Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, Ga. 30068
How can grandparents connect with their grandchildren this summer in a meaningful and fun way?
GrandCamp, scheduled 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on three Wednesdays in July at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, may be just the answer.
"The baby boomers are a generation who desire to make a difference in this world. As they are entering the grandparenting phase, they demonstrate a longing for involvement with their grandchildren — a sort of 'do over,'" said Peggy Fulghum, boomer builder ministry director at the church.
"My thought with GrandCamp was to help grandparents start out being involved and to do it right. Many grandparents wait until the kids are older to have this much interaction. "
On July 13, 20 and 27, grandparents and their grandchildren will learn songs, hear stories, and enjoy craft time and recreation. The theme for the three-morning camp is "Legacy of Faith."
Fulghum said the decision to hold the camp on three consecutive Wednesdays rather than three consecutive days was intentional.
"My thought is not to exhaust the grandchildren or grandparents by having it all in one week," she said.
Primarily designed for children ages 3 through those who have completed kindergarten, GrandCamp also offers a limited camp experience for children ages 3 months to 2 years.
The focus for the first session of GrandCamp will be about a bug's life, and camp participants will make critter cages and bug jars. Activities for the second Wednesday will focus on fishing. The final day will focus on caterpillars and butterflies, with a relay of kids crawling through their grandparents' legs.
This is GrandCamp's inaugural year at the Marietta church, and space is limited for each age group, as well as for each grandparent (two grandchildren per grandparent).
"We want the grands to be side by side with the children," said Fulghum, who plans to follow up the camp with a monthly newsletter of ideas and stories to share, and with activities to help grandparents teach life lessons to their grandkids.
The cost is $10 per week, and grandparents are asked to bring a sack lunch for themselves and their grandchildren. You can register for one or all three weeks. Registration is required and is available online.
