Last night we had our “Cousin Camp Closing Ceremony!”
John and I and our great “staff,” Elizabeth and Eric, and 19 kids welcomed their parents and youngest siblings to camp.
Just before the parents arrived we had a big shaving cream fight and then a dive in the pond to clean up.
Here’s a little video peak of the shaving cream war!
Our camp closing includes a sharing of “nicknames.” During camp the children select their own nicknames. We read them one at a time and the parents have to guess which child it is. Rarely do they get it right! Names included: “Whip,” “Cowgirl,” “Anonymous,” “Snuggle Bunny,” “Big Rapper Bob,” “Bald headed Daddy.” Choosing names always creates lots of laughter.
During closing ceremonies the kids also share some of their favorite things from camp and recite their memory verse: Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of us? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.”
We also had a “test” for the dads to see how well they know their children (and nieces and nephews). We put shower caps on the heads of 5 kids at a time and blindfolded the Dads. Dads were allowed to feel only a child’s face and then guess the child’s name. This is hysterical and the kids love it! Only a few guess right.
And now the transition begins. We turn the kids over to the parents for the next four days of “Family Camp.”
Now the parents call the shots and the kids ask their parents’ permissions instead of ours. Although we do have planned activities, it’s more laid back. We expect it to take about 24 hours to transition to new roles.
Yes, John and I are exhausted. But mostly we are so very, very grateful to have this time with our wild entire family!
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