I once read that the only people who know you your whole life long are your siblings and your cousins. They are there from the beginning, knowing all of the childhood history that even a spouse likely doesn't know. Cousins are special -- no doubt about it. Nurturing those relationships strengthens family identity and gives kids a sense of where they belong and where they come from in this world.
My nephew, Gabe, is going to be a freshman in High School this year. Keeping Cousin Camp going is more important than ever as I realize how few years we really have left with him (Waaaahhhhhhhhhh)!!!! It's going to be as hard on me as his mother when he goes to college!!
We began Cousin Camp when the kids were young. It was a fun way for them to bond, and a good way for us to have a chunk of time to get projects done without a toddler at our feet -- a total WIN/WIN. As the kids have gotten older, we don't need the time as much anymore, but the mission of bonding the family together remains the same. Here is the basic format we've created:
- The camp usually lasts 4 days -- 2 days at my house, and 2 at my sister's
- We pick a theme verse and reinforce it throughout the time together.
- Whenever we go places, each child is assigned a "buddy" (a younger and an older cousin are paired). They are to stick together no matter what.
- We focus on activities and skills -- fun things they normally don't get to do, or skills they don't know or could improve upon. Here's a list of life-skills we planned to do at my house this year (we got to almost all of them):
How to change a bike tire
How to unclog a toilet
How to build a fire
How to make a dinner for someone special
How to tie various knots
How to calculate your heart rate
Simple technique for studying the bible
What to do in an emergency medical situation
How to compare prices
How to sew on a button
Execute a spin dribble
How to catch a football
How to answer a phone
How to engage adults in conversation
How to tie dye a shirt
Here is a visual snapshot:
Sometimes we do T-shirts
Lots of "Buddy Time" Bonding
We go on fun outings:
The Cherry Picker's Trot Kids' Race at Greenbluff
New Skills are Learned: