STEP 2: Agenda 1-2-3

3 elements create a GRAND Grandkids Camp!

Agenda 1: Opening Ceremony

This is sooo fun! The excitement level is through the roof!

Invite Everyone

All the parents bring all the grandkids for this kick-off event. We love having everyone gather at the beginning since parents and littles don’t participate in the rest of the activities. And the parents have to deliver the grand-campers anyway!

Staging

Before everyone arrives, we stage a spectacular blast-off zone!

• Chairs. I set up chairs in a semi-circle, one or two rows deep. I have several little chairs for little grand-bottoms and a few for bigger bottoms, too!
• Banner. Our first year of Grandkids Camp, I designed a logo. I’m no pro, but I came up with something simple and then ordered a vinyl banner from a print shop. That was ten years ago, and there are a lot more resources to do this quite easily. Or you can just draw your own. This banner signals to everyone (including our neighbors, haha!) that grand chaos is underway! If you want to add balloons, pennants, or other decor, do it!
• Supplies. Grandkids Camp tee shirts, swag bags, and anything else can be set out on a small table under the banner for easy access and distribution.

Tees & “Cheese”

Once everyone has arrived, we gather and welcome them, then put on our Grandkids Camp tee shirts. Immediately, we snap several group photos with Grandma, Grandpa, and all the grandkids of every age! At this point, the tees are clean, the kids are happy, the parents are there to help, and the grandbabies are included. The stars of Grandkids Camp will never be aligned this perfectly again, so capture it!

Swag Bags

Next, we give each grandkid their swag bag. They dive in, open everything, scream in delight, show each other, show their parents, show grandma and grandpa, and pack it all back into their bag. Even the grand-littles who go home after Opening Ceremony get a tee and swag bag with age-appropriate loot.

Agenda 2: Activities

With matching tees and swag bags ready, we let the games begin! Planning and preparation are key to entertaining, safe, and successful activities.

Multiple Reveals

We don’t disclose the entire agenda right at the start, because it helps the grand-campers focus on the fun at hand instead of thinking about something ahead. This also allows us to improvise if a sudden change of plans is needed without triggering disappointment or rioting. Haha! We unveil each component as the time comes, which reignites excitement repeatedly!

Travel

If our first activity requires travel, we insist everyone make a final potty stop (even if they “don’t need to go”), then buckle into our car seats and seat belts and announce our first destination.

Fun Times

Activities can be at-home or at a campsite or hotel/Airbnb or any other venue or a combination of them.
Here are a few ideas:

• At Home. Cooking, baking, gardening, sleeping outside, yard games, arts and crafts, making home movies, and endless more.
• Destinations. Zoo, museum, campground, beach, mountains, local attractions/events, swimming pool/waterpark, park/playground, hotel, restaurant.

Considerations

• Cost.
• Numbers. Meaning, ages and quantity of grand-campers.
• Availability. Acquire reservations, tickets, or passes ahead of time.
• Suitability. Try it out yourself so you are familiar with the place/process/parking/amenities etc. Whatever you choose, plan thoroughly and prepare everything you can beforehand.
• Uniqueness. We like to include some adventures that are new to the grandkids. They may even have some great ideas of their own!

Agenda 3: Closing Ceremony

Back at base camp and time to transfer custody of the grand-hoodlums back to their parents! At this point, the tee shirts are dirty; the grand-goblins are dirty; the grandparents are dirty; and every inch of your GK Camp world is dirty! It’s Grand!

Reunited

Parents and grand-littles join the rest of the grand-gang again for Closing Ceremony.

Pinata

The number one thing we do here is break a pinata! This was such a hit at the first Grandkids Camp, it immediately became a tradition. It’s a fabulous way to end with a bang!

Show & Tell

We also show things we have made and talk all about camp–the good, the bad, and the ugly! Because when it includes grandkids, it’s all Grand stuff! We share mischiefs and mishaps, cheers and tears, nails and fails, conversations and crafts, pics and videos!

Journal It

Each grand-participant creates a journal page about their experiences (writing, drawing, coloring, or tracing little hands) to be included in a memory book.

Buh-Bye

Finally, whether your grandkids are heading home locally or catching a plan later, they are officially returned to the full custody of their parents! And Grandkids Camp comes to a close! Usually with a few tears (sadness that GK Camp ends) and always with huge hugs and happiness!