Cousin Camp 2012

I can’t believe I haven’t posted about this yet. It’s been a month since Cousin Camp 2012 – it’s this thing that my mom started a few years ago for my kids and their two cousins. It’s a themed week with activities and camping and camaraderie and you can read about last year’s camp here.

This year, the kids picked the theme “hillbillies” so of course, we obliged in tasteless fashion. This is the first year I’ve also attended cousin camp (I’m usually working) so there are a lot of photos. I mean, a lot. Like, settle in.

So, this year’s Cousin Camp started like any other – with an invitation and some ground rules.

Everyone’s first order of business upon arrival was to get decked out in overalls and denim and set up camp in my parents’ field.

Then the kids had to build their own shack from cardboard and whatever they could find around grampa’s barn. You can find pretty much anything in grampa’s barn if you really, really look.

Someone gave them those hideous fake hillbilly teeth, which really set the mood but also really grossed me out.

Grama set up a Tradin’ Post where they could get penny candy, hats and dry goods.

And of course, I made sure there was a pokey for evil-doers.

Each day, the kids had lunch in little pails, and hiked down to the picnic table.

They even put together a jug band that was surprisingly loud.

Every year, grama hosts and Unbirthday Party (remember, Alice in Wonderland) and the kids have a little cake and a present. This year, Aunt Amy made homemade ice cream.

And grampa gave them weapons!

Just kidding. They were for target practice.

And after a bit of instruction, the kids got pretty good at it.

Each night was capped off by a campfire.

And s’mores, usually.

One day we took the kids to an old haunt – our former Girl Scout camp, now run down and in need of love. And customers.

I loved the time I spent here as a kid and my sister and I recalled the scout trip where one girl’s shoes caught on fire and another fell out of her bunk.

I think this is the adirondack we stayed in all those years ago. I must have been 11.

The camp is just footsteps away from the Millicoma River.

A good place to find crawdads.

And periwinkles.

And learn about botany.

And cause and effect.

And to look for Ewoks.

And to hang out with Grampa.

It’s a heck of a drive, but it was worth it.

Later, we returned home and made duct tape wallets, because of course we did.

And wrapped up the week with the Hillbilly Holler Olympics, Hatfields v. McCoys.

There was a watermelon eating contest (which was supposed to be a seed-spitting contest but someone accidentally bought seedless watermelons.)

Foot races and feats of strength.

And hog calling.

And a fun time was had by all.