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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

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

by Susan Alexander Yates

Tomorrow our 21 grandkids will invade our little farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for 4 days and 3 nights of Cousin Camp. It will be wild, crazy, exhausting and fun!

This is our eleventh year of camp. When we first began we had 5 campers. You have to be age 4 to come, and this will be our third year with everyone included! John and I used to do it by ourselves but when we hit 19 kids we knew we needed support so a couple from our church’s youth staff comes along to help.

The first of many loads from BJs!

Planning Begins Early

Trips to BJ’s for supplies, sending out camp invitations, planning the schedule, ordering crafts, figuring out the menu, the teams, the sleeping arrangements and of course the buddy system, one of the most popular surprises.

The Buddy System

Months ahead a child will call to ask, “Ghee who’s going to be my buddy at camp this year?” In the early days, at one point we had 8 kids between 4 and 6. We couldn’t help each one so we devised a buddy system and trained the older ones to help the little ones-getting water, finding lost shoes, making sandwiches, etc. The kids loved it so we’ve kept it up over the years.

These three love to cuddle on the floor.

The Coolest Thing About Cousin Camp

Kids sleep everywhere—closets, couches, sleeping bags on floors. And we try to separate siblings so the cousins get to know each other. Each sleeping area has a digital clock and the kids know they can’t come out of their “areas” until it reads 7 in the morning! One of our grandsons, then 4, told his parents this was the “coolest thing about camp!”

We are always surprised by things the kids like best!

A small glimpse into the craziness!

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Cousin Camp
June 13, 2018 · 19 Comments

« The Value of Long Term Friendships
Reporting from Cousin Camp! »

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Comments

  1. Judy Stokes says

    June 27, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    Can I apply to be your granddaughter???

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:37 am

      I’d love that Judy!!!!
      Love you!
      Susan

      Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:38 am

      Ellen,
      I’d love for you to be a cousin! Thanks for your encouragement!
      Blessings, susan

      Reply
  2. Ellen (Soherr) Brauch says

    June 27, 2018 at 8:32 am

    What a beautiful gift you give to everyone! May I be a cousin too? ?

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:38 am

      Ellen,
      I’d love for you to be a cousin! Thanks for your encouragement!
      Blessings, susan

      Reply
  3. Laurie Wilson says

    June 16, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    Praying, Susan! What joy inexpressible!!! Such an inspiration to me. We have 11 grandkids ages 9 and under, and I am taking notes! Hope this is the best year ever!?

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      June 25, 2018 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks so much Laurie!
      It went so well and I really appreciate your prayers! Check my site for a blog on it on Wednesday.
      Love, Susan

      Reply
  4. Jennifer T says

    June 13, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    Every year I read the posts (love the ones written by the cousins themselves) and I marvel at your bravery! Praying the Lord increase strength and patience and giggles and handy washcloths and… oh, just have fun!!

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:40 am

      Jennifer,
      Thanks so much for the prayers! We needed them and it was our best camp ever!
      It helps that the youngest are now 6!
      Love, Susan

      Reply
  5. Becky :) says

    June 13, 2018 at 5:43 pm

    This sounds like SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!! 🙂
    What a Sweet Idea—and–WHATA GREAT MEMORY MAKER for Your BLESSINGS to HOLD ON TO FOR “LIFE!”
    GOOD FOR YOU TWO!! (and yes, for your helpers too!)
    U-R-Wise-Folks-2-Ask-4-Assistance!
    HAVE A BLAST! 🙂

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:42 am

      Thanks Becky!
      Yes we now need help:)
      And yes it’s a blessing,
      Love, Susan

      Reply
  6. Lynn Greenlee says

    June 13, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Hey Susan! Took some time to marvel at and enjoy your past years of Cousins Camp . . . this is just absolutely beautiful! I love how y’all pour into your grandkids, nurturing their hearts to know the Lord, while creating with and for them memories unlike any other that they will cherish the rest of their lives . . . what a gift!

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:43 am

      Hey Lynn,
      How special to hear from you. What a blessing! Hope all is well with you and your family.
      Love, Susan

      Reply
  7. Jessica Diaz says

    June 13, 2018 at 11:02 am

    Love hearing about it. Can’t wait to know more.

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:43 am

      Thanks Jessica! It’s an encouragement to hear from you.
      Love, Susan

      Reply
  8. Erin says

    June 13, 2018 at 10:08 am

    Have a blast, Susan! You inspire all of us with your enthusiasm to have the grandkids be together and know one another better each year, and their awesome grandparents as well!

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      July 2, 2018 at 11:44 am

      Thanks Erin! You are a blessing to me!Thanks Jessica! It’s an encouragement to hear from you.
      Love, Susan

      Reply
  9. Susy says

    June 13, 2018 at 8:28 am

    We are counting down the hours! Can’t wait! Cousin Camp is the highlight of the year 🙂

    Reply
  10. Debbi says

    June 13, 2018 at 8:11 am

    Susan, don’t you think it’s time to write a book about how to do a kids camp for one’s family?! You once told me it’s important to always have a challenge ahead. I think you would be the perfect one to write this book with your husband.

    Reply

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

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