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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

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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”

I will not spam you. Read my Privacy Policy.

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…

Read More
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….

Read More
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.”…

Read More
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
Buy now!

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One Word: Saves One Verse: “The saying is tr One Word:  Saves
 
One Verse:

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." 1 Timothy 1:15
 
One Thought:

Father, I am a sinner. Thank you for saving me once and for all. Help ______ to come to realize that you want to save him (or her) as well. Your nature is to save. Your love compels it. You cannot help it. You sent Jesus to redeem each one of us.
On a walk the other day I noticed beautiful Iris p On a walk the other day I noticed beautiful Iris plants beginning to bloom. They were surrounded by plants I didn't recognized except that I know some were weeds. 

This metaphor came to mind: ‘Our lives have both beauty and weeds mixed together. It’s easy to focus on the weeds (illnesses, hurtful relationships, a difficult decision, a longing unfulfilled), however it’s healthier to focus on the beauty. 

And if we don’t know what is a weed or a possible plant God knows. He will reveal them to us when we need to know and what we discover may surprise us. It helps to remember that HE is in the midst of whatever we are experiencing.
I have a gift for you this week! In my blog, I'm s I have a gift for you this week! In my blog, I'm sharing 10 questions to ask yourself when you're trying to make a hard decision. ⁣
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We all struggle with decision-making! Especially when it's not a clear moral choice between right and wrong.⁣
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Some years ago, my pastor husband John came up with this list of 10 questions to help make decisions. I'm sharing them on the blog, and my friend, artist Jess Blanchard @jessblanchardstudio turned them into a gorgeous bookmark you can download for free.⁣
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You might want to laminate it and keep it in your Bible. I hope it's a blessing to you.⁣
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Read the blog and download the bookmark -- link in bio, or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Holds One Verse: “Nevertheless, I One Word:  Holds
 
One Verse:

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand." Psalm 73:23
 
One Thought:

Dear God, help me to remember all day today that you are holding my hand. You never let go.
I just got back from a quick trip to Chicago with I just got back from a quick trip to Chicago with two friends (Barbara Rainey and Joanne Thompson) to hear poet Malcolm Guite @uitemalcolm3774 lecture and to visit the Lilias Trotter collection at Wheaton College. We got to read her journals and hold her precious art. She was an artist in the late 1800’s who gave up a promising career to go to Algeria for the next 20 years to minister to poor women. @laurawatershinson has produced a movie about her called Many Beautiful Things. (It's wonderful! Look it up if you haven't seen it.) #manybeautifulthingsmovie 

We were inspired by both of these people. It was wonderfully refreshing to get out of our own worlds and away from ”our stuff” and focus on something completely “other!” We all need to do this😊
This verse from Psalm 105 speaks to me. How easy i This verse from Psalm 105 speaks to me. How easy it is to forget -- rather than to remember -- what He has done. Or to focus on all the crises around me. It’s easy to lose perspective on life and on what God is doing. ⁣
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Setting aside a specific day this summer for celebrating God's faithfulness will restore our PERSPECTIVE.⁣
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I'm sharing ideas in my blog you might want to use to put together a summer gratitude extravaganza of your own!  I hope you'll check it out.⁣
⁣
Link in bio, or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog⁣
⁣
Let us remember the wonders He has done!
One Word: Mighty One Verse: “O Lord God of h One Word:  Mighty
 
One Verse:

“O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you?" Psalm 89:9
 
One Thought:

Father, too often I forget that you are mighty. I unknowingly assign to you my own weakness without even realizing it. Forgive me. I want to dwell on your mighty power today. Your might levels mountains, raises seas, heals diseases, changes hearts and creates a complex human body. When I focus on your might my perspective is restored.
@jodie_berndt’s new book, Praying the Scriptures @jodie_berndt’s new book, Praying the Scriptures for your Marriage, is the #1 book I would recommend on marriage.

Written with her husband Robbie, it’s honest, funny and very practical. Her down to earth style will make you feel normal with the challenges we all face in marriage, but she doesn’t leave us there. She provides us with tips for communication, relevant scriptures, and samples of specific prayers to pray for your marriage. Get a copy for yourself and several for wedding gifts or anniversary presents!

We’ve been married 53 years and this book is so good for us!

Thank you Jodie!
A craft table at the farm with some of our budding A craft table at the farm with some of our budding artists (grandchildren). ⁣
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I have an idea for you: Let's put on our calendars now a SUMMER CELEBRATION DAY!⁣
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The purpose? To set aside one whole day to recount God’s faithfulness with thanksgiving. This simple act can lead to a day of praise and worship and a closeness with others as we share His goodness together.⁣
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There are so many ways you can do this! On your own, on a day-long (or hour-long) retreat. With your immediate or extended family. With church friends. ⁣
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Out in a park or inside on a rainy day. With a craft table like ours or with music or food or sports -- or all of the above!⁣
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I'm sharing lots of ideas in this week's blog: Celebrate! Your Recipe for a One-Day Summer Gratitude Extravaganza  Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog⁣
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I hope you'll plan something and I'd love to hear what you do!

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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