Used with permission by Barbara Baranowski
"Nana, when's our next camp?" eight-year old Brennan asked, as we shared a good-bye hug. I was warmed by his enthusiasm.
If you ever attended camp as a child, you may still hum a camp song or
find a wall hanging bearing a glittery Bible verse among your treasures.
I hadn't exactly envisioned myself as camp director at sixty. But
my aching muscles recounted a week's worth of fun. I thought about the
events that preceded the first summer and was reminded how God answered
a grandmother's prayer.
We have five grandchildren, but two do not live nearby, so I had been
praying that God would help my husband and me with the challenges of "long distance" grandparenting. It wasn't long until my prayer
was answered through the pages of Treasures of a Grandmother's Heart
by Esther Burroughs (New Hope Publishers). Her idea of providing a "camp-like" Bible study experience captivated me. Would my husband
and I have the stamina to host these energetic campers ages 4-8?
Thoughts of sharing our love for God in a memorable setting swelled our
hearts and danced through our longing spirits.
I formulated a daily schedule of activities then roamed through stores
searching for books, stickers, coloring pages, prizes and crafts for our
summer's theme. I ordered blank-paged books for each child to
decorate, illustrating the theme, Bible verse and day's activities. I
smiled, imagining their intent expressions as they busily decorated
their keepsake books (and selves) with glitter glue, paint and markers.
Mornings included story and song time, crafts, and games. Afternoons
were reserved for free play or a fun activity. Each camper was honored
at dinner with his/her favorite meal, and discussion of favorite color,
sports, and friends. When it was nearly time for the camp experience, I
mailed invitations, asking the Lord to water the seeds of truth that
were being sewn in the soil of tender hearts.
Now recalling many summers of blessings, I am humbled at the way God has
allowed us to be part in His life-changing work. We have relived the
memories of Nana Camp as we open their precious keepsake books.
So this year again as we enjoyed our last moments together, I replied,
"Remember, Nana Camp can be any day - just revisit the pictures in
your special book." With a full heart, I thanked God for His special
design for grandparents, and soon I was lost again in plans for next
year's camp.
If you would like to start your own camp experience, here are some suggestions:
1. Pray. Ask God to prepare the heart of each grandchild to receive His truth.
2. Plan. Pick a theme and choose activities that support it.
3. Personalize. Create a camp experience that will work within your
circumstances. Use other members of your family to add their
personalities to the lessons. For example, my father loves to read the
children Bible stories.
4. Organize. Plan ahead, but be flexible and willing to alter plans
to meet the needs of the children. Look for teachable moments in every
conversation.
Communicating spiritual truths to grandchildren is a rewarding
experience. Deuteronomy 4:9 says, "Teach them to your children and to
their children after them." (NIV). Why not put up your sign that says,
"Gone camping" and prepare for a wonderful adventure.
Barbara Baranowski is a published writer and inspirational speaker
devoted to family, educational, and spiritual issues. She lives with
her husband John in Roanoke, Virginia, and is a retired middle school
teacher.
