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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

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The Power of a “Buddy”–Cousin Camp is coming!!

by Susan Alexander Yates

I know it’s getting close when I start getting phone calls from my grandkids asking,

“Ghee, whose buddy am I going to be this year?”

Cousin Camp is almost here!

banana split in a gutter lined with foil

It still amazes me that buddies are such a big deal. I started this system out of desperation! I needed the kids to help each other out. John and I couldn’t do it all.

So each year at Cousin Camp an older cousin is assigned a younger one to be his buddy. The buddies help with everything from brushing teeth, to finding lost water bottles, to filling plates with lots of food. And the kids seem to love it!

10 years ago we began Cousin Camp with 5 cousins.

Our purpose has been to provide a time for our grandchildren to get to know each other since they live in different places. We pray that they will build friendships that will last a lifetime.

sweet hands with fun bracelets

You have to be age 4 to attend. (We’re not totally crazy.)

This year we’ll have 21 kids ranging in age from 5 to 18 from 5 different families. Parents drop kids off at our little farm for 4 days and 3 nights and then quickly leave for their own “couple time” before joining us for 4 more days. A young couple from our church comes to help out. We know we can’t lifeguard 21 in the pond by ourselves!

We have a detailed schedule. But it’s flexible and can change at any minute.

Morning Bible study, horseback riding, crafts, berry picking at a nearby orchard, swimming in the pond, fishing, a hay ride in 2 trucks, badminton, and even cooking classes and a fierce guacamole “cook-off” which the kids invented. And always “Warren County’s largest banana split.” The kids lead lots of the activities. And yes, we have hurt feelings, stumped toes, a rare temper tantrum, but mostly lots of laughter, silliness and good old fun.

At the end we have 2 totally exhausted grandparents!

Cousin Camp last year
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Cousin Camp
June 13, 2017 · 8 Comments

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Highlights from Cousin Camp 2017 »

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Comments

  1. Teresa Glenn says

    June 29, 2017 at 11:58 pm

    Love, love, love this!!

    Reply
  2. Kim Doerr says

    June 29, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Prayers prayers prayers for strength, health, fun, good memories and wonderful family connections for all! I love the buddy idea and hope to be able to emulate cousin camp one day, God willing! XO

    Reply
    • Kathy Cooke says

      July 13, 2017 at 11:02 pm

      I second that!!…what an example and role model your family has been, ever since our kids were babies! Love to see this and so look forward to “cousins camp” someday!?

      Reply
  3. Tiffany says

    June 29, 2017 at 3:39 am

    Wow! I love this idea!! I can’t wait to be able to do it. We only have one grand so far…..10 more children need to get married so we can have a grand camp;)!

    Keep us posted.

    ❤️Tiffany

    Reply
  4. Susan Yates says

    June 19, 2017 at 12:17 am

    Thanks Laurie!
    It’s great to hear others are doing it too:)
    Blessings, Susan

    Reply
  5. Laurie Barton says

    June 14, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    We do Nana Camp. We love it and everyone looks forward to it ever summer.

    Reply
  6. Jackie Shrum says

    June 14, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    Gosh I remember when the first grandchild was born. She was sooooo precious! In fact, I remember when John was a freshmen at UNC and Chris, Libby and Susy were in high school. Such sweet memories with this family.

    Reply
    • Susan Yates says

      June 19, 2017 at 12:16 am

      Jackie,
      You are my most faithful reader!!! Thank you so much!
      Love, Susan

      Reply

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 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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Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
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