Date: 2012-07-23
From: Fort Wayne, IN

To: Vera Cruz, IN
Miles today: 0.0

Grandma camp finally arrived after planning by the Grandmas and anticipation by the kids who were coming this year. After weeks of drought, it rained and rained. We all gathered at Joe and Amy's house (who graciously let us use it each year). The rain did stop but the ground was wet so we opted not to put up the tents...more rain was coming. Kids were enjoying the lake, the paddle boats, and the big sand pile that Joe left on the beach area. They took turns coming in to decorate their camp shirts. It was so very hot after the rain stopped for a while that we gathered under a tree for drinks, a snack and a little rest. The rain began again so we went inside to watch a movie. There were kids everywhere...17 of them piled on sleeping bags. We also had a Lego bulding contest. We divided into 4 groups of 4 and each group was given a basg of Lego's. The object was for them to work together to build one structure that used every Lego that they had. Being the creative kids that they are, they came up with great things. The prize for everyone?? Lego building block candy!! (Trail Mama found this someplace while wandering the wilderness on the AT) It was a hit! More swimming, more rain, dinner standing, sitting, wherever a spot could be found... After dinner, a hula hoop contest! Lauren, one of the smallest cousins, won...she barely moves but the hula hoop flies around her! Our resident (a treat for this camp) Eagle scout (nephew, Doug) built a fire on the beach and s'mores were next! Then one of the kids favorites..glow sticks to make bracelet and necklaces. It was dark by now so they played their annual game of "ghosts in the graveyard". The adults don't understand the rules and we don't think the kids do either but they sure do seem to have fun racing around in the dark with their glow sticks! Inside to settle into sleeping bags...tired kids...tired but happy adults to watch kids having a great time! Up to more rain in the morning. After breakfast, back into the water. When it started to rain with NO lightning, they all ran to the spot where the lifeguards were under a covering. When we reminded them that they were already wet, they happily ran back to the water and continued playing. However when the thunder and lightning started up, we all ran for the house. So now we have 17 wet kids, with wet towels sitting on sleeping bags which now got wet and the rain went on. Several adults checked weather reports and found the rain was supposed to continue the rest of the day so the adults reluctantly decided to call parents to come and get the wet kids. While waiting on parents, we ate lunch, and played another game called "who is my cousin?" Some of these kids only see their cousins at camp so don't know everyones names....so we tried to see who knew...several did know all the names! Everyone then squeezed around the table to decorate our camp visors. It was so nice to see all the sharing and cooperating going on when everyone was so crowded together. The creativity was there as usual with these kids!We watched a tear jerker movie about a dog and then parents arrived to take kids home. We were all sad because there were many more fun things planned but they were outside things and the ground was now very wet. So ended Grandma camp 2012...it was disappointing to have to stop early but anytime cousins can be together making memories that will last a life time...it is a good thing...a very good thing! To SOS and Trail Mama, it was worth driving 1466+ miles to see happy kids having fun together.