"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.
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