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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”

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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

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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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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Eleanor and Campbell are learning 5 things they ca Eleanor and Campbell are learning 5 things they can know for sure about God and having fun doing it!

If you want to see what they're learning, check out my blog: 5 Things You Can Be Sure of in a Season of Uncertainty. Link in bio! (Or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)

#christianwomen #christianfaith #christianwoman #bedeeplyrooted #womenintheword #shereadstruth #womenoftheword #belovedlife #womenoffaith #gritandvirtue #choosejoy #lampandlight #biblestudy #bibleteaching #biblicaltruth #christianwriter #christianwriters #christianlife  #pursuewhatislovely #christians #sheislight
ONE WORD: New ONE VERSE: “Remember not the for ONE WORD: New
 
ONE VERSE:
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Father, sometimes I get tired of me. Today, I ask you to do something NEW within me. I long to see YOU in new ways. Today I ask that you would give me an expectant heart that looks to you for new things in this season.
We have five children and I have been trying to we We have five children and I have been trying to wear out five Bibles. I am on my fifth and my goal is to have heavily marked and heavily worn Bibles for each one of my children when I am gone. 
I know you can read your Bible on your iPhones but there’s something very special about having a heavily marked Bible to share with your kids and grandkids so I encourage you to use paper Bibles and mark them up when you’re having your own quiet times. Use your cell phones for when you’re stuck in traffic or in an office or carpool line—just a thought.
If there was one word to describe our lives today If there was one word to describe our lives today it might be *uncertainty.*⁣
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We are uncertain about the potential of full-scale wars, economic upheaval, political divisions, racial unrest, school shootings, protest mobs, immigration crises, and the never-ending possibility of a new virus. Big issues which cause angst.⁣
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Amid personal and international uncertainty there are *5 things that we can know for sure* -- and I'm sharing them on the blog this week! Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog to check it out!
My grand puppy Opie is a dog of the Word…sort of My grand puppy Opie is a dog of the Word…sort of! 😜
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Weeks can go by without any communication. This is too extreme. You need to be involved in major decisions -- rooming, grades, and health. A weekly phone call is a good idea.⁣
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This is just a small piece of what I'm sharing in the blog this week -- 6 things to consider as you Raise Your Child to Leave Well. Check it out! Link in bio.
ONE WORD: Works ONE VERSE: The Lord works righte ONE WORD: Works

ONE VERSE:

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 
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Even when I can’t see it, you are working while I am waiting.
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As college acceptances and denials arrive we are a As college acceptances and denials arrive we are a mix of emotions. And so is our senior!⁣
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On the blog this week, I'm sharing 6 things to consider as you Raise Your Child to Leave Well -- check it out! Link in bio.

Copyright © 2022 · 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

FREE Ebook: 100 Activities for Your Kids!

I have a gift for you! Camp at Home includes 100 things for you to do with your kids of different ages, from toddlers to teens.
Join my email list now to get Camp at Home for FREE!

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