“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
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.
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”
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
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
