takes great joy when I call out to Him. He loves me no matter what.

“Father thank you for Charley and for using him to remind me how much You rejoice when I pay attention to You. At this moment, You are waiting patiently for me.”
These are my two 8th grade granddaughters (cousins These are my two 8th grade granddaughters (cousins). Last time they were in town we went thrift shopping, and they found a single pair of pajamas that they could both fit into at one time, lol!⁣
⁣
I've been thinking about them a lot lately as I just discovered my old 8th grade diary, which is hysterical. One of the main things I discovered is that even though so much has changed in the many years since I was in 8th grade, there are still lots of things that are the same.⁣
⁣
Read some excerpts and get insights for parenting middle school kids in my blog, "Help for Parents of Middle School Kids: Insights From My 8th Grade Diary."⁣
⁣
Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Sustains One Verse: “Surely God is One Word: Sustains 
 
One Verse:

“Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4
 
One Thought:

Father, you sustain me in the tediousness of drudgery or the extreme challenges of life. Whatever I fear - you are sustaining me, my friend, my child. It is your joy to do so!
Getting ready for Holy Week: One of my favorite re Getting ready for Holy Week: One of my favorite reads! I read this every couple of years to prepare for Easter.
Recently I found the most hilarious thing — a di Recently I found the most hilarious thing — a diary I kept when I was in 8th grade! (Swipe right to see a photo of me with my siblings from around that time.)⁣
⁣
Here are a couple excerpts:⁣
⁣
“I’m afraid I’m beginning to like Jimmy but I don’t want to because I really hate him.”⁣
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"Nothing much happened today. Linda and I are real pals now and don’t like Becky. She’s bossy and conceited.”⁣
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"I am a complete failure. I must remember that popularity isn’t everything.”⁣
⁣
I'm still laughing as I read it. But it actually gave me some insights that are helpful with my two 8th grade granddaughters -- and insights you may appreciate if you're the parent of a middle schooler. ⁣
⁣
Get the full scoop on my blog -- link in profile or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Understands One Verse: “Great is o One Word:  Understands
 
One Verse:

“Great is our Lord and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." Psalm 147:5
 
One Thought:

When no one else can understand me or my situation, you do completely, O Lord.
I had the best time recently with the Women from A I had the best time recently with the Women from Apostles Anglican Church in Houston! Our retreat was held at the lovely Hill House in the countryside. We were spoiled by incredible food, restored by the bucolic scenery, and spiritually fed by rich fellowship. Thank you Langley and these wonderful women!

 @apostleshouston  @historichillhouse
This is so important to remember when we're strugg This is so important to remember when we're struggling with our family relationships: God created family.⁣
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It was His idea. In the beginning He was part of a family -- Father God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But that wasn’t enough, so they created man, Adam. Then God said it was not good for man to be alone, so He created Eve as a wife for Adam.⁣
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Through their disobedience sin entered family units. Even so God did not give up on family. Family has continued ever since.⁣
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Family has a broad meaning. We usually think of family as a dad, mom, and kids. But throughout both the Old and New Testaments we see family described as large tribes, small units, particularly the family of the church. A family might include singles as well as married people, young people, and old people.⁣
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God knows that we are not meant to be alone. We need one another. The big concept here can be summarized in a single word: together.⁣
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But that doesn't mean family is easy! It can be incredibly difficult at times. If you're looking for hope or help with your family relationships, check out my blog this week: "Family Can Be Hard: How to Handle Painful Family Relationships."⁣
⁣
Link in bio or go to  susanalexanderyates.com/blog

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

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