By Laura Lee Leathers
Now that you are retired, if you have grandchildren, have you considered creating a special time of “summer camp” for you and your grandkids? This means a few days at your home, no parents, and it’s not a vacation. It’s a camp with purpose, a theme, scripture, song, and all the activities you can create to make it memorable.
The first time I ever heard of a grandparents’ camp was in Esther Burroughs’ book “Treasures of a Grandmother’s Heart.” Her idea sparked a desire to do something similar with my grandchildren. I’ve since learned that other grandparents are doing the same thing.
My first Nana’s Camp was based on the children’s song by Bill and Gloria Gaither, “God Loves to Talk to Boys When They’re Fishing.” I rented a cabin next to the lake at a nearby state park. Fishing gear, tackle box, and bait were at the top of the packing list. Our meals, crafts, Bible stories, and outside activities were centered around the fishing theme.
In the afternoons, we spent our time enjoying swimming and going down a humongous water slide. The grandsons even coaxed me, a person who doesn’t like heights, to give it a whirl. I did, repeatedly.
Now it’s time for me once again to put on my artistic hat and create a Nana’s Camp for my two youngest grandsons, ages almost 6 and 4. The following are a few of my initial steps:
- Pray and ask God for His theme, as well as physical, emotional, and spiritual strength.
- Plan as early as possible, and check with parents regarding dates.
- Prepare a schedule that includes a Bible story, memory verses, singing, a field trip, crafts, rest time, meals, and surprises.
- Peruse the internet for items that fit your spiritual theme. Pinterest and Etsy are great.
My Nana’s Camp will be held during the first week of July. Our theme is the Ten Commandments. The oldest grandson will be Moses, and the youngest will be Aaron. Each will have a biblical costume, including a shepherd’s staff, and we will try to reenact some of the stories.
Meals might include shepherd’s pie, lamb, fruits, and fresh vegetables. For the finale, we will have an ice cream party and invite the parents. Crafts will include making a Ten Commandments tablet. The movie about Moses, “The Prince of Egypt,” is on the agenda, and the song “Where is Baby Moses,” with hand motions, will be learned.
This is an idea to get you started. It’s not too late to do a summer camp with your grandchildren. I hear you saying, “Good idea, but I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” Ask God, the Creator of all things, to give you the creativity you need for this tradition. He will!
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, and encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.