• About
  • Books
  • One Word
    • One Word
    • Shop One Word Cards
  • Cousin Camp
  • Speaking
  • Audio
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

  • Character
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Seasons
  • Marriage
  • Parenting
  • Cousin Camp
  • Ask Susan

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
Share189
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print
189Shares
Share189
Share
Pin
Text
189Shares

You may also enjoy...

Cousin Camp
June 13, 2017 · 8 Comments

« My Second Hike on the Appalachian Trail
Highlights from Cousin Camp 2017 »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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 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.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • 5 Things We Know for Sure, No Matter What
  • Raising Your Kids to Leave Well: 6 Things to Consider
  • Confronting Evil: 2 Sin Traps to Avoid and 5 Truths About Our Enemy
  • It’s Time to Celebrate Family! Advice for Planning Your Time Together
  • Two Dangerous Phrases That Can Keep You Trapped in Fear and Regret

One Word

One Word: Sufficient

Featured Book

Cousin Camp

Cousin Camp
Buy This Book Online
30% Off
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Lifeway
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from GoodReads
Cousin Camp
Buy now!

Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure

Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure
Buy now!
  • Certainty In Christ
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Index

Search

Cousin Camp

Cousin Camp
Buy This Book Online
30% Off
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Lifeway
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from GoodReads
Cousin Camp
Buy now!

Popular

  • What Every Wife Needs: Two Simple Things to Tell…
  • You are the Parent, Not Your Child: How to Discipline
  • Do You Need Fresh Hope for This New Year? 4 Things Will Help

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:
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43: 18-19
 
ONE THOUGHT:
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.*⁣
⁣
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.⁣
⁣
Closer to home we don’t know about our own finances, our job security, the health of those we love, our concern for a child who has strayed, or the uncertainty of a child’s future as he leaves home for the first time.⁣
⁣
Uncertainty can cause us or our children to fear. To imagine the worst. To look for control that we do not have. To wonder if anyone understands.⁣
⁣
We long for a sense of security, for something to hold onto. And so do our children.⁣
⁣
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! 😜
When your child leaves home, beware of falling int When your child leaves home, beware of falling into one of these two extremes:⁣
⁣
A “helicopter parent” is one who is constantly texting, tweeting, emailing her child -- advising on daily activities and many decisions. ⁣
⁣
Although she wants her child to be self confident she is actually undermining her confidence by making too many decisions and this communicates to the child, "You may not make the right decision so I will make it for you." This is not healthy for the child.⁣
⁣
Another trap is that of a “hands off parent.” Her attitude may be, "I raised her to be independent and now she’s gone so I’ll wait until I hear from her. She now is on her own to make decisions." ⁣
⁣
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.⁣
⁣
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. 
Psalm 103:6
 
ONE THOUGHT:

Even when I can’t see it, you are working while I am waiting.
Nature gives us so many pictures of God! Here’ s Nature gives us so many pictures of God! Here’ s a photo I took last week. 

Spring? Maybe not! We must persevere!            

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2
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!⁣
⁣
Change is in the air whether it’s a job, a gap year or college looming on the horizon. Other parents have kids preparing to go in the fall to middle or high school or even preschool. Time does not stand still. Our kids are growing! And at some time in the future they will be leaving us.⁣
⁣
How well I remember driving away from the dorm after leaving Susy at college. Just the week before we had left Libby, her twin and soul mate, at another college. These were the last of our five children. ⁣
⁣
My husband John had planned a romantic night at a mountain inn on the way home. Not a good decision. Instead, I cried all the way home. My poor husband. It was not just the fact that my last were leaving it was also the pain of their being separated for the first time ever. It had been their decision and it proved to be a wise one in their maturity but at the time all I felt was grief.⁣
⁣
From the time our child is born we know this day will come and part of raising them involves preparing them to leave - as healthy, confident adults. But most of us don’t factor in the sadness it will bring us!⁣
⁣
Some parents coddle their children too much and others give too much freedom too soon. Our challenge is finding the balance. Raising kids who will be ready to leave involves intentional planning at each stage of their development. ⁣
⁣
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!

189Shares
189Shares
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkayPrivacy Policy