Cousins’ Camp 2015: “Discovering Who You Are and Whose You Are”

Cousins’ Camp 2015 is now in the history books for the Faughn family. Three years ago, I borrowed an idea from my friend Sheila Butt and launched our version of Cousins’ Camp. I had heard Sheila talk about getting her grandchildren together for activities, devotionals, and lots of fun things. I loved the idea, so I borrowed it and began our version of the camp.

Our camp, which is held at our home, begins on Thursday and runs through Monday at lunch. We run it very much like church camp. I’ll never forget the first time after breakfast when I said, “It’s cabin clean-up time,” and they all got up and went to their “cabins” and made beds, picked up clothes, lined up shoes, and made their space as neat as possible. Grampy (the camp director), their mothers (the counselors), and I (the chief cook and bottle washer) were all shocked, but we loved it! Grampy judged the “cabins” and they had a great time when the counselors came in last. After lunch that first day I thought I would try another tactic, so I said, “It’s cabin rest time.” All five of them got up and went to their “cabins” and rested (not too quietly) for about 45 minutes. Jim, the girls, and I had a great time visiting with each other during this time!

We keep a flexible schedule at camp and keep them busy with crafts, games, and other activities during the day. One of their favorites is “sidewalk chalk.” We have a long sidewalk in front of our house, so we give each one of them a square of the sidewalk and a box of sidewalk chalk and a theme to display in their drawing. When they are finished, everyone gathers around each drawing and the artist has to explain how his or her drawing displays the theme. It is amazing to see their creativity and their connection to spiritual things. I usually tear up just listening to them.

Corn hole, kick ball, game playing, singing, apron making, letter painting, bubble blowing, giggling, eating, and lots of other activities take place at cousins’ camp. This year we went on a field trip to the Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee. It was a wonderful place for them to see history and learn while having lots of fun. I was thrilled when they all were looking at the displays of dinosaur bones and other relics, and turned to me and said, “This didn’t happen millions of years ago! This is evolution, and not right!” It was such a great moment to teach them that they need to continue to believe and teach others how false evolution is.

One of my favorite times happens when we are slowing down and getting ready to go to bed for the night. We have a devotional with everyone gathered around. Grampy does a devotional on Thursday and Sunday night. On Friday and Saturday nights, our grandsons do the devotionals. They are growing as young men who love the Lord and I have been impressed by what they talk about in their devos. They talk about great-grandparents, grandparents, and other people who have influenced their lives. They turn to passages of scripture and teach from the Word. We sing and pray together and share our thoughts and emotions with one another. We say “I love you” many times.

[View more pictures of Cousins’ Camp 2015 here on Amber Tatum’s Facebook page.]

I could go on and on about Cousins’ Camp, but I want to end by telling you some of my observations about spending time together as family.I hope it will encourage you to make a special effort to spend time with your family.

• Memories are made that will last a lifetime. 
• Conflicts happen and it is a golden opportunity to teach them how God would have us handle conflicts.
• Laughter is plentiful and so important. It helps with so many things.
• We recognize that we are part of each other.
• We teach about the spiritual family and how it is much like our physical family.
• Hugs and kisses are plentiful.
• Manners are taught.
• Love abounds – for each other…and especially for God.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”  Psalm 127:3

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